Painting Business How To Tips

2011-09-26T21:15:00.004-04:00

Tip #3 of 3 - “How to create instant loyalty using a simple ‘storyselling’ technique”.

Look, the fact is, you are more than just a painter or painting business owner… You are a:

Father or Mother
Brother or Sister
Volunteer
Parishioner
Sports fan
Fisherman
Musician
Among SO many other things…

My point is, YOU ARE so much more than your profession… and to be honest, it is better to be ANY of these things when you walk into a prospects house to bid a paint job.

Let me explain.

When painting contractors walk into a new prospects house and instantly go into professional painting business owner mode, it creates resistance between themselves and the home owner.

…But on the other hand, when you walk into a home and you are a father or mother, uncle or aunt, etc. you are a person that the home owner can relate to.

Let me explain further.

It’s a fact that people like to do business with ‘people’ they like. Notice I said people, NOT businesses they like. If a home owner only ever sees you as a business owner, there will always be uneasiness because there is an issue of money.

On the other hand, when they see you as a human (because you tell a story that they can relate to) you become more like a friend that can be trusted.

Does that make sense?

Let me share my personal story about how I used storyselling to explode my business when I was just getting started. (You can use the storyselling technique at any stage of your business.)

Just before I moved to Michigan to start my own business, I found out that one of my Aunts had Leukemia… and I happened to be growing my hair out at the time. (I played the drums my whole life, and I still had the dream of becoming a rock star and back in the day, long hair was the look.)

When I got to Michigan, all of my extended family and friends advised me to cut my hair, as they thought it would turn people off. They said I looked like a hippy burn-out and no one would trust me or take me seriously. They said it made a bad first impression, and on and on.

I have never been one to conform to other people’s expectations, but it sounded like they may have a point. I knew the trade and how to provide a quality finished product, and I knew I was honest and trustworthy, so I was confident that I could land clients, despite the length of my hair, but the objections from my family and friends kept playing in my mind.

I always felt most comfortable with long hair (or a mohawk) but I wanted to build a successful business, so I decided to get my hair cut. Gulp! Then I got a GREAT idea!

I had learned about a charity organization called “Locks-of-Love” that takes donated hair and turns it into wigs for people with cancer who lost their hair due to radiation therapy. PERFECT!

…But, there needed to be a minimum of 10 inches of hair for them to use and at the time I only had about 8 inches. I decided that my new reason for growing my hair was so I could donate it to Locks-of-Love and have it made into a wig for my aunt!

All of a sudden I was no longer a hippy burn-out, but rather a deeply caring person contributing an unselfish act for the betterment of someone else! I was now a hero and not a hippy!

And that story became the foundation of my success early on! As soon as I walked in the door and met people face to face for the first time, I would say:

“Please excuse the length of my hair… my aunt has Leukemia and I am growing it out to donate to Locks-of-Love to be made into a wig for her.”

Do you think anyone ever saw me as a hippy? NO WAY! In fact, it gave me INSTANT credibility as the type of a kind; caring person people LOVE to do business with!

My story has changed many times over the years, but MANY of the customers I worked for so many years ago are still clients today.

Spend some time coming up with story ideas that you can use to endear yourself to prospective customers and watch your business EXPLODE!

REMEMBER people like to do business with people they like and trust… here are a few ideas to help get you started:

Talk about how your company donates money to a local charity
Talk about how excited you are that your company is helping raise money for some community project.
Talk about how you’ve been working with your kids (or someone else’s kids) to learn a new language, improve at a sport, volunteer to clean up the community park, etc.

As you can see, storyselling is the MASTER KEY to unlocking the gate of resistance that stands between you and landing more paint jobs and long term clients.

I hope this tip serves you!

Please humor me for a second while I share a quick story about why I decided to create the Painting for Profits program and update it yearly to make sure it always contains the most up-to-date information working in the industry.

When I started painting professionally (at age 18) I became proficient and learned the skills very quickly. I think that had something to do with the fact that I was good with my hands from playing the drums my whole life.

After years working in the trade and learning other aspects of the business, I was at the top of the pay structure earning $27/hr with no place to go.

I was lucky coming up and I had a few REALLY Great bosses who taught me many important skills that helped me make the transition into my own business. Things like people skills, work ethic, under promising and over delivering, etc. (All of which are more important than painting skills).

The last manager I worked for really took me under his wing and showed me the big picture and the potential success that could come from owning my own business.

I remember him saying to me “Andy, if you take your painting skills, and the skills I am teaching you seriously, you can use them to build a beautiful life for yourself and your family.”

I did just that…

When I told him I was moving back to Michigan to start my own business, he was thrilled. (Bummed that he was losing such a dedicated employee, but never the less, happy for me.)

On my last day working for him he pulled me aside and told me how proud of me he was that I put so much time, energy and effort into developing my talent, and he wanted to help me get started off to a fast start with my new business.

I figured he was going to give me a nice cash bonus to help with the 1800 mile move or buy some equipment, etc.

NOPE.

What he gave me was worth so much more than a fist full of cash. He gave me his KNOWLEDGE!

Paul laid out his entire bidding and estimating strategy in step by step detail… and as he handed me the envelope, he looked me in the eye and said, “Andy, if you use this information to become successful in your own business, I want you to promise me that you will help other painters, when the time is right.”

Paul’s insider bidding and estimating secrets were instrumental in my success… in fact, they are the reason I was profitable from the very first job I landed.

I include Paul’s master outline as part of the Bid to Win Estimating system which is included in the Painting for Profits course.

The painting trade has been very good to me and my family. I have had to learn a lot through trial and error. I have spent the better part of my adult life putting time, energy and effort into figuring out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to growing a successful paint contracting business.

I created the original Painting for Profits course to help guide house painters through the process of starting a business of their own and helping them takes full control of their financial future.

Over the course of the last five years, I have updated and expanded the program to make sure it is BY FAR the best success manual on the market. A claim that has been validated by over 3,000 satisfied customers.

One of my favorite facts about the Painting for Profits systems is that they work all over the world!

We have success stories and testimonials from the U.S., Canada, Europe, U.K., Australia, New Zeeland, (even Brazil and Africa)!

I keep the cost of the program low (under $100) so anyone with the desire to side step the frustration of figuring things out through the costly process of trial and error can easily afford it. AND I stand behind P4P unconditionally with my no questions asked M O N E Y back guarantee!

If you are struggling to get (or keep) your painting business moving in the right direction, you owe it to yourself to give Painting for Profits a try. You have nothing to lose, and a more successful business to gain.

I look forward to adding you to my growing list of satisfied (successful) P4P customers!

Now go market your painting business,
Andy

2011-09-26T20:46:00.009-04:00

Tip #2 of 3: “The POWER of offering your customers different pricing options”

One of the key secrets of successful painting contractors is their ability to meet and work within a customer’s budget. (READ THAT AGAIN)

One of the biggest mistakes you can make bidding paint jobs is to only offer one price! (I have a feeling that this tip is going to revolutionize a lot of painting businesses.)

Look, we all know that painting is a luxury and not a necessity and when most people decide to have painting done, they know exactly what their budget is going into the project. Of course there is always a little wiggle room, but not much, so if your price is way outside the budget range, it won’t even be considered.

Pay close attention because I’m about to give you the FIX…

For example:

Let’s say you are bidding on a job to refinish/reface a bunch of kitchen cabinets. As you know there is a lot of prep work for that type of job (hinge and hardware removal and replacement, etc.) as well as a multiple step process for getting a nice looking finish.

Let’s say the cost to have your company do ALL the work is $1500.00 which could be itemized on the bid contract. Unfortunately most contractors would go in and submit a bid with a single price of $1500.00, but the SMART contractor who offers pricing options, has a much better chance of landing the job.

Let me explain.

The average home owner knows how to use a screwdriver or drill… what if you offered some kind of discount or savings option, based on the home owner removing all the hardware and taking down the cupboard doors?

Imagine how much time that would save YOU if all you had to do was drive over and load the doors and drawers into your truck and leave!

I know for a fact that MOST people want to save the hundred + dollars by doing that part of the job themselves, and since you are the only contractor who is creative, kind and caring enough to offer such an option, more times than not, you will get the job.

There are many options you can offer, here are just a few:

Paint quality option
Multiple payment option
Room prep option (they move all the furniture and wall hangings, etc.)
Paint and supply pick up option (customer picks up the paint/supplies from store)

Giving prospects a way to save some money on their project is one of the BEST ways to stand out from the competition and save you a bunch of time.

When you are sensitive or empathetic to the budgetary needs of prospects right from the get go, it builds a sense of trust and as a bonus it makes it much easier to highlight the value of the higher priced offer.

I know this tip will serve you well. Please do share your success stories with me once you start applying this powerful pricing strategy!

The next post is tip #3 of 3 – “How to create instant loyalty using a simple ‘storyselling’ technique” and I’ll share my story about why I decided to create Painting for Profits.

Now go market your painting business,
Andy

To checkout the latest promotion go to www.StartAPaintingBusiness.com and get Painting for Profits at the lowest price of the season.

2011-09-26T13:31:00.014-04:00

Tip #1 of 3: “Use an expiration date or deadline on ALL of your contracts/bids.”

You know as well as I do that people will drag their feet if you let them. That’s why you should NEVER submit an open ended bid/contract.

If you have been in the painting business for any length of time then you know that the price of materials (especially paint, AND GAS) can fluctuate throughout the year.

Putting an expiration date on your contracts encourages people to make a decision, or risk paying a higher price down the road.

So what is the optimal amount of time for the deadline?

Good question.

Typically you don’t want to go much shorter than 15 days... and certainly no longer than 30 days, because the last thing you want to do is keep bugging someone to see if they made a decision.

I personally like 30 days because it gives a good solid follow up time schedule.

If you don’t hear back within 15 days make a follow up call letting them know you would love to secure them in your schedule.

On a side note, you can even at that point offer some kind of special promotion to create even more urgency. (I give you over a dozen promotion ideas inside Painting for Profits.)

If you are unable to get a firm commitment on that first follow up call, let them know that you will be making another follow up call “just before the deadline expires on the estimate.” Then make one last follow up call a few days before the contract expires.

If the prospect still can’t make a decision or they decided to go with another company, simply file the bid contract away into a “FUTURE CUSTOMER” file that you will follow up with again later in the year, with another type of offer.

You do follow up with ALL of your NO’s don’t you? You should! Not only is it a great source of information about your marketplace, and it doesn’t cost anything to send an email with multiple types of offers throughout the year.

RECAP: Never submit an open ended bid/contract... ALWAYS use some kind of deadline to create urgency!

Be sure to read my next post: Tip #2 of 3 – “The POWER of offering your customers different pricing options”

Now go market your painting business,
Andy

5 Easy Ways to Increase Good Will and Boost the Profits of Your Painting Business

2011-08-17T11:20:00.010-04:00

5 Easy Ways To Increase Good Will And
Boost The Profits Of Your Painting Business

This past year has been very tough… Sure you may have stayed consistent, but has your business grown?

Now with the approaching fall/winter/holiday season right around the corner (here in North America) anxiety and stress levels are rising for many painting business owners as they try to schedule as many late season jobs as they can, in order to stay afloat through the upcoming slow season.

With that in mind, here are five quality tips to help you increase good will and boost profits for your painting business.

Follow up with past customers and past “no’s” and make them a specific offer or a special promotion.

Very few painting contractors ever follow up with past customers, let alone the people who didn’t accept their bid… BIG mistake.

Did you know by doing regular past customer follow up, you can add up to 20-30% profits to your bottom line?

It’s true! And one of the main reasons is because it doesn’t cost anything to advertise to these people. (Other than your time)

Create a simple email or better yet, call them up on the phone and find out if they, or anyone they know needs any last minute work done.

If nothing else, you are creating good will by following up. If they say they don’t need any additional work done this season, ASK THIS QUESTION:

What is the next painting project you will want to focus on for NEXT YEAR? (I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what to do with that information come next spring… right?)

This is just one of the strategies outlined for you, (step-by-step with examples and scripts) in Painting for Profits.
Create Good Will by supporting local business… Give customers a thank you gift card after each job.

One of my favorite ways to create Good Will is to support local restaurants. NOT chain/franchise restaurants, but LOCAL mom and pop places.

If you haven’t spent any time talking to (networking with) local business owners, you aren’t doing your job and you certainly aren’t growing your business “the easy way.”

It is simple to have local restaurants, hardware stores, ice cream shops, etc. DONATE a few gift certificates for you to give away to your customers as a thank you gift once the paint job is complete.

AND more times than not, you will get additional business because the owners of these places will refer your business whenever they hear of someone who needs painting.

This is an example of a classic Joint Venture situation and it is one of the most powerful strategies for growing your painting business in this slow economy.

Again, I outline the entire process for finding and creating Joint Venture partnerships (step-by-step with examples and scripts) in Painting for Profits!
Volunteer to collect food or clothes for needy families in your area.

Another way to create Good Will and raise awareness about your painting business is to do a good deed!

Over the course of a month, you can collect food or clothes from customers and donate them to your local Salvation Army store or food pantry.

Create an offer something like this: Donate a bag of groceries (Or clothes) and get $100 off your paint job…

Once all the goods are collected, get your crew (or family) together and deliver them to the charity of choice.

Not only does it feel good to make a difference, it is something people REMEMBER and it WILL set your painting business apart from all the others!
Get involved with or create a community event that brings people together.

It’s a GREAT time of year for attending or creating a community event!

In fact, if your city or town is anything like mine, there are already dozens of them happening all around town.

It’s easy to get involved too… and doing so will create a lot of awareness about your business!

If you go to your local government web site, there is usually a link on the homepage that says “Events” or “Community Events” click on it to pull up a list of fairs, festivals, parades, etc.

Make a call to the person listed as the organizer or coordinator and ask what you can do to get involved.

Consider volunteering for clean up or set up duties. Take your entire crew or family to the event wearing your company t-shirts…. Hand out business cards, fliers, pens or pencils with your company name and number on them.
Start using free publicity – get into the habit of writing and submitting monthly press releases.

Nearly every tip I have given you above lends itself to getting free publicity! EVERY time your company does something “Newsworthy” you should be firing off a press release.

When people see your name in the newspaper or on the local news for being involved with something that benefits the community, you are automatically seen as the expert, and it WILL pay off big time in the growth of your business.

Again, I give lots of detailed examples and templates inside Painting for Profits!

Any of the proven tips I’ve shared with you will boost Good Will and profits for your business!

If you would like to have a step-by-step blueprint for applying these strategies (and MANY others) you should get your hands on a copy of Painting for Profits RIGHT NOW.

Why RIGHT NOW?

Because for the next couple weeks, I am doing a price test to see if I am able to help more people grow their painting businesses...

I have been making Painting for Profits available for nearly six years now (updating it yearly to make sure it always contained the most cutting edge tips, techniques and strategies working in the field right now).

We have thousands of customers who have happily paid $197 and the program enjoys a 97%+ customer satisfaction rate.

MANY hundreds of people have sent in testimonials and success stories about how P4P has helped them save time, avoid the frustration of trial and error and most importantly make more money for their family.

In fact, many customers have gone on to become private consulting clients or 1-800-PRO-PAINTER licensees, so the systems I teach really do work!

BUT… with that said, times have changed, and $197 may be too much of a stretch for a lot of well meaning painting contractors.

I made a commitment six years ago to help improve the painting trade and industry and help as many painters as I could, so in my effort to continue to do that, I’m going to do a price test and see what happens.

For the next couple weeks, you can download the complete Painting for Profits system, including the complete Bid to Win Estimating system, for just $47… no catches! (That’s a savings of $150 off what countless others have invested!)

If you would like to receive the program on a printable CD-ROM it’s just $67 + s/h
Click Here for Details or

Click Here to be taken directly to the check out page for the DOWNLOAD.

Click Here to be taken directly to the check out page for the CD-ROM.

I look forward to helping your painting business thrive in this tough economy!

Andy

P.S. P4P still comes with my unconditional 30 day no questions asked Money Back Guarantee, so if you are not thrilled with the content or the increase in business you experience, simply email me and I will process a fast and friendly refund of the purchase price!

You have nothing to lose for giving it a try because the tips, techniques and strategies may be just the thing that helps you keep your business moving in the right direction.

What Are You Thankful for in Your Painting Business...

2010-11-10T08:44:00.012-05:00

November means 'Goal Setting Time' for me and my businesses... It's also a time for reflection and Thanksgiving, for all the success we have achieved and all of the struggles we have overcome.

2010 has been a tough year for just about everyone I've talked to (Including myself) but there is no sense dwelling on that...

Here are a few important things I am Grateful for: (Please post a comment and share your stories of success and gratitude.)

First and foremost I am thankful for my loving and supportive family. My wife Janelle for how hard she works in our businesses and my sweet daughter Myla for being such a 'go with the flow' kid!
I am thankful for all of my employees for delivering the BEST customer service and support to our customers.
I am thankful for the hundreds of painting business owners who trusted me enough to invest in Painting for Profits and help them grow their painting businesses.
I am thankful for my improving health and fitness level (P-90X Kicks Butt!)
I am thankful for the wonderfully successful launch of the (NEW) 1-800-PRO-PAINTER Advantage and how quickly it is becoming a TOP nationally recognized brand in the residential painting market.
I am thankful for all of the lessons I have learned and all of the setbacks I've been able to overcome.
I am thankful for all of the Goals and Plans we have in place for 2011 that will allow us to grow our businesses, build stronger relationships and help even more painting business owners reach their goals.
I am excited about how AWESOME the Updated and Expanded 2011 Edition of Painting for Profits has turned out, and I am especially thankful for all the hard work, time, energy and effort my team put into getting it ready!

That is just a short list off the top of my head. The cool thing about doing this exercise, is once I started typing "I am thankful" it made me FEEL GOOD... so good in fact, I could sit here all day thinking of things to be grateful for but its time to get back to work ;-)

Okay, I have time for one more... I am thankful for YOU!

Please leave a comment and share what you are thankful for this year and what you are excited about for 2011.

Painting Business Card Tips

2010-01-13T10:52:00.004-05:00

I just picked up my first batch of painting business cards for 2010 and I'm really happy with them...

As many of you know I am in a growth stage of my painting business (despite the dreadful Michigan economy)

Economists say the recession is over and the economy is on the mend, so right now is the best time to lay the foundation and position ourselves to gain market share.

Here are 5 things to keep in mind when you begin to
design your painting business card

First impressions are crucial, so be sure your painting business card is not too cluttered.

Keep it easy to read and don't use too many graphics... It's okay to include your logo but try to stay away from using graphics for the sake of filling up space.
Keep the look and feel of your painting business card consistent with the rest of your marketing materials.

Use the same font, colors, etc., doing so will help create a consisten look, which is important to making your painting business brand memorable.
Include a slogan or tag line that is catchy and describes your business. Keep it short and make it benefit rich...
DO NOT waste the space on the back of your painting business card by printing calendars, sports schedules or anything else that will be obsolete some time down the road.

Use that important space to MAKE A BENEFIT RICH OFFER! For the love of GOD, GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO CALL YOU!

An offer that works GREAT for a lot of my clients is (And this is a HUGE tip, I'm giving you FREE of charge) "Get A FREE Paint - Paint Job" CALL NOW!

You will have to come up with your own specifics for that offer.
Be sure to include your web site address and email address.

Think about running a contest on your web site and using the back of your painting business card to promote it.

Okay, these five tips should help you make your painting business card much more powerful.

In fact it will turn an ordinary painting business card into a Powerful lead generating BENEFIT card.

Have a great day!

Stress Reduction for Painting Business Owners... Spend More Time In The Big Picture!

2009-11-19T10:00:00.006-05:00

End of the year and winter is just around the corner... These are stressful times for a lot of painting contractors. Questions like:

Did I make enough money over the busy season to make it through the holiday slowdown?

Will the phone ring enough this winter to keep my head above water?

Will the economy in 2010 be better than 2009...

While no one has a crystal ball, there are signs that the economy is starting to rebound and the housing market is beginning to turn around, but who knows?

The only thing we can do is keep a good attitude, make new and better plans based on the feedback from the year before, take more "consistent" action and see how things turn out.

For my organization (personally) 2010 is going to be about GROWTH! We have made plans to better our best in every area of our business, both online and locally.

We are reinventing ourselves... Being more creative with our marketing... giving more back... improving our brand and image... because 2010 is a "Positioning" year.

Throughout history, those who built the best businesses and amassed the greatest wealth were those who were able to position themselves to capitalize on a recovering economy.

It's time to MAKE NEW PLANS... BIG BOLD, throw caution to the wind, and bite off more than you can chew plans!

In early 2010 we will be introducing a new Hybrid Marketing Concept to the national painting market. My team and I have spent thousands of hours developing and refining this NEW cutting edge program, and it's going to improve the lives and businesses of painting contractors all over North America. (More on that to come...)

My point in this blog post is simple... The day-to-day "struggles" can be a grind. The tough lessons that are learned when you reach for more and dare to dream, can kick your ass to the point that you don't feel like going on.

That's why I'm reminding you to "Spend More Time In The Big Picture." Define who you ultimately want to be... How respected and profitable you want your painting business to become... How much more you want to give back to your community and family...

Imagine what 2010 could be like if you just went for your dreams...

My personal mantra for 2010 is "Going ALL IN!" I'm betting on myself and I'm biting off more than I can chew, because in the end, what the hell is the point of living in fear all the time.

If you are reading this and are serious about the house painting profession, and are ready to lay it all on the line, "Go ALL IN" we are with you every step of the way!

Over the next few weeks (through the rest of 2009) we'll be posing updates on this blog, about the projects we are finishing up (for YOU) that will give you 99% of what you will need to turn your vision into reality. You will have to supply the 1% action, but you will have access to the best tools, advice and ideas and information to help you achieve your success much, much easier.

Start prepairing your mind right now for bigger, better things for your life and business in 2010... Go ALL IN, bet on yourself and know that, we got your back!

Painting Business Owners Who Deliver Added Value Can Sell At Higher Prices...

2009-11-12T11:52:00.002-05:00

Added Value... what does that mean exactly?

Well, added value can be anything that is included in the price of the paint job, that is perceived by the homeowner as an "Above and Beyond" benefit.

For example:

Three different painting contractors could bid a job at $3,500 and provide the same quality finished paint job, however one of them may also include, window washing, or free touch-up service, or two free gallons of paint... as an added benefit.

Added value is a great way to set your painting business apart from your competitors, but remember, you must be able to communicate that added value to the homeowner.

A great way to do this is to create an "Added Value" flier that you include in your estimate package. It should outline what your painting company does different or better then everyone else AND how the homeowner will benefit from it!

In this new economy, it is more important then ever to be able to differentiate yourself from all the other painting business in your market. What you offer as added value makes your company unique and more desirable to your prospects.

Sit down right now and brainstorm ways you can "Add Value" and improve the customer experience.

Hope this helps!

Have You Ever Made This Mistake In Your Painting Buiness? Here's The Solution.

2009-10-23T08:36:00.005-04:00

I have this book of quotes that I read every morning when I wake up... I just pick it up, close my eyes and open it up to a page and read the quote.

Well, for the last three days in a row, I have opened the book to the exact same quote so I figure there is something I need to learn from it. It says:

"The world makes way for a man (or woman) who knows where he (or she) is going"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

You see, things haven't exactly been going as planned lately. Many of our new projects are WAY behind schedule and seem to be at a standstill... When people make promises and don't follow through on their word, it reflects poorly on the business owner.

I sent out my newsletter a few weeks ago asking folks to take a survey in exchange for a free trial subscription in our new membership web site that I was expecting to be ready to launch in October.

Well here we are almost in the last week of October and, you guessed it, it's not ready yet.

So what do I do? I guess the only thing I can do is look for the lesson and learn from it.

After all, my goals of providing the best, most up to date information & resources for growing a painting business, haven't changed... I still know where my business is going and like Emerson said, the world will make way for me to do that.

However the lesson I've learned and want to pass on here is simple.

Try not to promise more than you can deliver. ALWAYS under promise and OVER DELIVER.

I have met a lot of "fly by the seat of your pants" business owners, who talk a good game and will say YES to every question a customer asks (even if they know nothing about the skill needed to deliver the result).

They figure, "I'll land the job and figure it out as I go..." But the problem with that approach is that most of the time, in the end, it's the customer who suffers most.

Save yourself the aggravation and never refer anyone based on what they say they can do...

Make them prove to you that they can deliver the goods, because after all if you vouch for someone and they don't deliver, it is going to reflect poorly on YOU!

The membership site (and all of the other projects) IS going to launch and it is going to be AMAZING, but it is going to be a few more weeks until it goes live and for that, I apologize.

As of right now I'm still waiting for a progress report and time line.

I'll be sure to post updates as soon as I know more.

10 Surefire Ways to Keep Your House Painting Employees Happy

2009-10-22T16:52:00.002-04:00

I know a lot of you are owner operator painting business owners but when you decide to grow your business and make the leap to running crews and employing people you will find that these 10 tips will go a long way in keeping them happy and productive.

After all, your employees are on the front lines everyday and when they're not happy, it has a negative effect on you and public perception of your business.

Here are 10 surefire ways to keep your house painting employees happy:

Ask them for their input
Give them incentives to grow
Keep them up to date about decisions that affect them
Be flexible and accommodating toward their personal needs
Outline their job description and explain your expectations (structure)
Encourage them to share their creative ideas
Listen to their complaints
Reward good behavior
Hire happy people
Pay them well

Remember - happy employees serve your customers better and take pride in their work.

I'll post more tips about how to incorporate your employees into your plans for growth. They can actually play a major role in expanding your business.

FREE Copy of Think and Grow Rich! Here's How

2009-10-21T15:55:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm REALLY EXCITED about this!

I want to send you a FREE copy of my favorite book of all times - "Think and Grow Rich"

Did you know that It's Already Created a Million Millionaires!

...And I want YOU to have a copy for FREE!

Get Your Free Copy of Think and Grow Rich
www.FreeTGRbook.com

Just tell us where to send it, and we'll get it right out in the mail to you today.

My friends Vic and Lisa Johnson are doing this crazy marketing
test where they're giving away Napoleon Hill's "Think & Grow Rich."

I'm helping them with their big giveaway and wanted to make sure
you got your copy before they take this offer down.

Get the details here:
www.FreeTGRbook.com

Feel free to pass this on to friends. They can get one too if they
act right away.

This is one of my favorite books. I know you'll love it!

Andy Thompson

(NEW) Painting DVD Teaches This Old Dog New Tricks!

2009-10-19T11:45:00.007-04:00

Start-up painting business owners who want to develop better house painting skills and a more fluid understanding of the process for achieving a professional quality paint job, will benefit greatly from Dan Brady's new DVD - "Learn How To Paint A Room Like A Pro".

A few weeks ago I saw a press release come across my desk about a new DVD that outlined the skills & insider tricks of the trade, for painting a room like a professional...

Anyone who knows me, knows that I get really fired up when I see painting contractors use the "Power of the PRESS" to promote their business... so I did what I always do, I sent Dan an email congratulating him.

I had the privilege of speaking on the phone to Dan - Owner of Dan Brady Painting and Wood Restoration, in Travers City, Michigan.

I told him that from time to time, I have new start up painting business owners contact me asking for tips and tricks to improve their painting skills, and that some the people on my newsletter list may be interested in his new DVD.

However before I could promote it, I had to make sure it passed muster and a few days later my copy showed up in the mail.

First impression, I was very impressed! Not just with the depth of information but how professionally it was presented and recorded...

This is Dan's first installment to his "Tricks of The Trade Painting Videos" series and if his follow up DVD's are anything like the first, this information rich library is sure to become a genuine asset to the painting industry.

In fact, I was one of those people who liked to say "there isn't much anyone could teach me about the skills or process of painting..." (because I've been painting all of my adult life) but I'm not ashamed to say I learned a few valuable insights that will save me a lot of time and improve my production process, greatly.

...Which in the end helps to improve my clients overall experience, and that's what it's all about!

Although the DVD is geared toward teaching the "DIYer", it will also help the small business owner who specializes in targeting interior residential repaints by helping them:

Streamline the process and reduce the time it takes to paint a room
Improve the overall quality of the finished product
Improve their overall client experience

Less time to produce the job + a better looking finished product = lots of happy, satisfied customers and more money in your bank account!

The way I see it, if this DVD helps you reduce your production time by just 30 minutes per job (because it helped you streamline your production process) it is worth a thousand times the $24.95 asking price.

We are happy to give Dan Brady and the "Learn How To Paint A Room Like A Pro" DVD our highest recommendation.

To learn more about Dan Brady and see a sample of the DVD head over to: www.danbradypaintingtricks.com

Perk Up Your Painting Business With Prizes

2009-10-19T09:53:00.004-04:00

Hey, everyone loves the chance to win something and as far as I can tell no one else is doing anything like this...

One of the ways we are going to make our estimates stand out in 2010 is to create a "Lucky Envelope" that we give to each prospect along with our written estimate. We are kicking around a few ideas for what should go in the "Lucky Envelope" to help us make a better impression on our potential clients.

Here are a few ideas we are considering...

A scratch off lottery ticket
A coupon for a buy one get one free meal at a local restaurant we have a relationship with.
A chance to win their paint job for free contest offer
A free car wash or movie ticket

Brainstorm some things you can use to make your painting business stand out.

Success in this new economy, takes creative thinking.

Do your best to make the experience more fun and exciting for the home owner and watch your sales improve.

Remember - Sales is service!

The last thing you want to do is look and sound like every other painting contractor in town.

We are about two weeks from launching our (NEW) Subscribers Only Membership web site, where we will share detailed information about how to put together these fun creative (money making) ideas to work.

The monthly membership fee will be less than a cup of Starbucks coffee and scone, especially for our first 100 charter members.

We'll be posing a blog announcement with a link to the new web site very soon, so be sure to bookmark this blog and check back often!

Painting Business Marketing Promotion for Halloween!

2009-10-13T12:36:00.005-04:00

Halloween offers a great opportunity to market your painting business in a FUN and CREATIVE way!

In fact, Halloween is one of the ONLY days throughout the year that people will answer their door when you knock...

Here are some creative ideas to consider:

One: If you have children that you will be taking out trick-or-treating, consider dressing them up as a painter... They could carry a brush in one hand and collect candy with a cut bucket (decorated in a spooky Halloween theme) in the other hand.

You could ware your company polo or t-shirt and be the "crew leader" or "Project Manager".

Once the home owner puts the treat in your child's bucket you could hand them a treat of your own, in the form of a coupon/flier for a paint job promotion or you could just say a simple 5-10 second "lift speech" about your business.

Something simple like this:

Hi neighbor,

"We're the (Last Name) family and we own the local (Your Paint Biz Name), and we thought it would be nice to get out and meet our neighbors... We have a special Halloween treat for you. (Hand them your treat, which could be a simple bite size candy bar with your business card glued on it.)

Keep an eye out for our signs throughout the neighborhood and remember if you or anyone you know needs painting, happily tell them to call (YOUR PAINT BIZ), Happy Halloween!"

Simple! Memorable! NEWS WORTHY!!!

Let us know how it works for you!

Running Your Own Painting Business Requires Personal Accountability

2009-10-10T12:31:00.003-04:00

You never really understand how easy you’ve had it painting (or working) for someone else until you venture out on your own…

Don’t get me wrong, the benefits of owning your own painting business far out-weigh the effort you will put in to build it.

The first and most important step to becoming a successful self employed business owner is to become accountable to your self. When you make the decision to start a painting business you gave up the “check your brain at the door” mindset and become the sole judge and jury.

That is a good thing… When you hold yourself accountable and set a higher standard then anyone else does, things start to take shape quickly.

Here is a short list of what are considered ‘Top Priority’ when you become the person in charge of the success of your painting business

Mindset – What you think about matters (A LOT)! Develop a ‘can do’ mindset and stop wasting time on things that are beyond your control.There are hundreds of great books and courses on how to develop the proper mindset. Reading five to ten minutes a day right when you wake up in the morning will condition your mind for success and keep you moving in the right direction.
Goal Setting – Knowing where you’re going and how you’re going to get there requires thought and an organized plan of action.The first step is to begin by creating your ideal painting business on paper… Think about every aspect as you want it to be once everything is said and done. Don’t make the mistake and only set financial goals. The money you make will be a bi-product of setting specific and reachable goals.
Consistent Action – As painters we love the instant gratification that our profession offers, but things don’t always happen as fast as we would like when just getting started.

Keep in mind that building a successful long term painting business is accomplished through a series of stepping stones that are continually repeated and refined until they produce the desired results.

Marketing for example, is an ongoing process not a one time event…

You market to make your phone ring… Next you bid the paint job and write the estimate… Then you produce a quality finished paint job… Finally you follow up to attract more business… Then rinse and repeat!

When you hold yourself accountable to these three simple stepping stones –

Create the proper mindset
Set ambitious yet reachable goals
Take consistent action

You will defiantly be moving your painting business in the right direction.

The 2 Biggest Problems With Buying Your Painting Business Signs from a "General" Sign Shop

2009-10-10T11:27:00.008-04:00

Just like buying printed advertising in the phone book, "sign shop" salesmen are out to sell you their products. (not necessary what you need)

If you have ever sat down with a phone book advertising rep you know what I'm talking about. They have their sales pitch and the product line that makes their company the most profits...

They will do their dog and pony show (which is usually very good) and try and convince you to purchase "what they're selling" rather than what is best for you.

General sign shops are no different... They have a sign for seemingly every business and event including, campaigns, open houses, For sale by owner, etc. and they will show you example after example of "What Everyone Else Is Using."

As you may or may not know, when it comes to marketing your painting business, doing what everyone else is doing... DOESN'T WORK!

So you try to reason with them and tell them exactly what you are looking for:

A simple, clean look with a clear message, a benefit and strong call to action... (Because those are the PROVEN steps to creating a POWERFUL lead generating marketing tool)

...And then the sign shop sales person will try to tell you that "It's to plain" or "it's not flashy enough" and "Why don't you include a second or third color" or "Different fonts"

SELL...SELL...SELL

You see, sign shop sales people are just that, "sales people"... They are NOT painting business owners and certainly NOT marketers.

They don't give a rats a$$ if your signs generate any leads, they only care about selling you signs and making a commission!

That's problem #1- General sign shop people are NOT painting business owners OR marketers!

Problem #2 is: Most general sign shops do not sell in small quantities (without charging a huge premium).

Sure you can get yard signs for around $2-$3 each but you have to buy them in lots of 250-500! Which is great if you have the budget, however the signs they sell at those prices are weather proof, poster board, which don't last very long. (they are disposable)

Seriously, call up some general sign shops and ask them to print you a short run (Under 50 signs) printed front and back and see what they say... 9 times out of 10 you will hear:

Sorry we don't print orders that small... or
Sure we can do that for you, but because it's such a small run they will be $17-$20 each.

Until now we painting business owners have been at the mercy of "sales people" and I'm not standing for it any longer, so here is what I've decided to do about it...

In November we will be launching a new web site that will offer short run sign and apparel packages, specifically designed for painting business owners, by painting business owners!

I'll post more details as the time draws near. The packages will include Yard Signs, Intersection Signs, Pole/Association Signs, Short Sleeve T-Shirts, Long Sleeve T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, etc.

The layouts are simple, clean and deliver a clear message, a major benefit and a strong call to action... In short these are serious PROVEN lead generating MARKETING TOOLS!

Because we are keeping our product line focused on a specific niche in the market (Painting Contractors Only) we are able to produce short run packages at extremely low prices without sacrificing quality or customer service.

If you would like to be notified when we launch, please leave a comment on this post and be sure to include your email address so we can contact you.

Remember: No other form of marketing or advertising can deliver a better ROI (Return On Investment) than signs!

P.S. We will also be offering custom cut to fit vinyl vehicle graphics!

Hey Painting Business Owners - I Dare You to GIVE More!

2009-10-09T10:42:00.005-04:00

It's not too often but some days I wake up feeling like S!@#...

Not for any one reason in particular, but because I feel like I've been working so hard to deliver good quality usable content that helps painting business owners make more money... work less hours... and have more fun and fulfillment running their business...

And I wish I had time to do more or that things would happen faster then they are!

Today started out that way, until I got into the office this morning and waiting there on my desk was a press release about a painting contractor in Chicago, who despite the set-backs the recession has brought to his business... He is still giving back!

What an inspiration! I have never met this man before but I jumped right on the phone and fired off a call to him to say thank you.

The article talked about INTEGRITY and how it is defined by what we do when no one else is looking.

It talked about how rare it is to see acts of generosity during times when the giver most likely wouldn't get something back in return.

The article reminded me exactly why I write this blog and send out our "Painting Contractors Perspective" Newsletter...

I understand that this winter/holiday season is going to be tough for a lot of painting business owners and I want to make sure every independent painting contractor makes it through.

That's why I've been giving away so many proven tips and usable content...

In fact, just last month alone we had hundreds of painters email us questions and letters of appreciation for the work we have been doing.

Is it enough? We don't think so. Not by a long shot...

That's why we are re-doubling our efforts during this last quarter of 2009 to insure that we can help as many people as possible BLAZE into 2010 focused and ready to reach their goals!

So here is my challenge to YOU... I Dare You to GIVE More... to your customers... to your family... to YOURSELF!

NOW is the time to dig in and put forth the extra effort... keep pushing forward... keep improving your attitude and mind set... crystallize your vision and belief to achieve it!

Remember, you are not alone, because we are with you every step of the way! Send in your questions... Tell us your story... and work every day to better your best!

Frustrated With Your Painting Business? Here's the Solution

2009-10-07T09:11:00.004-04:00

We get a lot of emails from painters saying they are frustrated with:

The economy
Competition
Not having enough time
Lazy employees
The price of materials
Paying for expensive advertising
low or no call volume from their ads
low ball painters driving prices down...
FILL IN THE BLANK!

...And in my mind I say to them "welcome to business ownership"

Owning a painting business (or any business for that matter) comes with frustrations and set backs, there is no way around it.

Heck, even working a job has it's own set of frustrations, as well as massive limitations. Where as being self employed, holds all potential!

Today I want to pass on the BEST advice anyone has ever given me about how to combat the frustration of being an entrepreneur, are you ready?

Here it is... "Fall In Love With The Process"

Those six little words had such a profound impact on my life, and I hope they will for you as well.

It's important to realize that each day is going to have it's challenges AND it's victories!

The best way I have found to "Fall in love with the process" is by asking good questions when challenges arise, like:

- What is the best solution to this problem?
- How can we resolve this problem so next time it isn't such an issue?
- Who can I call or email for advice about how to overcome this challenge?

And when victories happen... really be grateful and celebrate them, no matter how small they may seem.

Success doesn't happen over night, it happens over time, and the path you take to get there is going to be as frustrating or as fun as you decide it to be.

When we decided to create and publish Painting for Profits and make it available to the public I wanted to make sure that we offered support after the sale. In fact the "support" was (in my opinion) the most important benefit included in the system.

Having caring people around you that you can ask questions to when you are feeling frustrated, is priceless. Being able to ask questions of people who "have been there" and "done that" goes a long way in curing frustration.

That's what we offer to all of our clients when they invest in our programs.

...And if you ask me, that is why so many people have such wonderful success with Painting for Profits!

ATTENTION Painting Business Owners: Cute & Fancy Yard Signs Do Not Sell!

2009-10-06T10:50:00.005-04:00

Walking around the neighborhood the other day I saw a few yard signs for various home improvement business... (Roofer, Gutter and siding and a small builder)

Each of these three signs had the businesses logo, multiple colors and different fonts. They were very cute and fancy which would be great if "Cute & Fancy" sold... but it doesn't!

Sure it may look cool and there is no doubt that it costs more to have signs made using multiple colors and different fonts, but in the long run those cute and fancy embellishments REDUCE call response.

The purpose of using signs to market your business is to get people to call you, right? They are suppose to be lead generators, NOT EGO BOOSTERS, for the business owner.

Here is a PROVEN simple, straight forward sign layout formula, that will increase the call response from your signs.

Keep a clean look and feel - Use ONE color background and ONE color for the text and ONE font. Simple? yes... Beautiful? Not really... Effective? EXTREMELY!
Deliver a CLEAR Message - You should think of your signs as a small direct response ad! Only include the important information which is, the name of your business, your contact phone number, a benefit and a strong call to action.

Here is tried and true - proven - call generating yard sign copy:

Let's say you use a standard 18 x 24 white corrugated plastic sign printed with black ink...

Another Quality Paint Job By

YOUR PAINTING BUSINESS

(123) 456.7890

Free Estimates - CALL NOW

This simple yard sign laid out and copy will pull better than a three color, three font, yard sign that costs three times as much.

Does it look as nice? No... However it has been proven countless times to generate 2-3 times the amount of calls!

Two VERY important things I have to mention:

First - Your contact phone number needs to be the largest and most visual feature on the sign...

Second - Your phone number needs to be NO SMALLER than 3" in order to be read by passing cars.

REMEMBER:

Signs are a marketing tool for lead generation - NOT ego boosters...
Keep a nice clean look and feel (One color background, One color text, One font)
Simple clear message (Phone number as the largest feature and a strong call to action)

There you go... You now have a winning formula for yard sign marketing! Let me know how it works out for you...

October Is Here - It's GOAL Setting Time for Painting Contractors

2009-10-05T09:46:00.005-04:00

Here in Michigan fall has blown in... The leaves are beginning to change and there is a definite chill in the air. Yep, Summer is over and the holidays are just around the corner.

For many painting contractors, it's goal setting season! It's time to look back over the year and evaluate what went right and what needs improvement.

Some of you may be saying, hold on a second it's only October, we still have to get through the winter months before worrying about next years goals...

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you haven't made your plans for the end of the season yet, you are a bit behind the curve.

You see, as business owners we need to think (and plan) ahead... If you wait until January 1st to set goals for the New Year, you don't have any time to create momentum.

Setting goals for the next year in October, November and December allow you to know what actions you are going to take to kick off the new year "in stride".

Right now is the best time to decide how next year will be different than this year.

For example: If you spent much of this year complaining about the economy or competition then you should begin to think of more creative ways to overcome those problems next year.

Here are some areas to think about, that can make 2010 much more profitable and a lot less stressful then 2009...

Stop using excuses - Focus on positive things that are within your control and stop worrying about stuff you can't control.
Put your plan in writing - It's not good enough to have your goals in your head, they MUST be written down on paper and read daily.
Double your marketing efforts - Hand out more business cards, flier more neighborhoods, Send out more post cards, write more press releases...
Start a monthly newsletter - This is a great way to keep your painting business in front of past customers.
Design seasonal promotions - Create them and have them ready to go so all you have to do is send them out when the time rolls around.
Fine tune your referral program - Create or rethink your referral program... Work with a local restaurant owner on a 2-for-1 offer...
Improve your customer experience - Brainstorm ways to give more value to your customers.
Raise your rates 10% - This is the fastest way to increase revenue immediately!
Put a shine on your brand and image - Put new vinyl graphics on your vehicle... work with us to develop nice clean looking signs and t-shirts... Incorporate that clean look and feel on all of your written corespondents.
Invest in (or improve) your web site - Add an email collection box or audio interview
Redesign your business card (put an offer on the back) - Put a "New Customer" discount offer on the back of the business card.
Spend some time doing competition research - Find out what other painting contractors are doing and emulate or improve on their strategies.

EVERY painting business needs improvement (including mine) that's why goal setting is so important.

We have a ton of improvements to implement in our local painting business as well as our online and consulting business... 2010's focus is on GROWTH and expansion!

Knowing what those plans are NOW, before the New Year starts will help ensure that we are moving in the right direction and building momentum for 2010.

Tell us what goals you're going to set, that will help make 2010 your best year ever? Leave us a comment.

7 Simple Steps for Painting Business Success

2009-10-02T12:18:00.008-04:00

Today we are going to outline Seven simple steps to focus on that will help you avoid a lot of the pitfalls of growing your painting business.

It should go without saying that to grow a painting business takes effort, however when you focus your effort on the right tasks, you will be able to reach your goals much quicker.

After years of showing thousands of painters how to start and grow their business, these 7 simple steps have proven to be the most effective:

In order to become successful (long term) it's important to become a student of business. Start by finding good sources of information and advice (Like this blog) that can help you better understand the "business side" of the painting business. (Marketing, bidding & Estimating, Customer Service, Employee Management, etc)
Create your business on paper first and develop simple structured systems for each core component. (Most new business owners skip this part) there are posts on this blog that detail exactly how to do this...
Create the proper mindset for success - (Stay away from negative minded people) begin to associate yourself with people who are positive, empowering and moving in the same direction you want to go. Read books that encourage creativity and motivate you to get better and better.
Always provide your customers with more value and better service than they expect - strive to exceed their expectations... go above and beyond... be a Customer Service Oriented business first and foremost.
Deliver a consistent, quality finished product - Regardless if you do the painting yourself or hire others to do it, be sure to always inspect the finished job with the client and get their stamp of approval. If there were holidays or something was missed, fix it right away.
Take consistent daily action - always be looking for ways to get involved with your community or partner with other local business... that way you can alert the local media and get a lot of free publicity for your business.
Follow up with EVERYONE - that means not only your past customers, but also the clients you did estimates for but didn't land the job... Followup is the key to building a successful long term business.

Be sure to bookmark this blog and sign up for the RSS feed to be notified every time we up date.

Leave a comment below and let us know how we're doing...

Painting Business Success: Do You BELIEVE You Can Succeed?

2009-09-30T11:46:00.004-04:00

Success is a state of mind... Do you believe that statement?

Do you believe you are worthy of success?

Do you believe you have what it takes to succeed?

Do you believe that the economy or competition can hold you back from success?

...I could go on all day asking questions about your belief system, but the point I'm trying to make is, the level of success you ultimately gain comes down to what you believe you can achieve.

Am I full of crap or do you agree with me?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Selling Paint Jobs is About Confidence NOT Competition

2009-09-23T09:28:00.005-04:00

The two most powerful ways to quickly increase your confidence level and skyrocket your profits are:

Knowledge - The most successful painting business owners ALWAYS KEEP LEARNING.

Confusion stifles confidence and causes inaction, which leads to stress, frustration and failure.

Hands down, the fastest way to gain the level of success you desire is to 'learn from other peoples success.'

Begin to associate yourself with folks who are doing or have already done what you are trying to do.

Find out what goals they set... what actions they're taking... what books they're reading... what courses they're studying... what knowledge they're gaining!

KNOWLEDGE builds confidence, and confidence (not cockiness) sells painting services...

Systems - The most successful painting business owners always develop systems.

To some people the word 'systems' can be frightening... The first thing to understand about creating systems for your business is that, they don't have to be complicated or confusing.

In fact, the KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid) is a good way to describe how to develop systems for your business.

However, an even better and more accurate way to describe it (KISS) would be Keep It Simply Structured.

You will gain ultimate confidence once you have simple structured systems for each core component of your painting business!

Here is a link to an article I posted on our 'how to bid paint jobs blog' the other day...

It outlines a simple system for the "Client Call-in script" and it streamlines the process of gathering the most important information every time someone calls you for an estimate.

The main idea behind systems, is to create a simple structure so that each task is done exactly the same way every time... Once you know what you are doing and how you will do it, you no longer have to think about it.

Developing systems for your painting business will save you a huge amount of time, energy and frustration in the long run.

ATTENTION Painting Contractors: NOW Is The Time For Action

2009-09-22T09:17:00.006-04:00

America's Strongest
Building Markets

By Prashant Gopal of BusinessWeek

Where permits are on the rise

Across the country, there are signs of life in the real-estate market as requests for building permits once again begin to pick up. So far this increase is more of a trickle than a flood, but the trend is nevertheless encouraging.

For the most part, the affected markets can point to a specific reason behind the uptick, such as it being a military base, campus town, major energy town, state capital, site of a natural disaster or a combination of all of the above.

The market with the greatest increase in building permits was Lake Charles, La., which has been battered by two major hurricanes since 2005. And while half of the top 20 markets on this list saw positive growth, the other half continued to post negative gains. The reason they were included is that they still outperformed every other market in the country.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My fellow painting contractors... the writing is on the wall!

NOW is the best time in history to take action and position your painting business for growth in the re-emerging residential painting market...

As new homes are being built again and property values are on the rise, painting contractors need to focus their attention on tightening up their brand and image, as well as streamlining and systemizing their core process.

There has never been a better time to build WEALTH with your painting business.

Our advice is simple:

Set new goals
Create the proper Marketing Mindset and keep a positive attitude
Get rid of old excuses and bad habits that have been working against you.
Reconnect with past customers.
Begin to apply a handful of the proven marketing strategies laid out in Painting for Profits on a consistent basis.
Start building Joint Venture relationships with other professional business owners in your area.
Improve your brand and image by putting out more signs, get t-shirts (uniforms) for your employees, get a web site built and optimized for your local market.
Look for ways to get involved with your community and then let the local media know about it.
Be a FANATIC about your business and take MASSIVE - CONSISTENT ACTION!
Plug into a quality, respected source of information, (like this blog and our 'Painting Contractors Perspective' Newsletter).

It has been a LONG three years... This is the time we have all been waiting for... The light at the end of the tunnel!

Man, I haven't been this fired up in a long time! If there is a topic you would like us to specifically cover, leave a comment and let us know.

Now get out there and make it happen!

Pro-Active Painting Business Promotion for Fall

2009-09-21T13:45:00.005-04:00

Fall is a funny time of year... Homeowners are in a hurry to schedule last minute painting projects and painting contractors are in a hurry to kick up their marketing efforts before the holiday season starts.

One of the best ways to take advantage of the Fall season (and get a lot of great FREE publicity) is so to organize a block party!

Block parties are a great way to get to know your neighbors, as well as create relationships with other small business owners in your community.

Here are a few guidelines to help get your "Block Party" started:

Check local laws and ordinances in your community - Give the County Clerk of Court a call and tell them what you want to do. They will be able to make you aware of the laws and give you details regarding any permits that may be needed.
Contact & encourage local business to participate - Block parties are a great way to network with other local business owners... It's a fun win-win situation where everyone can benefit from the added exposure.
Set a date - Weekends are typically the best for turnout, however if you plan on holding the block party in an area of town where participating business are located, a weekday afternoon will work just fine.
Get the word out - The local media outlets love stories like this and most times are happy to write a story about it, but it's up to you to let them know the who, what, when, where and why of it all. Write a press release giving the details just before the event date... Be sure to contact local radio stations as well.
Make sure you have your marketing offer ready - Have a good idea of what you want to accomplish... will you be passing out a flier or coupon? What about holding a contest for a free paint job? Spend some time coming up with something creative that will benefit the people attending and also helps your painting business stand out.
Seek follow-up publicity - Be sure to let everyone know how much fun was had at your block party, as well as anything eventful that may have happened. Did the Mayor show up? Write a press release about it... Did someone win your free paint job contest? Put it in the press release!

With a few hours of research and a little effort, you can gain a ton of free publicity and create a lot of good will among homeowners and business owners within your community.

Sit down and brainstorm how you can put this powerful 'Creative Marketing' strategy to work for you!

Leave us a comment and let us know how your block party turns out.

How to Bid Paint Jobs Blog Up & Running

2009-09-19T11:28:00.002-04:00

Because we get so many questions about how to bid paint jobs, I thought I would start a blog specific to that topic and post everything relating to bidding paint jobs over there.

The link to that blog is http://howtobidpaintjobs.com/blog/

This blog will be kept for marketing topics and tips as well as updates on the progress of our new painting business growth related projects:

We have a lot in the works so make sure you sign up for our RSS feed so you can be notified every time we update.

GRATITUDE: An Amazing Way to Attract New Business

2009-09-16T11:11:00.005-04:00

Last night I received an email that really made me think...

The person began by telling me how wonderful his business was doing a few years ago and how now, he was hardly making ends meet.

He told me that he was painting over 200 jobs per year 'back in the day' and now he will be lucky if he paints 100 jobs this year.

This person has a past customer list of 300 people (minimum) and I wondered to myself how many times over the last two years he has 'reconnected' with any of them to ask if they or anyone they know need painting done.

My guess is very few... if ever!

It's a fact that a 'first time customer' is the most expensive customer to get...

Once you have worked for someone and they were happy with your services, it's easy to work for them again and again, IF you have a follow-up system that allows you to stay in touch.

Here is a simple phone script that will help you reconnect with your past customers in a way that isn't pushy or intimidating...

This one tip could be worth THOUSANDS of dollars to you if you take action and do it!

**If you have a hang-up with talking to customers on the phone, get over it, it's part of being a business owner...

PHONE SCRIPT:

Hello Mr./Mrs. Past Customer, this is Andy from Andy's Quality Painting, how are you today?

I know it's been a while since I have contacted you, are you still enjoying (the room or job you painted)? Great.

Listen I know you are busy so I wont keep you, I just wanted to give you a call today to tell you how grateful I am to have you as a customer and I'm wondering if you or anyone you know needs any painting done?

If yes: Collect all of the details and say thank you.

If they say no, say:

No problem, but before I let you go I just want to tell you to keep your eyes open for the letter I am sending out this week. It will arrive in a bright (COLOR) envelope and it details our NEW Referral Rewards Program...

Think of it as a Andy's Quality Painting Stimulus Package. I don't have time to go into all the details right now but we are (PUT YOUR OFFER HERE)

for example: buying dinner at a local restaurant for anyone who refers us work.

It was really nice talking to you again and remember to look for the bright COLORED envelope in your mail box. Thank you for being such a loyal customer!

####

Next, send out a short letter outlining the details of your referral offer... You may also want to put some kind of promotional item (like a pen or magnet) in the envelope... People love lumpy mail!

There you go, a simple 30 second reconnect phone call that puts your painting business back on their radar!

You can follow that up next month with a letter telling them about how much people are enjoying the restaurant gift cards and how easy it is to earn them for themselves.

Reconnecting with past customers can generate a lot of new business yet VERY FEW painting contractors actually do it.

Are you brave enough to pick up the phone and give this tip a try?

If so please leave a comment and tell us about your success.

Pricing Paint Jobs: A Proven System to Get Top Dollar in Slow Economy

2009-09-14T12:47:00.005-04:00

It's important to keep in mind that not everyone feels the effects of a slow economy the same way.

In fact history shows us that during times when the national economy and housing market slumps, the home improvement industry tends to stay strong.

Ever wonder why that is?

It's because a person's home is most likely their largest investment, and when the housing prices drop, they have a tendency to want to improve and take care of what they already have.

Those who want to sell their homes know that during a buyers market they have to make their house look good in order to be considered.

Both of these reasons mean a ton of work is still available even during a recession... and you don't have to cut your prices to get it!

One BIG misconception is that homeowners shop price and price alone during tough times.

Although that is true for some it is NOT the rule. The truth is, more homeowners shop VALUE first and price second...

You can command top dollar by adding value to your painting services.

Once you nail down which added value features you will offer with your painting services, you have to effectively communicate the benefits of that added value to the homeowner.

The second you begin to cut your prices and discount your services you are moving in the wrong direction...

Think about it - the price of paint has gone up... the price of gas has gone up... so why should your labor costs go down? They shouldn't and they don't have to.

Pricing paint jobs accurately and profitably usually doesn't happen over night and it is not something that can be easily learned by chance... however it doesn't have to be difficult either.

By doing a little competition research (counter intelligence)... putting our simple bidding formulas and proven estimate writing process to work will help you sell more paint jobs at higher prices... especially right now in this recovering residential housing market.

The Bid to Win Estimating System will walk you through the entire process and show you how to bid paint jobs more accurately and profitably, starting with the next estimate you submit.

The Bid to Win Estimating System enjoys a 97% customer satisfaction rate, and comes with a risk free 30 day money back guarantee which means you can feel confident giving it a try.

If you have already invested in the Bid to Win Estimating System, please leave us a comment and tell us about your experience.

Big Difference Between Massive Action and Consistent Action

2009-09-09T10:34:00.005-04:00

What's the secret to success? ACTION.

You see, whether it's running your painting business, losing weight or any other goal you want to accomplish... it's going to take action!

Action typically comes in two forms:

Massive Action - which is helpful for getting off to a fast start. The massive action philosophy is all about doing as much as possible in the shortest amount of time...

You probably know the saying "throw as much mud against the wall and see what sticks" right? That's what massive action is all about.
Consistent Action - which is the key ingredient for continued and long term success...

Consistent Action is all about doing SOMETHING (regardless of how small) every day towards the accomplishment of the goal.

One of the biggest mistakes we see painting business owners make when just getting started is that they take Massive Action for a few days and then sit and wait to see what's going to happen.

If their efforts don't produce any results, they may come to the conclusion that what they're doing doesn't work and give up...

On the other hand if their efforts do produce some results, many times they will stop taking action to concentrate on the work at hand, which stops the forward momentum.

Although it's easy to drum up work by taking massive action, once the work is complete it's back to square one. Whereas taking consistent action can produce a steady flow of business without the slowdowns in between.

Here is a simple "Hybrid Action Process" that incorporates both "Massive Action" & "Consistent Action" and will help you to focus your attention on a few specific areas that will have a powerful positive impact on the success of your painting business.

It is based on taking 4 simple action steps, taken just 3 days a week...

It goes like this:

Hand out 10 business cards
Put out 5 pole signs and 5 intersection signs
Make 3 follow-up or new contact calls
Canvas at least 25 surrounding houses with door hangers or a flier

Look at what you will accomplish in just one week:

You will have made 30 new contacts...
put up 15 pole signs & 15 intersection signs...
made nine follow-up or new contact calls...
and notified 75 homeowners with door hangers or fliers in the area where you are working!

When you make a commitment to do these simple things on a weekly basis you will always have jobs on the books...

...And a growing list of satisfied customers that you can market to over and over again.

The key to the "Hybrid Action Process" is consistency...

Make it a goal to follow this process for one month before you judge it's effectiveness. You will be amazed at the impact it will have on your business and your income!

I would love to hear about your success so please leave a comment below.

Painting Business Web Site Project Moving Forward

2009-09-08T14:58:00.004-04:00

Exciting news! We just got an email from Bill our (web developer & programmer) and he told me that he is ready to move the web site development project forward.

If you:

Have an existing web site but it needs improvement... we can help.

Don't have a web site yet... we can help.
If you would like help marketing your web site and optimizing it for better ranking in the search engines... we can help with that too!

We will be ironing out the details over the next two weeks and I will be posting up-dates on this blog as they happen.

for now, if you would like to be kept in the loop just send an email with "Web Site" in the subject line to info@StartAPaintingBusiness.com and be sure to tell us a little about your business and whether or not you currently have a web site.

In fact if you do have a web site, feel free to put a link to it in the email and we will share some tips and ideas about how to market it.

Here are two important tips to be aware of
when designing your web site:

Stay away from dark backgrounds with white text. You want to make sure that your web site is easy to read, and one of the best ways to do that is to use a light color background with black text.

Avoid the temptation to use a bunch of different color or different font text... Uniformity is the key to a clean look and feel.
When writing copy for your web site NEVER USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. (I learned this one the hard way)

When I first started doing business online, I would write EVERYTHING in capital letters because I thought it was easier to read. It's not, in fact using all capital letters indicates that you are SHOUTING!

I DID NOT KNOW THAT... Sorry I mean, I did not know that. See how much better that sounds using my indoor voice. :-)

If you have a comment about anything web site related please feel free to post it.

Painting Contractor Tips: How To Sell Painting Services At Higher Prices

2009-09-04T11:30:00.005-04:00

Truth be told, the rates painting contractors are able to charge (Or not charge) has more to do with self image and self-esteem than any outside factor including, competition and economy...

You see, unless you believe in yourself and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you offer superior services, more value and a better overall customer experience than any of your competitors... you will be forced to compete on price.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that the sale starts in your mind...

Here are three simple steps that will help you gain more confidence when selling your painting services and allow you to sell at higher prices:

Do Your Competition Research - Spend some time looking at what other painting contractors in your area are doing. What do their ads look like? How does their image come across? When you call them, what are they like on the phone? (Do they even answer the phone?)

Taking the time to conduct "Counter Intelligence" will pay of in the long run. You can use the information that you gather to improve your selling process, brand & Image, etc.

So many painting contractors find it difficult to differentiate themselves from the competition because they never do their due diligence to figure out what the competition is doing.

Put Your Plan In Writing - Much like competition research, most painting contractors never set goals or put together a plan of action to achieve their goals.

Knowing what you want and having a plan of action to get there builds confidence and raises self-esteem. Putting your ideas in writing and then taking action on a daily basis towards those goals helps you stay focused and achieve measurable results.

If you are out there every day taking action without a rhyme or reason, very little actually gets done. After a while it will feel like you are just chasing your tail, you will get burned out and that's when stress and frustration begins to set in.

Be sure to take the time to create your ideal painting business on paper first and then simply work every day to live it out.

Systematize the core components of your business - When you have specific systems and procedures in place for each core component of your painting business it makes running and growing your business a lot more fun and enjoyable.

Systematizing your selling process for example will help you close a lot more jobs... Here is a quick example of how to do that.

Someone calls you for an estimate... Create a phone script and list of questions that allow you to gather the important information. That way you take every incoming call through the same process.
Send out (email) a thank you letter or welcome package with a "pre-sell" letter that outlines the benefits of using your painting services...
Make a follow up phone call 24 hours before the scheduled estimate to confirm the homeowner will be there....
Show up for the estimate 10 minutes early...
Have a specific list of questions to ask as you walk the job with the homeowner... Try to ask buying questions like: Have you chosen the color yet? When would you like the work completed? etc.
Have a 24 hour policy for getting the estimate written up and sent out...
Make follow up phone call... never let an estimate sit out there for more than a week without making a follow up call. Following up shows the homeowner that you are interested in gaining their business.

The follow up call is not to pressure them into making a decision but to gather information on where they are in their decision making process and/or to reiterate the benefits of using your painting services.

Begin to take ownership of your business and start putting some of these tips in place if you haven't already. We know from experience that they can make a huge difference!

Having these kinds of things in place automatically helps you sell your services at higher prices. Doing so will also put you head and shoulders above most of the painters in your market.

Hope some of these tips help! Please leave us a comment.

Just One Tip Can Make All The Difference - A Painting Contractor Lesson

2009-09-03T11:18:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you but I am an information junkie... constantly learning and seeking knowledge. I guess that's why I enjoy what I do so much. I get to talk to painting contractors in the field on a weekly (nearly daily) basis and I learn something new from every conversation/email.

What prompted me to write this post today was a phone conversation I had with "Gary" right after he purchased our Painting for Profits program.

Gary, has been in business for 3.5 years and worked in the field for five years prior to that...

He told me that he has a pretty good handle on things but is always looking for any little tip or piece of advice that will help move him further down the track. (I feel the same way)

Not long ago I had a chance to fly down to Tennessee and consult with a really cool painting contractor named Buster, and as we were walking through one of his new construction projects he gave me a tip that continues to save me time and money...

Here is the tip Buster shared with me:

We were walking through the new construction project I noticed one of his employees spraying trim. It looked beautiful but all I could smell was latex paint.

So I asked Buster if that was what they use for trim paint in high end homes in Tennessee...?

He said no, they use oil but he found a shortcut that has saved him a lot of time and money.

Here is the process:

All wood doors, base trim and crown molding get one coat of primer... one top coat of latex (tinted the same color as the finish coat) and one finish top coat of oil.

You save days of dry time... and in a lot of cases you are able to top coat the same day!

I asked him about durability or customer complaints...

Buster said home owners love it because it is much more environmentally friendly and was just as durable.

Brilliant! Not only did I get paid for my consulting time with Buster, I got a tip that KEEPS making me money!

I hope this real world "from the field" insiders tip helps save you a lot of time put more money in your pocket!

Keep in mind that just one tip can make a huge impact in your business... Just one little tip can skyrocket your income or save you tons of money.

...And it's our hope that you get a lot of useful tips from this blog... The kind of tips that you can go out and apply and see real improvements in your business.

SIDE NOTE: If you haven't done so yet, go to the top of this blog and sing up for our free weekly "Painting Contractors Perspective" newsletter. You will also receive a copy of the special report "Cracking the Painting Business Success Code".

As always we are interested in hearing from you so leave a comment!

What Business Are You REALLY In?

2009-09-01T14:31:00.007-04:00

You could ask that question to 10 different painting business owners and get ten different answers.

However there is only one correct answer assuming your goal is to build wealth with that painting business, and that is:

You are in the business of "MARKETING" Painting Services.

You see, until the phone is ringing consistently there is no business!

...and when a painting contractor makes the mental mind shift from "producer of paint jobs" to "Marketer of painting services" things begin to change.

They move from working in their business to working on their business... and it doesn't take long to realize that working on your business pays a whole lot better.

Unfortunately many painting contractors are apprehensive about making the leap from painting in the field (by themselves or along side their employees).

They feel that the quality of work would suffer if they weren't their to watch over the employees shoulder or to produce the work themselves...
They are afraid because they have never managed a crew before, and they don't know how to go about finding good employees... or
They think they wouldn't be able to handle all the work, which could reflect negatively on their reputation...

If you have experienced any of these sticking points (or others) and they have held you back from growing your painting business, stay tuned to this blog, because we will cover some proven ways to overcome these challenges in up coming posts.

Until then please leave a comment and tell us about any sticking points that are slowing you down from working ON your business.

There is NO ROOM for Women In the Painting Business:

2009-08-31T10:02:00.005-04:00

Today's blog is a response to an email we received last week. Here's what it said:

Dear Andy,

I am a female in the painting business and I would really like some inside trade secrets. I have a lot of men give me a hard time because they say a woman belongs at home. This is such old school.

I'm in a position to take on a lot of work as I have now found a great crew but don't really know how to bring that work to me. I have always done interiors and am certified in plaster finishes. I went to school for the plaster finishes.

I would love nothing more than to keep this crew busy and get myself off the ladders and just supervise.

What advice can you give me?
Thanks, Moon

Before I get to the tips, I just want to say that there is room for EVERYONE in our profession! There always has been and will always be more jobs to paint than there are painters to paint them.

One of the primary reasons women get a bad wrap in our profession, is that the guys are intimidated by them because homeowners have a tendency to trust women more, which gives them a significant selling advantage.

The guys who actually believe "there is no room for women in the painting business" are just afraid that they will be out shined by a female...

There is more than enough work to go around so get out there and start your business!

Here are a few insights to help women in our profession get and keep their painting businesses moving in the right direction.

Put the guys on ignore and go do business - The great thing about the painting business is that it doesn't discriminate... it's a business and a trade open to nearly everyone regardless of - gender, skin color, political affiliation, age, social economic standing, etc.
Create a better marketing and sales process - Use the fact that you are a woman in a male dominated industry as an advantage... Let homeowners know that you have had to work twice as hard to gain the respect of your peers and that work ethic translates into a better customer experience.
Educate yourself and develop a strong work ethic - Stay up to date on the industry trends as well as marketing, sales and customer service... Always keep working to improve your brand and image within your community.

In the end business is done between people and once you learn how to DO the "Painting Business" it matters very little if you are a man or woman... what color your skin is or who you vote for.

Honestly it comes down to three things:

Delivering a quality paint job the first time every single time...
Affordable prices backed by superior value... and
Being someone the homeowner trusts (Building long term relationships)

Ladies keep in mind, you are not doing business with other painters, you are doing business with homeowners. Let the "old school" talkers talk, they are only hurting themselves by having a bad attitude.

Go about your business, learn to market effectively, bid profitably and focus on delivering a value based customer experience... AND FOLLOW UP!

That is what will help you achieve your dreams in this male dominated profession. Keep the wise words of Charles Swindoll in mind:

ATTITUDE:

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than success, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.

We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the only string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

...and just for the record, one of the best bosses I have ever worked for was a woman (Michelle) and her knowledge and work ethic rivaled most of the men I've seen. Michelle set the pace and didn't give a second thought to what other painters had to say... and that's why she is still so successful today!

As for the advice I can offer to Moon about how to find and land painting jobs to keep her crew busy, that's easy... invest in a copy of 'Painting for Profits'. The step-by-step tips, marketing techniques and business growth strategies work just as well for women and they do for the guys!

Painting technique Cutting In: How to Build Speed and Accuracy

2009-08-28T13:28:00.001-04:00

There is a saying among painting business owners… It goes “Roll for show, cut for dough.”

What that means is you make your money on the cut in not on the roll out! One of the most time consuming aspects of painting is cutting in… Until you get good and quick this is where most of your time will be eaten up.

One of your primary focuses should be to build up your speed and accuracy so it becomes second nature. Once you have done that with you dominant hand your next step is to learn to cut with your less dominant hand.

Here are a few suggestions for creating the muscle memory you need to build up your speed. As with any learned skill the more you practice the better you will get…

Brush manipulation – Take some time and get to know how to work the brush in your hand to get the bristles to do what you want them to do… Work on a scrap piece of drywall and move the brush around to get a feel of how the bristles move.

Get them to pull a razor sharp line, get them to work into a small area, practice working them around a soft edge… The point is get comfortable with the brush in your hand and how it feels to move the bristles around to get them to do what you want them to do.

When cutting against a straight edge such as a ceiling or trim always look a few inches past where your brush is because if you look at your brush or behind it you are going to get a choppy or wavy edge.

Much like driving a car, in order for it to track straight down the road you have to look ahead of you because if you look right at the hood you will swerve all over…

Don’t over saturate your brush… Only load the brush with enough paint to pull it 18-24 inches. Any more than that and you risk runs and drips any less then that you are wasting to much time dipping.

When you begin your cut always start 2-3 inches away from the edge you will be cutting into and work just enough paint up to the edge. You want to leave the majority of the paint well away from your final edge.

Finally, be sure to feather out your outside edge otherwise if you leave a hard edge it may show up as a “Band” around the room once you roll. So use a dry brush and feather out any spots where the paint may be to thick.

All of these tips will help you build up the speed and give you the professional look your customers demand. The more you paint the better you will get but when you are just getting started it is important to pay attention and learn the proper technique.

I get asked quite a bit if there are any specialty tools on the market that can help speed up the cutting in process… I don’t recommend any of these types of tools because once you have learned the skill of cutting in you will be able to do it much faster freehand than you could using any of the gimmick tools.

You will spend more time on set up and clean up using these types of tools…These specialty tools are mostly for the do it yourself home owner.

One last tip – Always carry a wet rag and 5 in 1 tool with you… I painted the walls in a law office which was trimmed with cherry woodwork… I had to be perfect with my cut in order to not get any on the trim.

About every 5-6 feet or so I would run my 5 in 1 with the wet rag down the trim edge which created a razor sharp edge. This allowed me to work quickly not worrying about having to be perfect.

I hope this helps!

Painting Business Success Happens Much Faster When You Have A Coach/Advisor Helping You

2009-08-27T14:01:00.007-04:00

So many painting business owners struggle (unnecessarily) because they try to grow their business by themselves through trial and error...

Those who become very successful rather then moderately successful or fail all together are those who (9 times out of 10) have someone coaching and advising them.

I just came across a great article (by Ray Dunaway) that illustrates this point...

A primary key to success in a start-up business is finding the right management coach/advisor.

As I struggled through my first business I began observing other businesses, generally small businesses or start up businesses, and I began to look for what makes one very successful, another moderately successful and another a failure.

I started noticing that in the most very successful businesses there was always a person in the background, usually an older person who had been in the same business or a very similar business.

These people kept a very low profile and very seldom said much in front of other people. I often wondered who these people were and when I asked they were introduced as a friend.

Then one day I was waiting to speak to a shirttail cousin who had built one of the top five painting companies in the United States in just a very few years, and I overheard his coach talking to him like a Dutch uncle. This person was my cousin's coach and mentor, and kept him on the right track for a long time.

I have had other opportunities to see the impact of a good coach/advisor through the time-sharing service bureau that was part of my first business. Since this was the first step in automation for many of our customers I had the opportunity to study a number of businesses firsthand while determining how they should reorganize to use computers.

I had ample opportunity to observe the correlation between listening to a coach or advisor and having a successful start up business. It soon became clear that those businesses that had a coach or an advisory board generally tended to be the most successful startup businesses.

Many of these businesses were started by people like my shirttail cousin, who had little or no formal education beyond high school, no special talents, and in fact were not the brightest bulbs on the block.

But they were smart enough to listen and take advice from people who have been down they road were traveling that they did not make many of the mistakes that were made by businesses who were only partially successful or failed.

Ray Dunaway

####

Here is a link to the original article...
click here

This article also validates the reason why we are creating our NEW 'Subscribers Only' membership web site.

Be sure to follow this blog to stay up to date on the launch... We will be doing something VERY special for our charter members.

Painting Business Success: What Does It Take To Succeed LONG-TERM

2009-08-26T15:23:00.006-04:00

Over the last three and a half years I have been privileged enough to have spoken to hundreds of painting contractors all over the world.

...and the one consistent thing I hear from the really successful (Financially) ones who have used the techniques and strategies laid out in our programs is this:

"If there is one new nugget of information... one new marketing idea that I haven't thought of... one simple spark of inspiration to keep me going (growing) then it is worth the investment."

I have come to realize that those who succeed long-term are those who continue to gain knowledge. They are always learning and more importantly they take consistent action and apply what they have learned.

We have been talking to a lot of painters lately who have said they are frustrated because they cant find a public forum where they can ask questions and get good feedback or suggestions...

...and if you have spent any time on the public painting forums, then you know exactly what they're talking about.

It's a shame that so many people on these public forums feel that it's OK to reticule, put down and more times then not be just plain mean to people that post thoughtful questions.

Personally I don't waste my time on public forums any more.

Right now we are in the process of putting together a privet, subscription membership web site where professional painting contractors and those who wish to become such can share thoughts, ideas and ask for feedback without fear.

A place where we can all learn from one another and encourage each other to better our best. We will keep it ultra affordable and jam packed with so much value that it will be worth 10 x the cost of admission.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in knowing more about please leave a comment and we will keep you in the loop.

I'll post more about what the content will cover in up-coming posts

Part Time Painting Business = Full Time Income

2009-08-26T10:43:00.002-04:00

Today I'm responding to some feedback we received from the latest edition of the "Painting Contractors Perspective" Newsletter...

Steve Writes:

Hello Andy,

I am just doing my research now about starting a painting business. My hope is to do it part time, no more than 2-3 days a week. Could you devote an issue to the part time business start up and the best ways to ease into the trade with little prior experience?

Looking forward to your reply, thanks Steve Johnson

Thank you for your question Steve!

The first thing I will say is that starting a part time painting business is a GREAT way to earn extra income and realize some fantastic tax benefits...

In fact, it is entirely possible to earn a full time income painting 2-3 days a week, however in order to do that you must focus on a few key things:

Here are three of them:

1. Specialize & Target "specific" kinds of jobs - for example you will want to focus on small one day (two day's max) jobs like bathrooms, kitchens, and bedroom repaints...

Keep your marketing message and promotions focused on "one room at a time" offers.

For example: You could run an "Exterior Door & Trim" promotion where all you would do is repaint the front door, shutters or the accent trim around the house rather than the entire exterior.

This type of job is more cost effective for the home owner and offers an outstanding improvement on curb appeal and can be done in just a day or two. (not to mention these jobs can pay really well)

2. Network with larger painting contractors to paint the jobs that are to small for them to take on...

Large painting contractors typically like large paint jobs and will not even consider doing small one or two day jobs. A lot of times they will sub out work to a small or part time painter.

3. Advertise "No Job Too Small" or "We Specialize In Small Jobs" -

This is a simple way to market your part time business and set your self apart from the crowd... Write up a benefit rich direct response flier and canvas a neighborhood... Create a short newsletter about the benefit of updating one room at a time, or painting "Walls Only"

With the shift in the marketplace and homeowners buying habits the trend has been toward small updates more often rather than having the entire interior or exterior painted all at once.

The market is perfect for the good "Part Time" painters to gain market share and create a very nice income for themselves.

Whether it's part time or full time... Do the painting yourself or hire a crew to paint for you... the process of finding and landing jobs is the same. The only difference is the message.

I'll give more tips to help the part time painter in future posts, however if you are just getting started you will benefit greatly from the proven step-by-step information laid out in Painting for Profits.

Three Fast - Easy Ways To Sharpen Up Your Painting Business Brand & Image

2009-08-22T10:30:00.004-04:00

No matter the size of your painting business, having a nice sharp image and uniform brand goes a long way in gaining the trust and respect of prospective customers...

Here are a few fast, easy and affordable tips to tighten up your brand and image:

Keep the same look and feel on all of your marketing pieces, correspondence letters, web site, uniforms and signage.

If you have a logo or tag line (slogan) be sure to include it on everything the public and your clients will see. This synergistic look and feel will help you attract a higher caliber of clientele and make your company look professional.
Work with your employees and educate them on "what to say and how to say it" when speaking to customers when you are not around.

Homeowners see your employees everyday and many times will strike up conversations with them just to be polite, so make sure they know how to properly respond to common questions. Doing so will give you peace of mind and put a nice polish on your image.
Be Polite - Have Manners... saying please and thank you goes a long way.

It's no secret that most homeowners have a very negative image of what a house painter is... Most if not all homeowners have had or knows someone who has had a bad experience with a painter.

So being polite and saying please and thank you... cleaning up after yourself... asking if you should take your shoes off at the door... etc. goes a long way in overcoming that negative stereotype.

These tips may seem simple and like common sense but very few painting contractors actually practice them on a daily basis.

The residential house painting market has changed and so have homeowners buying habits... the days of "anyone with a brush and roller" finding work are gone, and those who take the time to freshen up and tighten up their brand and image will be the ones keeping their schedules full and making the most money.

SIDE NOTE:

We have just created a really great Joint Venture with a local screen printer/sign shop and will be putting together "Branding - image" t-shirt and sign packages very soon.

The printed marketing and promotional items we will be offering are:

T-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, owners polo's
magnetic vehicle signs
corrugated yard signs, intersection signs, pole/association signs
custom cut to fit vinyl vehicle graphics
banners, etc

The great news is that we am able to get these things at wholesale cost so the packages we are going to put together will be WAY more affordable then any retail shop can offer...

I'll post more about this as things begin to develop.

If this is something you would be interested in or have a question about how to better 'brand' your business, post a comment and we will do our best to help.

Painting Business Web Sites: Update & Progress

2009-08-21T09:46:00.003-04:00

Thank's to everyone who gave feedback regarding our upcoming web site development service...

Not only were the responses helpful but also quite enjoyable to read. We had a great meeting with Bill (our programming partner) yesterday. We worked through the planning part of the project and nailed down some important details.

I will post updates to this blog as we continue to move forward. Keep in mind we are developing this web site service "specifically for painting contractors"... This will not be some low end cookie cutter program, but rather an affordable custom concept that will include the necessary components to make your painting business web site a very powerful marketing and branding tool that home owners in your local area will easily find.

Our intent is to do ALL of the heavy lifting for you. NO guesswork on your part. You will have access to everything you need to make your web site a customer converting tool that positions your painting business in a professional manner. A sharp, clean easy to navigate web site that generates calls.

If you would like to be notified as soon as we are ready to go, leave a comment on this post as we will be sure to put you on the early notification list.

Exercise Your Marketing Muscles

2009-08-19T13:48:00.007-04:00

I can hardly type today because I'm SO sore... You see, for the last three years or so I have been running my painting business and consulting full time rather than swinging a brush.

...And I have put on A LOT of weight!

So last week I decided to hire a personal trainer to whip me back into shape and today was my fitness evaluation... OUCH!

In fact, worse than ouch... I puked! and as I type this blog post my arms are still trembling.

Over the years as I saw myself getting fatter, I would go on a diet and exercise for a week or two which always helped me lose a few pounds and make my clothes fit better but then I would stop.

back and forth - back and forth until here I sit 45 pounds heaver.

As I was sweating and swearing my ass off I said out loud... "How did I get here?"

...And Jason instantly replied, "laziness and lack of consistency."

Wow, that answer hit me like a ton of bricks!

Here I have been teaching painting business owners that the number one most important secret to growing a profitable business is marketing with consistency.

So many times business owners will market for a few days, drum up a little business and stop marketing until business slows down and then start up again.

This kind of IN-consistency creates the same kind of yo-yo effect with business and profits as it did with the fat on my a$$, except instead of your bank account growing it's your frustration and stress level...

...it is impossible to create momentum being inconsistent!

It's not about how much you do it's about how often you do it. If you make a commitment to yourself, your family and your business that you will pass out 10 business cards per day, in 100 days you will have passed out 1000 cards.

If you get a 10% response you will have gained 100 new clients. Concentrate on doing the simple little things 'consistently' and they will pay big rewards.

Looking back over the last three years, I realize that it is my fault that I got so out of shape.

I guess the only thing I was consistent at was eating poorly and being inconsistent with my exercise program.

Take an honest look at your business right now... is it where you want it to be? If not, lack of consistency could be the reason.

Now get out there and start exercising your marketing muscle on a daily basis.

Residentail Re-Paint Quality: How Good Is Good Enough?

2009-08-17T10:50:00.002-04:00

These tips will help new painting business owners gain confidence going into their first contract paint jobs...

I remember the very first residential repaint job I ever landed on my own...

I had painted in the field as an employee for over a decade before I started my own business and when the day came that I was to start my very first "Solo" paint job, all of a sudden I had a panic feeling as I was about to start cutting in.

I wondered:

What kind of quality is this customer expecting?

How good is good enough?

So I picked up the cell phone and called Paul (my mentor) who I had just completed a three year apprenticeship with and asked him those questions.

Here is what he said...

When painting a residential repaint the MINIMUM quality that is acceptable should be based on the quality of the paint job already on the surface.

...BUT he said, if the paint job that you are painting over was done by the homeowner or DIYer and doesn't look good (uneven cut, holidays, etc.) then it's your responsibility to make it look a lot more professional.

...If the paint job being painted over already looks good (sharp cut lines, good coverage, etc) then you should use that as your minimum quality guideline.

Your goal as painting business owner, whether you do the painting yourself or hire others to do the work, is to provide a quality finished paint j0b that the customer is happy with.

One way to ensure you always meet the customers expectations is to do a final walk through with them.

The final walk through gives you time to take after photos, talk to the homeowner about your referral program and ask them for a testimonial and/or letter of recommendation.

If you are new to owning your own painting business and have any questions, please leave a comment on this post and we'll try to answer them for you.

Outstanding Painting Business Press Release Example

2009-08-14T11:34:00.001-04:00

I'm re-posting this outstanding press release below as an example of what to do and how to do it!

Press releases are an awesome way to keep your painting business on the mind of homeowners within your community and position yourself as THE expert.

If you aren't using press releases to get publicity, use this one as a template and start now! To see the original click here

Success Story: A Positive Approach Keeps Phones Ringing
Company Focuses On Customer Service, Quality

Staying the course has helped Northern Contracting maintain solid footing as the economy and some competitors have faltered.

Multifaceted services for both the commercial and residential markets and focusing on quality and customer service have been the company's approach since its founding in 2003, say its owners. Those factors and positive word of mouth have kept Northern's phones ringing as the recession deepened, they added.

The company's services include remodeling, additions, new construction, interior and exterior painting, interior build-outs, pressure cleaning, paver sealing and surface refinishing, said Jeffrey Freitas of south Fort Myers, who co-owns Northern with fellow south Fort Myers resident Mario Moguel.

"When you hit a downturn like this, all those residential guys that weren't doing remodeling and things like that were dying until they started doing them," Freitas said. However, Northern already had an established base of remodeling customers who turned to the company for new remodeling projects and also recommended the business to other people, he added.

Freitas said painting jobs generate about half Northern's revenue and the company benefits from having its own painting crews because it eliminates the possibility of having to wait for a subcontractor to complete that portion of a project.

Lee and Collier counties are the company's primary service areas, but it's also handled projects as far away as Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables.

The economy may have been slowing dramatically, but 2007 was still a good year for Northern, said Freitas, who is 38. The company had gross revenues of roughly $1.97 million that year.

But 2008 saw gross revenues tumble to about $1.35 million. However, the downward trend has reversed course this year with gross revenues, through June 30, of roughly $1.31 million.

Management duties are clearly delineated, with Freitas overseeing the construction matters, while Moguel heads up painting and other services, such as pressure cleaning and stucco work.

Northern has handled multiple projects for him over the past two years, said Brian Owens, co-owner of the Microtel Inn & Suites in Lehigh Acres and its restaurant, Haney's Cafe and Pub. In fact, Freitas was Owens' liaison to the general contractor on the hotel project and served as the general contractor for the restaurant.

"Jeff really pays attention to the details," Owens said. "He's also an electrician as well. He just understands every facet of the contracting experience and that's extremely helpful. I've seen him actually throw the tool belt on and crawl up there to work. Jeff is very hands-on."

Both Freitas and Moguel pointed to having a skilled, dedicated staff and a cohesive partnership as other key contributors to their success. But both also stressed the importance of treating customers like gold.

"Customer service has always been the No. 1 thing," said Moguel, 38. "Our jobs are managed very well, from the time we present the proposal to the customer to the time we finish and get paid. We always do what we say we're going to do and we go the extra mile."

Northern performed extensive renovations over nine months in 2007 at Dr. Kurt Markgraf's circa 1924 home in Fort Myers' Seminole Park neighborhood. The work included new plumbing and electrical systems, replacing the windows with hurricane-resistant duplicates and bringing the house up to current building codes.

"They did an excellent job," Markgraf said. "I have full trust in them. They went out of their way. If they can find a way to save money for the client, they'll do it and they gain nothing, except appreciation."

That appreciation extends to recognizing their good fortune in difficult times.

"I feel very fortunate, very blessed, because of the fact so many guys are struggling out there and losing their jobs," Freitas said. "Something could happen. Things could dry up. But you just keep going, trying to establish new relationships and keep going at it strong."

BY DON MANLEY
dmanley@news-press.com

Why Do You Want To Own Your Own Painting Business?

2009-08-14T09:59:00.003-04:00

I'll be perfectly honest with you, painting for a boss eight hours a day is a lot easier than owning your own business. Of course it is also extremely limiting in many ways...

For example as an employee you are limited to:

The amount of hours you can work
The amount of money you can make
The amount of vacation time
The amount of sick days
The lifestyle you can gain
The amount of freedom you can achieve
And much more

However, being an employee requires very little thinking... You get to start at a certain time and once the day ends you are free until the next workday.

Granted not everyone is cut out for painting business ownership. It takes work and consistent action to build a profitable business, but... The REWARDS are worth the effort!

So many painters jump into their own business because they 'know how to paint' but end up struggling because they don't understand much else.

If you are considering going into business for yourself, or have already made the transition and looking for a surefire way to be sure that your business will last 'long term' here is what we recommend.

Step 1. Sit down for a while and write down EVERYTHING that you want your business to be known for... create your own 'highest standards' list that you will work every day to live up to.

There you go, that's it, one step!

Basic, YES!

...but sometimes we need to be reminded to do the basics. In fact less than 90% of new painting business owners take the time to do this most important step.

You see, when YOU define and set your own highest standards and work every day to live up to them, it ensures that everyone you deal with will be satisfied with your effort.

When no one else can hold you to a higher standard than you set for yourself, you will ALWAYS have satisfied customers.

Here is a short list of things to consider when making your list and setting your standards:

I will focus on customer service first and foremost (building long term relationships and life long customers)
I will keep my word and show up on time... Every time
I will always go the extra mile to help
I will hire employees who not only have good skills but also good attitudes
I will treat my employees fair and develop leaders
I will sharpen my image and build my brand through low cost creative marketing
I will give back to my community whenever possible
I will create strong lasting relationships with other professional business owner in my area
I will educate myself on new products and services that will enhance the customer experience
I will read books on business growth and leadership in order to be prepaired to lead my growing organization
I will take action every day to meet new people
etc.

The idea here is to brainstorm the end result and begin living that way right now... See your business 3 years... 5 years... 10 years down the road.

See what you want your business to look like and begin acting 'As If' it were already who you are. Doing this will allow you to reach your goals much faster and with a lot less stress and worry. It's much easier to get somewhere when you know where you're going.

Leave a comment and let us know what you are doing on a daily basis to live up to your own highest standards. If you haven't taken the time to create your own list, DO IT NOW!

A New Twist On An Old Saying About House Painters

2009-08-13T15:13:00.009-04:00

If you have been in the house painting trade for any length of time I'm sure you're familiar with the old saying:

"Painters Are A Dime A Dozen
But A Good One Is Hard To Find"

For the most part from my perspective, that saying rings true. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of really good painters/painting businesses working in the field but very few of them know how to "Get Found".

To me this saying has more to do with "Marketing Skills" than it does with "Painting Skills".

I like to say:

"Painters ARE A Dime A Dozen
But Good One's Make Themselves EASY To Find"

Listen, if you have honed your painting skills to the point where you are considering going into business for yourself, then the two most important thing to focus on are marketing your painting services and bidding paint jobs (making sales) because without these two things there is simply no painting to be done.

...In the end, if you don't know how to get the phone ringing or profitably bid paint jobs it 'don't' rally matter much how good your painting skills are.

Very few house painters who make the leap into their own business take the time to bone up on "the business side of the painting business". Those that do have a much, MUCH higher success rate.

One thing I always suggest to new painting business owners is to "become a student of business" and even more important than that... become a student of "Marketing Your Painting Services."

Don't just test the waters, hoping you will succeed through trial and error... Go in with the mindset that you will DOMINATE your market right out of the gate! (and then begin to gain the knowledge you need to make it happen.)

So many painting business owners settle for competing on price simply because of lack of knowledge.

Obviously you are different because you are on this "Painting Blog" and are actually taking the time to research and educate yourself. I celebrate your ambition and entrepreneurial spirit!

The successful painting business owners who thrive (regardless of the economy) are those who have taken the time to learn how to market and bid paint jobs. They research the local competition and have figured out ways to give themselves a unique advantage.

Success isn't guaranteed just because you go into business for yourself... or because you have outstanding painting skills... however it can be a whole lot more predictable and possible when you gain the knowledge and follow the same systems that other successful painting business owners have.

Our programs have shown thousands of folks just like you how to start and grow profitable painting businesses and we would like the chance to answer your most burning question about growing a successful painting business.

Please leave a comment or question on this post and I'll do my best to thoughtfully answer it.

If you haven't already - be sure to sign up (at the top of this blog) for our free special report "Cracking The Painting Business Success Code" and weekly newsletter.

Owning a Successful Painting Business Offers Priceless Freedoms

2009-08-13T11:46:00.003-04:00

Lifestyle is one of the main reasons I started my own painting business, and it became very clear to me yesterday how blessed we have been.

When I say lifestyle I'm not talking about owning the biggest house on the block or driving the fanciest car, but rather the ability to own your own time... call your own shots... be there for the important things!

Yesterday was my daughter Myla's first birthday and we spent the entire day with friends and family, and I didn't have to call anyone to ask for the day off... It was FANTASTIC!

It was the first day I took off in a LONG time because we have been so busy digging in and developing new systems and programs (which I'll tell you more about very soon) to help people grow their painting business.

I always get jazzed up when someone sends me a testimonial or story about how our programs and information helped them reach their goals and make more money but yesterday it became crystal clear exactly what we are doing for people and why we are working so hard right now to make a great thing even better.

I feel lucky and blessed to play be a part of helping people gain the freedom, income and time to enjoy the best things in life.

There is unprecedented opportunity to position your painting business in this recovering market... If you are reading this blog or considering investing in one of our products or home study courses, just know that YOUR success is our top priority and we are here to help.

7 Proven Low Cost Ways To Promote and Market Your Painting Business On A Budget

2009-08-11T15:03:00.006-04:00

Marketing and promoting your painting business does not have to be expensive or even that sophisticated, in fact here are a few low cost, results driven ways to get the phone ringing!

These simple yet powerful techniques will help you spice things up and keep your marketing efforts fun and exciting... and most importantly get the phone ringing more often.

Use co-op advertising - getting the word out about your quality painting services using traditional advertising can be a costly expense. Contact the local paint store(s) or product manufactures and tell them you will promote their product and/or business if they help pay a small % of the cost. Co-op advertising is a win - win situation.
Send out press releases to get free publicity if something your painting business does is news worthy - Did you donate your extra surplus paint to your local Habitat for Humanity chapter?... Send out a press release. Did your painting company help cover up graffiti at the local school?... Send out a press release. ALWAYS be brainstorming ways to create news worthy press release and keep sending them out!
Incorporate your painting business brand and image into your vinyl or magnetic vehicle signs, yard signs, intersection signs and pole signs - Job site signage is a VERY POWERFUL, low cost marketing strategy. You want to make sure that all of your signs have a synergistic look and feel... doing so will help create a brand and image people will easily recognize.
Use email marketing as a way to keep in touch with past customers - You do collect an email address from EVERY home owner that you do an estimate for... Don't you? If not make a promise to yourself that you will stat now! Email marketing is a fast, easy and FREE way to keep your painting business on their mind. You can even make special offers to home owners that didn't accept your bid, and let them know you want the chance to earn their business.
Write simple articles about paint jobs you have just completed and post them on your web site - Posting "keyword rich" articles about your local area and linking them from your web site is a great way to search engine optimize your web site. This proven strategy will also help build credibility for your painting business.
Write a personal letter to past satisfied customer and ask them to tell their friends and family about your painting services - developing a referral program is as easy as sending a thank you letter after a job is completed. Tell the customer that you appreciate their business and tell them every time they refer a friend or family member about your painting services and you land a job, you will send them a thank you gift. (The gift could be anything from a referral check, restaurant gift certificate or movie pass, etc.) This simple strategy can bring you tons of potential new customers!

Hire a "Marketing Minion" two days a month to put out fliers or door hangers around targeted neighborhoods - It's easy to find a college student or retired person to spend a few hours walking around nice neighborhoods passing out marketing materials. Hiring someone to do this for you a couple times a month allows you to focus your time, energy and effort on money making tasks like building relationships and selling paint jobs.

There are lots of ways to drum up business on a budget. Get creative!

Please post a comment and let us know some creative ways you've been using to keep the phone ringing.

If you are looking for a detailed, proven step-by-step system for generating a steady stream of new customers and landing more of the painting estimates you submit... be sure to check out Painting for Profits. Be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter and download the free special report "Cracking the Painting Business Success Code"

Not All Painting Business Web Sites Are The Same: Three Important Things To Consider

2009-08-11T11:09:00.007-04:00

If you are a painting business owner who is serious about building a successful long term business, you probably already understand the importance of having an online presence.

However not all painting business web sites are the same and unless you know what you're looking for things can get a bit confusing...

Here are three important thing to consider:

Do the people developing your web site have a background in marketing and/or the house painting trade in general?

If not you may be paying way to much for a general web site that will not have the right look, feel and layout. After all you want a web site that not only looks good but is also a powerful MARKETING TOOL that will turn visitors into customers!

Do the people developing your web site offer any kind of marketing advice about how to get ranked on the first page of major search engines for local keyword searches?

What good is a web site if no one can find it? Be sure that the company you have build your web site understands how to build it so the search engines can find it. Also make sure they offer on going support (via email, phone or membership site) in case you have any questions.

Does your web site allow you to collect email addresses or accept credit cards?

Collecting an email address from every visitor and every home owner you do an estimate for allows you to build an asset. A qualified list of people that you can market to over and over again for free!

Imagine having a data base of 100... 500... 1200... or more people that you can stay in touch with, send promotions to or ask for referrals from, and it costs you next to nothing.

...And when you can give your customers the choice of using a credit card to pay for the paint job (or offering 3 easy payments) THAT IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE over the competition!

Right now you may be thinking that a web development service like this would cost a ton of money but that's not the case.

In fact if you would like more information on how to get your painting business set up with customizable, E-Commerce web site that is EASY for search engines to find just leave a comment to this post and we'll send it right out to you.

Your Customers DON'T Care About You & Your Painting Business!

2009-08-10T12:14:00.003-04:00

One of the hardest thing about selling painting services, and heck, one of the hardest things about life in general, is we often forget others don't particularly share our passion about our skills and trade.

For instance, if you are really great at cutting a razor sharp edge or using the newest airless sprayer, for example... if you live and breath this stuff to the point where you know all about every new product, what's new in 'green' eco-friendly paints... and even what colors work best in which rooms... it's hard for you to understand that there are home owners out there who could care less about painting.

Who don't even know what an airless sprayer is, for that matter. Yet you may be spending two or three hours a day reading about these things and discussing them on forums online. And when you are immersed in things like this it's hard to fathom that there are others out there who are so unaware, right?

Well, this is the same handicap many painting contractors suffer from when it comes to selling their services to the home owner.

See, no one, including your customers, cares nearly as much about your business or skill-set the way you do.

...And so when you're out there in their homes trying to sell prospects your painting services, you need to sell them the end result and the solution they are looking for, NOT "how good you are" at cutting, rolling or spraying.

This is sometimes a hard pill to swallow because you have immersed yourself in becoming the best at what you do -- it's hard to imagine anyone, especially your customers, not sharing or appreciating the pride of ownership you have, about how skilled you are and how competent your work is.

But trust me, they don't appreciate it, because it's not their focus or passion.

They hire you and buy your painting services because of the results you deliver... and nothing more!

No one cares you have spent years (Sometimes decades) becoming the best painters and/or business owner... refining and practicing your skills and marketing strategies. And quite frankly, why should they care. Those were your decision, the same way it was your decision to go into business for yourself rather than work for someone.

These were your decisions, or your problems, even. And in sales, you should never make... your problems... the customer's problems.

Sell results, solutions & the end benefits and your customers will hear your message loud and clear.

A Tool More Important Than A Paint Brush & Roller

2009-08-10T09:09:00.004-04:00

When painters think about the tools of the trade things like brushes, rollers, drop cloths, airless sprayers, 5-in-1, etc. come to mind...

However there is one tool more important than all the others put together and that tool is the ability to write direct response sales copy that gets people to pick up the phone and call you for an estimate!

If I had a dollar for every paint contractor I have talked to that tells me "I'm a painter NOT at writer" I'd have a LOT of dollars stashed away.

I always tell them if you can talk, you can write!

...And just like learning painting skills, the more you write the better you get at it and the easier it becomes. After all we're not talking about writing a novel but rather simple ads and marketing pieces... and anyone can learn to do that.

Developing simple direct response writing skills will help you attract more leads, land more jobs and make more money.

In up-coming post I'll share some writing tips that will help you write more powerful ads, fliers and web site copy.

NEW Newsletter Format Just About Ready

2009-08-08T15:27:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to post a quick heads up about our new Newsletter format...

It's going to be called "The Painting Contractors Perspective" and be sent out weekly. It wont be one of those long winded 2000 word newsletters that drone on and on, but rather short to-the-point tips that you can immediately apply to your painting business.

It's going to be an 'interactive' newsletter so I'm counting on you to give feedback and dialog with us... so feel free to send in your comments, topic suggestions and/or questions. (we will reply).

It's the only way to be sure that we cover the topics that YOU need to know about.

For example: What format would you prefer the newsletter be delivered, written or audio? (or both).

Let us know!

Is Your Painting Business Targeting The Right Neighborhoods?

2009-08-08T15:07:00.002-04:00

One of the most important first steps to creating a marketing campaign that will make you money is to spend some time picking out the right neighborhoods to target...

You want to look for neighborhoods that other professionals are targeting. Read that sentence again because it will save you a lot of time and money.

Ask yourself:

What neighborhoods are the TOP Realtor s, Interior Decorators, Builders, etc. farming? (framing is a term Real Estate Agents use for marketing to a specific area.)

What neighborhoods contain the highest income households?

What areas are the homes selling the best?

Asking these kinds of questions will lead you to the right neighborhoods.

Once you decide on an area, it's time to decide HOW you will market to them (fliers, door hangers, intersection & pole signs, etc.) AND what your marketing message should be. (More on that in the next post.)

For now be sure to spend some time narrowing down your target neighborhoods.

Competing On Price Is A One Way Ticket To The Poor House.

2009-08-07T16:21:00.005-04:00

We receive emails all the time saying something to the effect that "Low ball painters are driving down prices and the only way to compete is to drop my rates!!!"

Sometimes the people who send those emails are bent out of shape and yell at me like it's my fault. However I am always nice when I reply back and I usually offer a tip or two to help combat the dreaded "Low Ball Offer".

If you are having trouble with painters in your area driving prices down I offer these suggestions.

1. Consider targeting a different market or neighborhood.

2. Begin to add more value to the services you offer - For example a 1-2 year written warranty.

3. Associate your business with a local cause or charity.

4. Narrow the focus of your promotions and sharpen up your marketing message.

5. Brainstorm ways to tighten up your brand and image.

In future blog posts we will look at each of these suggestions in a bit more detail.

Leave me a comment about what kind of challenges you are experiencing in your market right now and what you are doing to overcome them.

Good News For Painting Business Owners...

2009-08-07T16:07:00.002-04:00

The economy is starting to show signs of recovery...

We have had three consecutive months of higher new home sales and increased property values. Are we out of the woods yet? Who knows, but it's a good sign!

There is defiantly a lot of opportunity right now.

As painting business owners, it's important to start taking action and concentrating on positioning our business to capitalize on the re-emerging residential housing market.

A simple low cost way to start doing that right now is by reconnecting with past satisfied customers. A simple one page letter, email or even a quick phone call to let them know you are there to help with painting needs.

...and then take it one step further and start sending out (or emailing) a simple monthly newsletter.

I'll post some ideas for newsletter content in future posts, but for now, brainstorm creative ways to reconnect with past customers again... and take action.

We're Baaaaack!

2009-08-07T15:41:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I posted on this blog.

For the last nine months I've been "digging in" and developing an all new marketing concept to help painting business owners position their business during this "economic readjustment" and beyond.

I'm really excited to start sharing some of the new tips, techniques and strategies with you.

Why an Economic Downturn Can Be Good For Your Painting Business

2008-08-05T12:32:00.003-04:00

There are a few businesses that seem to never be affected by an economic downturn…

…and if you are in the home improvement industry you are in luck, especially if you run or are planning on starting a painting business.

House painters and painting business owners are in luck because the skills they’ve developed are, for all intense and purposes, recession proof.

While it’s true that the larger new construction painting business owner will feel the pinch of a down housing market there are always other markets to service. When housing prices readjust the residential repaint market will be flooded with opportunity.

Even now, existing homes offer an unlimited opportunity during a slow economy, here’s why:

For one, a person’s home is often times the largest investment they will ever make…

So when property values fall, homeowners instinctively begin looking for ways to improve what they have. They seek out cost effective ways to increase the value of their home and painting is always at the top of the list.

Painting is also one of the first things a homeowner thinks about if they decide to put their house on the market for sale. A new coat of paint on everything makes the house visually appealing to perspective buyers.

When the economy changes the way it has it is vitally important to be prepared. Here are a few ways to get started:

Do your homework! Get to know your competition and what they are offering with their services…
Get very clear about how your services meet the customers needs and be able to communicate that to them.
Take time to brainstorm all the possible ways you can set your painting services apart from the crowd… Think of ways to make your painting services more appealing.
Brainstorm a list of incentives you can offer your customers. For example if you are painting the exterior of their house offer them a free gutter cleaning or window washing.

It’s not only important to prepare yourself you must also show passion for what you do!

Get your rap down – learn to get the homeowner excited about the painting project.
Help them visualize the finished project and the feeling they will get as they pull up to their freshly painted home.
Help them understand that the updated curb appeal will not only improve the look of their home but also increase the value as well.

Other ways to set your self apart could be:

Keep a running list of references and testimonials…
Create a portfolio of before and after pictures…
Invite people to your web site to read about your services.
Offer a coupon on your web site, etc.

Doing these kinds of things lend a lot of credibility and legitimacy to your painting services.

Remember happy customers talk to people! Learn to promise expectations and then always over deliver on that promise.

In this new economy your focus should be on building long term relationships with your customers… repeat business!

Don’t make the same mistake so many other painting business owners make and try to squeeze every last penny out of the customer on the first job.

Your goal should be to become “like family”. To become the painter of choice every time they or their family or friends need a paint job.

Before you know it you will be painting for the same group of people and their friends again and again year after year.

A Simple Bidding and Estimating Technique...

2008-07-30T01:45:00.009-04:00

I get emails all the time asking for bidding and estimating advice... Some go so far as to tell me I am selfish because I don't give away my system for free!

It's true that knowing the secrets I share in my #1 rated Bid-to-Win Estimating System will surely put you light-years ahead of other painters in the field, but they are simply too valuable to give away for free...

I busted my butt for years, working for below average pay (paying my dues and eating a lot of crow) to earn the respect of my mentor.

My neighbor runs a very successful home improvement business that currently does about a million dollars a year in business...

They focus mainly on re-models, roofing and siding as well as custom decks. His company subs out the work to local carpenters and handymen and this is how he goes about bidding jobs.

Please understand that this is NOT the best way to bid paint jobs, but it will work OK to get you started. You will not be able to grow using this method, but you will turn a profit which you can then invest into your copy of Bid-to-Win.

His bidding system works like this:

He charges $200 per day per man. So an eight hour day pays $25 an hour. Not great, but not bad either. The subcontractors don't have much in terms of overhead, there is no marketing costs or customer service to deal with. They simply go in and do their job.

Let's say there is a bathroom re-model and the estimate is for four days... Here is how he would calculate his bid:

1 subcontractor for 4 days = $800 ($200 per day)
Materials cost = $1400
Overhead expenses 20% = $440
Profit for the company 30% = $792

Total Bid for Re-Model = $3432.00

Now $200 a day is not a bad income at all - but using this method is very limiting to you! You could most likely go in and paint this bathroom in one day (walls, ceilings and trim).

My neighbor passes along all the painting leads to me and allows me to bid the jobs through my own business rather than subbing them to me through his. We have an on-going working relationship that works out great! I refer jobs to him and he does the same for me.

Using the formula I reveal in the Bid-to-Win Estimating System this job paid out like this.

The paint job took one complete 8 hour day and was bid at $550
Materials cost $102.55
Overhead expenses around $50
Total pre-tax profit $397.45 or $49.68/hour

Not bad for an easy days work! As you can see there is a BIG difference in knowing how to properly bid and estimate paint jobs, but if you are just getting started, using the method of $200/day plus materials & overhead can give you a nice starting point.

As I mentioned using the $200/day bidding method makes it very hard to grow your business because the profit margins are quite small, but on the other hand earning $1000 a week working for yourself is a lot better than earning $600 a week working for a boss!

If you are ready to go out on your own you will benefit greatly from my painting business building success systems!

The complete Bid-to-Win Estimating System is sold as a stand alone course for those of you who already have your marketing in order... BUT it is also INCLUDED in the Painting for Profits - Painting Business Building Success System as a FREE bonus...

Painting for Profits lays out 16 proven, low cost marketing tips, techniques and strategies in step-by-step detail! Painting for Profits is a complete painting business building success system which includes a quick-start guide, employee management and development system, office management system, marketing system as well as the Bid-to -Win Estimating system - all in one package!

Positioning Your Painting Business...

2008-07-28T19:49:00.006-04:00

Positioning your painting business has nothing to do with quality, longevity or price... It has everything to do with being at the top of a home owners mind when their looking for a painter.

The main focus of positioning should be to ask yourself:

How do I position myself as the painter of choice in the minds of the home owners in a certain neighborhood?
What actions do I have to take to make this happen?

The answer to those questions is marketing... consistent, low cost, effective marketing strategies. (I lay out 16 of them in step-by-step detail in the Painting for Profits course.)

One of my favorites - both for its extraordinary low cost and for its amazingly high ROI (return on investment). No it's not door hangers, although door hangers are great IF you know how to write them correctly.

What I'm talking about is radius marketing.

Radius Marketing is one of the most powerful and cost effective marketing strategies available for promoting your painting business!

Your next satisfied customer is closer than you think!

As a painting contractor who offers painting services, the needs of your clients and their neighbors are often very similar. Homes in subdivisions are built around the same time and as a result are often in need of similar services at the same time. This is especially true with painting!

With the Radius Marketing system for paint contractors, you can now have a tool at your fingertips to launch as little as a 50 piece direct mail campaign to the closest neighbors of the job you just completed… All in less than 12 seconds!

As far as paid advertising goes…I have found nothing that works better or is as powerful as radius marketing because neighbors love to hear your painting business was the trusted source used by neighbors or friends just down the street.

This marketing program is a perfect match for those in the business of:

• Interior and Exterior Residential Repaints
• Power Washing
• Or any other handyman type service

Radius Marketing is an innovative marketing solution. Imagine a simple, sophisticated and powerful system that automatically targets new prospects right around the job you just completed. (Or a neighborhood you hope to work in).

Best of all you can launch a powerful direct marketing campaign in just 12 seconds from your computer and it costs $39.50 per complete mail campaign (4.25x5.5 full color postcard) or $44.50 for the Jumbo 6x11 full color postcard.

You’ll never need to buy another list, lick another stamp or print another letter or card because they do it all for you automatically!

Once you’re set up, you’ll just login to the system, enter the address of the job you just left and hit the submit button. From there they handle the rest.

To view a demo of the Radius Marketing Program and see how easy it is to get a complete mailing campaign started, just log in at www.smartleadsusa.net, enter username: brad123, password: brad123. Hit Enter Jobsite Address and put in your address – about 12 seconds of effort!

It’s like having a multi million dollar print and mail facility attached to your desktop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! They even give you the mailing list!

This is truly one of the best marketing strategies I have come across in years! Be sure to request additional information from Sherie Carlson by clicking here right now!

Starting a Painting Business in the New Economy

2008-07-25T21:02:00.006-04:00

Contrary to what you may think, starting a business of your own is the single smartest action you can take... and if that business happens to be a residential Painting Business your chance of profiting wildly in this new economy is outstanding.

Here's why -

As housing prices regulate back to their normal standards, before the over-inflated bubble burst, home owners understand that in order to retain the value of their home or to get a good price when selling, they must make improvements... and painting is at the top of the list.

Why? It is the biggest cosmetic improvement and it is one of the least expensive ways to update.
The tax benefits of owning a small business (painting or otherwise) are outstanding. It is a legal way to keep more of your hard earned money in your household.
Working for yourself is always the smart thing to do when an economic downturn happens.

When you are in control of your own actions you can go out and make as much money as you want. When you are at the mercy of working for a boss the best you can do is an hourly wage and hope your boss doesn't cut your hours.

Starting a painting business is really quite easy - if you have a few years of experience under your belt, you should consider at least starting a part time business with the intent of working your way into full time...

Remember what I said about great tax benefits? Well, Uncle Sam says that even education is tax deductible - that means you can invest in Painting for Profits and write it off as a business expense.

You've got to love it...

What Does Mind Set have to do With the Success of Your Painting Business?

2008-07-24T09:02:00.012-04:00

“Expect your every need to be met, expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level, expect to grow spiritually.” - Eileen Caddy

As house painters and painting business owners we often find ourselves wrapped up in the day to day challenges of our chosen profession. There are so many things to think about and do that if one of them goes wrong it tends to throw the whole day into a spiral…

It seems like not a day goes by that I don’t see a painter in the paint store with a scowl on their face or hear them complaining about a customer or a bad employee.

You see, when we concentrate our mind on all the little things that can and do go wrong on a daily basis we tend to see more and more of them. This holds true in all areas of our lives not just our work day but relationships, health and finances as well.

Here is a tip that has helped me “Get my Mind Right” and make the day to day operations of my painting business a lot more enjoyable!

At first I thought this stuff was a little airy fairy but I have to admit in a short time I saw a real positive difference.

Here is how it works… Please don’t let the simplicity of this technique be the reason you dismiss it before you give it a try!

First start by writing a list of things you are grateful for. For example:

I am so grateful that I get to be my own boss…
I am so grateful for all the referrals people send me... etc.

Whatever it is (even if it is only something you want to happen) for example:

I am so grateful that the ad I just placed is going to attract a dedicated, experienced employee with the desire to grow with my painting business.

I am so grateful that the contact I made today is going to bring in a flood of new jobs... etc.

The idea is to get you into a mind set of gratitude and positive expectations. The best times to do this are:

Just before you go to bed in the evening… Give thanks for all the things that went right in your day and visualize how you want the next day to be.

Go to bed with gratitude and thanks in your heart even if your day was a struggle, it makes waking up a lot nicer!

Upon waking up in the morning… Looking back at my morning routine before I began practicing this technique regularly, I would open my eyes and my mind would flood with all the hurdles and problems I was going to have to face that day.

I would jump right out of bed and begin to put out the “mental fires” sometimes forgetting to even kiss my wife before I left.

Now, because I go to bed with a grateful mind set I wake up with optimism and gratitude in my heart! Before I put my feet on the floor I take a deep breath through my nose and say thank you and then mentally run down the list of things I am grateful for.

Again, I know this may sound a bit “out there” for some but because this powerful exercise is all done in your mind, no one needs to even know you are doing it!

The more you can keep your mind on all the things that you are grateful for and that are going right in your life the more those things will happen to you… Same holds true for the not so good things.

The truth is that both are available all the time. It’s what we hold our attention on that causes us to feel the way we feel.

Creating the proper mind set for success is a critical part of experiencing success.

Create your ideal painting business in your mind first and then live there, working everyday to live up to your own highest expectations.

When you hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else can, you will always have satisfied customers and peace of mind when you lay your head on your pillow!

Try it; you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was when it really starts working for you!

Is Your Painting Business Built on Quick Sand?

2008-02-07T14:08:00.001-05:00

Quite often painters email me excited about starting their own painting business… They tell me all about how much experience they have in the trade or about how well they can paint.

Most of the emails look something like this:

Hello Andy, I have been painting for [insert # of years here]. I want to start my own business. I have most of the tools I will need but I don’t know how to get started, any suggestions?

Yup, here are some suggestions…

• Realize that good painting skills will not guarantee your success

Seriously, wipe that thought right out of your mind!

Now, I’m not saying that having good skills isn’t important to success, they are.

…but what I am saying is this:

When it comes to running your own painting business, it’s not how well you can paint that counts, it’s how well you can market your services and how profitably you can bid paint jobs.

If you don’t make absolutely sure that you have a rock solid understanding of how to keep a steady stream of customers calling you and the confidence to bid and estimate the jobs with accuracy – you are building your painting business on quick sand!

That is exactly why I have made the foundation of my #1- Rated Painting Business Building Success System – Painting for Profits all about:

• Giving you 16 incredibly powerful – low cost marketing techniques and strategies that are proven to get home owners to consistently pick up the phone and call you for an estimate. Everything is laid out in easy to follow step-by-step detail.

• Sharing my secret bidding and estimating formulas so you will have the confidence and know how to accurately and profitably bid paint jobs every single time.

…But no matter how great you can paint – if no one is picking up the phone and calling you for an estimate… and you don’t know how to properly bid paint jobs your painting business will collapse like a house of cards. It’s just that simple.

…And this isn’t just for beginners either! Even if you already have a painting business up and running you STILL need to make sure that you can keep a consistent flow of new customers calling and that you are landing the majority of the estimates you submit.

That is the only way to make sure your painting business is built on a solid foundation.

P.S. If becoming profitable and successful as a painting business owner only had to do with having great painting skills there would be a lot more rich painters out there.

Introduction to the Painting Business Success Hierarchy

2008-01-17T14:36:00.000-05:00

In the next series of blog posts I’m going to reveal the building blocks for creating a solid long term and (more importantly) profitable painting business. I say “More importantly profitable” because there are plenty of painting businesses that hang in there year in and year out who are barley making ends meet!

I call these building blocks… “The Painting Business Success Hierarchy”

Regardless of whether you are a:

Full time, full service painting business…

Part time one man show…

Or a mammoth multi crew franchise painting contractor…

Developing your painting business using the proven building blocks of “The Painting Business Success Hierarchy” gives you the best possible chance of long term profitability.

Let’s get right to it…

Step 1 – Marketing! Marketing! Marketing!

It is important to realize that:

As soon as you decided to start your painting business you ceased to be just a “house painter”, you became a “MARKETER”!

”In order to build a profitable painting business you must develop a series of cost effective marketing strategies that allow you to target the specific jobs that work best for your business model.”

This is especially important when you are just getting started. The last thing you want to do is dump a bunch of money in an ineffective traditional advertising campaign.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for traditional advertising but it is certainly not when you are just getting started! Yellow page ads for example are only effective when you have the advertising budget to get noticed… (Half to full page ads that can cost TENS of thousands of dollars per month)

I talk to painting business owners all the time who are “Just Squeaking By” month after month because their yellow page ad eats up all the profits.

Most of them have no idea about the dozens of powerful cost effective marketing strategies that have been proven to work far better than any traditional advertising ever could… For PENNY’S on the dollar!

I reveal 15 of them in step by step detail in the Updated and Expanded 2008 Version of the Painting for Profits – Master Painting Business Success System which is being released to the public on January 28Th…

The truth is, unless you have a cost effective marketing plan that keeps a steady flow of new clients calling you for an estimate… You are dead in the water! It’s that simple.

In my next blog post I will reveal the second step in the Painting Business Success Hierarchy... Keep a lookout for it.

Consistency is Key to Success

2008-01-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

I hope you decide to take action on the knowledge you are gaining during your information gathering phase…

Step #3: Be Consistent… Marketing is an ongoing process NOT a one time event!

The real key to building momentum is applying what you learn with consistency. Doing something once usually won’t give you the results you desire. You must consistently do the right things over and over until they become second nature.

Take marketing for example… Marketing is the life blood of your painting business; it is what you are and who you are. When you decide to start a painting business (or any business for that matter) you are no longer just a house painter, you are a business owner who paints.

…And being a business owner means you are a marketer. Why? Because unless you know how to market your painting business to get your phone ringing and keep a consistent flow of new customers coming in, then like it or not you don’t have much of a business.

One of the biggest misconceptions about marketing is that it is expensive. I guess I would agree, if your view of marketing only entails traditional advertising!

Unfortunately for most painting business owners marketing means placing a classified ad in the newspaper or yellow pages and then crossing their fingers and hoping the phone starts to ring. (Don’t hold your breath!)

As a business owner you need to begin to think creatively… You need to begin to become a student of business. By far the most successful painting business owners I have met regardless of the size of their business were constantly learning new and creative ways to market their business.

In 2007 I had the privilege of getting to know dozens of house painters and painting business owners personally - People from every walk of life and background using their painting skills to earn a good living being their own boss.

I talked to men and women, young and old, who have built thriving painting businesses…

Regardless of whether they were part time, one man shows or full time, multiple crew full service painting business they all had something in common...

Come back tomorrow I will reveal “The Painting Business Success Hierarchy” that helped each of them keep their schedules booked, and earn higher than average profits week after week, month after month all year long.

Have a great day!

Take Enthusiastic Action

2008-01-11T14:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I talked about the importance of gathering information and how important that is to getting a fast start.

The time and money you invest in gaining the knowledge you will need gives you the inspiration and confidence to move on to step two.

…And it also saves you time and helps you avoid the stress and frustration of trial and error! As they say, “Education isn’t cheap but it costs a heck of a lot less than failure!”

Today I’m going to talk about what to do with all your new found knowledge… After all what good is gaining knowledge if you don’t know what to do with it?

Step #2: Take Enthusiastic Action: Procrastination is the enemy of enthusiasm!

If you find yourself procrastinating about starting your painting business it may be because you don’t think you have what it takes to succeed or that there is too much to learn before you can get started.

This type of thinking will keep you stuck in your comfort zone! One thing I am constantly telling painting business owners is “Don’t over think things.”

It is easy to think of one reason after another why what you want to do won’t work… It simply doesn’t make sense to try to figure out what step two, three and four will be before you have taken the FIRST step.

When you begin by taking action on the first step and you do it with enthusiasm you quickly see how all that changes. You get a spark of excitement; you realize that it is not so scary after all and that you DO indeed have what it takes to make it happen!

So step #2 is to simply put what you learned during your information gathering phase into action, one step at a time.

Whether you choose to use Painting for Profits or some other home study course it comes down to what you do with that information (the actions you take) that will produce results.

Even the best information is worthless unless you put it into action. Once you begin to take action the next step is evaluating your outcome and using what worked to create momentum!

More on Step #3 Creating Momentum tomorrow!

If you would like to be notified every time I update my blog simply click on one of the RSS Feed subscribe buttons to the left (towards the bottom) that matches your homepage.

For example if Google is your homepage just click the link that says "Google Reader or Homepage" and follow the directions it gives you.

Painting Business Success ~ Fast! A Simple 3 Step Process

2008-01-10T18:27:00.000-05:00

There is nothing wrong with fast success! In fact it is quite easy to get off to a fast start even if you are just getting started…

Here is the first step in a simple proven three step process for getting your painting business off to the fastest start possible. (Or sparking new life into your existing painting business that may be just limping along.)

Step # 1 – The Information Gathering Phase: Knowledge gives you Power!

Arguably the first and most important step in starting or growing ANY business is the information gathering phase.

Unfortunately, it is also the most overlooked… If you want to succeed at anything, the first thing to do is find people who are already successful and duplicate their actions.

For example: It is really easy for me to teach house painters how to start and grow a successful painting business because I have done it myself, but when I decided to create Painting for Profits and make it available online I had no idea how to do it.

The first thing I did was research and gather information about what it takes to successfully market my book online.

I spent hours sifting through course after course and I invested Thousands of dollars purchasing and applying systems taught by people who were already successful as online marketers.

Needless to say because I took this first step, “Gather Information” I saved myself an untold amount of time and frustration trying to figure it out on my own.

It is no different for house painters who want to start their own business. Sure you know how to paint (Or you know someone who does) but do you know how to locate and bring in a consistent flow of jobs?

Do you know how to bid and estimate the jobs to ensure a high close rate and higher than average profits?

What about hiring employees or keeping good records? There is a lot of knowledge to gain before you just jump right in.

Investing a few hours and a few hundred dollars in the beginning will put you way ahead of the competition and give you the confidence to take action, knowing that the actions you take are going to produce predictable profits.

I will reveal step 2 tomorrow!

Keep Gaining Knowledge...

2008-01-09T15:43:00.000-05:00

The one MAJOR lesson I took from 2007 was to always keep learning, listening and growing… No kidding all the really successful business owners I spoke to made it a point to keep gaining the knowledge they needed to stay ahead of the crowd.

…and there is no more critical time to gather the needed information than when you are just getting started!

I have just finished updating and expanding Painting for Profits and my goal was to create the absolute best source of information available anywhere on the process of starting and growing a profitable painting business.

I will do everything I can to help you reach your painting business goals this year.

That process starts with creating dialog… This blog will educate, challenge and keep you informed about the “Business Side” of the Painting Business.

If at any time you have a specific question please feel free to email me and I will do my very best to help. I don’t claim to have all the answers but I do have access to some of the most respected people in our industry and I am confident that I can point you in the right direction.

Remember - the first step in accomplishing your goals starts with gaining the knowledge you need about what it takes to achieve the success you desire.

Like I said, I have just finished Updating and Expanding Painting for Profits for 2008 and I’ve got to tell you, it is bigger and better in every way! My plan is to release the updated version on January 28 and everyone who purchases the e-Book download between now and then will receive a FREE upgrade to the 2008 version when it is released.

Oh, I forgot to mention I will be raising the price for the updated 2008 edition to $167 but it you purchase your copy before January 28 you can get yours for the original price of just $97

This is not a sales pitch just a heads up!

Get Off to a Great Start in '08!

2008-01-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Today is my first day back from holiday vacation and I’m excited about what 2008 is going to bring…

After taking some time to reflect on 2007 I have begun to formulate a plan to make 2008 even more fulfilling. (And YOU will benefit along the way.)

One of the things that made the last year so rewarding was getting to talk to so many painters and painting business owners.

I had the privilege of helping literally hundreds of people start and/or grow their painting business. Painting for Profits became a best seller - and all the tips, strategies and techniques I reveal are now proven to work all over the world.

House Painters from Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and the U.S. have used the Painting for Profits – Painting Business Success System to bring in a consistent flow of new customers and earn higher profits (WITHOUT expensive traditional advertising).

…And before you say, "yeah but my painting business is different," let me tell you the Painting for Profits system has worked for painters from all different skill levels and backgrounds.

Whether you are a seasoned pro running a full time, full service, multi-crew painting business or you are new to the painting trade and will be starting from scratch my program will do the same for you.

Whether you are going to be targeting commercial properties, new construction or the 100’s of residential repaint jobs that are available every day right in your own backyard, you will benefit from Painting for Profits.

Unlike a lot of other painting blogs I will not talk a whole lot about painting techniques… I will concentrate on the “Business Side” of the painting business.

Topics like:

Marketing
Bidding and Estimating
Employee Management
Office Management
Goal Setting
Mind Set
Etc…

I hope you find this blog both educational as well as entertaining. I encourage feedback and dialog so feel free to ask questions…

Is Fear of Failure Holding You Back from Starting Your Own Painting Business?

2007-11-15T15:52:00.001-05:00

Is Fear of Failure Holding You Back from Starting Your Own Painting Business?

It's a known fact among house painters that over 90% of new painting businesses never make it past the first year.

But did you also know that one of the main reasons so many good painters never get started is due to fear of failure?

Fear of failure paralyzes painters into remaining in dead-end jobs painting for bosses who don't appreciate them and who barely pay them enough to survive.

Although our industry desperately needs better customer service oriented painters in the field, there is a right and wrong way to go about getting started.

So You Want to Start a Painting Business...?

2007-10-16T13:50:00.001-04:00

So You Want to Start a Painting Business?

If you've ever seen one of those “Top 10 Small Business to Start” lists then you probably know that the house painting business opportunity has been a contender for years.

One of the nicest things about owning a painting business is the flexibility it can offer. The income potential is so high that it is quite possible to work just three to four days a week and still make $50-$60,000 a year.

House painting is one of those rare business opportunities that is nearly recession proof and can put financial security within reach for a great number of people.

There are no formal education requirements and basic painting and business skills are all that are necessary to succeed. (Most of which can be learned with the right painting business building home study course).

The demands of a house painter are typically only light physical labor, which can be done by men or women, young or old. A painting business can be used as a full time or part time income source.

Being a painting business owner not only offers the potential to quickly earn a professional income it also offers the feeling of fulfillment and pride that comes with being self-employed and self-sufficient.

Not to mention the instant gratification you get every day you complete a job and add another satisfied customer to your list, followed by depositing another large check into your growing bank account. It’s a nice gig!

The best advice I can offer the person considering starting their own painting business is to spend some time gathering information from reputable sources about how to market your painting business as well as how to bid and estimate paint jobs, or what I like to call the business side of the painting business.

One question I get asked quite frequently by new painting business owners is “what kind of jobs should I go after…”?

Small Business Marketing: Publicity for Your Painting Business

2006-12-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

Small Business Marketing: Publicity for Your Painting Business:

Painting business owners who want to get great exposure for their business while creating goodwill within their community should consider joining their neighborhood mobile watch program.

Most painting business owners are small owner operated businesses run out of the home. These kinds of small business usually have many types of accounts from residential, commercial and even some new construction. The jobs only last a day or two each then it’s off to the next one.

It is not uncommon to pick up a few jobs within the same neighborhood using a few inexpensive marketing techniques like yard signs, door hangers, and postcards.

But imagine the exposure you could get by joining the mobile watch program. How you ask? Well, every month home owners associations send out a newsletter filled with articles and happenings within the community.

All you have to do...

Gilbert house painter turns skills to home displays | EastValleyTribune.com

2006-12-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Gilbert house painter turns skills to home displays | EastValleyTribune.com: "Don Heberling is a house painter by trade who is offering a special service this holiday season: putting up people’s Christmas lights. It’s the third year the Gilbert 42-year-old has offered his decorating services, which include taking down the lights after the holiday.
"

Creating minority jobs | Business | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

2006-12-10T07:45:00.000-05:00

Creating minority jobs | Business | PensacolaNewsJournal.com:

"Pensacola paint contractor George Huey, who has owned a painting business for about 20 years, is the type of person the chamber hopes to attract, Sims said."

The Daily Times - www.delmarvanow.com - Salisbury, Md.

2006-12-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

Here is a great story of a painting business owner doing great things for others...

The Daily Times - www.delmarvanow.com - Salisbury, Md.:

"Jackie Jennings Modern-day Santa delivers food, clothing and toys to needy families

rank Ennis has delivered Christmas presents to motel rooms, homeless shelters and dilapidated houses. More than once he has dropped off food and clothing at the edge of the woods, alerted to families living in tents under the trees. If it's Christmas, and there are children, Ennis will find them."

THE-BEE - Phillips, WI

2006-11-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

THE-BEE - Phillips, WI: "At that time Janssen was employed as a sports equipment salesman but was aware of a demand for dependable people to do exterior painting. He began doing that type of work part-time and found that he preferred painting because he could be outdoors when the weather was nice.

'I began doing painting jobs in Phillips in 1997, and within a year, I decided to move here,' he said. 'I was doing interior painting, too, and noticed a need for handyman work. My grandfather was somewhat of a handyman, so I knew how to do some of those jobs.'

Janssen learned how to do additional construction-type tasks and began accumulating the tools and equipment required. However, he never expected that the business, J & J Painting, would expand so much that he would need to replace his work van with two enclosed trailers."

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners

2006-11-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners:

"Publicity for Your Painting Business

By: Andy Thompson

Painting business owners who want to get great exposure for their business while creating goodwill within their community should consider joining their neighborhood mobile watch program.

Most painting business owners are small owner operated businesses run out of the home. These kinds of small business usually have many types of accounts from residential, commercial and even some new construction. The jobs only last a day or two each then it’s off to the next one. "

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners

2006-11-18T20:25:00.000-05:00

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners:

"Small Business Opportunity: The Top 7 Reasons to Start a Painting Business
By: Andy Thompson

House painting is a skill that most people can pick up quite easily. It is one of those rare home based business opportunities that actually work and it is very possible to make $30- $50 an hour without much effort.
"

Painter turns trash into treasure | naplesnews.com | Naples Daily News

2006-11-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

Finding a profitable niche is your key to success as a painting business owner... Here is a great article to get your juices flowing!

Enjoy.

Painter turns trash into treasure | naplesnews.com | Naples Daily News:

"Bartuccio admits he may have stumbled into something mutually beneficial and is now carving out his own niche with a new venture in furniture restoration called 'Bartuccio's Furniture Body Shop.' 'I'm used to providing top-shelf work,' he said, referring to his years in the family painting business."

Naperville Sun :: Business :: Good bosses make good business

2006-11-14T12:07:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what it takes to find great employees? Take this quality advice from David Lockhart owner of Inside-Out Painting...

Naperville Sun :: Business :: Good bosses make good business: "David Lockhart, who owns Inside-Out Painting, agreed with Klein. He said he provides health insurance, vacation pay and holiday pay to his workers, which is not typical for his industry.

'The lesson we've learned is to treat people the way we'd want to be treated,' he said."

Coaching: Change Your Business for Life

2006-11-06T17:38:00.000-05:00

Quality advice for any trade or profession! One major key to success is a quality finished product. Something you can put your name on ;)

Enjoy!

Coaching: Change Your Business for Life:

"RISMEDIA, November 6, 2006—Growing up the son of a house painter in Ireland, I was taught a very important, guiding principle by my dad that I practice to this day. At the end of each day, he’d look at my work, and ask, “Well, son, can you put your name to that?”

If I couldn’t put my name to the work I’d done, he’d have me do it over again.

Not only did this give me an appreciation for doing the work right, it instilled a level of integrity that became one of the core values..."

Suburban Journals - Business

2006-11-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

Heads up painters here is yet another article talking about the power of referral based marketing... Not to mention a great niche to earn some side income with...

Enjoy!

Suburban Journals - Business:

"It was the first of almost 1,000 homes Sieve has now painted, and the start of her own company, Murals and More, which offers wall murals, faux finishing and hand-painted furniture and interior layout.

Sieve said that up until now, she has built her business strictly by word-of-mouth, and that almost half of her customers have invited her back for new projects.
"

Coaching: Manager's Corner: With the Referral System, Life Comes First

2006-11-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

What a great aticle! It illustrates my point about referral based marketing and how powerful it is.

My Painting for Profits eBook shows painters how to quickly, cheaply, and effortlessly build a solid foundation of quality referral sources.

Coaching: Manager's Corner: With the Referral System, Life Comes First:

"Why is working by referral a proven strategy for success in any business climate?

Working by referral is a proven strategy because trial and error is eliminated. It is time tested and trust is built in.

Have the basic elements of working by referral changed? If so, how?

Not really. Technology moves us faster and connects us globally, instantly. We gather information on the Internet, however, people represent and serve us.

If you go back to Brian’s original inspiration for starting this company, it was based on the century-old practice of his family’s painting business in Ireland.

Although technology and transportation may make getting together easier, it’s always reverting back to face-to-face, or person-to-person interaction. That’s why this system works so well. "

Research contractors carefully before hiring one - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 11/04/06 - Tennessean.com

2006-11-05T08:09:00.000-05:00

Here is an article that outlines why you should educate your customers and always do quality work...

Research contractors carefully before hiring one - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 11/04/06 - Tennessean.com:

"Evans adds that this is why it's important to get references from more than one source.

''We have testimonials on our Web site, but I advise people to call someone else, too. Someone unsolicited,'' Evans said."

Maple City idol performers to raise money for cancer patients

2006-11-02T07:53:00.000-05:00

As painting business owners there are many opportunities to give back. (most painters have some kind of hobby or talent besides their painting skills)

Think about using them to get involved with your community to raise money for a good cause! Not only does it make you feel good it is great exposure for you painting business.

Read this great article about a house painter doing just that...

Enjoy.

Maple City idol performers to raise money for cancer patients:

"One of Dunn’s biggest musical influences is Alan Jackson, the country star whose hits include “Where I Come From,” “Gone Country” and “Mercury Blues.”

“I like him because he’s a good family dude,” Dunn said, adding that “you never hear any garbage about him.” Another influence, he said, is country music hall of famer George Strait, whose tune “Give it Away” topped the charts this year.

Dunn, whose full-time job is running a painting business, said he likes to sing the kind of high-energy tunes that get the crowd revved up.
"

Hustling for the holidays | ajc.com

2006-11-01T13:41:00.000-05:00

Here is a house painter that thinks outside the box! Check out this great idea for earning extra money with your painting business this holiday season! Enjoy.

Hustling for the holidays | ajc.com:

"If you're like Gwinnett resident Jerrod Andrews, you can start your own side gig. Just a few years after Andrews launched his interior design and painting business, clients asked if he knew someone who could string up the Christmas lights on their home.

'My first thought was 'What kids do I know who could do this?' ' says Andrews, now 27, who quickly realized that he could use the holiday money.

Now, in his third season, he charges about 50 cents per linear foot to hang lights. And that extra cash will not only provide gifts for his two sons, but will cover costs to finish remodeling his house."

Worcester Telegram & Gazette News

2006-11-01T11:56:00.000-05:00

Worcester Telegram & Gazette News:

"Perreault, who has owned and operated his own painting business the past two summers...

The first year, Perreault’s branch earned more than $100,000 in sales;

last year, Perreault expanded the business by hiring four others to run branches. His branch earned more than $200,000 last summer. "

He made this money working JUST THE SUMMER! Imagine what you can do running your painting business year round!

About Painting for Profits - How to Start a Painting Business

2006-10-30T22:38:00.000-05:00

About Painting for Profits - How to Start a Painting Business:

"About Painting for Profits

The Painting for Profits system is all about maximizing profits and minimizing effort!

It is the definitive insiders guide to starting and growing a wildly profitable painting business."

WOOSTER BRUSH (catalog)

2006-10-28T17:11:00.000-04:00

WOOSTER BRUSH (catalog):

"SHERLOCK® FRAME

• Quick-release spring prevents roller slippage, yet allows easy, one-rap removal
• Smooth-rolling internal bearings eliminate graying and shank wear
• Durable, green™ fiberglass-reinforced nylon cage and endcaps
• Chrome-plated 5/16 in. shank, 90-degree angle
• Full-size polypropylene grip with reinforced threads, Sherlock GT® compatible

This Sherlock roller frame is fantastic! It last a very long time and is quite affordable. It is part of their Sherlock system. The Wooster extention poles have a nifty locking system so the roller frame will not spin.

"

Small Business Opportunity: The Top 7 Reasons to Start a Painting Business

2006-10-24T19:02:00.000-04:00

Small Business Opportunity: The Top 7 Reasons to Start a Painting Business:

By Andy Thompson

House painting is a skill that most people can pick up quite easily. It is one of those rare home based business opportunities that actually work and it is very possible to make $30- $50 an hour ..."
Click the link above to read the rest of the article.

"I Must be in the Wrong Business"

2006-10-20T15:32:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share with you a conversation I had a while back. My wife and I had just got back from our second vacation of the year. (A nice 2 week fishing trip to the Florida Keys)

I was talking to one of the employees at a property management company that refers me jobs who is also a avid fisherman...

I was telling him about all the fish we caught and how we plan to go to Belize to do some bonefishing in 2007. Then he said "Man you take some nice vacations, I must be in the wrong business."

Later that evening I realized that unless you are in your own business you are indeed in the WRONG business.

I have been able to turn my painting skills into a successful painting business that affords us a very nice lifestyle filled with free time and money to do the things we love.

That is why I love helping house painters start and grow their own painting businesses. I feel obligated to pass on my knowledge.

Purdy - Professional Painting Tools

2006-10-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

Purdy - Professional Painting Tools: "About Purdy

Purdy produces only the highest quality painting tools. Our meticulously handcrafted brushes and high-quality roller covers have been the choice of professionals for over 75 years.

Now, we want them to be your first choice for all your painting projects. You might ask, 'Aren't all brushes and rollers the same?' No, they are not. Each Purdy brush is an individually built instrument designed, formulated, and handcrafted for maximum painting performance.

Our attention to detail in the manufacturing processes makes Purdy brushes the industry standard among paint tool manufacturers."

I have used Purdy tools for years and they have always lived up to my expectations. High quality tools that will last for years.

Click the link above and check out all the professional Purdy painting tools.

Painting Popcorn Ceilings the Easy Way

2006-10-18T12:14:00.000-04:00

WOOSTER BRUSH (products): "POPCORN/ACOUSTICAL"

Do you hate painting popcorn ceilings?

Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to paint popcorn ceilings?

Well there is! Check out Woosters new Popcorn-Acoustical ceiling roller sleeve. They really work great...

Do you want to start your own painting business and earn a above average income working part time?

Then be sure to check out my web site and sign up for my Painting for Profits newsletter, it's free and jam packed with profitable tips for smart painting business owners.

Remodeling : Walls : Lead Paint : Home & Garden Television

2006-10-14T14:55:00.000-04:00

Remodeling : Walls : Lead Paint : Home & Garden Television:

"Because of health concerns, lead based paint was taken off the market in 1978. If your house was built after that, you should have no lead paint worries. But if your home is older..."

Check out some of the great information at Home & Garden Television's website.

Training Video CED

2006-10-14T14:34:00.000-04:00

Training Video CED:

"Training: Click on the image to see HOW TO USE these GRACO products..."

Check out some great paint sprayer training video's at GRACO website.

If you want to ad a profitable stream of income to your painting business, consider getting an HVLP unit... Cupboard/doors refinishing is a huge niche in our industry.

Purdy - Professional Painting Tools

2006-10-13T15:02:00.000-04:00

Purdy - Professional Painting Tools:

"# Newly designed short handle
The handle is a shorter, ergonomic hardwood design for painting in tight spaces.

# XL Series brush head
The angled brush head has the same quality components and professional features as the regular line of Purdy XL Glide brushes.

# Ergonomic thumb grip for superior control
The thumb grip enables the user to apply extra pressure to hold the brush steady in particularly hard-toreach areas.

# Flush ferrule-to-handle fit
The newly designed flush ferrule-to-handle fit provides greater comfort and faster cleanup."

Purdy offers some of the best tools of the trade in our industry. If you haven't tried the new XL CUB brush, you should. You can read more about it and all the quality products by clicking the link above.

Marco Island Sun Times - Gratkowski rolls fourth 300 game

2006-10-12T22:20:00.000-04:00

Marco Island Sun Times - Gratkowski rolls fourth 300 game: "Gratkowski, who runs a painting business and sells real estate, has lived on Marco Island for 10 years. The former resident of Scranton, Pa. said bowling is all about having a fun time.

'It's a night out with the guys,' he said. 'Just kick back with a couple of beers and roll a couple of bowling balls.'"

Painting Business owners with hobbies... Owning a successful painting business can afford you plenty of time to do the things you love. I love to fish and play drums!

What do you like to do on your free time?

gwinnettdailypost.com

2006-10-12T13:13:00.000-04:00

gwinnettdailypost.com: "In between the long brush strokes and paint roller splashes, your buttercream-colored paint in the hallway eventually will meet your spouse's ocean blue in the living room as it rounds a mutual corner.

As you both near the 90-degree angle, you might come to an impasse.

How do you both approach the corner without creating a mess of overlapping colors? If you both were using the same color, it wouldn't matter as much.

But with two colors coming together, you want to be sure one doesn't bleed into the other. Don't let the two colors back you into a corner. Instead, try tackling them like pros."

This article has some great tips for painting joining walls with different colors.

If you would like more great tips like these be sure to sign up for your free subscription to my Painting for Profits newsletter.

Rohm & Haas reorganizing; emerging markets a focus - MarketWatch

2006-10-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

Rohm & Haas reorganizing; emerging markets a focus - MarketWatch: "The company plans to organize its existing businesses under divisions called electronic materials, specialty materials and performance materials and place more of its top executives in markets outside the U.S. and E.U.

Chief Executive Raj Gupta said in an interview Monday that the Philadelphia company's performance has been very good in the last couple years, but one metric where it has fallen short is organic demand growth. A more localized presence in its various markets will provide customers with customization and speed of service that can turn that around, he said.

Gupta expects Rohm & Haas' growth in developed markets such as the U.S. and Western Europe to be around 3% or 4%, while emerging markets are expected to be 15% or better."

If you are looking for investments and wondered if there was anything in the painting industry worth considering, take a close look at Rohm & Haas.

Large Painting Company Vs. Small Painting Business

2006-10-09T14:08:00.000-04:00

On the Job: Cool head required for paint job : Columnists : Albuquerque Tribune: "There is an element of instant gratification in the world of painting houses.

It's a perk of the job.

'One of the best things about painting is the ability to see almost immediately the results of your work,' said Alan Cooper, foreman for Kevin Smith Painting Inc."

This is a really good article about the day to day stress of running a large paint company rather then a small painting business.

Having worked on my share of "new construction" paint crews I can tell you with all confidence that there is a lot more stress than profit involved.

If you really want to profit as a house painter you may be better off targeting small, easy to paint, half day to one day jobs. They are very plentiful and very profitable.

The over head is low and the profit is high! Need I say more?

Give a Courtesy Call if You Are Going to be Late

2006-10-08T16:05:00.000-04:00

If a problem arises and you can not get to an appointment at the scheduled time, call the customer and inform them that a problem has arisen.

Even though they may gripe a bit, they will appreciate the courtesy. As a general rule if you are going to be more than 10 minutes late, give the customer a heads up (they understand that things come up).

This little customer service tip will help you build credibility with your customers.

Dulux - Painting Tips

2006-10-05T13:58:00.000-04:00

Dulux - Painting Tips: "Paint Spills
First contain the spill from spreading. Scrape up as much paint as possible working from the outside of the spill inwards to help prevent further spreading. Kitty litter can also be used to soak up paint."

Here is a great tip from the Dulux web site. It is also a good idea to purchase a small shop vac (wet/dry) in case of larger spills.

Painting Business How To Tips

5 Easy Ways to Increase Good Will and Boost the Profits of Your Painting Business

What Are You Thankful for in Your Painting Business...

Painting Business Card Tips

Stress Reduction for Painting Business Owners... Spend More Time In The Big Picture!

Painting Business Owners Who Deliver Added Value Can Sell At Higher Prices...

Have You Ever Made This Mistake In Your Painting Buiness? Here's The Solution.

10 Surefire Ways to Keep Your House Painting Employees Happy

FREE Copy of Think and Grow Rich! Here's How

(NEW) Painting DVD Teaches This Old Dog New Tricks!

Perk Up Your Painting Business With Prizes

Painting Business Marketing Promotion for Halloween!

Running Your Own Painting Business Requires Personal Accountability

The 2 Biggest Problems With Buying Your Painting Business Signs from a "General" Sign Shop

Hey Painting Business Owners - I Dare You to GIVE More!

Frustrated With Your Painting Business? Here's the Solution

ATTENTION Painting Business Owners: Cute & Fancy Yard Signs Do Not Sell!

October Is Here - It's GOAL Setting Time for Painting Contractors

7 Simple Steps for Painting Business Success

Painting Business Success: Do You BELIEVE You Can Succeed?

Selling Paint Jobs is About Confidence NOT Competition

ATTENTION Painting Contractors: NOW Is The Time For Action

America's StrongestBuilding Markets

Where permits are on the rise

Pro-Active Painting Business Promotion for Fall

How to Bid Paint Jobs Blog Up & Running

GRATITUDE: An Amazing Way to Attract New Business

Pricing Paint Jobs: A Proven System to Get Top Dollar in Slow Economy

Big Difference Between Massive Action and Consistent Action

Painting Business Web Site Project Moving Forward

Painting Contractor Tips: How To Sell Painting Services At Higher Prices

Just One Tip Can Make All The Difference - A Painting Contractor Lesson

What Business Are You REALLY In?

There is NO ROOM for Women In the Painting Business:

Painting technique Cutting In: How to Build Speed and Accuracy

Painting Business Success Happens Much Faster When You Have A Coach/Advisor Helping You

Painting Business Success: What Does It Take To Succeed LONG-TERM

Part Time Painting Business = Full Time Income

Three Fast - Easy Ways To Sharpen Up Your Painting Business Brand & Image

Painting Business Web Sites: Update & Progress

Exercise Your Marketing Muscles

Residentail Re-Paint Quality: How Good Is Good Enough?

Outstanding Painting Business Press Release Example

Why Do You Want To Own Your Own Painting Business?

A New Twist On An Old Saying About House Painters

Owning a Successful Painting Business Offers Priceless Freedoms

7 Proven Low Cost Ways To Promote and Market Your Painting Business On A Budget

Not All Painting Business Web Sites Are The Same: Three Important Things To Consider

Your Customers DON'T Care About You & Your Painting Business!

A Tool More Important Than A Paint Brush & Roller

NEW Newsletter Format Just About Ready

Is Your Painting Business Targeting The Right Neighborhoods?

Competing On Price Is A One Way Ticket To The Poor House.

Good News For Painting Business Owners...

We're Baaaaack!

Why an Economic Downturn Can Be Good For Your Painting Business

A Simple Bidding and Estimating Technique...

Positioning Your Painting Business...

Starting a Painting Business in the New Economy

What Does Mind Set have to do With the Success of Your Painting Business?

Is Your Painting Business Built on Quick Sand?

Introduction to the Painting Business Success Hierarchy

Consistency is Key to Success

Take Enthusiastic Action

Painting Business Success ~ Fast! A Simple 3 Step Process

Keep Gaining Knowledge...

Get Off to a Great Start in '08!

Is Fear of Failure Holding You Back from Starting Your Own Painting Business?

So You Want to Start a Painting Business...?

Small Business Marketing: Publicity for Your Painting Business

Gilbert house painter turns skills to home displays | EastValleyTribune.com

Creating minority jobs | Business | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

The Daily Times - www.delmarvanow.com - Salisbury, Md.

THE-BEE - Phillips, WI

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners

Painting Business Tips: Articles and Information for Painting Business Owners

Painter turns trash into treasure | naplesnews.com | Naples Daily News

Naperville Sun :: Business :: Good bosses make good business

Coaching: Change Your Business for Life

Suburban Journals - Business

America's Strongest
Building Markets