Murphy Small Business

Comment

Comment by Dena Howard on November 24, 2010 at 8:39am

With much trepidation and even more excitement, I am in the process of opening a photography studio downtown. I've been working from home and my business has grown so much that I just can't do it and keep up with my clientele without a place to "be organized!" I'm hoping that I can do well enough to pay the overhead and then make a little profit. Mickey & Chris, What type business do you have? And Frank, I absolutely wish you the absolute best in your business.

I haven't started advertising yet, but plan to soon. I know I will be advertising in the Green Sheets, but I'm not too sure about the local newspapers. My biggest draw for clients is BY FAR facebook! I would say 90% of new clients come from there.

Comment by MICKEY AND CHRIS TOMCZAK on November 22, 2010 at 8:58am

Good morning all! We're thanking God for all that's been happening despite the loss of many of our family businesses going out...our "HANDY MAN" business is steadily earning a great reputation and trying to call Murphy "HOME". We are very grateful for all the encouragement from local businesses referring friend, families and customers to us and we will not let you down. Pride in our finished work will say it all.
We're hoping and praying that our family business continues to be accepted with open arms so we can call Murphy our home...I believe that you have to follow through with what you take on is the first step to a successful relationship with your customers and completing the job to their satisfaction has been a must...lots of hard work and keeping your comments about what they want to a minimum...give them what they want with a happy face. As to advertising...we try to keep our logo in the eye of the customer at all times...every month...every opportunity...most of the times the work comes from referrals but they see you in and around the ads they pick up and agree with the referring friend and or customer. We love our GREEN SHEETS and our other ads as well. We try to keep the ads going as much as possible.

Comment by John Dilbeck on August 20, 2009 at 6:57am

Good morning, Frank.

It occurred to me that a carpet cleaning business is perfect for before and after photos, if your customers will permit them (always ask first). Not only will it show them the effectiveness of your work, it's a great way to show others, too.

All the best,

JD

Comment by Frank Daly on August 20, 2009 at 12:01am

Again, more great advice! I know that the only way for me to get established and sustain my business here is to have repeat customers and good references in order to get new ones. I will do this immediately. Thanks John.

Comment by John Dilbeck on August 19, 2009 at 9:28am

Good morning, Frank.

Another thing to consider is getting referrals from your current customers, no matter how few they are. When you do a good job for someone, try to get it in writing, and then ask for the names of people they know who may also need your service. It would be even better if your current client would call them and introduce you.

Even if they don't need your service right now, they may in the future, and they may know someone else who needs what you offer.

Word of mouth is effective and inexpensive and works well, if you do it in a systematic manner.

Don't forget that more and more people are going online to search for what they want, even local services. That's one of the reasons I started this site. You have a blog here that you can use to talk about what you do. Murphy Connections is spidered by Google every day and it doesn't take long for information posted here to show up there in searches.

Just be sure to follow the guidelines in the right column, under my photo.

Best of luck to you.

JD

Comment by Frank Daly on August 17, 2009 at 2:02pm

Audrey, John, Thanks for the advice... I am putting together a mailer and hope that with my phone book ad it will generate something. I also have a billboard on my property that I can get a sign put on with my company logo, but not sure if I can afford to have the sign made... I am not sure how good highway signs are, but it would keep my name out there in the public. I am cautiously optimistic too, but have been doing anything for work in order to pay the bills... I would like to strictly be doing carpet and area rug cleaning and office cleaning, but have had to mow yards and clean vacation rentals to just keep something coming in. I guess it will take some time to get established. Thanks again!

Frank

Comment by John Dilbeck on August 17, 2009 at 2:01am

Good morning, Frank.

I agree with Audrey. Consistency and repetition in advertising will establish "top of mind" consciousness of your business so your name, and the name of your business, will be thought of when someone needs the services you offer.

The local economy is much worse that it was a year ago, but I think I'm seeing some small signs of improvement. I'm wondering, too, what the winter months may bring, but I'm "cautiously optimistic."

All the best,

JD

Comment by Audrey Henderson on August 16, 2009 at 1:11pm

One more time after spell check :)

Frank,
Being in the Marketing and Advertising business in Murphy, I have been hearing that a lot from many of my clients. I believe if you keep the name of your business out in the community by creative advertisement you will be ok.. There are a couple of great local Newspapers, a Shopper and a Direct Mail piece in our local area, all offering a different nitch. Like everyone, advertising budgets are small these days, my suggestion is to spread your ad dollars out. It's not the size of your ad, Its the consistency and repetition that will get you results ... Good Luck , Audrey

Comment by Frank Daly on August 16, 2009 at 12:14pm

Hi Everyone! Being a new start up company is a challenge right now in the Murphy area... When I first started to sell my last business in Wilmington, the economy in Murphy was still pretty good... By the time I got here last December, a lot had appeared to change here. Now with Summer almost over, I am concerned on how I will make it through the winter months... How does the economy here look to you? Is there any advice on how to reach clients in Murphy? What has worked for you?

Comment by John Dilbeck on February 18, 2009 at 7:17pm

This is a group for local business owners to network with each other so we can get to know you as real people, and not just a business name.

What can we do to promote our area better online and to attract and please our clients and customers?