1. Exceed every customer’s expectations!
Treat every customer like your best customer. Show up on time, be polite, respond to emails, and stick to deadlines. All of this might seem very obvious, but it really is the little things that make a big difference. Doing great work helps to ensure your current customers will refer you to their friends and neighbors. This type of word-of-mouth advertising is invaluable to your mold removal business!
2. Invest in quality web design.
In order to be seen as a legitimate business, you need to have a website. There are very few exceptions to this rule. People are not looking in the phonebook anymore. They are using the Internet to find local mold removal specialists. If you don’t have a website, your mold remediation business is going to be invisible to anyone doing an online search. It’s also important to make sure your site is “mobile-friendly”. If someone pulls up your website on their smart phone, will they be able to read it?
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3. Give pay-per-click advertising a try.
Pay-per-click advertising is a quick (and relatively easy) way to get more interested customers to your mold removal company’s website. It’s all about selecting the right keywords and writing an ad that people will click on. If someone does a search for “professional mold removal”, there’s a pretty good shot that he or she might be interested in hiring a mold contractor. It’s important to test different ad headlines to see what gets the best response.
4. Make it easy for people to leave a review.
Many people use online reviews to find the best, local mold removal companies. A profile with many positive reviews helps to give your company immediate credibility. People are starting to trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. For this reason, many of your satisfied customers will be happy to leave a review for you. Your job is to make it easy for them to do so! Make sure to include links to your various review profiles on your own website.
5. Distribute informational pamphlets and brochures.
A simple, informational booklet can be a great marketing tool. After the initial consultation, give each prospective customer your business card and a brochure. The brochure should describe the services you provide and educate people about the dangers of mold exposure. Win people over by differentiating yourself from the competition. Is your business family-owned? Have you been in business for over 20 years? Do you provide a satisfaction guarantee?
6. Try using a pay-per-call advertising service.
Has the phone stopped ringing? Are you struggling to make it through the off-season? A pay-per-call service can help you get out of a dry spell. The pay-per-call service advertises on your behalf. When someone looking for mold remediation services sees the ad, they can call your business directly. There’s no middle man. The leads are tracked and at the end of the month, you are charged a flat fee for each incoming call. Leads may come in for many different jobs, ranging from attic mold cleanup to basement water damage restoration. These prospective customers may also be looking for moldy carpet removal, bathroom mold cleanup, or crawlspace mold abatement.
7. Build a following on social media.
Mold abatement companies can use social media to answer questions, share relevant articles, and post pictures of your current projects. Before-and-after pictures can be very powerful! Show people how you can help them. If someone writes to you, take the time to reply! A prompt and polite response can help you win your next job.
8. Sign up for a pay-per-lead service.
There are several pay-per-lead companies that help mold contractors generate new business. The lead generation company finds people in your area that need mold removal services. When a lead matches your set preferences, you will receive a text or email notification with the prospect’s contact information. It’s then up to you to schedule an appointment or consultation. Each job lead is going to be different. Mold is commonly found in attics, basements, bathrooms, walls, and crawlspaces. You agree to pay a certain amount for each specific lead type. For example, commercial job leads may be more expensive than residential leads.
9. Invest time in building relationships with other local business owners.
It’s important to get to know people in your industry. It can also help to know other professionals who are frequently in a position to refer you. General contractors, insurance brokers, and real estate agents can be a great source of referral business. Don’t just give these people your business card and call it a day. If you meet someone, follow up! Invite them to one of your job sites, show them the great work you do, and give them a good reason to refer you.
10. Place an ad in the phonebook.
You might be thinking we are crazy for including this strategy. Believe it or not, some people still you use the yellow pages. For example, older people (who are less comfortable using smartphones and laptops) may use the yellow pages to find a mold remediation service. If you live in a smaller city or rural area, you may also have some success. Each area is a little different though. If you live in a very competitive market (think Southern California or the DC metro area), a Yellow Pages ad may not provide a great return on investment.
11. Send out an email newsletter.
It’s important to stay in touch with your existing customers. You never know when a past customer (or one of their neighbors) is going to need to your mold clean-up and removal services in the future. Email is an easy, low-cost way to keep in contact with these people. If you’re new to email, keep it simple to start. For instance, you could send out an email newsletter a few times a year. The goal is to keep people engaged without bothering them. You don’t want people to unsubscribe from your list.
12. Write original content for your website.
If you do a quick online search for “local mold removal companies”, does your business’ website show up? If not, let’s talk about what you can do to change that! SEO is all about optimizing your site for the major search engines. Writing and publishing original content is one of the simplest ways to improve your site. Think about starting a blog. You can share your knowledge about a variety of topics, not just mold. You can provide advice about waterproofing, seasonal home maintenance, cleaning, and other related topics.
13. Join a professional association.
There are several national associations that mold contractors may consider joining. Before paying your dues, make sure to do some research about the organization. You probably already know the most respected groups in the industry. Don’t just become a member! Try to attend local chapter meetings and actually participate in the organization. If you meet an interesting person, don’t just exchange business cards. Follow up with a quick call or an email.
14. Incentivize referrals from your existing customers.
In many cases, your past customers are often going to be your best source of referrals. Think about starting a loyalty or referral program to encourage these word-of-mouth recommendations. There are many different incentive options: gift cards, movie tickets, or maybe discounts off future services. Every time someone mentions they were referred by a past customer, make a note of it! Even a quick thank you note is a good way to show your appreciation.