On the outside, I try to project an image of having it all together. But underneath that, I'm kind of a disaster. Hence... the name of the site: GlossyVeneer. Are you trying to start a career as a paint contractor? Looking for some surefire ways to land that job? Well, I’ve got some tips for you! When a potential client calls you to get an estimate, these steps are sure to land the job.
- When you return the client’s call, don’t specify exactly where or who you are, instead say, “Uh… this is Jimmy. What did you need?” Make them ask who you are, then sound a little irritated when you say the name of your painting company.
- Schedule a time to give them an estimate, then don’t show up.
- A week later, have your partner call and re-schedule the estimate. The client will be stupid and decide to go along with this plan. Make sure your partner sounds really flaky too, repeatedly asking “What time/day did we agree upon?”
- Have your partner call the day of the re-scheduled estimate. Have the client verify the time and then admit that it was put on the schedule incorrectly.
- Show up to do the estimate. Make sure you smell bad. Wear your grungy athletic shorts as well as a shirt that leaves plenty of room for your bulging belly to hang out the bottom in plain sight. Put a witty slogan on your shirt, something like: “Yeah, I’ve got an attitude problem. What are you gonna do ’bout it?”.
- Make sure to tell the client that you are beat and still trying to wake up, even though it is noon. Blame it on watching too much TV the day before.
- Don’t really pay attention to what the client is requesting. And definitely don’t do measurements of every area the client points out. This will give you opportunity to change your price since everything wasn’t included on the original estimate.
- Get the client’s e-mail address. A good way to request this is, “Got an e-mail?” Follow up with an explanation about how you’d normally figure the estimate right there but your computer’s not working and you need to figure that out before you can get the estimate calculated.
- E-mail the estimate later on. Don’t include anything in the body of the message except your name typed in all lowercase letters. Attach the estimate as a PDF.
- Sit back and wait. The job is surely yours now.
Sigh….
Advertisement
