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I recently sat down with Jason Cooney from The Tender Team, a tender and bid writing extraordinaire. He and his team have a huge 85% win rate when helping their clients bid for council contracts in their local area. With numbers like that, it’s clear that Jason knows his stuff. I was lucky enough to pick his brains and draw out as much practical, actionable advice for Tradie Success listeners as possible. Jason didn’t disappoint – he happily shared his insider tips, including: The best places to look for tender opportunities How to decide which tenders are worth your while What to include in your tender How to make your tender stand out from the competition And much, much more Listen now and set yourself up for tender success. Get your exclusive gifts here Jason is also offering Tradie Success listeners two exclusive free gifts. The first is his must-have Bid-No Bid Guide that you can use when considering bidding for a tender. It asks you a few questions that’ll help you decide whether a tender is suitable for you, or not. Click Here Download the Tender Team's Tradies"Bid No Bid Checklist" First Name * Business name * Email *   Please Send The second is massive. If you’re working on a tender and you want Jason’s expert advice, simply shoot him an email or give him a buzz on his mobile and leave a message. Full contact details are on his website - thetenderteam.com.au This episode is sponsored by Instant Tradie Websites The post 22 – How to Win Tenders appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

On the surface, everything looks great. Your team is happy. Your customers are happy. You’re happy. But underneath, you are struggling to pay wages and bills on time – let alone take your own wages and make a profit. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. So many trade businesses – so many businesses in general – operate payday to payday. It’s something that can cause serious financial stress and impact all areas of your life. I recently sat down with Katie Marshall, bookkeeper extraordinaire, financial coach, and new author. Katie recently published a book called Profit First for Tradies. It fast became a best-seller, with tradies across Australia reaching out to Katie and sharing their stories about their woes and how the book has helped them turn things around. During our chat, we discussed the following: How the book was developed and why Katie loves working with tradies What the “profit first” method is, and how it provides a framework for financial success How you can come face-to-face with what’s really going on in your business How making small changes can transform the financial health of your business So, have a listen. And be sure to check out Katie’s book, Profit First for Tradies. TWEETABLES There will always be a crisis at some point in your business journey. That’s where a robust financial foundation comes into play. #TradieSuccessClick To Tweet Get in the habit of putting money away for certain things, so you always have cash to fall back on. #TradieSuccessClick To Tweet No matter how scary it seems, take one small step toward facing your numbers and improving cashflow. #TradieSuccessClick To Tweet Once you take the first step, the second step is a little bit easier. #TradieSuccessClick To Tweet The #ProfitFirst method helps you see what’s really going on in your business. There’s no hiding the truth. #TradieSuccessClick To Tweet   The post 21 – Profit First for Tradies – Interview with Author Katie Marshall appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

What does being a successful tradie mean to you? Maybe earning a reliable cash flow. Maybe working alongside a tight-knit team you can rely on. Or maybe, success means spending less time on the tools and more with friends and family. Well, I recently had the pleasure of chatting with one such successful tradie – Colorbond Kenny. No, that isn’t his real name. It’s Kendrick Myers, and he’s the owner of Brisbane’s first premium Colorbond roofing and cladding company, My Cladders. Over the last few years, Kendrick has made a name for himself as one of the most knowledgeable Colorbond cladding experts in the country. He’s secured a fabulous team of 13 employees, has regular work rolling in, and is just about ready to take the next step in his career. So, how did Kendrick do it? What were his greatest challenges? And what advice has he got for tradies like you? In this episode of Tradie Success, I’ll pick Kendrick’s brain and find out: Why he is four times better off having a team of employees instead of using contractors, and how he secures the right employees for his team How he keeps his employees engaged and motivated How he separates his emotions from his business How he successfully markets his business and manages cash flow How he makes time for his wife and kids while growing a successful business Kendrick reminds us that building a business and finding your version of success isn’t a straightforward process – it’s a roller-coaster ride that takes time and dedication. Are you up for the challenge? TWEETABLES Keep up momentum by focusing on what is working instead of what isn’t. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Your team is your community. Take time to forge friendships. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Empower your team to own what they are doing. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Success is a rollercoaster ride that takes time and dedication. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet   The post 20 – Successful Tradie Interview – Kendrick Myers appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Ever heard of "Google My Business"? Maybe you have. Maybe you claimed your listing six months ago and haven’t thought about it since. Or maybe you haven’t at all. Either way, if you run a local business with or without a physical shopfront, having an up-to-date, fully optimised Google My Business listing is an absolute must, if you want to show up on page 1 of a Google local search for your business type . Why is Google My Business so important? Because, when used strategically, it makes sure potential customers find – and trust – your business without costing you a single cent. That’s right. When optimised correctly, your business will eventually appear in what’s known as the ‘local pack’, the group of up to 3 business listings that appear alongside a map at the top of a localised Google search. And a localised Google search (such as "plumber in Toowong", "or Brighton electrician", etc.) is the first step most people take when looking to purchase local services. Google My Business is essential for all local business owners. @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Google My Business is a very important component of your local SEO strategy. To help us navigate the complexities of local SEO, we chat with the newest member of the Commonsense Marketing team - SEO expert Lisa Baade. With almost a decade of SEO experience working with some of Australia’s biggest brands, and with hundreds of small businesses, Lisa knows the ins and outs of local SEO and Google My Business. In fact, her advice has helped businesses around the country double their online leads. In this episode of the Tradie Success podcast, Lisa shares the following vital information to help you get your business ranking in google local searches: What Google My Business is How to claim your Google My Business listing How to optimise your Google My Business listing for maximum exposure What the ‘local pack’ is, and how to get your business in it How to get your business on Google Maps How to rank on Google for the suburbs you service How to make it easy for potential customers to find your local business. @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Links and Resources Mentioned Productivity tip - simple gmail notes Marketing tip - adding notes to photos The post 19 – How to Get Your Local Business Ranking on Page 1 of Google appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Let’s talk money management. It’s essential to running your business and staying afloat. An alarming 90% of small businesses that go broke, go broke because of cashflow according to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell. We need a steady flow of cash to pay for contractors, wages, materials and expenses, not to mention providing our family with the basic necessities. And of course if we manage our money well we want some leftover to have fun, to put towards our future, to take holidays, and to spoil our kids. In today’s podcast, I chat with Ben Walker from InspireCA. He’s an accomplished, award-winning accountant who gets fired up and very helpful when it comes to cashflow and money management. Now before you roll your eyes and close this page down in fear of absolute boredom, know that Ben is no ordinary accountant. He is what you call a disrupter – an accountant who has challenged the traditional model of accounting and turned it upside down. Ben is an anomaly.  An accountant with personality, a people person and one who focuses on the future, not just on the past. Yes, the team at InspireCA do provide the standard BAS, tax return and compliance services. But, their main goal and philosophy is to help small business owners create the right kind of business environment – one that allows them to always put family first. And he has over 460 strategies to make this happen. Tune in now to hear a few of Ben’s favourites. He shares his knowledge on what you need to do to become cash rich, to even out your income, and to save large sums of money without doing anything you shouldn’t. He provides three really useful tips that you can implement in your business straight away.  These are things I’ve done in my business and believe me - they work. At the end Ben gives several generous offers to help our listeners take control of the cashflow. Quote of the Day Here’s a hard-hitting quote to finish on – one that I think we should all keep in mind when working on our cashflow management. TWEETABLES “Money has no value. The value comes from the dreams money helps achieve.” – Robert KiyosakiClick To Tweet Don’t let your bank balance run your business and emotions.Click To Tweet Money saving tip: put away 10% of everything you earn.Click To Tweet What you do with your money can determine the overall success of your business.Click To Tweet Resources Want to learn more about becoming a cash rich business? Click on these resources kindly provided  by Ben and the team at InspireCA. Attend a Cash Rich Business Workshop – use the code TRADIESUCCESS to get 50% discount. Download a free copy of the Cashed Up Strategy Map Ask the team at InspireCA any question you want – Book a Free Test Drive The post 18 – How to be a Cash Rich Business appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

As you know firsthand, business owners are very busy. But what exactly are you busy doing? Are you spending the bulk of your hours working IN your trade business, and not finding time to work ON the important things that will help you grow your customer base and increase the size of your business? These are tricky questions to answer, but it’s important that you take the time to reflect. Learning how to best use your time can result in a business that’s not only surviving, but thriving. In this podcast, I share with you some very useful strategies to help you do the following: Determine where you are spending most of your time. Divide your time effectively to ensure smooth and profitable day-to-day operations, as well as future growth. Find even more time in the day to work on tasks that need to be done. I’ll give you seven different ways you can achieve more each and every working day. I’ll also introduce you to a formula for time management for business growth created by Tim Dwyer, Director of one of the world’s most respected business consultancy firms, Shirlaws. Following Tim’s formula is a really insightful exercise, as it demonstrates just how much of a difference you can make to your revenue with his unique business capacity and time zoning strategies. You know how the saying goes, “time is money”. Start using non-productive time right now. This episode of Tradie Success is just 30 minutes long – it’s the perfect thing to listen to now, or to subscribe to on your phone and listen to next time you jump in the car or hit the gym. Let’s finish with this inspiring quote that really captures the essence of today’s podcast. TWEETABLES Find time when your arms are busy, but your mind is free. http://bit.ly/2qMFJn7 @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet If you want to do more than just survive – you need to grow and thrive. @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet We all have the same amount of time, yet some people get a lot more done. http://bit.ly/2qMFJn7Click To Tweet How you organise yourself and what you do with your time everyday is key. @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Whatever it is you want to achieve, there is someone out there who has done it. @tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Download Your Free “Working On Your Business” Checklist Want to improve your time management but not sure where to start? Download the Tradie Success ‘What You Need To Work On In Your Business Checklist' now. This valuable checklist gives you the Business Owner’s Weekly Work Zones guide a step-by-step exercise that will help you uncover your revenue capacity and short fall tips for ways to improve what you’re doing to maximize your revenue sure fire strategies you can use to get more time in your day Click Here Download Your Free “Working On Your Business” Checklist If you’re serious about growing your business by better managing your time, this checklist is the perfect tool to get you organised and keep you focused. The post 17 – Working on the Right Areas of Your Business appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Are you spending all your marketing dollars and time tweaking your website, developing landing pages, researching keywords, putting up anything on social media and giving fistfuls of cash to Google and Facebook for advertising?. Of course online marketing is crucial to your future viability.  There’s no doubt about that. But it can become so all-consuming, that we can forget about the most important, fundamental thing we should be doing which will make us more money and be infinitely more satisfying than chasing new clients all the time. What Is the Most Important Thing? Looking after our existing customers.  That’s what. And here’s three irrefutable and compelling reasons why we suggest you divert some of your effort into Retention Marketing. Marketing to your customers – or retention marketing as it is known - involves keeping your existing customers engaged. Why Retention Marketing is Worth it 1. It’s far more profitable Research produced by Harvard Business School states that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% increases a business's profits by 25-95% Why? Because it costs far less to market to your existing clients than it does to attract new ones. The generally accepted rule of thumb is that it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than it does to generate repeat business from an existing one. The cost per sale is lower because: Communicating with them is cheaper. You have the choice of emails, newsletters, social media posts, social media customer groups, direct messaging and good old fashioned phone and mail. Response rate is higher. As they have already purchased from you and you have gained their trust, the cost per sale is much lower because the response rate is higher.  The probability of selling to an existing customer is 60-70% while the probability of selling to a new prospect is 5-20%. 2. Revenue is higher Existing customers are 50% more likely to try new products and services and spend 31% more when compared to new customers. Source: Invesp The secret is to focus on the potential lifetime value of every new client, rather than the immediate sale value.  It’s a mindset shift, and if you can make that leap, you’ll find it will have a significant impact on your future revenue and profit. 3.     Customers recruit new business for you Delighted customers will sing your praises to their friends, family and colleagues - in person and on social media and review sites. The Danger of Not Implementing Retention Marketing You may be thinking:  “if someone is already my customer, why should I spend extra time trying to keep them engaged -- isn't the fact that they're a customer proof enough that I've done my job? “ Good question – and one we often get. The thing is, the fastest way to lose customers is to ignore them.  Once they have paid, it’s time to build your relationship with them, not end it. Indifference is the biggest cause of churn.  If your customers don’t feel appreciated, they will soon take their future business elsewhere. The first thing to consider is how you treated them and made them feel. This is even more important than doing a good job. The second thing to consider is how you treat them after they’ve purchased. Ignore them at your peril. Tips for Effective Retention Marketing So how do you integrate retention marketing into your business? Revamp the culture within your company so that everyone is focused on how you make people feel. Implement retention marketing into your marketing strategy and campaigns. We’ve prepared a free checklist of 34 things you can be doing right now to improve customer retention. Click Here Get your FREE copy of RetentionMarketing Checklist Download it now and see how you can increase repeat and referral business and reduce your overall marketing costs.  You will be kicking yourself for not doing this a long time ago. Quote Seth Godin summed up today’s topic oh so beautifully. TWEETABLES Increasing customer retention rate by just 5% can add 25-90% to your profit. #customerretention bit.ly/233M47R Click To Tweet Focus on the potential lifetime value of every new client, rather than the immediate sale value @tradiesuccess bit.ly/233M47RClick To Tweet Once your customers have paid, it’s time to start building your relationship with them, not end it. @tradiesuccess bit.ly/233M47RClick To Tweet Free checklist of 34 things you can be doing right now to improve customer retention @tradiesuccess bit.ly/233M47RClick To Tweet The post 16 – How to Make More Money by Increasing the Love appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Today we’re talking about money. We all need it – bit like oxygen or food or water really. But funnily enough so many business owners ignore it and hope it will sort itself out, and when it’s in short supply they panic. The trick is to keep a steady flow of it coming in to compensate for the constant flow of it going out. It’s not that easy sometimes though is it? To help us figure out how to improve the flow of cash into our business, I’m talking to a lady - who loves the numbers - who has helped many trade business owners do just that. Listen in as she tells about how she helped one of her clients back to good health by helping them to reduce the money owed to them at any one time by 400%. Pretty impressive. And it’s not rocket science. Katie Marshall We have a great quote to get you motivated to do something different – today. Finally – I have a favour to ask. So let’s get stuck right in to the money part of it and find out from Katie Marshall of Efficient Business Services about how to improve cash flow so we have enough to tide us over during the Christmas break – and in fact right throughout the year. Stay tuned to the end, as a Katie has a very generous offer for listeners too. 2:50 Katie’s surprise alternative career if she wasn’t a bookkeeper 5:12 The first step to getting your finances sorted out 7:15 The typical invoice payment situation around Christmas 8:15 First step to getting your cash flow sorted 9:00 Second important step to ensure you get paid on your terms 11:15 Third step to ensure your account customers pay on time 12:15 How Katie helped a fabricator reduce invoicing from an hour to 5 minutes and get paid a lot quicker 15:30 Fantastic free special offer from Katie for listeners 17:15 One of the most common and worst mistakes that tradies make to try and fix their cash flow issues 19:00 Final piece of advice for getting your cash flow sorted Key Takeaways on Tradies Cash Flow Don’t hold off on invoicing. Do it straight away, otherwise it could be 60 or even 90 days before you get paid if you are late with issuing your invoices. If creating invoices takes ages which is why you put it off, then Katie can show you how to get it done a lot faster. Make sure you clearly state your payment terms up front. For most trades you should be getting paid on the day. Make it easy for people to pay – offer a variety of payment solutions. I attended a workshop a couple of years ago where the speaker said something which has stayed with me, and changed the way I do things. "Never take your eye off your wife or your money. Treat them both like precious gold, or you could easily lose them." You need to know the numbers in your business. It’s your business, it’s your responsibility, so get help if you need it. It could have a big impact on your business and personal health. Special Offer to Help You with Cash Flow Book your 15 minute chat to see how we can help you with your cash flow here: Book a Chat with Katie Katie’s website: profitfirstfortradies.com.au Quote Not sure who this is by – but I love it. What are you going to do today? Make a commitment to yourself to do one thing. It might be getting your cashflow sorted. If so – book your free call with Katie. It might be getting your website sorted or your customer marketing sorted. If so, call us. Book a time with us to have a chat about your marketing. Whatever you decide needs to be done to move your business to the next level – do it, don’t procrastinate. Would You Help Me? Now here’s the favour I’m going to ask. I’d like some feedback on whether you are finding these podcasts useful. If you like them, or don’t like them – please let me know by leaving a review on itunes. Which was your favourite podcast? What kind of topics would you like to see covered? Without any feedback I’m feeling a bit in the dark and not sure whether to continue doing them or not. It takes quite a bit of time and does cost me a bit to produce them, so if you are finding them helpful – or not – please let me know. I enjoy doing it cause I hope that it helps you to learn new things and to stay motivated to try some of the ideas out in your business. So if you would be kind enough to leave a review on itunes or enter your feedback in the comments section below on this blogpost or on any of them – at tradiesuccess.com.au – I would be very grateful. Thanks folks – talk to you soon! TWEETABLES Make it easy for people to pay your trade business – offer several payment choices. #tradiesuccess bit.ly/1SHEWItClick To Tweet Discover three ways to improve cash flow in your trade business #tradiesuccess bit.ly/1SHEWItClick To Tweet Do something today that your future self will thank you for. #tradiesuccess bit.ly/1SHEWItClick To Tweet Get a free analysis and recommendations for improving cash flow in your trade business #tradiesuccess bit.ly/1SHEWItClick To Tweet RESOURCES Katie’s Website: profitfirstfortradies.com.au Cashflow and profit help: Book a chat about your cash flow with Katie Get Marketing Done For You: commonsensemarketing.com.au Get a stylish low-cost tradie website: instanttradiewebsites.com.au  Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 15 – Tradies Cash Flow: How to Get Your Trade Business Sorted For Christmas appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Today’s podcast is a little different. We’re not going to be talking about you, your business, or your product. We’re going to focus on your staff. You probably know by now that if you want to grow your business, you can’t do it on your own. You need a skilled, reliable, and happy team behind you. That’s right – happy. If you’re staff aren’t happy, they won’t perform their best, and if they don’t perform their best, your customer’s probably won’t recommend your services to their friends and family. And that’s money lost. There are a ton of things to consider when it comes to hiring staff and keeping their job satisfaction high. You might be thinking: Where do I find quality workers? What am I legally obliged to do? How can I be an encouraging, inspiring leader? What happens when it all goes wrong? Claire Harrison Lucky for you, we have Human Resources expert Claire Harrison joining me today to talk you through each of these points. She is the CEO of Harrison Human Resources, which provides HR advice for a range of businesses across Australia. Claire comes from a family of builders, and is married to a builder, so she has plenty of industry experience when it comes to managing trade staff and contractors. Claire has some invaluable advice for trade business owners, so sit back and have a listen. Key Learnings Here’s what I took away from my chat with Claire: Ignorance of your legal obligation to staff is no excuse. Getting it wrong could cost you truckloads, as the roofing company discovered. Remember, contractors and employees are very different. Your team culture is all about ‘how things are done around here.’ What kind of team culture do you have at your place? Be a great leader and walk the talk. Set an example for your staff. While some people are natural born leaders, most of us have to learn how to do it. Be the kind of leader you’d like to have managing you. To sum up – don’t muck around when it comes to recruiting and managing your staff. Disgruntled staff can damage your company and reputation. Happy motivated staff will help you grow and survive.  Hey – if you have the right team, you could even take some time off. How good would that be! Let’s finish with a quote. This one’s from author Tom Rath. If you have comments or questions, feel free to post a comment. Talk soon! TWEETABLES Happy employees equal happy customers. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Business owners who care for their employees go on to grow and succeed. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Be a good leader and walk the talk. Set an example for your staff. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Happy motivated staff will help you grow and survive. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet RESOURCES If you’d like to contact Claire, you can find her at www.hhr.com.au WANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Why not invest in some personal development for you or your team?  No-one knows everything.  In fact the day you stop learning is the day they put you in a coffin. You can get all sorts of practical business training and marketing how tos – head over to tradiemarketingsecrets.com. For just $20 per month you’ll get access to all our fabulous lessons, tools and quizzes to help you become a gun marketer – plus we’ll add you in to our members only Facebook group where you can meet other tradies and get answers to your burning marketing questions. I’m in there every day. If you want to step things up a bit and get some stuff done in your business – get your own personal business coach and implementer. You’ll achieve more than you’ve ever achieved before, because we make sure you do. And for things you can’t implement yourself, we can help. Our marketing team becomes your marketing team. SHARE WITH MORE TRADIES Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables in the show notes or even send a link by email!  And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 14 – Getting the Most from Your Team appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Welcome back to the Tradie Success podcast. Today I’m going to address a question I get asked all the time: why do I need a blog on my trade business website? Listen in as I reveal the top three reasons every trade business should have a blog, and give you helpful, detailed information on what to write and how to write it. Don’t forget to download the Ultimate Editing Checklist to make the process even easier. Enjoy – and get writing! 0:31 A question I get asked all the time 1:03 Why you need a blog reason #1 – It helps drive traffic to your website 1:10 What is a blog? 2:00 How people find your site 3:05 How to send more traffic to your website 4:34 How blog content can help improve your social media 5:17 Why you need a blog reason #2 – It helps establish your authority 7:00 Example 8:07 Why you need a blog reason #3 – It’s good for SEO 9:47 How Google ‘indexes’ your websites 11:38 Example 15:24 What do I put in blog posts? 15:35 Three blog post suggestions 18:54 How to structure a blog post in 9 steps 27:42 Get us to write your blog posts for you 28:22 Learn how to do it yourself 29:07 Inspirational marketing quote Well I hope by now you’ve realised just how important it is to add regular blogposts to your website. So go on – have a go. You have so much knowledge in your head – get it out there. Share it and show people that you really are an expert in your trade. Here’s a great quote to get you inspired: If you have comments or questions, feel free to post a comment. Talk soon! TWEETABLES When you have written the headline, you have spent 80 cents of your dollar.Click To Tweet Want more traffic? You need blogging, social media, and search engines. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet If you create content that’s helpful, it’ll help establish you as an authority. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Your website is your online sales person, answering questions, providing useful information and building rapport. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet RESOURCES Speed up the writing process and improve the quality of your blogposts with our Ultimate Editing Checklist. Download your checklist NEED MARKETING HELP? We do understand that writing and marketing is not everyone’s favourite thing to do.  If you’d rather take the wheelie bins out for the whole neighbourhood than write a blogpost – but you can see how beneficial it would be for your business, then why not get us to do it for you. Our team provides blogpost and social media updating services for a whole range of businesses.  We like doing it and it gets results. Give us a call on 1300 554 495 or shoot us an email via the contact page on tradiesuccess.com.au and we’ll give you all the details and show you examples of what we’re doing for others. WANT TO LEARN MARKETING? But if you do want to learn a bit more of the nitty gritty detail of how to create great posts and all sorts of other practical marketing how tos – head over to tradiemarketingsecrets.com. For just $20 per month you’ll get access to all our fabulous lessons, tools and quizzes to help you become a gun marketer – plus we’ll add you in to our members only Facebook group where you can meet other tradies and get answers to your burning marketing questions. I’m in there every day. SHARE WITH MORE TRADIES Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables in the show notes or even send a link by email!  And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 13 – Why You Need a Blog, and How to Create Blogposts appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Clinton Cowin CEO, TradiePad On this episode of Tradie Success, we’re joined by Clinton Cowin from TradiePad. He’s going to talk us through how to systemise your trade business using technology to save you and your team time. Clinton is not only an IT whizz, but also a tradie, so he knows exactly what trade businesses need. Stay tuned until the end, because Clinton has a money-saving Special Offer for all Tradie Success listeners. 0:47 What happens when you get so busy everything turns to chaos? 1:18 Introduction to Clinton 2:07 Beginning of interview with Clinton Cowin 3:40 Most common issues tradies face when systemising their business 4:36 Understanding what a system does and how it works 5:30 How can you make an educated decision on what programs invest time into 6:44 The benefits of systemising - how one tradie took a month-long holiday to Europe while managing his business back home 7:53 What should software for job and project management do? 12:48 How Clinton tests products on the market 13:25 How TradiePad determines which software is suitable for each client 14:46 What criteria does Clinton use to judge software? 17:20 How TradiePad is able to keep up with new software 19:30 The process of working with TradiePad 21:41 Provides service all over Australia 22:00 What kind and size of trade business does TradiePad service? 24:15 Single entry of information 24:58 Traditional software 25:33 Operational software 27:24 What is a business operating platform? 28:30 Having a professional email address 30:39 What about Office 365? 31:42 Breaking your system down into components 32:13 Does TradiePad provide support to their clients? 35:25 The customer experience 37:20 Technology and professionalism 39:11 How to find out more about TradiePad 40:34 TradiePad Special Offer 41:31 Key learnings 43:45 Today’s quote 44:20 Want more marketing help? 44:40 Want to learn marketing yourself? To sum up – there’s no need to be scribbling on paper anymore. Systemising your business with the latest job management software will save time and avoid confusion. Plus, efficient systems can enhance the customer experience, and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. The quote of the day sums this up neatly: If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear them. See you next time! TWEETABLES It’s the little things that make the big things possible.” J Willard Marriott #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet The public perception of tradies is changing. #tradiesuccess http://bit.ly/tradiesuccessClick To Tweet All businesses use systems. It’s a matter of recognising this, and making them efficient.Click To Tweet Stick with your core business, and work with experts that are great at what they do.Click To Tweet Resources Want to get organised? Contact Scott at Tradie Pad at tradiepad.com.au or on 0437 394 044 and mention you heard Clinton on Tradie Success and they’ll cut the cost of your scoping session from $250 to just $200. Get our Free Guide - Essential Technology Tools for Tradies Need Marketing Help? If you want help with marketing and growing your business, that what we do. Check out our list of services at tradiesuccess.com.au/services. We help with websites, copywriting, social media marketing, graphic design, brochure design and a whole lot more. Want to Learn Marketing? If you or any of your team members would like to learn more about how to market your trade business – we have an exclusive marketing training program – where you will learn step by step how to differentiate your business, how to market online, how to get more referrals and much much more, over at tradiemarketingsecrets.com. For just $20 per month you’ll get access to all the fabulous lessons, tools and quizzes to help you become a gun marketer – plus we’ll add you in to our members only Facebook group where you can meet other tradies and get answers to your burning marketing questions. I’m in there every day. Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables in the show notes or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 12 – Run Your Business From Your Pocket appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Greg Aleckson Welcome back to Tradie Success. Today we are discussing business strategy with Greg Aleckson, an experienced and talented business coach. He’s going to give us an informative overview of what it means to create and implement a sustainable and profitable business strategy. From managing finance to focusing on your core business, Greg’s advice is relevant to almost any small business owner. So have a listen, and get in contact if you’d like any help. 0:30 Introduction to Greg Aleckson 2:44 Should tradies build a business they can sell in the future? 3:34 Working yourself out of your job 4:22 What is business strategy? 6:07 Focusing on why you started the business in the first place 7:30 The 'feast and famine' business pattern 8:28 Business strategy must be implemented 9:55 Key mistakes business owners make when managing money 10:16 Trying to do it all yourself 12:43 Fobbing off work to others and trusting they will do a good job 14:46 How to get away from this problem 15:38 What are the key financial numbers all business owners should know? 16:25 What is cash flow? 19:15 Example of results that Greg can achieve when working with small businesses 25:25 Trade business owners tend to lack confidence when it comes to the value of their services 28:08 What it means to be in ‘the age of the customer’ 30:02 How to get in touch with Greg 30:45 One piece of advice for any trade business owner 35:35 Why it’s important not to offer more and more services 37:22 Five key messages from Greg 40:30 Quote of the week To sum up – when it comes to money, business management, and even specialised services, don’t try and do it all yourself. Focus on what you’re good at – your core business – and leave the rest to trusted professionals. After all, specialists get paid much more than generalists! TWEETABLES Treat what you do as a business, not a job. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Business owners make the mistake of trying to do it all themselves.Click To Tweet Your price doesn’t have to be sharp. You just have to offer real value. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Stop offering more products and services. Focus on your core business.Click To Tweet Resources Interested in creating a strategy for your business? Learn more about Greg and he does on his website www.GregAleckson.com.au, or connect with him via email at greg@gregaleckson.com.au. Need Marketing Help? If you want help with marketing and growing your business, check out our list of services. We’ve helped trade business owners of all types, all over Australia to grow and manage their business with our mentoring and done-for-you marketing services. Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 11 – Sustainable Profit Strategy appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Our guest, Tom Freer,Director of Wyntec In this episode of Tradie Success we’re joined by Tom Freer, computer expert and director of IT company, Wyntec. Tom is going to help us tackle technology use in trade businesses, from choosing the right devices, to implementing a technology strategy that no only helps grow your business, but protects your business from security threats. I know technology can be challenging, but Tom’s advice could save you lots of time, money, and frustration. So have a listen. 0:27 Introducing Tom Freer 1:45 Regardless of business size, computer challenges are similar 2:02 3 common problems with technology in business 3:58 Common mistakes people make with technology in businesses 5:07 Why you need a technology strategy in place that is in line with your business 6:11 What kind of equipment will businesses need to manage jobs out on the field? 7:20 Why tradies need to utilise cloud technology 8:40 What kinds of technology do tradies need out on the field and in the office? 9:20 What kind of software can tradies use to assist with invoicing? 10:30 Apps that can take payments 11:50 On the job tracking – calendars and scheduling 12:53 About Office 365 14:30 Main benefit of Office 365 14:55 Using instant messaging to speed up communication 15:55 How important is security when it comes to technology? 18:13 Protecting yourself from viruses 19:11 Is security expensive? 20:35 How can businesses protect their own websites? 21:53 What are ‘phishing attacks’? 23:22 Updating software 25:55 What about internal security? 28:10 How you can get Tom’s help 29:02 One final tip – ask for help 29:36 3 key learnings To sum up – use technology to save time and streamline your business. And, if you encounter a problem, ask for help. Just because you drive your car, doesn’t mean you should also know how to give it a full service. Same with computers. TWEETABLES Just because you drive a car doesn’t mean you can service it.Click To Tweet Improve your business with the right technology.Click To Tweet Online scams are prolific. You and your team must be aware.Click To Tweet Save time, money, and frustration. Ask for help. #tradiesuccessClick To Tweet Resources We’ve listed here details of Tom’s company Wyntec if you have more than 20 users and you want stress free IT. We’ve also listed a couple of other companies that we are aware of that provide this type of support for businesses with less than 20 users. Wyntec.net.au Tradiepad.com.au Computercures.com.au (Melbourne only) And for help with securing your website – contact us at commonsensemarketing.com.au Need Marketing Help? If you want help with marketing and growing your business, check out our list of services. We’ve helped trade business owners of all types, all over Australia to grow and manage their business with our mentoring and done-for-you marketing services. Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 10 – Tips for Managing Technology appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

In this episode of Tradie Success, we are joined by Fionna Aitchison Reid, Principal Solicitor/Director of Aitchison Reid, Building and Construction Lawyers. We’re going to nut out the importance of your trade business’s legal contract. Fionna will discuss why tradies need a lawyer, how tradies can avoid disputes, and why having and understanding your contract is essential to running your business. Stay tuned until the end, as Fionna is offering Tradie Success listeners a special deal! Today’s guest Fionna Aitchison Reid 0:47 Introducing Fionna 2:26 Interview with Fionna begins 2:52 Why do tradies require a lawyer? 3:20 Example of a dispute 4:49 Not all disputes are to do with the actual building 5:30 What are the implications of not following the administration process? 5:50 A second dispute example 8:00 The laws are put in place to protect the consumer 8:18 How can tradies reduce the risk of dispute? 8:30 Three things you need to know as a tradesperson 8:50 #1 The law 9:55 One way to reduce risk of dispute is to have a contract 10:16 #2 Understand your contract and what the processes are under that contract 10:30 #3 Implementing your obligations 11:00 Why is the contract so important? 12:12 Having terms written in a contract means they are enforceable 12:43 Is it a good idea for subcontractors to have contracts with big builders? 13:49 Make sure you’re insured 15:35 When you change you contract, you will change your payment terms 16:00 Why it’s a good idea to have a legal professional look over the contract, particularly if a large sum of money is involved. 17:22 Can you get a standard contract? 18:50 Specialist trades require more than a standard contract 20:39 Why it’s important to use plain English, rather than ‘legalese’ 21:09 What to do if you find lawyers intimidating 23:31 Contract change in Queensland from July 1 26:20 Big changes to payments under new act 27:50 Fionna’s special offer for listeners 30:44 Are disputes over building contracts common? 32:50 Benefits of a personalised contract 33:49 How to contact Fionna 34:52 Key take-aways To sum up – Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and it’s the responsibility of all tradies to be familiar with the laws and regulations of their industry. Having a contract written in easy-to-understand language can help you and your client understand the terms and processes involved. Plus, it could be a selling point! TWEETABLES It isn’t against the law to be an idiot, but ignorance is no excuse!Click To Tweet You must understand contracts you issue AND your responsibilities.Click To Tweet Having terms written down in a contract makes them enforceable.Click To Tweet Having a contract written in plain English could be a selling point.Click To Tweet Want a fantastic special offer for your trade business? Visit http://bit.ly/tradiesuccess #tradiesClick To Tweet Resources For further information about Fionna and her services, visit arbuildinglaw.com.au Claim Your Special Deal Fionna’s Special Deal for Tradie Success listeners: "Order our NEW domestic building contract pack before 30 July 2015 and only pay the old contract package price of $1,200. After 1 August our prices will increase to $1,500.00. The pack includes: Our compliant domestic building eContract are personalised to include your logo and address information. Information sheet explaining every clause. Notice of Commencement. Personalised Variation document. Personalised Combined Variation document/ Extension of time claim form. Personalised Extension of Time claim form. Personalised Defects Document. Personalised Notice of Intention to Suspend Works. Checklist for Suspending Work. Waiver Notice. Please note that the package does not include personalised clauses because each client’s needs are different." Contact Fionna on 1300 367 023 or visit the Aitchison Reid website to claim your special deal. Need Marketing Help? If you want help with marketing and growing your business, check out our list of services. We’ve helped trade business owners of all types, all over Australia to grow and manage their business with our mentoring and done-for-you marketing services. Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 9 – Construction Law: Legal Tips for Tradies appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Leigh Eam, Brand Manager and Designer, Eleven Workwear In this episode of Tradie Success, we’re going to talk about your brand. By that, we don’t just mean your logo or the colours you use. It’s your values, your beliefs, and your first impression. First impressions count. They tell customers whether or not they can trust you, and a daggy T-Shirt and ripped jeans isn’t promising. We’ll discuss the value of investing in quality workwear with Leigh Eam from elevenworkwear. Stay tuned till the end – we have a seriously great offer for you! 0:27 What is your brand? 0:53 The first element of mindset is believing in yourself. Find out what the second element is. 2:55 Why looks are very important 3:35 The consequences of a bad first impression 3:49 How are you supposed to look? Clean, comfortable and identifiable 4:30 Benefits of quality of workwear 5:00 What we will discuss with Leigh Eam from elevenworkwear. 6:20 How does workwear fits into tradie success 7:17 Workwear is a fantastic marketing tool 7:50 Workwear should meet safety and high-visiibility standards 8:50 What’s the difference between cheap and high quality workwear? 9:40 What are some of the protective features? 10:44 What kinds of products are on offer? 11:56 The industries that can benefit from elevenworkwear 12:55 Where you can learn more about elevenworkwear products 13:20 The trade up campaign. Try before you buy! 14:26 Special offer runs for two weeks only 16:35 Three key takeaways To sum up – think about the impression you are making on others. Do you want them to be to focus on your appearance and wonder how this equates into a trustworthy competent person, or do you want them to focus on you and the great job you are going to do, because your appearance is not an issue. TWEETABLES It’s not just about looking good, you need to show your customers you’re the real deal.Click To Tweet Be the type of person you want to meet. – Robin WilliamsClick To Tweet Your brand is your beliefs, values, passions, and style. It’s what you stand for. Click To Tweet In the long run, it’s cheaper to buy quality. Click To Tweet Take advantage of this great offer now and make you and your team proud ambassadors of your brand.Click To Tweet Today’s Quote This leads into our quote of the week from the late great Robin Williams, which is totally fitting with this conversation. Get Your Free Workwear Step 1: Visit elevenworkwear/tradeup to register Step 2: Visit one of their stores here to swap an old item of workwear for a brand new one State Address Suburb NSW 41 Griffiths Rd, Lambton Lambton NSW Unit 4,472 Victoria Street Wetherill Park NSW 56 - 60 Parramatta Road Lidcombe VIC 40-46 Cheltenham Road Dandenong VIC 41 Raymond Road (Cnr Boundary Road) Laverton VIC Shop 6 Supa Centre,430 Warrigal Road Heatherton VIC 220 Canterbury Road Bayswater VIC Unit 6, 101-105 Keilor Park Drive Tullamarine VIC Unit 1, 71-73 Midland Highway Epsom VIC Shop 17, Frankston Power Centre, 111 Cranbourne Road Frankston VIC 25-29 Settlement Road Belmont QLD Unit 5/6, 359 Southport-Nerang Road Ashmore QLD 549 Gympie Road Kedron QLD Shop 4, 112-118 Duckworth Street, Garbutt Townsville QLD cnr Lytton Road & Beverley Street Morningside QLD 1102 Beaudesert Road Acacia Ridge QLD 101 Hanson Road Gladstone QLD 19-21 Milton Street Mackay QLD Unit 1 & 2, 57-59 Mills Avenue Moranbah QLD 45 Lahrs Road Ormeau QLD 20 Carrington Road Toowoomba SA 515-517 Grand Junction Road Wingfield WA 1960 Beach Road, (Cnr Harlond Ave) Malaga WA 173 Boulder Road Kalgoorlie WA 50 Pilbara Street, (Cnr Orrong Rd) Welshpool NT Unit 2, Berrimah Business Park, 659 Stuart Highway Berrimah Step 3: Share the link with your friends, submit a selfie in your new gear for another gift. You could even become a product tester or famous in the media! Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au Share With More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies or business owners you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 8 – The Impression You Make appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

In this episode of Tradie Success, we’re going to look at something I am really passionate about – great websites. I’ve just launched a new ebook called 30 Criteria for a Great Website, and I’d like to share 10 of these criteria with you today. We’re going to look at how you can improve your website’s functionality, design and content to generate leads and sales. 0:36 Why you need to consider creating a new website, or updating your current website 1:10 Creating a website that generates leads and sales 1:40 Keeping visitors engaged – why is this crucial? 2:26 Website content 2:59 How your website should function 3:10 Thinking about navigation from the user’s perspective 4:22 Responsive design – what it is and why you need it 6:13 What happens if your site isn’t responsive 6:55 The importance of the click to call facility 7:40 Back up and security. What precautions we take to protect clients from hacking 8:35 The importance of updating your WordPress plugins 9:05 Why you shouldn’t have your email address anywhere on your site 10:17 Website design – everysite should be designed for conversion 12:09 Why you need to capture visitor details for ongoing marketing 13:50 How you can capture visitor information 15:20 Typography for readability 18:06 The most important part of your website – content 19:10 Using benefit laden copy 20:18 Make your content interesting 20:50 Infographics – what are they are how can you use them? 22:46 Why you need a blog 26:35 The importance of testimonials 27:21 Promoting your website 28:45 Regularly measure and review the performance of your site 31:00 Find out what the other 20 criteria for a great website are TWEETABLES Most people don’t ever get to page 2 of search results. You need to be on page 1Click To Tweet Instead of focusing on features of your services, focus on benefits.Click To Tweet You can talk about how great you are, but it's what other's say that counts.Click To Tweet A blog is a “must have” component for improving search engine visibility.Click To Tweet Find out about the other 20 criteria for a great website and use the checklist in the back to see how your site measures up. Download the entire book from the Resources link below – tradie success podcast listeners can get it for half price. Today’s Quote Let’s Connect! Connect with me on LinkedIn! –http://au.linkedin.com/in/annettewelsford and join our LinkedIn group – tradie success Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! And make sure you never miss out on an episode, subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Resources 30 Criteria for Great Web Design (Enter Promocode GREATDESIGN to get 50% off) Visit our websites – or give us a call on 1300 554 495 to discuss your marketing wishlist! Marketing Training - Learn Online Done For You Marketing Services Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 7 – 30 Criteria For a Great Website appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

In this Tradie Success podcast, we will discuss the world’s largest professional social networking website – LinkedIn. There are so many ways you can use LinkedIn to grow your trade business, and in this podcast I’ll let you in on five ways to get started. From creating a personal profile, to participating in group discussions, we will take a look at how you can successfully network on LinkedIn and land a job or two! 0:43 What is LinkedIn and why should you join? 1:16 Why it’s important to connect to people on LinkedIn 2:00 What happens after you are connected? 2:29 Remember, there are a few rules to follow when using LinkedIn 2:41 Tip 1 Creating a professional profile: What makes a great profile? 3:40 Why it is important to create a great title 4:47 Tip 2 Get some recommendations: How do you get recommendations? 5:30 Why recommendations are so valuable 5:52 Tip 3 Build your connections: How do you build connections? 7:08 The 3 levels of connections on LinkedIn 9:05 Tip 4 Join groups: How do you join suitable groups? 11:28 Tip 5 Start your own group: Why can starting your own group help grow your business on LinkedIn? 12:43 Why LinkedIn is a fantastic tool 14:01 What if you have a bad photo and an incomplete profile on LinkedIn? 15:40 How we can help you build your LinkedIn profile TWEETABLES The more helpful you are, the more you will be remembered.Click To Tweet Google your name. 9 times out of 10, your LinkedIn profile will be the top result. Click To Tweet LinkedIn can be a great tool for growing your trade business. Find out how. Click To Tweet Give it a go – it’s well worth it if you put a bit of effort in at the beginning, and spend a small amount of time on it every week. Let’s finish with this fantastic quote: Diane Helbig: Lemonade Stand Selling: Accelerate Your Small Business Growth Let’s Connect! Connect with me on LinkedIn! –http://au.linkedin.com/in/annettewelsford and join our LinkedIn group – tradie success Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au You can also subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! Visit our websites – or give us a call on 1300 554 495 to discuss your marketing wishlist! Marketing Training - Learn Online Done For You Marketing Services Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 6 – How LinkedIn Can Help Grow Your Trade Business appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Wish you could win more commercial work via construction tenders? In today’s Tradie Success podcast, we will be focusing on how you can get more business through tendering. First, we have some feedback from a listener. Then, we will be joined by special guest Chris Dennis of Win-Win Tendering. She will be giving us expert tips on creating and submitting a standout tender response. Stick around to the end of the podcast to learn how you can receive a free 45-minute consultation with Chris. 0:23 Feedback from a Tradie Success listener –how can I get MORE business? 0:45 How you can win more jobs 2:40 Why it’s important to find out why you weren’t given a job 3:56 Introduction to today’s special guest, Chris Dennis from Win-Win Tendering 5:30 What makes a tender response stand out? 6:46 What you need to ask yourself before deciding to submit a response 7:35 Targeting the right opportunities to save time, money and stress 9:13 Ensure your response makes sense to the client. Mimic the language of the client. Don’t overuse complicated jargon. 10:08 Demonstrate your value from the client’s perspective. 13:30 How you can work out the client’s values. How to research the client 15:48 How to approach the tender questions 19:15 Using colour effectively to make your response stand out 20:17 How a tender document is created and presented 22:17 What if the client asks for something that you know just wouldn’t work – should you give them a better solution? 25:00 How to price 28:30 Why you should NEVER be late in submitting your response 30:30 How to find out more about Chris Dennis, and how she can help you 30.53 Special Offer – FREE 45 minute consultation 32.53 Key takeaways TWEETABLES You don’t want to be the third-quote-guy.Click To Tweet People need help when they make decisions. So be helpful.Click To Tweet “There is no next time – it’s now or never!” –Celestine ChuaClick To Tweet Don't forget to visit the link below and get yourself a FREE 45 min session with Chris, if you’re thinking of tendering for work. We’ll finish up with a great quote by celebrity life coach and founder of Personal Excellence – Celestine Chua. Love it – that’s your cue take action! Get Your Free Session Don’t forget to visit http://www.tenderinguniversity.com/tenderingforsuccess to claim your free 45-minute consultation with our special guest, Chris Dennis. Feedback? If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au You can also subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Share with More Tradies Please share this episode with any other tradies you think would find it useful – share on Facebook or Google Plus or LinkedIn, share one of the tweetables above or even send a link by email! Visit our websites – or give us a call on 1300 554 495 to discuss your marketing wishlist! Marketing Training - Learn Online Done For You Marketing Services Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 5 – 10 Great Tips for Tendering appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

In this Tradie Success podcast, you will discover how to identify your competitors and undertake competitive research so you can differentiate your business and identify new opportunities. We will examine how to analyse their strengths and weaknesses in order to discover gaps in the marketplace and new opportunities for your business. Finally, we will discuss a few effective strategies you can use when responding to threats. 0:55 Why you need to put yourself in the mindset of your customers. 1:33 Creating an impression that will encourage customers to choose you over a competitor. 2:13 The importance of taking a step back and researching your competitors. 2:48 Identifying competitors online. 5:50 Identifying competitors offline. 6:06 Analysing competitors using a SWOT analysis. 7:10 How to get your free SWOT analysis template. 7:25 Find out what strength and weaknesses are with clear, applicable examples. 8:52 Discovering opportunities and gaps in the market place. 9:25 How to turn a competitors weakness into your opportunity. 12:24 How to identify threats to your business 13:00 Strategies you can use when responding to threats. 15:22 How to deal with external threats. 17:05 Summary: identify your competitors to determine gaps in the marketplace and opportunities to grow your business. These insights can show you where to direct your marketing. Photo credit: Normand Desjardins TWEETABLES Know your competitors better than they know themselves.Click To Tweet Build a story about your business so that you stand out from your competitors.Click To Tweet The more you know, the better you will be at spotting opportunities.Click To Tweet RESOURCES  Download your free SWOT Analysis LIKE TO KNOW MORE? In Module 1 of our online marketing training program Tradie Marketing Secrets we delve into competitor research in more detail and provide links to some cool online software you can use to find out lots more about your competitors' online activities. If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode. If you’d like instant notification when a new podcast episode is ready – simply enter your name and email address above right. You can also subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Marketing Training - Learn Online Done For You Marketing Services Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 4 – Learn from your competitors appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.

Hi, I’m Annette Welsford, champion of hard working honest tradies. Today in the Tradie Success Podcast we are going to look at the positive and negative implications of your digital footprint. Your digital footprint refers to mentions of your business name online. Find out how to use your digital footprint to effectively market your business, and why this is so important. 0.07 What is a digital footprint? 0.25 Your digital footprint is important because most people will check online before deciding to pay money for your service. 0.59 You can only control what you say about yourself. You can’t control what others say about you. 1:15 Negative implications of your digital footprint.We don’t know everything published about us online. Find out how to find yourself online. 2:28 Bad reviews of your business are hard to remove. Find out how to deal with negative reviews. 4:09 How to keep up to date with information about your business online using Google Alerts. 5:27 Good implications of your business’s digital footprint. 5:42 Interesting statistics about Australian internet habits. 8:18 Places online you need to be. 1. Google My Business: how to set up your Google My Business, a few inside tips on how to use Google My Business. 10:04 2. Google Plus. 10:20 3.Linkedin: the business-to-business version of Facebook. 12:00 4. True local: a great directory for tradies. 12:18 5. WOMO: Word of Mouth Online. 12:33 6. Facebook: Business page, not a personal page. 13:01 7. Twitter: keep in mind that you need to be where your customers hang out whether or not you hang out there. 13:34 8.Pinterest: great for visually appealing services. 14:24 9. A website: discover what makes a good website 15:35 Summary of key points. 16:23 How we can help. TWEETABLES Customers want to deal with someone who holds similar values.Click To Tweet A widespread digital footprint can bring enormous opportunities.Click To Tweet 86% of Smartphone searches are for local businesses.Click To Tweet 64% of Australians use search engines as the 1st step in making a buying decisionClick To Tweet You need a professional presence in lots of places, to capture people’s attention.Click To Tweet WANT SOME HELP? Our company Commonsense Marketing has helped many Australian small businesses – including tradies - to develop and manage their online presence. Click on any of the images on tradie success – at right, to find out more about our web design and social media services. Simply shoot us an email on the contact page here at tradiesuccess or at commonsensemarketing or give us a call. We’ll help you build your professional digital footprint so that you get found and create the right impression. If you have any comments or questions about this episode, we’d love to hear from you – simply enter them in the comments area below this episode on the website tradiesuccess.com.au If you’d like instant notification when a new podcast episode is ready – simply enter your name and email address above right. You can also subscribe by clicking on the itunes or stitcher links. Visit our websites– or give us a call on 1300 554 495 to discuss your marketing wishlist! Marketing Training - Learn Online Done For You Marketing Services Notify Me of New Episodes Notify Me The post 3 – How to manage your digital footprint appeared first on TRADIE SUCCESS.