How are you getting work?

[corey2444]

I'm close to having everything I need to start up as a Locksmith. As a matter of fact, I have landed a few jobs by placing some simple ads on craigslist.

I can see now, craigslist is not going to land me enough work to make a living. It will help, but it won't be enough.

When I worked in a realtor's office for my aunt years ago, I remembered constantly seeing Handymen, Plumber's, Electrician's, Locksmiths, etc.. coming in and putting flyers in the mail boxes.

The newspaper use to be a great way to advertise, but everything has gone to the internet.

I also get things in a the mail from many forms of contractors, but I usually throw them away. I would think this would be so 90's, and a waste of money. It would probably get some work, but takes a huge chunk of advertising money.

I know a website couldn't hurt, and I plan on hiring someone to make a simple 5-10 page deal.

What I have been thinking about is an email list that target's certain areas in my city.

The old door to door flyer trick? Hey, I can use the exercise. It may bring me some work, but I'd rather be doing Locksmith work, and go to the gym after.

So, what's your tactic's for getting work?

[Eyes_Only]

The place I was at had me go visit local businesses introducing myself, giving them a business card and telling them about our business and the services we offer. Not really sure if it worked but its worth a try.

[nostromo]

How about new apartment buildings / complexes or rental management offices that don't yet have locksmith relationships? They have tenant turnover that means rekeying. Sometimes masterkeying work, too. While there you can leave drop off cards in the tenants mailboxes offering a new business discount to service lockouts.

I've heard of guys that go door to door offering to cut keys, but that sounds like a lot of work to me.

Real estate agents that handle repos need to get into properties and/or have them rekeyed. And they can help make referrals to new occupants that need rekeying or lockout work, too. It's all about the long-term relationship.

[exspook]

Buisness cards are essential. ones from Vistaprint that state on the reverse that "these cards are free" do not sell a great image

invest in yourself and your potential

[corey2444]

Buisness cards are essential. ones from Vistaprint that state on the reverse that "these cards are free" do not sell a great image

invest in yourself and your potential

They keep emailing me with an offer of 500 business card for $1.99 The only reason I haven't bit yet is because I'm waiting to see if I want a logo. But now that you mention it says "free" on the back, I will probably pass

[ElAbogado]

Buisness cards are essential. ones from Vistaprint that state on the reverse that "these cards are free" do not sell a great image

invest in yourself and your potential

They keep emailing me with an offer of 500 business card for $1.99 The only reason I haven't bit yet is because I'm waiting to see if I want a logo. But now that you mention it says "free" on the back, I will probably pass

I've used VistaPrint for just about everything. Cards, magnetic signs, and more are dirt cheap. There is an option to leave the back blank for an additional $1.99 if you prefer, or have something printed on the reverse. I have a "next appointment" form on the back of my card.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with them printing the back of their cards, nobody cares.

[unlisted]

...Or if you really cannot stand the printing on the back, Vistaprint is still the cheapest route even with the additional 1.99 "blank fee"


I've personally used vistaprint about 5 times now- never a complaint. (and very good print and paper quality)

[exspook]

lets not diss vista print

they are good

back to the original thread post, try going to estate agents to let them know your services and a price

or go to cleaning companys and approach themmy friend has had a lot of work when domestic cleaners have left and the companys have needed to replace the clients locks as the keys have not been returned

London Life

[eppiotic]

Heres a few tips:

Real estate agencies for the repo's.
Used car dealerships for the auto lock work.
Service providers for the commercial work.
Go to any new apartment complex and secure a master key system.

[Rickthepick]

advertising properly is hard work, word of mouth is far superior and free but it takes a long time to earn.

I dont think you will find many people willing to share the more successful sources of work, i know i dont

[globallockytoo]

Heres a few tips:

Real estate agencies for the repo's.
Used car dealerships for the auto lock work.
Service providers for the commercial work.
Go to any new apartment complex and secure a master key system.

Apartment complexes, generally use in-house maintenance to perform their rekeys. Many prefer not to have restricted key systems here (St Louis) because each tenant is to be able to have keys made at their convenience.

Real Estate agencies are difficult payers and generally cheap out on the works. They more often prefer to pay their handymen prices than locksmith prices and are prepared to keep paying peanuts and getting monkeys.

National Service Providers will hunt around for the cheapest possible price and make you submit significant quantities of paperwork with T's crossed and i's dotted perfectly, before making you wait 90-120 days to get paid.

NSP's will then charge a premium to the end user for your works, effectively cutting you out of making decent moneys.

A nice try but!

[eppiotic]

Heres a few tips:

Real estate agencies for the repo's.
Used car dealerships for the auto lock work.
Service providers for the commercial work.
Go to any new apartment complex and secure a master key system.

Apartment complexes, generally use in-house maintenance to perform their rekeys. Many prefer not to have restricted key systems here (St Louis) because each tenant is to be able to have keys made at their convenience.

Real Estate agencies are difficult payers and generally cheap out on the works. They more often prefer to pay their handymen prices than locksmith prices and are prepared to keep paying peanuts and getting monkeys.

National Service Providers will hunt around for the cheapest possible price and make you submit significant quantities of paperwork with T's crossed and i's dotted perfectly, before making you wait 90-120 days to get paid.

NSP's will then charge a premium to the end user for your works, effectively cutting you out of making decent moneys.

A nice try but!

We do all of the above in KC quite successfully. It's all in your track record and who you have contacts with really.

Apparently where you are, even 4 hours away in the same state matters. But we're constantly doing work by my above suggestions.

[globallockytoo]

I presume you have been in business there for many years because new entrants to the game will find it much more difficult than you suggest.

While I agree that your segmentation of the markets is on par, it is not quite so simple.

Today mostly, price conscious consumers can be more likely to "shop around" rather than just go with the first entry in the book. Yes, there are still some customers who remain loyal to a long serving service provider, but if someone were to come along and offer an identical or better level of service at a cheaper price than you, the customer would be crazy to not investigate the opportunity (IMHO).

[eppiotic]

Yeah, 41 years and 3 generations. I guess I was just thinking about where some our consistent money was coming from but our name certainly has an effect on that, good point sir.

[globallockytoo]

Yeah, 41 years and 3 generations. I guess I was just thinking about where some our consistent money was coming from but our name certainly has an effect on that, good point sir.

That tells me who you are!