Fix-A-Fence LLC Filling The Funnel

Amazingly even through all the rain after the tear tag flyer campaign Fix-A-Fence LLC has received three phone calls for estimates. Only time will tell when one will fall through the funnel. The main thing here is to keep the hopper full. So I have been trying to keep the estimates coming in.

Today was a baseball field repair estimate. Apparently some kids have broken off fence posts and have damaged the chain link. However it begins with preparation, I feel that if whoever installed the baseball field fence would have used some heavier duty posts and chain link mesh then the damage would have been less than or have lasted a bit longer then it has. This diamond isn't that old.

This estimate came from when working on another project. A guy came up to me and asked me if I would be willing to go out to this high school and give him a repair estimate on the little leagues baseball field. There is five posts that have been broken or bent and the chain link is of 11-1/2 ga. really cheap stuff and shouldn't be used for a baseball field. Just like all the line posts for the fence are all 1-5/8" tubing. This type of post shouldn't be used for a six foot high fence, especially for a baseball field. Somebody was saving some money!

The estimate here involves more than just the small repair, as the little league superintendent wanted an estimate to remove and replace all of the 11-1/2 ga. chain link. This amounts to around 350' and he also threw in to remove and replace every other line post with a heavier duty post in the same circumference.

Gotta like these kinds of estimates, now to get it to fall through the funnel.

God will provide, it is all a matter of trust. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. That's how                     Fix-A-Fence LLC was formed, on faith.

The next blog will be on profitability and value of the business. Through the continuing education process I will be blogging on the things I have learned and the things I have implemented from what I have learned. So until the next blog stay strong and keep believing in faith.

 

Fix-A-Fence LLC Returns To Stomping Grounds

Returned today to the stomping grounds that began this fence company by stapling Fix-A-Fence LLC pull tag flyer's up on high foot traffic area phones poles. This is a simple but effective marketing concept. If you have the time and the talent to make a decent designed flyer with all of your business information it is well worth the pennies and time spent.

Publisher has some good tools to use in the flyer category and with clip art the flyer becomes a professional marketing tool in minutes. Cut along the lines to make the tags easily accessible for people to tear off. Make sure you have a decent staple gun and plenty of staples. Find a location near your place of business or where you would like to conduct some business and get started stapling the flyer's you created to all the phone poles in high traffic areas you can find.

There are the community bulletin boards and other businesses that allow this marketing tool to be placed on their bulletin boards. The response may be at a low capacity but still it is a great way to gain company recognition just by having been seen in so many different locations. This is just a very inexpensive way to market your business if you are willing to get out and gain that extra bit of exposure.

One thing I have told myself is that I don't want to forget where I started this business from. This business like most started with just a few tools, a vehicle, and a whole bunch of knowledge on building and repairing wood and chain link fences. I started by placing flyer's on phone poles and my design talent wasn't that great but it sure has improved since the beginning.

Just because the season is slow doesn't mean that the marketing has to. After the next batch is made up the saturating will begin all over again. It just came to my mind that whenever I get out of the truck and someone sees me, the truck has Fix-A-Fence LLC and the phone number all over so I am sure even then the fence company is getting just that much more exposure.

A New Fence Blog For A New Year

This is the first blog of the new year for Fix-A-Fence LLC. Work has slowed a bit out in the field the phone rings but not as constant as the warmer weathered months. So during these winter slow months I focus my attention on my internet marketing businesses. Like last night for instance I built a new web site to promote my affiliate product from TriVita branded as Nopalea the wellness drink made from Cactus plants right here in America.

Here is the site if you are interested in checking out my internet handy work.

http://mypowerlinewealth.webstarts.com/?r=20120102012829

Sort of a long URL but what can I say for free. When I am ready to spend some money the URL will be shorter and it may even be a different name. I like trying to capture the audience and not lead them all over this internet dessert.

Last year Fix-A-Fence LLC has positioned itself with Google on four front pages ranking from 1st on the page to 5th and 6th positions on the pages of the category fence estimates Portland, OR. Categories such as free, wood, chain link and just plain fence estimates. I have learned quite a bit about how to position my company to get the phone call first before the larger fence companies in the Portland, OR and surrounding areas. For instance the last three out of four calls have been from as a result of Google searches.

Soon I will be using and applying the same tactics I have used to position Fix-A-Fence LLC on Google to my businesses on the internet. If there is anything I have gained from all of this knowledge is how to achieve a web presence. Some people say to me know I wish I could do that or how did you do that? I tell them it took me work and hustle. I show them how and it just boggles their mind at what I know. It kind of boggles my own when I stop to think for a second where I was a year ago, but that's all. Because my mind just keeps moving forward.

So until the next blog, stay safe - keep smiling and don't let anything rain on your parade.

Fix-A-Fence LLC Year End Blog Post

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.