Struggling for leads - Am I doing something wrong?

[SOTON STEVE]

Hi All

I've been tiling on my own for just under 1 year now, jobs have been (to be honest) up and lots of down. Now that my partner is expecting our 3rd (and last) little monkey in June, I'm starting to think that I simply cant afford to carry on with tiling which I really love doing.
I have tried all sorts of avenues to get work. From sites like Rated People and such like. I've contacted loads of plumbers, kitchen fitters, builders etc..Created a website. Created listings on all the sites like yell.com. Business cards in all local tile/bathroom/kitchen shops.

To tell the truth, I just dont know what else to do to get work. Christmas was good for me. If only every month was like that.
The annoying thing is that I know my work is of a really high standard. I simply need more leads. I know alot of people are in the same boat, but I'm starting to get worried about providing for my family when my missus starts her maternity leave.

Am I missing something? Am I doing something wrong?

Where does everyone else get leads from?

Thanks in advance for any ideas any responses give me.

Steve

 

[david campbell]

have you tried contacting local joiners or plumbers with you portfolio,also kitchen and bathroom fitting companies,putting ads in your local paper,estate agents and letting companies can produce some work with a letter and your portfolio,leaflet drops(works for some and not for others)putting business cards through doors were for sal or sold signs are up,create a wbsite!

i hope it picks up for you but jan/feb are usually slow months in the building game,especially the private sector as people are still paying the bills for xmas,i usually get a boom in nov/dec and try and talk a few people into leaving work until the new year so at least there is a steady income in the months after xmas

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Most likely!
If you've been doing okay for 12months you should have built up some contacts and have some 'regular' income.
In your favour I would say that some have found these past 15 months difficult and you can either believe in yourself and continue or take stock of your life and make a tough decision.
There is no magic wand to get work - if you feel you've exhausted all the avenues open then enjoying what you do is not the answer to your families future.
What I have found and what you are now doing is sharing your experiences with other like minded people and gaining extra knowledge and contacts which just could make the difference.
On a forum like this it is what you put in - is what you get out - whether its an extra Tilers Arms discount, being informed of better value products, using the services of one of the Sponsors - or just letting your own customers/contacts be aware that you are a regular contributor to the largest Tilers Forum in the UK.
IMHO if you are passionate about tiling, that comes accross to your enquiries and if they can afford the work they will have you to do it!
Hear endith today's surmon!
Good Luck and best regards - Hope June goes well.

 

[faithhealer]

I hope it works out Steve, nothing better than being self employed when you have to run about after your kids. Do you give everyone you meet a card, people need a reminder all the time of who you are and what you do. Notice how asda and tesco advertise all the time so you don't forget them! Get round your old customers, say it's a courtesy call and if they are satisfied, can you have a reference. and it's surprising sometimes how one of them thinks of someone or something you can do. best of luck to you and your girl

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

well soton reading your post you sound like you have coverd most bases , the only thing i think you are missing is years under your belt, and if i could give you some of mine i gladly would mate, the only pathetic thing i can say to you is hange in there in the hope that it will pick up for you, or take some part-time work or a full -time job and tile part-time what ever your decision mate!! they cant keep a good man down, im sure you will make it!! good luck

 

[enduro]

I always find this time of year a bit quite, its a mad rush up to Christmas...Then builders take three weeks off over Christmas, then it takes a few weeks to get the new jobs ready for tiling. Be patient it will come, we have all been in the same boat.

 

[peckers]

If you haven't done this already then you could keep some cards in your car/van and when ever you are passing a house that looks like it is having some work done to it then pop in, introduce yourself and give them a card. even if they dont need your services at that perticular time they may keep you in mind for next time.
If the builder is there building a garage for example, he wont need a tiler for this but he may have something coming up soon or even in 6 months,
see a builders van parked up some where slip a card under his wiper! Anything is worthy a try!
Last year when things was quiet for me i did a leaflet drop on the cars in morrisons carpark, but get permission first as i diddnt 😳but i did get a job from it!
Best of luck and i hope work comes in I have been doing this for 20 yrs and i am too quiet just ticking over, hopefully there will be a change in 2010

 

[White Room]

I think nearly all bases are covered here, Sometimes it's being in the right place at the right time.

Good luck

 

[Dan]

Hi All

I've been tiling on my own for just under 1 year now, jobs have been (to be honest) up and lots of down. Now that my partner is expecting our 3rd (and last) little monkey in June, I'm starting to think that I simply cant afford to carry on with tiling which I really love doing.
I have tried all sorts of avenues to get work. From sites like Rated People and such like. I've contacted loads of plumbers, kitchen fitters, builders etc..Created a website. Created listings on all the sites like yell.com. Business cards in all local tile/bathroom/kitchen shops.

To tell the truth, I just dont know what else to do to get work. Christmas was good for me. If only every month was like that.
The annoying thing is that I know my work is of a really high standard. I simply need more leads. I know alot of people are in the same boat, but I'm starting to get worried about providing for my family when my missus starts her maternity leave.

Am I missing something? Am I doing something wrong?

Where does everyone else get leads from?

Thanks in advance for any ideas any responses give me.

Steve

Steve,

Try to gain access to the TilersForums Arms, there are quite a few threads in there related to business-gaining.

Thanks.

 

[Ajax123]

One thing which might be useful is to target potential clients through the local planning applications. These are free and man y are now online and give lots of usefull info about jobs which are happening in terms of the contact names etc. I used to use these all the time when I first started selling readymixed concrete. I still dip into them every now and then and will fire off the occasional letter or make a call or occasionally even cold call the property.

Not sure what area you are in but here is the link to my own local planning office to give you an idea how usefull they might be to you

Planning weekly lists

some online portals are better than others of course but all of the information is in the public domain so if it is not online you can go to the planning office and look through the planning ledgers. I have done it both ways in different areas. If you go to the offices and look through the ledgers be sure to take a pen and paper so you can write down the details you need.