Vol. 2 - Issue Number 5 | 02-02-09
Only the strong survive!
The NRGCA wants to put you and your guttercompany ahead of the competition!_____________________________________________________
In This Issue
Sales & Marketing: Marketing Tips for Hard Economic Times
Installation Tip: Strip Miter Installation
Weekly Safety Tip: Creating a Safety Checklist
Coupon: Safety Awareness Program_____________________________________________________
Gutter Marketing Tips for
Hard Economic TimesKnow your target audiences -- market to highly targeted groups and know them well. One message never "fits all" in marketing, even if it is Free Money.
Use positioning to gain market share -- you must not only give people reasons for using a certain product, but reasons for buying it from YOU.
Make your message clear -- just because it seems clear to you, doesn't mean it is to them!
Make your message interesting -- boring messages create snores, not sales.
Make your message believable -- if it sounds unbelievable, you lose sales and credibility.
Don't steal their time until they're ready to give it -- their time is valuable, so get to the "what's in it for me?" before the long explanations.
Don't assume you know what your customers want -- people buy on the basis of logic and emotion. If you don't know what each specific target group of your buyers really wants, find out with research. It's easier to sell them what they want than to convince them to buy what you think they want.
Stimulate their emotions -- never overlook powerful emotions like security, safety, acceptance, guilt, fear, longing, and a dozen others. People often buy on the promise of emotional satisfaction, and justify it with logical reasons.
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Box Miter Installation
One of the more common service issues that arise is leaking box miters. The following is a process that can greatly reduce your return service calls for this problem.
One of the most important parts is how the sealant gets applied. Start by applying three beads of sealant on each side of the miter, then a bead on the manufacturers seam. The first bead is even with the bend on each side and then the remaining two beads spaced approximately two inches apart working towards the edge of the box miter. Depending on the fit-up you might have to add a little more sealant at each edge where the gutter ends inside the box miter.
Zip screw placement is also important. On each edge of the box miter place one zip screw on the top, one on the upper portion of the front, and two on the bottom. All of the zip screws should be in line approximately one inch in from the edge of the box miter ensuring all screws are going thru your outside bead of sealant you put on the box miter. Then place one zip screw on the inside at the top back edge of the gutter to close the gap between the gutter and the box miter. Place a small dot of sealant on the inside where each zip screw is showing. This ensures a good seal as well as protects your hands from cuts when cleaning out the miter. Last, smooth out your beads so you don't have water dams.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SAFETY TIP FOR THIS WEEK
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Each week we bring relevant information on 3 subjects that are pertanent to Gutter contractors; Sales/Marketing, Installation/Production & Managing your company. Also we provide a weekly Safety Training Outline to help you comply with your Local, State & Federal safety regulations.
We are excited about bringing this informative newsletter to you and hope that you enjoy it. If you have question we can help you find the answers
Sincerely,
Tony Cobb
National Rain Gutter Contractors Association
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Quote of the Week
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"
- Anonymous
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Professional Gutter Contractors helping Professional Gutter Contractors!
nrgca.org/forum
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Would you consider going on a Carribean Cruise?
What could you learn from 40 to 50 other Gutter Contractors?
The NRGCA is checking to see if there is enough interest to make it happen!1. 4-5 Days or 7 Days
2. Jan or Feb 2010
3. West Coast or Carribeantony@nrgca.org
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Just a little humor
A football coach of an all Redneck team walked into the locker room before a game, looked over to his star player and said, "I'm not supposed to let you play since you failed math, but we need you in there. So what I have to do is ask you a math question, and if you get it right, you can play."
The player agreed, and the coach looked into his eyes intently and asks, "Okay, now concentrate... what is two plus two?"
The player thought for a moment and then he answered, "Four?"
"Four?!?" the coach exclaimed, excited that he got it right.
At that, all the other players on the team began screaming, "Come on coach, give him another chance!"