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Mike says to keep them comming, so here goes! Had this pounded into my head when selling cars. EVERYONE is a prospect! And that’s who business cards were invented for, EVERYONE! My old sales manager would give everyone he met two cards…one for you and one for a friend! Gave a card to the girl at the drive thru window each and every time. One day, the girl says she doesn’t need any more, she’s got plenty at home. He replies, why ya keeping them, don’t you want your friends and neighbors to drive nice cars! He tells her to pick one lucky soon to be new car owner, send them over, introduce themselves and he’ll do the classic deal of a lifetime. Three monthes later, her Parents come in. Waiting for the catch. He does make the deal of a lifetime, and they buy a new car. She’s thrilled and must have passed out all the cards, because in the next 6 monthes, he sells 6 new cars to her referals…and he doubles the company $50 birddog out of his own pocket.He’s happy, the customers are happy, she’s $600 richer in 6 monthes!
Point, everyone is a prospect and everyonr gets a card. I was picking up some stuff at HD last week at nite with the wife, and see a couple at the attic fan section as the sales guy comes up. They have a few basic questions, and I hear him say they can help with installation. I drift over, wait for an opening and pass the guy two cards. I say, if they want another bid, just call. He asks if I install these fans regularly, I say no, I usually recommend a ridge/soffit vent system, but it depends on the specific house. The HD guy looks confused. The homeowners ask a few more Q’s, and I say it’s not something we can figure out at HD, so call and I’ll stop over.
They haven’t called yet, but if they do, I’ll bet ya I get the job! And if they don’t, all I wasted was two cards, and about 10 min. at a store I was already at! Commando Prospecting. Pity the overheard conversation where home improvments are discussed! I do this all the time, and have gotten a few jobs from it! Usually it just ends with me helping out a DIY’er with some quick info, but the time/effort spent vs. the potential return is pretty good in my eyes. At the very least it’s free advertising….and no one at HD or Lowe’s has gotten too pissed yet! I wouldn’t suggest this at a speciality shop that does their own installation though!
My wife’s job has us attend a few dinner/cocktail functions a year. As the guests, usually upscale, sit around and ask what each other does for a living…I answer….Well, you remember that kitchen you were just talking about renovating….I do that. I’m a remodeling contractor. And here are two cards, one for you and one for a friend! We have a black tie deal next month, I’ll let ya know how many fish were there! Jeff….always fishin’.
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Mike says to keep them comming, so here goes! Had this pounded into my head when selling cars. EVERYONE is a prospect! And that's who business cards were invented for, EVERYONE! My old sales manager would give everyone he met two cards...one for you and one for a friend! Gave a card to the girl at the drive thru window each and every time. One day, the girl says she doesn't need any more, she's got plenty at home. He replies, why ya keeping them, don't you want your friends and neighbors to drive nice cars! He tells her to pick one lucky soon to be new car owner, send them over, introduce themselves and he'll do the classic deal of a lifetime. Three monthes later, her Parents come in. Waiting for the catch. He does make the deal of a lifetime, and they buy a new car. She's thrilled and must have passed out all the cards, because in the next 6 monthes, he sells 6 new cars to her referals...and he doubles the company $50 birddog out of his own pocket.He's happy, the customers are happy, she's $600 richer in 6 monthes!
Point, everyone is a prospect and everyonr gets a card. I was picking up some stuff at HD last week at nite with the wife, and see a couple at the attic fan section as the sales guy comes up. They have a few basic questions, and I hear him say they can help with installation. I drift over, wait for an opening and pass the guy two cards. I say, if they want another bid, just call. He asks if I install these fans regularly, I say no, I usually recommend a ridge/soffit vent system, but it depends on the specific house. The HD guy looks confused. The homeowners ask a few more Q's, and I say it's not something we can figure out at HD, so call and I'll stop over.
They haven't called yet, but if they do, I'll bet ya I get the job! And if they don't, all I wasted was two cards, and about 10 min. at a store I was already at! Commando Prospecting. Pity the overheard conversation where home improvments are discussed! I do this all the time, and have gotten a few jobs from it! Usually it just ends with me helping out a DIY'er with some quick info, but the time/effort spent vs. the potential return is pretty good in my eyes. At the very least it's free advertising....and no one at HD or Lowe's has gotten too pissed yet! I wouldn't suggest this at a speciality shop that does their own installation though!
My wife's job has us attend a few dinner/cocktail functions a year. As the guests, usually upscale, sit around and ask what each other does for a living...I answer....Well, you remember that kitchen you were just talking about renovating....I do that. I'm a remodeling contractor. And here are two cards, one for you and one for a friend! We have a black tie deal next month, I'll let ya know how many fish were there! Jeff....always fishin'.