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Reply to: Contractors and Tradesman needs
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Previously on "Contractors and Tradesman needs"
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Got a handed a leaflet in high street this weekend for someone doing just this. Don't agree it's a bad idea. Yell/yellow pages are not a real local service. The former does not provide many details beyond basic contact details. Some areas have something like this, some don't. If yours doesn't it may work. One could probably do worse than go round Tescos/B&Q etc talking all the cards from their boards and sending all of them a flyer.
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Yellow pages on line
Originally posted by VectraManthere are pleanty of well known brands already doing this sort of thing (Yellow Pages for one). Unless you're going in with a huge marketing investment and prepared for a huge loss initially, or doing something genuinely innovative, then the chances of competing with well established brands are pretty low.
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PA service for Contractors
Originally posted by jason986An idea that I have thought of in the past is this. I'm open about it as I don't have the inclination of ever doing it!
As a contractor I spend a long time away from home. When I get home I want to spend the little time I have with my family. But I still have to pay bills, do paperwork, and most of all sort out hotels.
The bills part of it my wife can do but things like hotels and getting a good rate is a real pain in the arse.
What about a personal concierge service that looks after all the crap like looking for hotel deals etc and other things. I would happily pay for a PA to do all this for me with my interests at heart (not a commercial interest) but I won't pay for a full time PA. So if someone could act as a PA for a group of contractors that would good. May be online, I don't know. Especially if they also took calls for you too like a real PA would.
All I do know is I spend too much time sorting out crap in my freetime!
In summary a shared PA!
Contractors have lives too! The same as the customer, they want things to be as simple as possible...
So in theory would you (the contractors) consider out sourcing the administration, marketing, booking of accomodation etc? It could free up a lot of time for you to do other things. Services could become a lot cheaper with discounts and the like. Combine this with the potential to target the kind of business you want by times of day, job size, location etc.
What about a web service for contractors wanting to expand and market themselves to new areas...
All thoughts appreciated...
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And there's a fundamental catch-22 with this sort of idea: the service only works if you get a large number of tradesman to sign up, and large numbers of tradesman will only sign up if the service is already successful.
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Originally posted by BobTheCrateI never understood this "bad idea 'cos it's been done before" attitude.
Is this to say there is only room for 1 recruitment agency with a web site or only room for 1 search engine or only room for one .net developer ?
In my opinion Warren there is more than enough scope for your service ... particularly if what you plan will be better than what's already around.
And there's a fundamental catch-22 with this sort of idea: the service only works if you get a large number of tradesman to sign up, and large numbers of tradesman will only sign up if the service is already successful.
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Originally posted by threadedIt's called an American Express Platinum card.
HTH
travel insurance.
But I can always find hotels cheaper than it can. That's my point. I want someone personally looking after my interests not theirs.
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Originally posted by Dodgy Agentwell said Bob the crate.
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An idea that I have thought of in the past is this. I'm open about it as I don't have the inclination of ever doing it!
As a contractor I spend a long time away from home. When I get home I want to spend the little time I have with my family. But I still have to pay bills, do paperwork, and most of all sort out hotels.
The bills part of it my wife can do but things like hotels and getting a good rate is a real pain in the arse.
What about a personal concierge service that looks after all the crap like looking for hotel deals etc and other things. I would happily pay for a PA to do all this for me with my interests at heart (not a commercial interest) but I won't pay for a full time PA. So if someone could act as a PA for a group of contractors that would good. May be online, I don't know. Especially if they also took calls for you too like a real PA would.
All I do know is I spend too much time sorting out crap in my freetime!
In summary a shared PA!
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Originally posted by WarrenSSome positive, some negative. All taken on board.
Bob, I agree that just because the service is already available does not mean there is no potential for market share.
BG Geek, That was a useful link, thank you. I'll compare my proposed service to this and better it.
Tim, I accept that challenge... I'll keep you informed
Private eye, I agree about you point, not enough tradesman taking the small jobs. I will have a think around this problem and come with something.
Any relevant links, hints ans tips are welcome. Especially trades or ex trades people who know of common gripes with their business.
Paper work, accounting, customer contact, targetted marketing for bigger jobs,
Thank you all,
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All different perspectives are useful.
Some positive, some negative. All taken on board.
Bob, I agree that just because the service is already available does not mean there is no potential for market share.
BG Geek, That was a useful link, thank you. I'll compare my proposed service to this and better it.
Tim, I accept that challenge... I'll keep you informed
Private eye, I agree about you point, not enough tradesman taking the small jobs. I will have a think around this problem and come with something.
Any relevant links, hints ans tips are welcome. Especially trades or ex trades people who know of common gripes with their business.
Paper work, accounting, customer contact, targetted marketing for bigger jobs,
Thank you all,
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Sorry to burst your bubble but it's been done and running for several years now.
Is this to say there is only room for 1 recruitment agency with a web site or only room for 1 search engine or only room for one .net developer ?
In my opinion Warren there is more than enough scope for your service ... particularly if what you plan will be better than what's already around.
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What you have has basically been done already and as an ex-builder myself know that we are in such demand that no advertisng is necessary. I retired from that game over 15 years ago and still people come knocking on my door soaking wet with a stop cock in their hand or a black eye from the missus because they haven't put a shelf up.
What there is a shortage of and could be an opening for you you is that a lot of tradesmen turn down the small jobs such as changing a tap washer or just putting up one shelf. I don't think its a big earner but you may get spin offs from advertising.
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Originally posted by WarrenSAnyone else have an thoughts on this?
tim
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