Pool Builder Marketing’s “Deadly Dozen” Killers…
The 12 Company-Crushing Killers Lurking Inside Your Business Today.
By Brett Lloyd Abbott, Pool Builder Marketing LLC
For any pool industry contractor who is frustrated with failed efforts to grow their business, this message is for you.
Every day I talk to pool builders who are spending more and more on advertising, but not impressed with the results. So tell me if this sounds like you.
- Your pay-per-click ads aren’t performing as well as they used to.
- You complain to your PPC ad agency, and they keep telling you to “increase the budget.”
- But at this rate, you’re slowly bleeding dry.
- It seemed a lot easier just a few years ago, but now nothing seems to work.
- Your people are good, and your product is good, but competition is worse, and you’re just not getting your fair share of the business.
You’ve fallen victim to the company-crushing killers of traditional marketing.
It may seem odd for a marketing consultant to tell you that “marketing” is killing your business, but the truth is there is a LOT of BAD marketing out there. And if you don’t uncover it and eradicate it, it will slowly choke your business to death.
That’s why we’ve created this series on “Pool Industry Marketing Killers” – to show you exactly what these evils are, and where they lurk, and how to permanently eradicate them from your business.
Let’s start with “Traditional Marketing” Company-killer #1: PLATITUDES.
“Highest Quality!” “Best Service!” “Built with honesty and integrity!” “We’ll make your backyard dreams come true.”
Did your eyes glaze over, and your ears and brain tune out? Yeah, so did your customers’. Platitudes like these are so rampant that no one sees or hears them anymore. Every marketing and advertising campaign says the same thing. But these empty claims are like the chips that come with your sandwich – just empty calories to fill up the plate. Not a reason to order the meal.
And much like chips, the empty calories of platitudes are seriously bad for you. Your customer, bombarded with similar hollow claims from everywhere, begins to assume that the companies making these claims are all the same. In the absence of any reasonable distinguishing information, they have little choice but to base their decisions on price alone, disregarding any unique value your company has to offer.
If you find yourself frequently fighting on price, now you know why.
You’ve got platitudes.
What’s worse is the fact that you’re PAYING for all these empty calories. Advertising and marketing consultants are more than happy to take your money and fill their ad space with your empty platitudes. Why should they waste time trying to identify the qualities that make your company unique? They don’t know what’s so special about you, so they’re depriving your prospects of the information they need, thus leaving you stuck in a price fight.
And that’s the last place you want to be.
How to Kill the Empty Calories of Platitudes…
Bring in the FACTS!
“Built with honesty and integrity!” isn’t telling your prospects anything. (In fact, isn’t that exactly what a dishonest contractor would say?) To defeat this enemy, you need to replace the empty platitudes with REAL information, and EVIDENCE that PROVES your claims.
The opposite of “platitudes” is “FACTS.” Cold, hard, specific facts. Not “fluff.” Not “feel good/sound good” statements. What can you say about your company that no one else can say? Until you start uncovering and exposing some of your undeniable “inside reality” advantages to the public, you will forever be stuck with the same “outside perception” as every other pool builder in town.
Here are some examples of “inside reality” facts that would be a LOT more compelling and believable than meaningless platitudes:
- 167 5-Star Reviews with Google
- A+ Rating with the BBB
- Certified Building Professional® / CBP® (or CPO® or CSP®) on staff
- Member of (Aquatech, APSP, FSPA, BBB, SWD, Genesis3 Platinum, etc.)
- More than 63% of our business comes from referrals…
- Winner of 87 International Design Awards…
- Exclusive Dealer for _________
- Exclusively Recommended by _____________
- Lifetime Warranty / Guarantee.
Tell your prospects specifically why they should go with your company. Highlight what makes you stand out above the competition. Are you the leading authority in your field? Do you have evidence to share, such as your on-time delivery, your project completion rate, your customer service rating, or how much longer your product lasts? These are sound, fact-based reasons a prospect should choose your company. These are the antidote to platitudes.
No one knows your business better than you do. You understand your market, your history and your competition. Sit down with your team and get down on paper the quantifiable, measurable reasons you stand out in a crowded market. This is the bedrock of most of the sales / marketing cycle, and a primary weapon in this fight.
Want help?
Schedule a FREE MARKETING CONSULT with us. In less than 30 minutes, we’ll find and eradicate your platitudes FOREVER!
NEXT WEEK: Company-Killer #2 – “Fragmented, Chaotic Marketing”
This article is part of a series designed to provide pool companies with unique insights that will help them address the modern marketplace challenges that their company may currently be facing. This insight, when applied, will virtually guarantee new growth, and get your company to the next level.
If you find this information to be helpful, and would like to learn more, check out the short five minute video here: Pool Contractor CyberFunnels.
To your success…
Brett Lloyd Abbott
Head Guru at Pool Builder Marketing
Are you interested in more amazing insights and advice?
No charge if you use this link.
2019 Brett Lloyd Abbott / MYM Austin, Inc. May not be used without permission.
Leave a Reply