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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Strip Miter Installation Tip
This week we will look at strip miter installation. Strip miters are used whenever possible as opposed to box miters due to the significant cost savings. The material cost is less, you use less sealant and they can be installed quicker.
When installing a strip miter the 45 degree angel cut on the gutter is very important because you don't have as much material in the strip miter to cover up your seams as you do on the box miter on the gutter. You can either use a chop saw or you can make a hand held jig to mark the gutter with the angel to be cut by hand.
When you screw the strip miter to the gutter the screwing sequence is critical to minimize gaps for visual appearance as well as proper sealing. Always start from the bottom side of the strip miter nearest the fascia. Install one screw on each side. Then install the next two zip screws on the bottom about one inch from the front. The next two go on the front upper radius (there are normally manufacturer holes already in these locations). Then place two on the upper lip of the gutter. The last two go inside the gutter at the top corners ensuring you penetrate both the gutter and the strip miter.
Next fill the gap between the two pieces of gutter with sealant ensuring you extend the sealant at east one inch past the gutter seams on each side. Smooth the caulk out to avoid water dams. Also place a dab of sealant on the inside of the gutter over each zip screw.
With strip miters you might have to trim the top edge of the miter so it is flush with the top of the gutter. You should also finesse the strip miter with your fingers in the radius areas to make sure you have a tight uniform fit.
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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
" Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright."
- Bob Marley
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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 man obsereved a strange funeral procession one day. He noticed a big hearse followed by a second big hearse. Then there was a man with a dog on a leash behind the hearses, behind the man with the dog was a long line of men.
The observer asked the man with dog what the strange porcession was all about.
The man with the dog said that the dog, who was normally mild mannered, had attacked his wife and killed her. That was who was in the first hearse. Then the dog attacked his wife's mother, killed her, and that was who was in the second hearse.
The observer paused, thought a second, then asked the man if he could borrow his dog. The man said "Sure, get in line."