Advertising

[Leatherface]

Get a copy of the Yellow pages , phone book and Thompson local for your area and other local areas - ( for, as far as you are prepared to travel )
Circle all the kitchen and bathroom showrooms you can find - make a point of calling in personally to every single one - have a chat and drop off some cards, take your portfolio with you.......... keep trying - one or two good contacts could be your bread and butter.
Do a good job when you are tiling and make a point of chattting to the other trades that you meet - plasterers, joiners, painters, electricians, builders, plumbers - make a point of asking for one of their cards - say you might be able to pass them a bit of work - hopefully they will ask for one of your cards and do the same.
TRADE TO TRADE NETWORKING IS THE KEY.

I have been tiling for three years & have NEVER advertised anywhere, my name is not in the phone book & my van is not signwitten. Still busy from day 1, just by following the advice above.
Good luck

 

[White Room]

Had a call from "wickes", What there doing is a customer referal, Doing business cards so when customers choose there tiles there will be trade cards on a stand so they can choose a tiler to do there work. Sounds good, I asked the guy how they got my number (He was polite and professional) and said he did'nt know just numbers to call. The situation is, they supply the business cards to your trade and it will cost you £8 a week, About just over £400 a year, which is'nt a lot for advertising, but, did'nt really believe he was from "wickes", but heard of companys that do the card thing at other diy sheds. Did'nt ask how much the cards would be , Has any one else been called yet?

 

[Luxlux]

Made a note of a phone number from a stand with business cards in in my local Wickes (Northampton) and called a company that manages the design, print and re-stocking of cards for the stands. The cost was £10.00 per month per store. The same company also do Homebase. I haven't signed up as I am very busy but I may try it in the future.
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Sorry £10.00 per week not per month.:6:

 

[White Room]

Made a note of a phone number from a stand with business cards in in my local Wickes (Northampton) and called a company that manages the design, print and re-stocking of cards for the stands. The cost was £10.00 per month per store. The same company also do Homebase. I haven't signed up as I am very busy but I may try it in the future.
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Sorry £10.00 per week not per month.:6:

Still cheaper than my local paper, If I do 4weeks 1week free thats 5weeks for £75 with small box advert. So my previous post at £8 a week aint bad, even your's at £10 is good, wondering if anybody has tried this advertising and what results.

 

[Leatherface]

Whitebeam
what other avenues have you tried to get work ?
Advertising should be your last option ! Too costly, less effective than other methods !!

 

[brian c]

i have not had 1 call from gumtree or yell.com ever.

 

[brummie tiler]

i use gumtree and i must admit i have got a few jobs from it, there is no harm in trying , its free! I keep away from the yellow people now, absoloute waste of time, spent about £700 quid last year for a nice colour ad in the big book, when it was published turned out to be black and white and right at the end of the tilers listing, think i have had about 3-4 calls from it :mad2: