Ever done a home show?

[shutterstuff]

Since my business is fairly new (less than 2 years) I am considering a booth at this springs local Home Show.

Have any of you done something like this?

Any ideas?

Mine is to park my van outside with a 10'x10' canopy next to it. Have some product displays and maybe even cut keys on site. I want to design some flyers, one about general home security especially.

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

We have done similar things over the years, your ideas are spot on. We never cut keys but if you have the resource (manpower) to have someone make keys as you socialize (very important) with potential customers then do it. Display and demonstrate easy improvements you can provide to homeowners: deadbolts, Supra boxes( to prevent them locking themselves out), peepholes, safes, window film, lock lubricants, newest electronic locksets ( bluetooth, keypad, etc). These give your browsers plenty to wet their appetite. We also give out freebies (pens, keychains, mini flashights, coupons, DIY security audits, etc) We get alot of business from coupons (10% off Service Call) and from our security audits that lean people toward us for products to fix certain issues.

[shutterstuff]

We have done similar things over the years, your ideas are spot on. We never cut keys but if you have the resource (manpower) to have someone make keys as you socialize (very important) with potential customers then do it. Display and demonstrate easy improvements you can provide to homeowners: deadbolts, Supra boxes( to prevent them locking themselves out), peepholes, safes, window film, lock lubricants, newest electronic locksets ( bluetooth, keypad, etc). These give your browsers plenty to wet their appetite. We also give out freebies (pens, keychains, mini flashights, coupons, DIY security audits, etc) We get alot of business from coupons (10% off Service Call) and from our security audits that lean people toward us for products to fix certain issues.

Thanks for the list. Even though I stock both the Supra boxes and peepholes, I did not think about displaying them.

Since I am mobile only, I was thinking about cutting some of the novelty keys but I see your point on socializing. Handing out business cards is the primary reason for doing this.

[Jacob Morgan]

It seems to me that some homeowners assume that having a locksmith rekey their locks is going to run into hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Some people who go to home shows are people looking foreward to being first time home buyers and might need a change in locks soon. How about some flyers comparing the cost of sending hubby off to the big box to buy all new deadbolts and key-in-knob units versus the cost of just having what they already have rekeyed? $40 - $50 a door if the home owner does it. 2 or 3 doors and that is $80 to $150+ in new hardware from the big box, plus an hour or two messing around with it. If you can beat that, or come even close, then let people know about it. You could print up flyers accordingly--show the price (with the service call baked in) for rekeying 2, 3, 4, or 6 conventional door locks. I'm not a locksmith and don't write from experience on that end, but in browsing through posts here it looks like some locksmiths price rekey jobs for less than what it costs to replace the lock sets do-it-yourself style and if that is the case it ought to be advertised.

[billdeserthills]

I used to do gunshows & if you feel like making some easy money you can bring a few commercial boxes of candy
like Sam's Club & Costco stock, cans of drinks can sell for an amazing profit too, you just need a cooler & ice. I used to
save money on feeding the help by bringing cold cuts, mayo & bread along too

[shutterstuff]

It seems to me that some homeowners assume that having a locksmith rekey their locks is going to run into hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Some people who go to home shows are people looking foreward to being first time home buyers and might need a change in locks soon. How about some flyers comparing the cost of sending hubby off to the big box to buy all new deadbolts and key-in-knob units versus the cost of just having what they already have rekeyed? $40 - $50 a door if the home owner does it. 2 or 3 doors and that is $80 to $150+ in new hardware from the big box, plus an hour or two messing around with it. If you can beat that, or come even close, then let people know about it. You could print up flyers accordingly--show the price (with the service call baked in) for rekeying 2, 3, 4, or 6 conventional door locks. I'm not a locksmith and don't write from experience on that end, but in browsing through posts here it looks like some locksmiths price rekey jobs for less than what it costs to replace the lock sets do-it-yourself style and if that is the case it ought to be advertised.

I was already working on a rekey special for new homeowners, but I like the comparison idea. Thanks!

[shutterstuff]

I used to do gunshows & if you feel like making some easy money you can bring a few commercial boxes of candy
like Sam's Club & Costco stock, cans of drinks can sell for an amazing profit too, you just need a cooler & ice. I used to
save money on feeding the help by bringing cold cuts, mayo & bread along too

There is a designated snack/food court and it is not allowed in floor booths. But I always pack my own food!

[Jacob Morgan]

Another suggestion, post a big sign that there is a free drawing for a prize. That will bring a lot more people in. Make the prize something that showcases what you can do, like maybe a padlock that can be keyed to match a house key (with fine print that they have to have a common brand door lock). After the drawing some people might call you up and buy one. Who wants to carry around a big key ring these days? Or maybe give them the choice of that or a free security pin upgrade on their home to prevent bumping attacks. If they don't know what bumping is, bring a laptop with a video of it. Get people to come over then educate them on what you can do. If you just show up with a sign that says "Locksmith" I would not expect many people to drop by. If people (knew that they) had locksmithing needs they are not going to wait for a home show to talk to one. They need to learn that they have needs and that you can take care of them. Don't advertise things (much) that will just give people ideas as to what they can turn around and buy at the big-box.

On the prize sign up form you could ask for addresses and then send out specials when business is slow, offering those services or devices (that they were interested in at the drawing) for some price. If you go off the street they live on you can probably guess the age of the homes and what their security needs are and what their disposable income is. If you email, best to have an opt-in box on the form and send it blind CC so everyone doesn't see everyone elses email.

At a home show there might be some interior decorators. They sometimes decorate with antiques. Most antiques do not come with keys. If you can impression lever locks and have a stock of such keys, especially barrell keys, then tell them. Also good contacts as their clients have money. Big decorating projects involve bringing in a general contractor, and probably that is who does locks and doors. If you can do better (especially in rehabilitating antique doors and locks) then let them know that.

[shutterstuff]

Another suggestion, post a big sign that there is a free drawing for a prize. That will bring a lot more people in. Make the prize something that showcases what you can do, like maybe a padlock that can be keyed to match a house key (with fine print that they have to have a common brand door lock). After the drawing some people might call you up and buy one. Who wants to carry around a big key ring these days? Or maybe give them the choice of that or a free security pin upgrade on their home to prevent bumping attacks. If they don't know what bumping is, bring a laptop with a video of it. Get people to come over then educate them on what you can do. If you just show up with a sign that says "Locksmith" I would not expect many people to drop by. If people (knew that they) had locksmithing needs they are not going to wait for a home show to talk to one. They need to learn that they have needs and that you can take care of them. Don't advertise things (much) that will just give people ideas as to what they can turn around and buy at the big-box.

On the prize sign up form you could ask for addresses and then send out specials when business is slow, offering those services or devices (that they were interested in at the drawing) for some price. If you go off the street they live on you can probably guess the age of the homes and what their security needs are and what their disposable income is. If you email, best to have an opt-in box on the form and send it blind CC so everyone doesn't see everyone elses email.

At a home show there might be some interior decorators. They sometimes decorate with antiques. Most antiques do not come with keys. If you can impression lever locks and have a stock of such keys, especially barrell keys, then tell them. Also good contacts as their clients have money. Big decorating projects involve bringing in a general contractor, and probably that is who does locks and doors. If you can do better (especially in rehabilitating antique doors and locks) then let them know that.

Some more good ideas. Thanks!

I was thinking about setting up my laptop but hooked up to a 32" TV (has a VGA input). What are some suggestion on videos to use? Does anyone have some YouTube links to share that are public friendly showing some common vulnerabilities?