1. Educate the new customer. It's your job to help a potential client who has contacted you for a bid make the right choice. Remember, you are the expert! References help assure prospects of the quality of your work and also can be used to educate clients. How? Simply create a survey to learn the three key decision points that were the most critical from previous customers' prospective, and share this information with your potential new customers.
   
   
   
2. Before you start a job, send a notice to the neighbors. introduce yourself and your company. Apologize in advance for any inconvenience and let them know that they can contact you anytime with questions or problems regarding your crew or your subcontractors. Enlist their help in making sure the project runs as smoothly as possible.
   
   
3. Utilize photos. Take photos before the job starts, then take photos after the job with the happy customer(s) smiling in front of their completed project. Frame these pictures along with a small thank-you comment from your company at the bottom of the frame. Wrap this and give it to your customer as an appreciation gift. If the picture is done well, your customer will hang it and promote your business for you. You also can make a copy of the framed gifts and hang them in your office or conference room.
   
   
4. Create a great portfolio. Use your photos of completed projects (complete with happy clients!) to create a professional portfolio. Include reference letters, the letters you send to neighbors, and other professional documentation that will help convey to the prospect that you're professional, conscientious, and trustworthy.
   
   
5. Keep in touch with past clients-part one. Do you call your past customers one year after a project has been completed? Do they have any warranties that will expire? Are there any needed small repairs? Keeping in touch with customers is the best way to guarantee satisfaction and have them help build your reputation as a competent, caring company.
   
   
6. Keep in touch with your past clients-part two. Survey your customers at the end of every job and then again after six months. Construction is a stressful time for the customer, and after time has passed their view on the project may have changed. During this survey, be sure to ask them to help you rate the quality and professionalism of your employees and subcontractors. Either an office staff member not involved with the project or an independent consultant should conduct the survey.
   
   

Marketing can be integrated into your everyday business. The opportunities are abundant. Remember, the goal is to communicate, communicate, communicate.