When you decide to start a home service business, tell everyone. Your first few customers will be people you know. This is key and there’s no way around it because you have no reputation.
Set up a Google Business Profile (GBP - it’s free). You’ll likely need to use your home address.
Find subcontractors (a.k.a. professionals) using indeed, craigslist, Facebook, Nextdoor, etc. Be sure to check references and interview several contractors
Whatever they quote you for a job, double it when you quote your customer (this is your gross margin)
Get 5-star reviews to your GBP from your first few customers (your neighbors, friends, family, etc.) and ask for referrals. “Who else would want this done?” Offer a free or heavily discounted service for referrals
Continue to build up reviews on your GBP and respond to each one
Once you’ve exhausted your 1st degree and 2nd degree contacts, pick 2-3 marketing strategies (door-to-door, direct mail, flyers on windshields in mall parking lots, Google LSA (easiest but most expensive), Thumbtack, Angie’s list, Nextdoor, FB marketplace, etc.). Don’t do everything. Pick 2-3 and get really good at them
Set up a simple website with a lead form (carrd is a free option and domains cost $10-$12/yr from Cloudflare or Godaddy). Keep it simple like “StarPowerWashingTX.com”. Can always change it later
If you’re working a full-time job, don’t quit yet. Keep working nights and weekends. Go into a conference room at work to take a phone call if you need to
When you have consistent revenue coming through the door, get an LLC (Bizee is free), some general liability insurance (Thimble, Next Insurance, or talk to your home/auto insurance agent), and a business bank account (Mercury is free)
When you have more leads than you can respond to because of your 9-5, consider hiring offshore talent to answer phones and schedule jobs ($4-$5/hr is a really great wage in the Philippines and some LATAM countries). Post a job on onlinejobs.ph. Look for attention to detail and customer service experience. Do mock calls before hiring
If your business is consistently spinning off enough free cash flow to cover your living expenses, that’s an incredibly successful first year of business.
Until next time!
Logan
