As previously mentioned in an earlier blog post, this has been the busiest year for Fix-A-Fence LLC. I believe it all stems from the activity that I have been involved with on the internet. Craigslist posting, twitter, Youtube videos, blog posts, and backlinks, are all just a part of the mechanics that have made this year the busiest so far.
Here are some great results because of the Fix-A-Fence LLC online strategies, the last three estimates have been from Google searches and one of the three have led to a work order. Whoever told to use the mixture of free advertising and PPC campaigns to market my little fence company was so right. So if you are reading this blog,...Thanks!
The efforts will continue to keep Fix-A-Fence LLC ranking on Google in some of the top positions with the fence estimate category, such as free fence estimates, fence estimates, wood fence estimates, and chain link fence estimates in Portland, OR. When I first started doing my Google searches I had no idea how effective this sort of marketing would be. I have used plenty of free advertising dollars that have been sent to the mailbox, one of my favorite ways to advertise by far has got to be making the videos for Fix-A-Fence LLC. I have always wanted to be affiliated with advertising in some sort or another. Now I have been able to use what I like to do for my little fence company called Fix-A-Fence LLC.
Being a business owner does have it's ups and it's downs, but it is by far better that being stuck at some dead end just over broke feeling everyday dragging time thinking I am actually getting somewhere doing someone else a favor by working for them. Sorry but I have spent a lot of time on the other side and I can honestly say that the life of a small business owner is way better than working for one. By the way I believe America is built on small business. I also like the fact that I get to make money, spend money, and pay my taxes on the money that is left over. If I were an employee I would have to earn money, pay taxes on that money and then get to spend whatever is left. I don't know about you but I like to spend the money I make. The more I spend the better off our economy is, I believe that is one of the major reasons why we business owners get to pay the taxes on what is left at the end of the year.
Tax deductions are so cool if you know how to utilize the system. Tax consultants are cool people to talk to and are generally there to help you out in getting the best dollar back for your dollar. I don't mind paying a tax specialist to get the paperwork in order for me to file. Again I don't mind spending the money I make, as long as I am getting something out of the money I spend, there seems to be happiness with that equation.
Fix-A-Fence LLC is looking forward to starting it's fourth year in business, with what I have already established in positioning content and ranking Fix-A-Fence LLC's relevancy on Google, Craigslist and other media sources the year 2012 should be a rather large year for this little fence company called Fix-A-Fence LLC.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Happy Holiday's From Fix-A-Fence LLC
Since Fix-A-Fence LLC has established the company in 2009 I have sent a small thank you letter to all of my customers that did business with Fix-A-Fence LLC. There really not much there, but that is not what matters.
The card was created from the Publisher 2003 version Microsoft provides and I have added a fencers touch to it with a picture of a wood fence.
Inside reads: Happy Holidays
Small business depends on people like you
Thank you for hiring Fix-A-Fence LLC this year
May your holiday season be filled with
Peace, Joy, and plenty of great memories
Thank you for doing business with Fix-A-Fence LLC
On the back of the card is all the information necessary to pass on to anyone that may need a free fence estimate. Name, phone number, CCB#, etc.
Like I mentioned there really isn't much to the card, but it is jam packed with a big Thank You!
One of my cards was returned because of the address being wrong, so I hand delivered it and was surprised to find that the address matched the address on the mailbox. Huh?! The customer and I were sorta confused and got a laugh out of our postal service. It is a thank you card that the customer should never forget.
To be honest Fix-A-Fence LLC should have sent out more cards than what was sent out. At least that is the way my body feels, certainly not the pocketbook. Fortunately for this year there has been work every month this year. Got to do a small repair yesterday to start out the month of December with.
A previous customer had to move an Osprey perch off of city property so all I had to do was a center stretch opening up the fence line and removing a couple of posts to allow heavy equipment in to move the Osprey perch. There was only supposed to be one post removed but since the heavy machinery was there I took advantage and didn't break a sweat. Broke a come along cable trying to pull the set out of the earth but still didn't break a sweat pulling the posts. I love watching other people do my work for me.
The card was created from the Publisher 2003 version Microsoft provides and I have added a fencers touch to it with a picture of a wood fence.
Inside reads: Happy Holidays
Small business depends on people like you
Thank you for hiring Fix-A-Fence LLC this year
May your holiday season be filled with
Peace, Joy, and plenty of great memories
Thank you for doing business with Fix-A-Fence LLC
On the back of the card is all the information necessary to pass on to anyone that may need a free fence estimate. Name, phone number, CCB#, etc.
Like I mentioned there really isn't much to the card, but it is jam packed with a big Thank You!
One of my cards was returned because of the address being wrong, so I hand delivered it and was surprised to find that the address matched the address on the mailbox. Huh?! The customer and I were sorta confused and got a laugh out of our postal service. It is a thank you card that the customer should never forget.
To be honest Fix-A-Fence LLC should have sent out more cards than what was sent out. At least that is the way my body feels, certainly not the pocketbook. Fortunately for this year there has been work every month this year. Got to do a small repair yesterday to start out the month of December with.
A previous customer had to move an Osprey perch off of city property so all I had to do was a center stretch opening up the fence line and removing a couple of posts to allow heavy equipment in to move the Osprey perch. There was only supposed to be one post removed but since the heavy machinery was there I took advantage and didn't break a sweat. Broke a come along cable trying to pull the set out of the earth but still didn't break a sweat pulling the posts. I love watching other people do my work for me.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Fix-A-Fence LLC The Busiest Year So Far
Wow, this has been the busiest year for Fix-A-Fence LLC since established in 2009. The phone has rang a lot more because of the marketing tactics I have learned from all of this down time during the off season. However the start of this off season has been on for the most part. More estimates in the funnel this year at this time of the season and more irons in the fire since established.
Craigslist, Backpage, Youtube, and this blog are some of the free resources used for marketing Fix-A-Fence LLC here on the internet. Then there is Google with PPC campaigns and if I was really rich I would use Facebook advertising. However I have found Facebook to be rather expensive and unresponsive from campaigns. So if you are looking to spend your money you can either let me have some or use Google to get the maximum PPC power for your buck or even your free credit from some of the junk mail that's laying around. That's how I use Google advertising anyway. I get a lot of what's known as junk mail, only I take a bit of time to open the envelopes that seem to pile up. Vista Print sent me $100.00 in Google advertising credits and I put that to use creating an account and placing a couple of ads for a campaign. Getting great results for that, just another reason that Fix-A-Fence LLC is up at the top of Google for Free Fence Estimates Portland Oregon.
I feel that videos are rather important with my advertising techniques because with today's internet attention span only lasting three to five seconds that is all the language I want to really use. So by having a video URL pasted in my posting it cuts the language reading down to the time necessary to capture the interest of the visitor. The best subject line is the most important part though.
With the subject line I have learned it is relevant to use all of the line with something that draws attention by capitalizing every first letter of every word in the subject line. Like one of my best lines goes like this, Why Wait For The Larger Fence Company To Give You A Free Fence Estimate Call. That one seems to work every time. I have more subject lines to use and the list I copy and paste from grows. So,... that way I can mix up the subject lines with the same sort of ad creating relevance with content.
To be honest as I have previously mentioned it is just plain hustle at getting the word out on the internet that there is a Fix-A-Fence LLC company here in Portland, OR that doesn't mind doing some of the small jobs the the larger companies either don't want to touch or are trying to gouge the customers pocket book. Mending Broken Fences is a motto and one I stand by. There is so much depth to that motto that few will understand and many will reject. Kind of like scripture from the Holy Bible one few really understand it and many, many reject it. This fence company called Fix-A-Fence LLC has flourished since it began, sure there has been the slow and even bad check time but prayer and devotion to God has pulled me through and out of any harmful situation that has come about to this fence company. So I am taking the time now to thank God for all He has done for this fence company. Thank You God!
Craigslist, Backpage, Youtube, and this blog are some of the free resources used for marketing Fix-A-Fence LLC here on the internet. Then there is Google with PPC campaigns and if I was really rich I would use Facebook advertising. However I have found Facebook to be rather expensive and unresponsive from campaigns. So if you are looking to spend your money you can either let me have some or use Google to get the maximum PPC power for your buck or even your free credit from some of the junk mail that's laying around. That's how I use Google advertising anyway. I get a lot of what's known as junk mail, only I take a bit of time to open the envelopes that seem to pile up. Vista Print sent me $100.00 in Google advertising credits and I put that to use creating an account and placing a couple of ads for a campaign. Getting great results for that, just another reason that Fix-A-Fence LLC is up at the top of Google for Free Fence Estimates Portland Oregon.
I feel that videos are rather important with my advertising techniques because with today's internet attention span only lasting three to five seconds that is all the language I want to really use. So by having a video URL pasted in my posting it cuts the language reading down to the time necessary to capture the interest of the visitor. The best subject line is the most important part though.
With the subject line I have learned it is relevant to use all of the line with something that draws attention by capitalizing every first letter of every word in the subject line. Like one of my best lines goes like this, Why Wait For The Larger Fence Company To Give You A Free Fence Estimate Call. That one seems to work every time. I have more subject lines to use and the list I copy and paste from grows. So,... that way I can mix up the subject lines with the same sort of ad creating relevance with content.
To be honest as I have previously mentioned it is just plain hustle at getting the word out on the internet that there is a Fix-A-Fence LLC company here in Portland, OR that doesn't mind doing some of the small jobs the the larger companies either don't want to touch or are trying to gouge the customers pocket book. Mending Broken Fences is a motto and one I stand by. There is so much depth to that motto that few will understand and many will reject. Kind of like scripture from the Holy Bible one few really understand it and many, many reject it. This fence company called Fix-A-Fence LLC has flourished since it began, sure there has been the slow and even bad check time but prayer and devotion to God has pulled me through and out of any harmful situation that has come about to this fence company. So I am taking the time now to thank God for all He has done for this fence company. Thank You God!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Target Marketing In Today's Fence Marketplace
One thing for sure is that the internet is not the only source for advertising in today's market place.
Today I received a call for a estimate from an advertisement that I put up on the bulletin board at the place I bank with. Kind of nice that they let members do that sort of stuff. And it is because of that reason that I have an estimate scheduled now.
Every estimate is a potential job that is swirling around in the sales funnel. Right now there isn't that many swirling around so chance of this one coming down the tube is pretty good. I will take a sharpened pencil with me.
So may I suggest if you have not already done so is to create a advertising flyer with tears off strips that have your company name and telephone number on it and ask to pin them up on the bulletin boards that you do business with. Word of mouth is a very powerful way of doing business.
Another way of advertising is target marketing. For instance I know that the weather is a factor when it comes to fences so when I am driving around in the neighborhoods I see fence damage I stop and put a door hanging advertisement on either the fence or the door to the fence of the property owner. I have gotten lots of estimates and jobs that way.
I have often told people I will pick shit with the chickens to stay in business and fortunately business has not come to that, however it has come to me creating and starting up http://theturfbyrds.com/ business. Of course this hasn't taken off yet but the sales have begun. Again by word of mouth currently and the web site out here in internet cyberspace. Visit the web site and place your order for a Turf Byrd.
Today I received a call for a estimate from an advertisement that I put up on the bulletin board at the place I bank with. Kind of nice that they let members do that sort of stuff. And it is because of that reason that I have an estimate scheduled now.
Every estimate is a potential job that is swirling around in the sales funnel. Right now there isn't that many swirling around so chance of this one coming down the tube is pretty good. I will take a sharpened pencil with me.
So may I suggest if you have not already done so is to create a advertising flyer with tears off strips that have your company name and telephone number on it and ask to pin them up on the bulletin boards that you do business with. Word of mouth is a very powerful way of doing business.
Another way of advertising is target marketing. For instance I know that the weather is a factor when it comes to fences so when I am driving around in the neighborhoods I see fence damage I stop and put a door hanging advertisement on either the fence or the door to the fence of the property owner. I have gotten lots of estimates and jobs that way.
I have often told people I will pick shit with the chickens to stay in business and fortunately business has not come to that, however it has come to me creating and starting up http://theturfbyrds.com/ business. Of course this hasn't taken off yet but the sales have begun. Again by word of mouth currently and the web site out here in internet cyberspace. Visit the web site and place your order for a Turf Byrd.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Post - Post - and Re-Post
I believe that what ever business you are in the only way to get the phone to ring is consistency. Post - Post - and Re-Post that should be a daily ritual and should only be taking the experienced internet ad posting agent about 5-10 minutes per actual post. Unless they have some sort of software that mixes up the words so that the posts seem new.
I believe in hard work and raw material. That way there is something fresh and new every time I write. Just because the fence industry has a tendency to slow down during the winter months doesn't mean that I should slow down on posting my ads. There are those fence repairs that are needed during the icy and windy weather. What if a tree gets blown down and takes out the fence, it needs to be repaired. What if a car slides off the road and takes out 30-40 feet of some chain link fence somewhere, then that needs repaired.
I believe in doing whatever it takes to keep the ball rolling through out the year. Just because the phone doesn't ring doesn't mean that I don't have anything to do either. I do believe in free enterprise and that is why I have other businesses besides the fence company.
Here is a company that has been formed and is creating sales. www.theturfbyrds.com
Also my wife and I are a part of the Enagic family which we are customers that refer people back to their company to purchase water purification machines. Mainly the Level-Luk SD-501 which produces 9.5 pH alkaline water and other pH levels as well but I prefer the good stuff. Because there is no disease that can thrive in an alkaline body. So if my body is an alkaline base then I shouldn't get sick. I have read that my body should be at a 70% to 30% ratio of alkaline and acid.
One thing I do know is this that if our bodies are supposed to be at a 7.0pH on the chart and the designer bottled water is at a 4.0pH on the chart I sure don't have to purchase bottled water at the store anymore. I can just go right over to my kitchen sink and turn the machine on and then turn on the faucet and be drinking clean healthy 9.5pH alkaline drinking water in just seconds. I'm not just pulling this stuff out of my ass there have been studies that prove this alkaline water stuff. Do a little research for yourself. Google the word acidosis. That has nothing to do with the water I drink and everything about having an alkaline based body. The water I drink is just a clean healthy benefit I have in my house and home office.
My point is to stay busy even during the off season because it may just make that phone of yours ring when you least expect it to. That's what happens with me and then it seems as though the phone always rings when I either have something in my hands or I have to go piss. Have you ever answered the phone while you are standing over the toilet pissing and on the other end happens to be a potential customer? It happens I'd rather be sitting down when that happens than standing up because it doesn't make as much noise.
Enough about that and more about posting another time, I'm not sure if I can blog standing up.
I believe in hard work and raw material. That way there is something fresh and new every time I write. Just because the fence industry has a tendency to slow down during the winter months doesn't mean that I should slow down on posting my ads. There are those fence repairs that are needed during the icy and windy weather. What if a tree gets blown down and takes out the fence, it needs to be repaired. What if a car slides off the road and takes out 30-40 feet of some chain link fence somewhere, then that needs repaired.
I believe in doing whatever it takes to keep the ball rolling through out the year. Just because the phone doesn't ring doesn't mean that I don't have anything to do either. I do believe in free enterprise and that is why I have other businesses besides the fence company.
Here is a company that has been formed and is creating sales. www.theturfbyrds.com
Also my wife and I are a part of the Enagic family which we are customers that refer people back to their company to purchase water purification machines. Mainly the Level-Luk SD-501 which produces 9.5 pH alkaline water and other pH levels as well but I prefer the good stuff. Because there is no disease that can thrive in an alkaline body. So if my body is an alkaline base then I shouldn't get sick. I have read that my body should be at a 70% to 30% ratio of alkaline and acid.
One thing I do know is this that if our bodies are supposed to be at a 7.0pH on the chart and the designer bottled water is at a 4.0pH on the chart I sure don't have to purchase bottled water at the store anymore. I can just go right over to my kitchen sink and turn the machine on and then turn on the faucet and be drinking clean healthy 9.5pH alkaline drinking water in just seconds. I'm not just pulling this stuff out of my ass there have been studies that prove this alkaline water stuff. Do a little research for yourself. Google the word acidosis. That has nothing to do with the water I drink and everything about having an alkaline based body. The water I drink is just a clean healthy benefit I have in my house and home office.
My point is to stay busy even during the off season because it may just make that phone of yours ring when you least expect it to. That's what happens with me and then it seems as though the phone always rings when I either have something in my hands or I have to go piss. Have you ever answered the phone while you are standing over the toilet pissing and on the other end happens to be a potential customer? It happens I'd rather be sitting down when that happens than standing up because it doesn't make as much noise.
Enough about that and more about posting another time, I'm not sure if I can blog standing up.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
PPC Fence Advertising
One thing I have found out with this internet world of advertising is that you can never have enough of it. From blogs to videos, social forums to PPC advertising and the list goes on.
Because of my hustle with what I know I have been able to accomplish getting the Fix-A-Fence LLC videos on three pages of google. Free fence estimates Portland, OR, fence estimates Portland, OR and Wood fence estimates Portland, OR. I have created a google adwords account for some paid adverting and have ranked in the eighth position.
Really that isn't bad for what and how I go about my advertising. All has been pretty much from the school of hard knocks and hands on training. I have also learned what ASAP really means, Always Say A Prayer. I have purchased some courses on internet affiliate marketing and applied what I learned to Fix-A-Fence LLC and it's business plan.
Craigslist postings are pretty much a daily ritual after the daily devotion to God. I am truly grateful for all that the internet has to offer and am learning how to get the best out of what there is for free or next to nothing to get the results necessary to survive in this techno world of internet advertising.
People ask me if all this has gotten me any business, and I tell them if it hasn't already then it will eventually because of way I have gained exposure. Besides it will only help me with other businesses I start and my friends that need a little help with getting theirs noticed or exposed. There is a vast opportunity on the internet so don't let anything stop you from your goals and dreams coming true. If being a internet guru is on the list then you can not let any of this techno shit bother you.
The thing I like to do is work at one way of advertising until I have it pretty much to a science then go to another and learn that one and then incorporate the two together and so on and so on. Until your head is so full of internet knowledge that you get board because it doesn't take as much time as it did when you first started.
So anyway my first PPC adword campaign has been running for seven days now and I have had over 1100 impressions and one click. The click cost a big $0.52 but even that is pretty good for being in the eighth position on the page where it is found.
If you haven't started advertising your business for free may I suggest that you try some of these free tools that the internet has to offer. Youtube is a magnificent way to advertise for free, who knows your video may be viewed enough to monetize and collect from other advertisers. The possibilities are endless with the internet. FB has paid advertising, yahoo, bing, myspace and did I mention google?
The sooner you get started with this binary codes the sooner the search engines will find and rank you according to your relevance. So don't forget key words that pertain to your business and what people would be searching for, that is very, very important with the internet and all of this paid advertising.
Good luck and check in later for more updates on the Fix-A-Fence LLC blog where the motto is Mending Broken Fences.
Because of my hustle with what I know I have been able to accomplish getting the Fix-A-Fence LLC videos on three pages of google. Free fence estimates Portland, OR, fence estimates Portland, OR and Wood fence estimates Portland, OR. I have created a google adwords account for some paid adverting and have ranked in the eighth position.
Really that isn't bad for what and how I go about my advertising. All has been pretty much from the school of hard knocks and hands on training. I have also learned what ASAP really means, Always Say A Prayer. I have purchased some courses on internet affiliate marketing and applied what I learned to Fix-A-Fence LLC and it's business plan.
Craigslist postings are pretty much a daily ritual after the daily devotion to God. I am truly grateful for all that the internet has to offer and am learning how to get the best out of what there is for free or next to nothing to get the results necessary to survive in this techno world of internet advertising.
People ask me if all this has gotten me any business, and I tell them if it hasn't already then it will eventually because of way I have gained exposure. Besides it will only help me with other businesses I start and my friends that need a little help with getting theirs noticed or exposed. There is a vast opportunity on the internet so don't let anything stop you from your goals and dreams coming true. If being a internet guru is on the list then you can not let any of this techno shit bother you.
The thing I like to do is work at one way of advertising until I have it pretty much to a science then go to another and learn that one and then incorporate the two together and so on and so on. Until your head is so full of internet knowledge that you get board because it doesn't take as much time as it did when you first started.
So anyway my first PPC adword campaign has been running for seven days now and I have had over 1100 impressions and one click. The click cost a big $0.52 but even that is pretty good for being in the eighth position on the page where it is found.
If you haven't started advertising your business for free may I suggest that you try some of these free tools that the internet has to offer. Youtube is a magnificent way to advertise for free, who knows your video may be viewed enough to monetize and collect from other advertisers. The possibilities are endless with the internet. FB has paid advertising, yahoo, bing, myspace and did I mention google?
The sooner you get started with this binary codes the sooner the search engines will find and rank you according to your relevance. So don't forget key words that pertain to your business and what people would be searching for, that is very, very important with the internet and all of this paid advertising.
Good luck and check in later for more updates on the Fix-A-Fence LLC blog where the motto is Mending Broken Fences.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Free Fence Estimates Ranks No.1 On Google
Fix-A-Fence LLC has been ranked no.1 on Google fro the last four months now for Free Fence Estimates Portland, OR. That has come from hustle and reading books on how to enhance my internet marketing strategies. A lot of how this has happened is from the free advertising that the internet has to offer.
Youtube, craigslist, backpages, Facebook, Twitter, and blogging and some of the free services the internet warehouse has to offer. I am not going to say it isn't hard work, so the best thing to do is to master one at a time. Research, read and apply with hands on knowledge because it is all about repetition. The more that you do something the better you get at it and therefore the faster it becomes.
For instance, I have a file of different posts to copy and paste so that saves time. I have several videos to copy and paste the URL into the posting so advertising Fix-A-Fence LLC on Craigslist in the morning takes me all of about 5-7 minutes per post. That's the thing about repetition, at first when I was a newbie at this it would take me twenty or thirty minutes because I didn't have a file of posts I was typing every post. I didn't have video's nor did I have a blog such as this one. All this took time and research and now I have companies calling me asking me to spend $169.00 per month on what I have already accomplished on my own. Nice thing about this is that I now have friends that would like me to help them accomplish this for their business.
Because fencing is seasonal, I may just have to help my friends out with there business just to make ends meet during the off season for fencing. That's what is nice about having a bit of internet knowledge. My friends see that I am No.1 on Google and now they want a piece of the action. I tell them that it takes time and hustle. It is a learning process and with today's technology the internet just keeps getting better. What difference does it make how many people look at my videos when they pop up on the first page of Google? This is what free advertising is all about. The only thing I have paid for are the books and the time that it took for me to apply the knowledge of others. All this advertising that I have been doing is all free. The sooner that you get started the sooner Google will start ranking your results. Action speak louder than words, so get going and make yourself No.1 on Google with free advertising.
Youtube, craigslist, backpages, Facebook, Twitter, and blogging and some of the free services the internet warehouse has to offer. I am not going to say it isn't hard work, so the best thing to do is to master one at a time. Research, read and apply with hands on knowledge because it is all about repetition. The more that you do something the better you get at it and therefore the faster it becomes.
For instance, I have a file of different posts to copy and paste so that saves time. I have several videos to copy and paste the URL into the posting so advertising Fix-A-Fence LLC on Craigslist in the morning takes me all of about 5-7 minutes per post. That's the thing about repetition, at first when I was a newbie at this it would take me twenty or thirty minutes because I didn't have a file of posts I was typing every post. I didn't have video's nor did I have a blog such as this one. All this took time and research and now I have companies calling me asking me to spend $169.00 per month on what I have already accomplished on my own. Nice thing about this is that I now have friends that would like me to help them accomplish this for their business.
Because fencing is seasonal, I may just have to help my friends out with there business just to make ends meet during the off season for fencing. That's what is nice about having a bit of internet knowledge. My friends see that I am No.1 on Google and now they want a piece of the action. I tell them that it takes time and hustle. It is a learning process and with today's technology the internet just keeps getting better. What difference does it make how many people look at my videos when they pop up on the first page of Google? This is what free advertising is all about. The only thing I have paid for are the books and the time that it took for me to apply the knowledge of others. All this advertising that I have been doing is all free. The sooner that you get started the sooner Google will start ranking your results. Action speak louder than words, so get going and make yourself No.1 on Google with free advertising.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Committing Fraud is Illegal
The last time I checked committing fraud is illegal. Over the past few weeks Fix-A-Fence LLC has experienced just that another company committing fraud by submitting a bad check for materials. I didn't find out that the check for materials was insufficient until the bank called me while out on an estimate. The contract is complete and still lacking labor fees.
There are three things that I have learned from this experience:
1) Always take the check to the bank where it was drawn from if possible.
2) How to file for a lien
3) My God is bigger than any problem I have.
Talk about putting the brakes on, the bank acct. was frozen and there was little cash flow. I felt helpless for the time it took me to get a loan and bring the acct. to working order. One thing for sure is that you can not keep a good man down. I am very thankful for the people in my life that have the means and thought to care for someone in a position like this.
Now it is just a matter of time before the check shows up. I have hired a company called RoHillCo. They specialize in liens and other business services. I was referred to them from a fence supplier that uses their services when they have a problem to solve.
This has certainly been a valuable and costly lesson for me to learn. I do hope that nothing like this happens to you. Remember to cash the check at the bank where it was drawn from if possible. Or wait until the check clears before purchasing the material. Especially on the larger jobs.
Another thing if something like this should happen, never give up and remember it was the other guy that gave you the bad check. You are just doing what you said you will do.
There are three things that I have learned from this experience:
1) Always take the check to the bank where it was drawn from if possible.
2) How to file for a lien
3) My God is bigger than any problem I have.
Talk about putting the brakes on, the bank acct. was frozen and there was little cash flow. I felt helpless for the time it took me to get a loan and bring the acct. to working order. One thing for sure is that you can not keep a good man down. I am very thankful for the people in my life that have the means and thought to care for someone in a position like this.
Now it is just a matter of time before the check shows up. I have hired a company called RoHillCo. They specialize in liens and other business services. I was referred to them from a fence supplier that uses their services when they have a problem to solve.
This has certainly been a valuable and costly lesson for me to learn. I do hope that nothing like this happens to you. Remember to cash the check at the bank where it was drawn from if possible. Or wait until the check clears before purchasing the material. Especially on the larger jobs.
Another thing if something like this should happen, never give up and remember it was the other guy that gave you the bad check. You are just doing what you said you will do.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Locating - A Free Service That Saves Time and Money
Sometimes waiting for all the utilities to be marked before starting the job can be a pain in the schedule. The wait time depends on their schedule mainly around a 72 hr window. So if you are a small contractor like me waiting can be a pain however on the other hand if you are a larger fence company then you have the luxury of scheduling in other jobs around the waiting period.
Now I can tell you if every fencing contractor calls for a locate every time they dig. Should they? I say that's up to them and the experienced digger. I mean come on if you see a gas meter, chances are that there is an underground pipe in line with the meter running out to the street. Now cable is a different story and can be very expensive repairing. Just as it is with any line that gets damaged caused from digging all can be very cumbersome and expensive. Not to mention just the shear headaches that come from the bureaucrats and politics that ensue the guilty party.
Yes I have had my experiences at either damaging or breaking a line from not having the job located. Even when I was a laborer I found several hidden lines buried. One time on a Saturday at a trailer park all the holes were dug and we were just dropping posts in the hole getting ready for cement when all of a sudden after I dropped the post in a hole a 4" geyser of water shoots up out of the hole and starts the flooding process. Now as I mentioned it was a Saturday and the grounds maintenance keeper was not on site that day so the rush to find someone who knows where all the shut off valves are located was frantic and the panic from some of the trailer residents was evident.
Calling for a locate is a free service and quite easy to do. Here in Oregon just call 811 with all of the information where the digging will take place and wha la in about 72 hrs depending on when you place your ticket request you will be digging your way to China or to the depth necessary for the work you need to accomplish.
Safety should always be a number one priority with any task and when it comes to digging calling for a locate is a safety precaution and should be implemented and exercised. If you don't call for a locate and happen to damage or even break a line I do hope that you have insurance to cover the cost of repairs and what ever other kind of liabilities are tacked on as a result from not calling first before you dig.
I am not going to sit here and tell you how to do your job because I am not the perfect call before you dig person either. I am just saying that it is a good idea to do so. I am not sure if it is a law as of yet, but who knows some day it just may become a law, there are sillier things that are a law then calling before you dig.
Be careful and use common sense, if the customer is wise to locating services use them, if you are in fear of legalities use the service, if you are unsure of witching sticks and your common judgement then by all means use the service. Represent your company with good standards, calling before you dig is just good quality customer service.
Now I can tell you if every fencing contractor calls for a locate every time they dig. Should they? I say that's up to them and the experienced digger. I mean come on if you see a gas meter, chances are that there is an underground pipe in line with the meter running out to the street. Now cable is a different story and can be very expensive repairing. Just as it is with any line that gets damaged caused from digging all can be very cumbersome and expensive. Not to mention just the shear headaches that come from the bureaucrats and politics that ensue the guilty party.
Yes I have had my experiences at either damaging or breaking a line from not having the job located. Even when I was a laborer I found several hidden lines buried. One time on a Saturday at a trailer park all the holes were dug and we were just dropping posts in the hole getting ready for cement when all of a sudden after I dropped the post in a hole a 4" geyser of water shoots up out of the hole and starts the flooding process. Now as I mentioned it was a Saturday and the grounds maintenance keeper was not on site that day so the rush to find someone who knows where all the shut off valves are located was frantic and the panic from some of the trailer residents was evident.
Calling for a locate is a free service and quite easy to do. Here in Oregon just call 811 with all of the information where the digging will take place and wha la in about 72 hrs depending on when you place your ticket request you will be digging your way to China or to the depth necessary for the work you need to accomplish.
Safety should always be a number one priority with any task and when it comes to digging calling for a locate is a safety precaution and should be implemented and exercised. If you don't call for a locate and happen to damage or even break a line I do hope that you have insurance to cover the cost of repairs and what ever other kind of liabilities are tacked on as a result from not calling first before you dig.
I am not going to sit here and tell you how to do your job because I am not the perfect call before you dig person either. I am just saying that it is a good idea to do so. I am not sure if it is a law as of yet, but who knows some day it just may become a law, there are sillier things that are a law then calling before you dig.
Be careful and use common sense, if the customer is wise to locating services use them, if you are in fear of legalities use the service, if you are unsure of witching sticks and your common judgement then by all means use the service. Represent your company with good standards, calling before you dig is just good quality customer service.
Friday, June 24, 2011
CCB Makes Continuing Education Easy
After renewing my CCB license there was a post card type of advertisement with a question, "Did You Know?"
What I didn't know is that the CCB now requires residential specialty contractors to take continuing education courses. So now I do and have started my CE with the CCB. One thing for sure is that the CCB has made online CE so very easy to use. Videos that have the class broken down into segments with a few questions on the topic after every short video. This kind of CE can be done in the comfort of your living room, bedroom, or even at the office. The point here is that CE with the CCB has been made really easy for us to use.
I was able to print off my first certificate of completion, I can manage my CCB license from the comfort of my living room with just a couple key strokes on the keyboard, I can even sign up for a e-newsletter delivered right to my box quarterly, also see up to date information as it happens. It's like having all the latest news updates that the CCB has to offer right at your fingertips.
Here is the web site address for those of you in Oregon seeking to file for your CCB license. It is www.oregon.gov/ccb
Contractors can monitor the license status of subcontractors online. This one here is huge for those general contractors having to sub the work out. Even in preparing the bid to get accurate numbers to place in the proposal. What if you used some numbers for a proposal from a said contractor that wasn't licensed as a sub and you used their numbers for your proposal. You get the job and now have to hire a more expensive firm because the numbers you used were from an unlicensed subcontractor. There goes the profit margin.
I was always told that preparation in 95% of the job. And preparation starts at the estimate. If the estimate is prepared properly nine times out of ten the job will go according as planned because even if there is the slightest of unforeseen issues there has been enough built in for the contingency.
Education is important and continuing education as we grow older is just as important as the continuing education provided on the CCB web site. Courses are affordable and there are plenty to choose from out side from the CORE classes needed to be taken. I have 15 hours to go before renewing my license in 2013. With the way CCB has made this CE that should be no sweat.
What I didn't know is that the CCB now requires residential specialty contractors to take continuing education courses. So now I do and have started my CE with the CCB. One thing for sure is that the CCB has made online CE so very easy to use. Videos that have the class broken down into segments with a few questions on the topic after every short video. This kind of CE can be done in the comfort of your living room, bedroom, or even at the office. The point here is that CE with the CCB has been made really easy for us to use.
I was able to print off my first certificate of completion, I can manage my CCB license from the comfort of my living room with just a couple key strokes on the keyboard, I can even sign up for a e-newsletter delivered right to my box quarterly, also see up to date information as it happens. It's like having all the latest news updates that the CCB has to offer right at your fingertips.
Here is the web site address for those of you in Oregon seeking to file for your CCB license. It is www.oregon.gov/ccb
Contractors can monitor the license status of subcontractors online. This one here is huge for those general contractors having to sub the work out. Even in preparing the bid to get accurate numbers to place in the proposal. What if you used some numbers for a proposal from a said contractor that wasn't licensed as a sub and you used their numbers for your proposal. You get the job and now have to hire a more expensive firm because the numbers you used were from an unlicensed subcontractor. There goes the profit margin.
I was always told that preparation in 95% of the job. And preparation starts at the estimate. If the estimate is prepared properly nine times out of ten the job will go according as planned because even if there is the slightest of unforeseen issues there has been enough built in for the contingency.
Education is important and continuing education as we grow older is just as important as the continuing education provided on the CCB web site. Courses are affordable and there are plenty to choose from out side from the CORE classes needed to be taken. I have 15 hours to go before renewing my license in 2013. With the way CCB has made this CE that should be no sweat.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
So,...your Honor,...whose Fence is it?
Being in the fence industry for nearly 20 yrs now I have seen a lot of issues with fence lines and have heard a lot about fence lines and even have defended against fence lines over whose fence it is or if the fence or even the concrete is on the property of who I am working for. The concrete being two inches on one side of the guys property was one that kinda sticks with me.
There was an estimate that I had went out on and the guy I was seeing asked me about the fence his neighbor had put in. Now his neighbor without getting permission cut up this guys Holly tree in order to put the fence in. The Holly tree was and is clearly on the property of the guy I was called out for and estimate with. The fence wasn't on his property, however the concrete was clearly seen on this his property. He wanted an estimate on what it would take to remove the fence and install it two inches.
To be honest I really couldn't believe it at first but then as I thought about it this guy didn't get permission from his neighbor to hack up his Holly tree to put a fence in. The guy I did the estimate for obviously won the case in court because the company went out and moved the fence over two inches.
Another time it was because of a fence that I was installing. This Vietnam Vet that I was working for decided to have a 7' high brown slatted chain link fence installed with the option of applying barbed wire in the future. The fence is really close to the neighbors boat and so the feud begins. The Vietnam Vet takes pictures and even to the point of leaving a concrete set in line with the post in place, and saving a concrete chunk from the existing fence line. I kinda thought that was a bit odd at first. After the evidence was brought before the judge and the jury deliberated the fence stayed in the spot where it was constructed.
So,...whose fence is it? The one with the most evidence wins in these cases. So if you ever have any questions as to whose fence it is, present your evidence before the judge and let him decide. Or just figure things out before hence the terminology, "Good Neighbor Fence".
Oh,.... I have more to blog about and more to come so keep watching for the Mending Broken Fences blog updates.
There was an estimate that I had went out on and the guy I was seeing asked me about the fence his neighbor had put in. Now his neighbor without getting permission cut up this guys Holly tree in order to put the fence in. The Holly tree was and is clearly on the property of the guy I was called out for and estimate with. The fence wasn't on his property, however the concrete was clearly seen on this his property. He wanted an estimate on what it would take to remove the fence and install it two inches.
To be honest I really couldn't believe it at first but then as I thought about it this guy didn't get permission from his neighbor to hack up his Holly tree to put a fence in. The guy I did the estimate for obviously won the case in court because the company went out and moved the fence over two inches.
Another time it was because of a fence that I was installing. This Vietnam Vet that I was working for decided to have a 7' high brown slatted chain link fence installed with the option of applying barbed wire in the future. The fence is really close to the neighbors boat and so the feud begins. The Vietnam Vet takes pictures and even to the point of leaving a concrete set in line with the post in place, and saving a concrete chunk from the existing fence line. I kinda thought that was a bit odd at first. After the evidence was brought before the judge and the jury deliberated the fence stayed in the spot where it was constructed.
So,...whose fence is it? The one with the most evidence wins in these cases. So if you ever have any questions as to whose fence it is, present your evidence before the judge and let him decide. Or just figure things out before hence the terminology, "Good Neighbor Fence".
Oh,.... I have more to blog about and more to come so keep watching for the Mending Broken Fences blog updates.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Networking - Building Exposure For Your Business
One of the biggest things for any business is exposure. One of the ways to expose your business is by attending a networking association. There are plenty of networking associations to get involved with. For instance here in Portland, OR, Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Executive Association, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network just to name a few. These network groups are made up of like minded people that share in each others business in one way or the other. This is a positive growth factor to be affiliated with in one way or the other, if you happen to be a guest of someone, or just decide to attend to check things out you are able to give a 30 second to one minute pitch about your business.
Now I don't know about you but I could use the business when ever possible. I really don't like sitting around unless I am sitting behind my computer screen working somehow whether it be posting on craigslist, making a video for the youtube acct., or blogging. The point here is to just stay active on the computer. There are so many distractions that the internet has to offer today that it is necessary to stay focused on what you are doing and what your really after.
I like the freedom of owning a business. I like telling myself what to do and when to do it and not having someone else telling me what and how to do what I already know how to do. Now if this was a customer telling me how they wanted their fence to look then of course I will be listening and complying with their requests. That is freedom of business.
If your now involved in some kind of networking association may I suggest that you seek one out and attend an event to see what is really happening behind the scene of business. There are a lot of great experienced and motivated people that attend these functions and they are a wealth of information once you get to know some of these people that are associated with these functions. Build exposure for yourself and your business, remember word of mouth is huge, because how will your business ever take off if you or someone else doesn't speak about it to anyone else? Even if you contact an advertising agency to place an ad your creating word of mouth exposure. Let your word be impeccable to your business. Help your business grow by attending a networking association event. Who knows you might gain a new customer or a new friend and the possibilities from there should lead to success and with that success it should demand more action to maintain the results your looking for.
Now I don't know about you but I could use the business when ever possible. I really don't like sitting around unless I am sitting behind my computer screen working somehow whether it be posting on craigslist, making a video for the youtube acct., or blogging. The point here is to just stay active on the computer. There are so many distractions that the internet has to offer today that it is necessary to stay focused on what you are doing and what your really after.
I like the freedom of owning a business. I like telling myself what to do and when to do it and not having someone else telling me what and how to do what I already know how to do. Now if this was a customer telling me how they wanted their fence to look then of course I will be listening and complying with their requests. That is freedom of business.
If your now involved in some kind of networking association may I suggest that you seek one out and attend an event to see what is really happening behind the scene of business. There are a lot of great experienced and motivated people that attend these functions and they are a wealth of information once you get to know some of these people that are associated with these functions. Build exposure for yourself and your business, remember word of mouth is huge, because how will your business ever take off if you or someone else doesn't speak about it to anyone else? Even if you contact an advertising agency to place an ad your creating word of mouth exposure. Let your word be impeccable to your business. Help your business grow by attending a networking association event. Who knows you might gain a new customer or a new friend and the possibilities from there should lead to success and with that success it should demand more action to maintain the results your looking for.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Mending Broken Fences
Today was a great day for the motto, Mending Broken Fences. While finishing up with the project for the day the neighbor to the home owner I am working for came out and asked if he could help in any way. I told him that the work was about complete but thanks anyway and began to chit chat about the fence and why it is there. Found out that it is not because of the chickens the neighbor had a problem with but the dogs. Apparently dogs like duck too, because the neighbor began to explain about the incident about the dogs and police that were called while he was trying to protect his property. Interesting how a story can get all turned around when authority is intervened.
As the neighbor and I were having a chit chat the home owner came out and started along with the chit chat. I finished cleaning up and came back with the invoice and they were still talking, mending a broken fence. The home owner and I went inside after the chit chat and upon receiving the check for the work she had brought over to me a to do list of sort and on it was what she considered a picture of her neighbor with a caption above saying, Hello, how can I help you today. Do..do...do...do.
I told myself in the beginning when I first bid this job, if God wants me to have this work then there will be a reason why I get the work. I like the way I really get to help people other than doing what I am already good at mending broken fences.
As the neighbor and I were having a chit chat the home owner came out and started along with the chit chat. I finished cleaning up and came back with the invoice and they were still talking, mending a broken fence. The home owner and I went inside after the chit chat and upon receiving the check for the work she had brought over to me a to do list of sort and on it was what she considered a picture of her neighbor with a caption above saying, Hello, how can I help you today. Do..do...do...do.
I told myself in the beginning when I first bid this job, if God wants me to have this work then there will be a reason why I get the work. I like the way I really get to help people other than doing what I am already good at mending broken fences.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Fence Video Marketing
Technology isn't slowing down by any means. Seems like everyday I get to learn something new to use for the fence business. Like for instance google adsense, I have enabled a feature that will allow me to post ads on this blog for visitors such as yourself to click on and through.
What I really like though is the use of a video editing tool called Power Director. This tool allows me to create my own videos from pictures or videos. Power Director is a great tool for the newbie in creating videos. It is easy to use and has great functionality features such as drop and drag, transition feature, microphone, and music track. There are plenty of effects that come along with the Power Director package. The investment is just around a hundred bucks. It was a very good hundred dollars spent.
Now I have the ability to help other business owners create videos to help promote their business. Many friends and family members have seen some of the videos I have created and are interested. So interested that they want me to do a video for them. I may not be building fence forever after all. You know what they say about practice becoming perfect. My video creations will only get better with time, eventually the cash will start falling from the sky into the bank account. Now wouldn't that be technology?
Look for more of the Fix-A-Fence LLC video series to come out. There really is a lot to building a fence. From getting the phone to ring for the estimate to repairing or installing the fence from the ring of my phone everything that is put into the fence company is a process of marketing. Videos are just a huge plus in todays world of increasing technology.
What I really like though is the use of a video editing tool called Power Director. This tool allows me to create my own videos from pictures or videos. Power Director is a great tool for the newbie in creating videos. It is easy to use and has great functionality features such as drop and drag, transition feature, microphone, and music track. There are plenty of effects that come along with the Power Director package. The investment is just around a hundred bucks. It was a very good hundred dollars spent.
Now I have the ability to help other business owners create videos to help promote their business. Many friends and family members have seen some of the videos I have created and are interested. So interested that they want me to do a video for them. I may not be building fence forever after all. You know what they say about practice becoming perfect. My video creations will only get better with time, eventually the cash will start falling from the sky into the bank account. Now wouldn't that be technology?
Look for more of the Fix-A-Fence LLC video series to come out. There really is a lot to building a fence. From getting the phone to ring for the estimate to repairing or installing the fence from the ring of my phone everything that is put into the fence company is a process of marketing. Videos are just a huge plus in todays world of increasing technology.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Is A Fence Estimate Really Free?
Have you ever asked yourself if the fence estimate you received is really free? I have always wondered that myself, being that I am a fence contractor and say that I am giving you a free fence estimate. I feel that the estimate is only free until someone actually blesses me with the opportunity of a work order. How is that free when the estimate turns into,...cash? I do know this that by saying I am giving you a free fence estimate that is exactly what you are getting from me. No hidden fees for an estimate on the back end of the quote. Honesty is the best policy in my book. Word of mouth can really make or break a business no matter what line of work you're in.
Another thing that I know about giving away free fence estimates is that my phone seems to ring for a free fence estimate. Now not every fence estimate turns into a work order so that may be another reason why the estimate is considered free.
The attitude of listening to the customers needs and desires for their fence is true customer service. This adds value to any business. Remember you are not the one that has to live with the fence. The customer always has a say for what goes in on their property. Otto Zochert founder of Zochert Fence Co. always said that if I could build a residential fence I can build any fence. Customers are not picky, they may seem that way but it is their money and their fence so they have a right to be picky if that is what you would like to consider it when the customer wants a fence a certain style or grade of material or even in the most extreme conditions and terrain.
So I guess if I were to get asked the question is the estimate really free? My response would be yes,... but if I were to land the contract how can I consider it free?
Another thing that I know about giving away free fence estimates is that my phone seems to ring for a free fence estimate. Now not every fence estimate turns into a work order so that may be another reason why the estimate is considered free.
The attitude of listening to the customers needs and desires for their fence is true customer service. This adds value to any business. Remember you are not the one that has to live with the fence. The customer always has a say for what goes in on their property. Otto Zochert founder of Zochert Fence Co. always said that if I could build a residential fence I can build any fence. Customers are not picky, they may seem that way but it is their money and their fence so they have a right to be picky if that is what you would like to consider it when the customer wants a fence a certain style or grade of material or even in the most extreme conditions and terrain.
So I guess if I were to get asked the question is the estimate really free? My response would be yes,... but if I were to land the contract how can I consider it free?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Fix-A-Fence LLC Building and Repairing Wood and Chain Link Fences
Repairing or installing a wood or chain link fence can be a bit laboring and requires tools and in some cases a bit of knowledge. Having been in the industry for over 17 years now I have seen a lot of interesting fences and have had the opportunity to repair or even replace those interesting fences.
From the smallest of repairs to the complete fence install Fix-A-Fence LLC can do it all. Fix-A-Fence LLC is licensed, bonded, & insured, also registered with the Secretary of State in Oregon as Fix-A-Fence LLC. Fix-A-Fence LLC has a CCB# 187218
This is just the beginning of many blogs to comes for your fencing repair and install needs.
From the smallest of repairs to the complete fence install Fix-A-Fence LLC can do it all. Fix-A-Fence LLC is licensed, bonded, & insured, also registered with the Secretary of State in Oregon as Fix-A-Fence LLC. Fix-A-Fence LLC has a CCB# 187218
This is just the beginning of many blogs to comes for your fencing repair and install needs.
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