Share Your Success With the World!

 

  
  There are often times contractors of all sorts will get done with a project and know it has that “wow” factor. This project is just too good for the homeowners to enjoy, you think to yourself. It’s also too good just to sit in a portfolio. Here are some ideas to get your work recognized locally, regionally and nationally- all in the name of building a reputation for yourself and your company!

Manufacturers- Companies that produce the materials used in the industry may be an unthought of method, but showing a company what you did with their products can make way for a great brochure or website feature. Your project could be featured in a newsletter sent out to all their clients, used on their Website and perhaps on sales literature.

Local Press- Send a press release out to some local papers showcasing a project. The papers often get inundated with these type of releases, so make sure you use a slant that will make your company stand out. A few months ago, I read a story in the Sunday paper about a family getting their house built with poly-steel forms- at first I thought it was a nice family story to show on the pages, but soon realized they used the family as a hook, but the article was focusing on the construction company. I bet I can tell you who tipped off the newspaper.

Competitions- One way of getting recognized by your peers is to enter your work into competitions that may be sponsored by local, regional or state- or even national-organizations that pertain to your field of work. Even a nomination can then garner you local press, as well as prestige within your industry. Just think if you win- you will be posted on websites, newsletters and recognized a ceremony. Plus, you can then use ‘award-winning’ in your advertising!

Trade Magazines- Pitch a story idea to a trade magazine. Look through the magazines that you subscribe to. See if they publish feature stories about specific people and projects, or better yet, if they print articles from contributors who are also experts in the field. You can either pitch a story idea to an editor, or send a manuscript with pictures to try and get published.

However, before you do any of this, be sure that you have your homeowners’ blessing- and written permission. You may find this to be very easy. They will want to show off their new and/or improved living quarters! Can’t think of something to promote about your company? Try hooking up with a freelance public relations person to help. You can look for one on www.elance.com.

And remember, all of this should be clipped and saved and put into a portfolio. So instead of just showing customers samples of your work, you can also show off who else is paying attention!