Marketing checklist for PAINTING BUSINESSES

Marketing is the process of getting people interested in your painting business’s services. If your marketing messages are a bit of a mishmash, this 4-point checklist will help you paint a more consistent picture.

Here are two real-life examples of business owners whose customer communication could use some polishing:

• Our local butcher recently won an award and took out an ad in the local paper to announce this achievement. The following day, I went to the butcher’s. There was no mention of the award win across the front window, and the trophy was out of sight!

• Our family ate a meal at Chinese restaurant advertised as ‘authentic Chinese’. In the background, ABC talkback was playing on the radio. There is nothing authentic about that!

You are one of many painting businesses in your local area. How do you immediately connect with our customers? With no clear brand identity or message, you’ll lose money through marketing instead of increasing sales. Let us turn the corner with this 4-point checklist:

1. Create a professional logo

The purpose of a logo is to create brand consistency. The idea is to apply your professionally designed logo across all your business communication and collateral in the same format, every time.

2. Establish a colour palette

As a painter, you’ll understand the importance of choosing the right colours. Your business identity will also benefit from having the right colour palette to best communicate with your target customers.

3. Develop key messages

Your key messages are the main points you want your customers to hear and remember, consistently.

These could include your business opening hours, contact information, and what distinguishes your business.

4. Set up a style guide

A style guide is a set of standards for design or writing of documents to be followed by your team. A style guide provides boundaries on your company logo, and captures company colours and key messages.

This style guide should be applied consistently across all marketing tools:

• website • business cards • letterhead • email signature • advertising • vehicles • invoice books • thank you cards • invoices • uniforms • building signage.

When you market your painting business consistently, you’re telling your customers and prospects you’re a professional. It will provide an excellent first impression and help you stand out from your competitors.

Get started by thinking about why you’re different from other painters. Steer away from the same words as everyone else, for example, excellence, reliable, professional. Instead, dig a little deeper.

Ask yourself, “Why should customers care about my business?” Marketing is not really about you. You will find they want to know what’s in it for them.

For more ‘ah-ha’ moments that will fast track profits in your painting business, register for our Next Level Tradie free, live events.

Angela Smith Co-founder – Lifestyle Tradie “Helping Trade Business Owners Fast-Track Financial & Lifestyle Success”