|
Hi Joe, I like both those names. Either one would be good. (Or put them, together and get Mansolillo Outdoor Contracting Services.) 37CW said that if you give excellent work at fair prices you won't have any competition. He's right. You probably won't have to advertise after awhile, either. Word of good work gets around. Here are some things I consider important (since you didn't ask.) 1. Don't try to get business by offering low prices. You get bad customers that way, and you create the impression you're not worth much. Keep your prices at the high end of fair, increase them as you gain proficiency, and check at least once a year to make sure you're keeping up with the declining value of the dollar. 2. Learn to be comfortable telling the truth. If you can't do something, or if you don't want to, say so right out. Don't say you can do a job in three days if you can't. Don't say you can start a job next Monday if you might not be able to. Cut yourself some slack---ususally the customer doesn't know anything except what you tell them. Saying you won't be able to get started on a job until next Wednesday, then calling to say you finished your current job early and you can start on Monday is all the difference in the world from having it the other way around. 3. Show up when you say you're going to (or earlier, by arrangement). Start reasonably early and work full days. Stay at a job until you finish it. You may think that because you're doing a job for a certain amount of money rather than by the hour (when that's the case) that the customer doesn't care how long it takes. If you don't show up one day, it should be all right because the cost is the same. But that's not true. The customer usually doesn't want you around, even if they like you---it disrupts things. It's best to do the job quickly and well, and get yourself out of there. Don't wear out your welcome. 4. Don't forget that the customer is paying you to do work, not to be their friend. Be careful about sharing your opinions. You're not likely to get more work because the customer really likes your views on politics, or religion, or the economy, but you can easily lose work because he or she doesn't. All the best, Stan
| 
