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Post by NS'Creter on Jun 18, 2008 21:51:11 GMT -4
I put a couple of ads in our local Kijij recently. I have already recieved inquiries...nothing confirmed yet, but we all know it's a number game. I popped a couple more in there tonight. I figure instead of paying their fee to keep my ad at the top of the listings, I can do this every couple of days...it's FREE ! The fee is nominal, but free is free. Just thought I'd throw it out there.  |
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Post by NS'Creter on Jun 22, 2008 22:36:56 GMT -4
I've got a verbal confirmation to place a 24' X 30' garage slab based on a "site unseen" estimate. This came from my ad on Kijiji. I also got a call from a lady DIYer wanting free advice on how to stain her floors and apply an epoxy sealer...well, first she asked for a ballpark price to stain and seal 2,000sqft. I told her that our price started at $3.00/sqft. Then, she told me that was too much and started with the "questions". She did not get much help from me...I was polite. |
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Post by vanman27 on Jun 28, 2008 0:10:15 GMT -4
craigs list is also a good place to advertise for free.List your info in the "SERVICES"section under "SKILLED TRADES"...Here is the link for the atlanta craigs list,but they are in about every major city in the USA and elsewhere. atlanta.craigslist.org/sks/ |
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Post by NS'Creter on Jul 22, 2008 11:06:59 GMT -4
I just gotta tell ya'll that I'm still getting daily responses from my Kijiji ads. As we all know it's a numbers game so that exposure is great in my opinion.
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xscash
Concrete Pro
don't settle for plain concrete, stain concrete!
Posts: 31
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Post by xscash on Jul 23, 2008 8:37:53 GMT -4
i posted to kijiji, but i posted in all the major cities that i am willing to fly to and about 3 days later they were all pulled. i checked the rules and it said "you may only post in the city which you do work" i mentioned to them that i do work in all these citys, they need confirmed address'. guess ill stick to our local for now.
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Post by NS'Creter on Jul 26, 2008 0:30:36 GMT -4
I didn't know that about Kijiji. Kinda makes sense though I guess. My nearest "posting city" is Halifax and that's 100 miles west of us. I sometimes put in my ad that we service all of Nova Scotia. I don't post every day but try to once a week.
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alexwright
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Engrave-N-Stain Concrete Solutions
Posts: 180
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Post by alexwright on Oct 1, 2008 2:14:04 GMT -4
A friend and I are doing a showroom for ourselves at a janitorial store. We have free reign on the floor to do whatever we want. It is looking so awesome. 900 sq ft but we are doing 700 sq ft of it. A lot of people go in there and are already inquiring about it and I have two people that are going to call me to go do estimates for their driveway. Today was our second day and we have prepped the floor, cut all the designs and have about 3/4 of the floor stained. We should have all the staining done tomorrow and a small overlay done tomorrow. Maybe even sealed. I already advertise in their store, they have some of my pictures on their wall next to register with my cards but this will blow everybody away and there is no missing it. Plus this is an expansion to their store that they are about to open to high end stone maintenance section and classes that they hold. So all those contractors coming in should be talking about my stuff to their clients. Plus alot of homeowners come in that really like to take care of their floors plus they have neighbors and family that they will eventually talk to about their amazement about what can be done to concrete. Plus will spark their interest in removing those dingy carpets that tend to cause health problems.
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Lindy
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Posts: 185
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Post by Lindy on Oct 1, 2008 10:54:00 GMT -4
In Texas we would say it sounds like you have tapped into a gusher in relation having an ideal location to show off your creative talents, while gaining public recognition, that is bound to bring in a real increase in sales.
Commercial work always is plus factor as to having a convenient location, with set hours, that you can send anyone (residential or commercial potential customer) to view for themselves your high quality workmanship, attention to artistic detail, and open their eyes to how you can uniquely adorn and add value to their most important asset (being their home or business).
Major plus being a janitorial business since they will have the cleaning supplies, cleaning equipment/buffers, wax, etc. to keep it looking showroom new. ... congradulations to you!
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alexwright
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Engrave-N-Stain Concrete Solutions
Posts: 180
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Post by alexwright on Oct 3, 2008 2:09:33 GMT -4
Thanks, if I can say so, it is coming out pretty awesome. We did all the staining and final cutting today. I have a class to go to tomorrow morning at Westcoat in San Diego and my associate buddy has something going on as well, so the owners are going to have their crew clean up in the morning for us and I'll probably have them seal it since we are using their sealers and floor finish. I mentioned to one of the owners ( they (two) are sisters) that I'd like to have them help us put it on because it's their product, plus their many years of their janitorial experience, I feel I can learn a lot from them in putting this stuff on. Plus waxing and burnishing wax. I am also considering a possible partnership with them in becoming a distributor. They have the warehouse know how and I have the application knowledge and we both can teach classes and easily host classes on their site and as a team. I'm considering many things, we'll see.
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Post by NS'Creter on Oct 3, 2008 13:46:36 GMT -4
Yes Alex, you can say so...and should. I'm bad for not taking credit when I should and for not "tooting my own horn". Go for it, man...if you don't who will? It seems like you've really gotten into something great there buddy. I hope it develops into a huge success for you. Good luck!
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alexwright
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Engrave-N-Stain Concrete Solutions
Posts: 180
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Post by alexwright on Oct 4, 2008 2:23:41 GMT -4
Yeah, I have lots of things going on. I'm on the brink of success and yet I'm inches away from financial danger. This week is a do or die week for me on some decisions I will be forced to make. I hope this job I'm bidding on today comes through because it has come to that. I'll keep everyone updated on my decisions and steps. Thanks for the encouragement and wish me well as I face this stressful week. Lindy, I might be moving temporarily back to Odessa for the winter or at least to get back on my feet so I'll be in touch.
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Post by NS'Creter on Oct 4, 2008 11:10:09 GMT -4
Alex with businesses as new as ours it seems that we're always teetering between success and disaster. Although we've been in the game for 4-5 years, that is still new. Your determination and integrity will help put you over the edge toward success. This new arrangement seems like it could be the factor that makes the difference. I hope so buddy.
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alexwright
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Engrave-N-Stain Concrete Solutions
Posts: 180
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Post by alexwright on Oct 6, 2008 0:53:14 GMT -4
Yes, I can see this really taking off with the showroom in this place and many are showing interest but I am on my last dollar and I just might have to go back to Texas at the end of this week and work with my brother. I need people to sign!! He's also in construction and believes if we go talk to this local corporation in town I can get signed on as their staining contractor. I am not banking on that but I 'm willing to give it a shot. Plus not as much competition in this particular area and I will just have to market in a wider area. Plus with all of my family there I believe I can cover a lot of ground marketing wise. This area is in a boom right now. I have five brothers and a sister and between all of them we know alot of people. Many are in construction and others in professional fields with clients and associates that have money. All I need is two or three jobs and that will get me somewhat caught up. I know if I stay here in Cali. and it continues as is , I will surely go under very fast. At least I'll have some guaranteed income coming in there and I will switch my Concrete Network account to there and I will start knocking on doors. I also have a cousin two hours away and is a very successful businessman in HVAC so is always in homes, he can mention to people my services. Plus I have a sister-in-law who runs a very successful pet grooming business in a high end of town and I can advertise there. I can go on and on but I think I state my case. Winter is coming up and we can work indoors remodeling with my brother. Last year at this time I had three dead months then it picked up all of a sudden. The only thing to keep me here I think right now is a call asking when I can start and that would need to come in by Thurs. or Fri. Meanwhile I'm getting everything in order and loading my truck, hoping a call comes in by then.
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Post by NS'Creter on Oct 6, 2008 9:18:53 GMT -4
Seems to me that you know what you need to do and you're gonna do it Alex. As we all know (all too well) our little businesses have slow times and we sometimes need to take action to fill that time with paying work. Winters have been tough here and so I decided to fall back on my other means of making money. I went to Alberta and drove a truck for the log haul season. They pay extremely well for that and I love the work so it was a great way to subsidize myself. Unfortunately, it was in Alberta that I got hurt and can't do that work any more.
Good luck with your plan Alex.
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Lindy
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Posts: 185
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Post by Lindy on Oct 6, 2008 9:47:57 GMT -4
Regardless of where life/business takes you, be it staying put in your present location, or migrating to Texas for the winter until the economy rebounds, I'm aways as close as a phone call or email if/when you need a helping hand, insight, or simply a cheerleader in your corner.
Lindy
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