“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle
As an owner of a field service business, your clients are the lifeblood of your company. But, many service business lose out on jobs they deserve. We’ve compiled a list of the top reasons your service business lost the job to help you avoid the common errors many businesses make.
1. You weren’t enthusiastic or pleasant
Whether you’re going to a job interview for an individual position with a company, or you’re trying to win a service job, being engaging and personable is almost as important as the skillsets you bring. People want to work with people they like and people hire people they like. If you can break the ice and make a good first impression, you can potentially win more jobs.
2. You weren’t fast enough
Chances are that your service business offers emergency services and/or 24/7 service. When a customer has an emergency, such as a leak or a broken heater during the winter months, they need service as soon as possible. At that point, the urgent need takes away the convenience of shopping around for the best deal. It’s likely that the customer just wants someone who can get the job done in a timely manner. If you get the call, it’s vital that you reach out to the customer at least twice by phone and once by email no later than an hour after you receive their request.
3. You have poor online/social presence
Overall, 74% of consumers use social media to make a purchasing decision. If you have a good presence online and understand local Search Engine Optimization, it can even assist you in bringing in more quality leads. There are a few easy ways to increase your online presence through positive reviews and social media profiles. Create a social strategy and make sure you are posting regular updates so that potential customers can see your work. A strong presence online can help to legitimize your company’s name and reputation in the eyes of a prospect.
4. You weren’t confident
The customer wants to know that you are an expert in your field who can get the job done well and in a time that’s convenient for him or her. If your body language is shy and timid, the customer may not be confident in your abilities even if you have the skillset they need. This goes back to #1 on this list: people hire people they like. If you’re not confident in yourself, how can the customer be confident in you? Present yourself as knowledgeable and a person who is ready to get the job done.
5. Your written work had poor grammar and wasn’t delivered in a timely fashion
Your estimates are a reflection of you and your business. If they’re sloppy and poorly written, the customer might assume that your work will be the same. Use a FREE tool like Grammarly to double check your grammar and then create a professional looking estimate in mHelpDesk to quickly send via email to your customers. Being punctual shows your customer that you value their time and are working hard to keep them satisfied. Using a software system to help you manage your estimates and invoices in real-time can help you leave a better first impression with new customers.