Changing Your Business In 8 Minutes
Your business can get a lot done with only a few minutes. Don’t waste your time. Let’s talk about how dedicating 8 minutes can make your business unstoppable.
This idea is influenced by story told by Simon Sinek, an author and speaker. His story, in turn, was influenced by a New York Times article.
The long and short of it is that you can do a lot with 8 minutes.
Scheduling an 8 minute phone call with a friend on a regular basis can help you to rekindle and more deeply connect again. 8 minutes is all it takes to make a connection, or to reconnect, or to authentically just be there for someone to help them and positively influence them.
No matter what you’re doing, everyone has 8 minutes they can spare.
How 8 Minutes Can Impact Your Company
So I thought, what if we expand this idea to the business world?
8 minutes of interaction really can make or break your business.
I get it. Your day is already filled with lots of little things you have to get done when you’re running a business. Whether it’s just you or if you’ve got employees, whoever has face time with customers should know about the 8 minute rule.
Growing your business is ultimately about connecting with people, directly and indirectly.
When your business takes the time to develop relationships, it can dramatically impact your business in positive ways - and that includes your per lead costs.
How Prioritizing Customer Relationships Can Save You Marketing & Advertising Money
In September 2024, ProRemodeler magazine published an article called "5 Home Improvement Pros Share Lead-Gen Hits, Misses, and Maybes" - you may have learned about it from a past Footbridge Media Weekly Round-Up I did. It’s an email where I do weekly news summaries for contractors – if you want to get those, you can subscribe to our email newsletter here.
While most of the remodelers talked about needing to modify their marketing, budgets, and sales tactics to account for steep increases in Google Ads and cost-per-lead — one contractor (Lindus Construction of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area) noted that wasn’t a problem for them.
They indicated that they had really good lead sources and a strong sales team, which has helped them keep their cost-per-lead and marketing budget lean.
More importantly, Bridget Cramer - the Director of Marketing for Lindus Construction - said that their strong brand recognition and reputation have led to one-third of all new customers coming from referrals.
Repeat business is a big win for them as well. She had a great quote in the article...
"People want to hear you’re the best, but they don’t want to hear it from you." - Bridget Cramer, Director of Marketing for Lindus Construction
So - how does that company do that?
Earning Lower Cost Leads, One Customer At A Time
It’s pretty simple when it comes down to it. It’s something that every single person with a business reading this can do.
They earn it.
- They earn their reputation.
- They earn their reviews.
- They make connections.
- They make people care.
Skill and tools and industry expertise aside - homeowners have many many options when it comes down to the trades. If they don’t know any better about your craft, they aren’t going to be best motivated by factors like your years on the job or your technical skills.
People are most motivated by people.
I started all of this off by talking about 8 minutes. Think about what 8 minutes can do you for your business, when you spend them the right way.
8 minutes making a customer happy and engaging with them to make a memory - that can lead to a review or repeat business. If you’re lucky and you have a marketing plan, when you are memorable for a good reason, it can lead to referrals.
And if you can find those 8 minutes and apply them precisely, you can exponentially increase your business and your ability to succeed.
So How Can I Do That In Just 8 Minutes?
Companies like Lindus Construction grow their businesses off of the investment of themselves - 8 minutes at a time - with their customers to develop a community.
Over time, those small investments with many people will lead to your business growth and success.
Where can you spend 8 minutes today with your customers to grow your business?
If your business could use a little help to crafting community, the team at Footbridge Media is here to lend a hand. We help with contractor marketing and business development.
"Contractor Marketing Tips And Tricks" - The Footbridge Media Podcast
About Chris Lonergan
Chris Lonergan has over 12 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries - helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR - Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Service Roundtable's blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
