What is Advertising???

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Hello,      Jesse here, from Schirra's Welding LLC.  Ok I little bit of background. I own a small welding company in Florida. This is our second year in business. I'm looking for some advertising tips.  What have I tried?? Flyers, Craigslist, Yellowpages.com, Verzion Super media, Vehicle Magnets, and signs...  Nothing seems to be working......  Any tips?? Keep in mind I'm on a budget...
Reply:Looks like you are doing it for free already...Buy a book called guerilla marketing.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:We used to do alot of yellow pages advertizing, but hardly anyone reads them nowadays, at least the target consumer I want to reach. We used to spend about $200 a month on Yellow page ads, and up until 5 years ago seemed to pay for themselves. Then the phones stopped ringing and we just pay for a listing which is about $20/month.We have built up a cheap godaddy website that we will be expanding on this year and then using google-ads to direct target consumers. I hear the google-ads are price pointed to your desires. I plan to spend about $200 a month. Really if your work can sell itself you need a vehicle to get visibility. The early days for me was pounding the pavement. Phone cold calling did not work, but I handed out flyers, cards, went to chamber of commerce meetings, and sponsered chili-cookoffs with a welded do-dad and things like that. Being your own boss is bitchen, aint it?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:@ shovelon  I'm kinda liking the idea of the chilli cook off lolAnd being your own boss kinda sucks ***. lol  For the most part. I'm spending about $10 a month on the super pages but thats about it.... But the all the signs did cost me about $1200But the biggest one I now have no where to put since our shop moved....
Reply:The Boy Scouts now have a "welding merit badge."  Contact the scout masters in your area and offer to provide a "welding merit badge workshop."  Word travels fast, and when people learn that you are willing to help others for free, providence may just bring you more business.  Pass out flyer's at the local fire and police department announcing a "welding merit badge" work shop for their Boy Scouts."  Policemen and firemen are always looking for good ways to spend constructive time with their sons.  You will build a relationship of trust with those that serve in your community, and their word really does travel fast, and often carries with it a good amount of influence.GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Originally Posted by GarThe Boy Scouts now have a "welding merit badge."  Contact the scout masters in your area and offer to provide a "welding merit badge workshop."  Word travels fast, and when people learn that you are willing to help others for free, providence may just bring you more business.  Pass out flyer's at the local fire and police department announcing a "welding merit badge" work shop for their Boy Scouts."  Policemen and firemen are always looking for good ways to spend constructive time with their sons.  You will build a relationship of trust with those that serve in your community, and their word really does travel fast, and often carries with it a good amount of influence.Gar
Reply:What kind of welding do you do? For example, if you weld on dump trucks, put flyers and business cards at truck stops and parts places. If you weld on general equipment, go see small rental shops and smaller dealers.  A guy here, DavidR, did all the repair work for his local Bobcat dealer. Just some things to think about."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Don't forget social media like Facebook, Twitter. A lot of people use it helps keep in contact with customers without using phone.
Reply:I'd say Facebook is a HUGE place to target people in your area.  Create a group or page for your business, offer deals from time to time, and create a monthly newsletter that people can sign up for.Sent using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by mfldmikeI'd say Facebook is a HUGE place to target people in your area.  Create a group or page for your business, offer deals from time to time, and create a monthly newsletter that people can sign up for.Sent using Tapatalk
Reply:1.) Webpage with SEO- People are going to search Google before anything else (my semi educated opinion). For example "Welder Tarpon Springs, FL"Make sure your web page title is relevant to what people will search. For example, the title for this thread (if you look at your tab in your web browser is 'What is Advertising??? - WeldingWEB TM -Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts'.If someone is searching Google and wants to know about advertising options for welders this thread will likely show up.It is really not hard or expensive to put a simple web page together. There are plenty of tools out there and ultimately all you need is who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Get a professional looking photo of some sort so people have something to stimulate their brains and are attracted to your site. Simple, that is it.Likely the person is going to want to talk to you, so you don't need people to be navigating all over the place. Just a simple landing page with your information.That, I believe, should be your first step and most rewarding beyond word of mouth.Google 'Landing Page'.
Reply:You need a web page.  You need to be reading on how to get to the 'top' of a google search.  You need to have Facebook and Twitter.I would recommend a vehicle wrap...the brighter and bigger, the better.Welding is a service that people don't need, until they need it.  You need to be 'listed' in the places people go to find services (I usually google the name of the service and my zip code, to get a list of folks near me).If you want to serve 'companies,' you're going to need to get out and do 'sales...' stumping from door to door, making them aware of your services (Oh...you'll need lotsa business cards too).Join the local Chamber of Commerce.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:I personally wouldn't waste time with SEO.  If you have quality content, google will find you.  The algorithms that google uses are more complicated than META TAGS or keyword placement.Sent using Tapatalk
Reply:I would offer to do a Saturday morning workshop on welding for your local Home Depot. They do those most every week on various topics. Maybe you'll find some folks that can't handle a project on their own, and they'll maybe call you. It's another way to get exposure.
Reply:I'll echo what has been said.  You need a basic webpage that describes your capabilities and shows examples of your work.  It needs to have clear contact information, hours of operation, and directions ( a store front photo can be helpful).  You then need to do what you can to optimize for a Google search.  If I Google "welding near Tarpon Springs, FL" will your company come up first?  Does it show up and map correctly on Google Maps or Apple Maps?  Do you have a Yelp listing with reviews from happy customers?
Reply:Good advice here.    My question is what is the age range of your customer?  If its anything from. Gen X down..   40-45 and under, the Web is going to be your #1 advertizing source.  Because the first place anyone under that age looks for services is the web!   Good website, mobile version of your site.   Prices need to be listed else people will go to another site/and business that does offer prices on its website....     Offer email communication and text too if possible. And reply as promptly as a message left on your voicemail.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Schirras_WeldingLLCHello,      Jesse here, from Schirra's Welding LLC.  Ok I little bit of background. I own a small welding company in Florida. This is our second year in business. I'm looking for some advertising tips.  What have I tried?? Flyers, Craigslist, Yellowpages.com, Verzion Super media, Vehicle Magnets, and signs...  Nothing seems to be working......  Any tips?? Keep in mind I'm on a budget...
Reply:I would say a website is number one.   At this point, if you don't have a web site, then you don't exist, at least for many of us.  I am way over 40 and I Google search for most anything that I need.  If you don't have a website you are not really in business.   The website might not need to be complex, some description of your company, and then some photos of some projects that you have done.   Be sure that your company name and phone appear on each web page.  You probably have some idea what customers want to know.   Maybe you have to list the various metals that you are capable of, such as stainless, aluminum, etc.   Or list the various types of work that you do or have done.Note that you can buy geographically targeted Google ads.   You may need somebody to help you with keywords and understanding Google ads.   For example, I buy "Sculpture Boulder Colorado" as keywords, so if those words show up in the search string, my ad is displayed.    You could buy "welding mytown Florida", "welding nexttown Florida", etc.   Welding is a pretty local business, so you need to target your ads in a very geographic manner.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Website is #1. You don't need flyers, brochures ETC. I'd even argue you don't need biz cards. A google compliant website is all you need. I use Squarespace.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_pop I'd even argue you don't need biz cards.
Reply:I recently heard some words/ info about businesses like ours, Service.We don't have inventory i.e. shoes, tools, whateverWe can't have a Sale to make up for slow days /months.😣We have to constantly work relationships with clients: old and newEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBillFor his local area he "should have" business cards! Just about everyone that owns their own business has business cards.
Reply:Originally Posted by mfldmikeI personally wouldn't waste time with SEO.  If you have quality content, google will find you.  The algorithms that google uses are more complicated than META TAGS or keyword placement.
Reply:Originally Posted by Schirras_WeldingLLCHello,      Jesse here, from Schirra's Welding LLC.  Ok I little bit of background. I own a small welding company in Florida. This is our second year in business. I'm looking for some advertising tips.  What have I tried?? Flyers, Craigslist, Yellowpages.com, Verzion Super media, Vehicle Magnets, and signs...  Nothing seems to be working......  Any tips?? Keep in mind I'm on a budget...
Reply:Advertising is important but even more so is building relationships with the right businesses. When I was getting started, I built some cool little metal card holders and left cards at all the businesses that I do business with, feed stores, hardware stores, metal supplier and pipe yard. I became friends with these people and they have sent me tons of business through the years as well as use me for their personal welding. I randomly send flowers to the ladies at the bank, the little food mart and my doctors office, all with my card stuck in and a note to say how I appreciate them. I made boot scrapers for a couple nurseries for free, just dropped by and said I thought they might want one. I traded labor for powder coating and made sure he got the better end of the deal so he could see my work. I have made over $30,000 a year just off him, for several years now.This is not advertising for work just for now but nurturing relationships for work from now on. Advertise for the now but think about the long term.