HINTS&TIPS • 37
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Have business cards made up
and take them with you to:
• Estate agents
• Builders
• Property developers
• Letting agents
4. KNOW YOUR INDUSTRY
Paul says: “Visit as many
exhibitions as you can as this is
where you gain contacts and advice.
They give you a chance to see all
the latest products and tools you
may need in the current times. I
have excelled in business since
attending expos gathering so much
information, stock and advice.”
5. AIM FOR 5* EVERY DAY
Try and think like a potential
customer:
• Who will they choose?
• Where will I find them?
• What are their ratings?
Paul says: “If you can think like
your customers and tailor your
business to suit their requirements,
you’re already half way there.
Simple common sense like taking
pride in your work and always using
overshoes, sheets and cleaning
up after yourself makes all the
difference. Remember to be talked
about for the right reasons. Too
many self-employed people run
their business how they, feel not the
customer.”
6. ALWAYS MAKE YOUR
LAST JOB YOUR BEST
Paul says: “Be polite, helpful,
understanding, ask questions, and
find out how/where they heard
about you. Your best chance to
have a continuous career is to get
recommendations for each and
every customer you work for. It
starts from the first telephone call,
all the way to cleaning down. You
will be reviewed at every stage of
the work, so always do the best, and
NEVER cut corners.”
7. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
How you present yourself
and your business could be the
making or the breaking of you.
‘Book
a basic
course,
then
practice
every
day’
DO
• Think about how you look
• Make sure your clothing
uniform is clean and tidy
• Carry overshoes
• Make sure your van is clean
and tidy
• Tidy up as you work
DON’T
• Turn up in a rusty van
• Walk into their home with
muddy boots
• Leave a mess
• Look scruffy or act impolitely at
any point – even on a break
8. DON’T RUSH
Paul says: “Take the time you
have at a customer’s premises to
engage with them; it gives you
a chance to promote yourself
and business and may generate
additional work from them or
their friends. Explain all the
different services you provide.
Remember no one likes a
contractor who is grumpy or
doesn’t respect their home or
business. Would you?”
9. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
Paul says: “Don’t over travel,
but instead try to concentrate on
your local area if possible, and
don’t take on too much work with
‘Offer
free
labour to
learn the
industry
(which I
did); the
more
you can
repair
the more
repairs
you can
offer’
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | JAN/FEB 2019
singular companies; no need to
put all your eggs in one basket.
Get an accountant to help with
your paper work or help from
a family member if they offer.
Just because you’re an amazing
locksmith, it doesn’t mean you
need to design your own leaflets,
or work your own books, or
service your own van. Stick to
what you’re good at and know
when to ask for help.”
10. TIME TO UNWIND
Concentrate on hobbies and
family time too, even at the
beginning, it shouldn’t always be
about work.
Paul says: “Like I said, it’s not
going to be easy, but make sure you
make your business family friendly
and make time to unwind. I start
at 10 and finish at 4, as I miss the
heavy traffic and remain local in
case the phone goes for emergency
work; meaning I can get to the next
job in good time.”
In a nut shell, to make sure
you make this the best decision
of your career and not the worst,
remember:
• It doesn’t have to cost a lot to
start with free social media,
cheap website options, and
keeping a streamlined stock
and tool kit
• People are out there to help;
personally and professionally
• Try part time at the start,
before completely taking the
plunge
• Work what works for you and
your family
• Be the locksmith you’d want to
see if you were the customer
Good luck!