To email or not to email. that is the question? What do you do to overcome the request to simply click the mouse and hope your design and proposal sticks to the wall when a customer asks you to email them the design and proposal instead of setting an appointment to review?
Wow that's a tough schedule, what part of the country do you have to put that many miles a day to meet clients? The online meeting could hopefully reduce the need for drive time if you could manage it into your schedule. Another thought would be posting your to scale drawings on a file sharing site for them to review but not be able to copy. How do you communicate with clients on the road? cell phone, smart phone wireless card laptop? Mark
I have considered it but have not used it yet.
My days go from 4:30 am to around 11:30 pm with 300 to 400 miles daily so my drawing/design times are later and earlier than most times I would spend with my clients. As a rule I do not call before 8am or after 8pm unless asked.
Have you thought of using an online meeting to review design instead of emailing them? I have found this very effective because we can both view the plans and review at the same time prior to making changes. It also eliminates your design from walking because once the meeting is over the plan is only on your machine. This enables me to narrow down the design and products desired prior to finalizing the plan and proposal with the customer interaction. I have also used this for complete presentations for those busy executives or out of town folks. I use gotomeeting.com and have been very happy with the service. Mark
"Are you sending a 2d drawing or 3d screen shot that is not to scale?" Both and 3D is NEVER to scale which is one of the reasons that I resisted using 3D in the beginning. I could picture my client saying, " ..... but that plant was 3 feet tall in your drawing not 2 feet!'
"And do you set up a follow up meeting to review quote?" Yes, always and alterations and/or improvements to the plan at the same time. In my area of California I will redo the drawings at a home owners request and resend the plan over the internet so that when I do come out to quote we are close on the desired designs.
Hello Ken, thanks for the reply. Are you sending a 2d drawing or 3d screen shot that is not to scale? And do you set up a follow up meeting to review quote? Thanks Mark
Hello Karen from Pool Draw, thanks for the reply. Yes the mobile marketing and customer care app is Cool on a cool device. Mobile marketing apps can be customized for any business it's really about your presentation and story in the pockets or purse of potential clients or existing clients to stay in touch. It is like a mini website but more, it cant be copied and pasted so the content can be more proprietary and it is with them at all times. With the new smart phones people are freeing themselves from desktops and laptops and going mobile, which is where everyone should be thinking for the future. Also with the new iPad coming release the way we can present at the showroom, in the home and on the run will benefit those who adapt to the concept of mobile marketing, presentation and customer care. Mobile customer care and service is also a new concept that we accomplish by allowing a customer to access the project management database from the iPhone/ iTouch/ iPad to view current status of their project, contact office, request service or warranty call or any information a builder would like the customer to see ie: newsletters, social marketing, online store and specials. As one of the pioneers in providing technology solutions to pool builders you know the difficult challenge of educating our industry in embracing and adapting to technology to to assist them in their operations. Thanks Mark
Hello Keven, I to am from the old school or more than 25 years in design and sales and you are correct people buy from people and face to face is the best place to be to present your product or service. I also found that the proper use of technology enhances the presentation and educational experience for the client. My philosophy in pool sales is if you do a better job of designing, presenting and educating you don't have to ask for a contract, they will ask you to build their project. I even tell customers that's my goal in my consultation with them, and by the way now they know to ask.
Mark
I guess I'm from the old school where I like to see the client face to face as do they. But it does not mean I do not embrace new technology sales tools as I currently do now. I'm all for the new devices to make our sales presentations more effective. I feel just sometimes they are very impersonal. I also get the feeling when people ask to have a estimate emailed or even faxed, they seem to be "tire kickers" looking for a deal.
I will say the itouch and iphone is a great idea for out of towners and super busy exects.
The bottom line is whatever method works and sells more pools is the goal.
iTouch/iPhone app sounds pretty cool Mark - someone forwarded me your press release!
is the custom app a marketing/sales presentation that can be used by any industry ie service or is it specific to pool sales? what makes it different from just directing the prospect to an existing website?
we use the online meeting to provide tech support & instruction -
actually have a daily 3 hr webinar set up for prospects & customers to log on for an overview & assistance -
"If they don't wish to take the time in person or online, then they are only interested in price shopping" - absolutely right - if the prospect isn't interested in meeting the builder/salesperson then they place no value on the quality & experience factor so there isn't much $ to be made - at best cashflow/ most likely building at a loss!
Comments
My days go from 4:30 am to around 11:30 pm with 300 to 400 miles daily so my drawing/design times are later and earlier than most times I would spend with my clients. As a rule I do not call before 8am or after 8pm unless asked.
Ken
"And do you set up a follow up meeting to review quote?" Yes, always and alterations and/or improvements to the plan at the same time. In my area of California I will redo the drawings at a home owners request and resend the plan over the internet so that when I do come out to quote we are close on the desired designs.
Ken
I send email in jpeg and pdf files in 7th inch scale with a note that says "NOT TO SCALE'
I do not, however, send a quote.
Ken
I guess I'm from the old school where I like to see the client face to face as do they. But it does not mean I do not embrace new technology sales tools as I currently do now. I'm all for the new devices to make our sales presentations more effective. I feel just sometimes they are very impersonal. I also get the feeling when people ask to have a estimate emailed or even faxed, they seem to be "tire kickers" looking for a deal.
I will say the itouch and iphone is a great idea for out of towners and super busy exects.
The bottom line is whatever method works and sells more pools is the goal.
is the custom app a marketing/sales presentation that can be used by any industry ie service or is it specific to pool sales? what makes it different from just directing the prospect to an existing website?
we use the online meeting to provide tech support & instruction -
actually have a daily 3 hr webinar set up for prospects & customers to log on for an overview & assistance -
"If they don't wish to take the time in person or online, then they are only interested in price shopping" - absolutely right - if the prospect isn't interested in meeting the builder/salesperson then they place no value on the quality & experience factor so there isn't much $ to be made - at best cashflow/ most likely building at a loss!
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