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Business Solutions for Maximizing Your Profits

November 2009    

Since 1992, NSPG has been providing the tools that allow contractors to increase profits and minimize business hassles. With our simple-to-use-tools, you can make being a business owner what you always wanted to it be - successful, profitable and rewarding.

Free Google Advertising  
The E-Myth Revisited - NSPG Flat Rate Price BooksLast month we wrote about building a successful business that is known for high quality service and value.  The most successful businesses in just about any field are the ones who establish that kind of identity combining superior quality at a reasonable price.  By the way they run their business and the way the present their products, they establish their own unique brand in the marketplace. 

No matter how superior your service, you cannot be successful if your target customer cannot find you.  In the past, we relied on standard paper advertising like the "Yellow Page" type publications to reach the largest part of our market.  As we all know, those days are over.  If your business information is not available on line, it may as well not exist for a large portion of your target market.  Even my 80 year old father-in-law uses Google to find local services.

Google controls about 80% of search on the internet.  With that type of market control, you cannot afford to just hope that Google will find your company, and list it properly. In a half hour or less you can submit and confirm your information on Google Local search.

Here's how to get your company listed in the Google Local listing with the information that you want people to know about your business.  In addition to your basic business details, you can even include coupons that your customers can print or use from their cell phones.

The first step in getting your listing is to set up a Google account.  This is essentially setting up a GMail account if you don't already have an address for your business.  All you need for this is some basic information like the email address you'd like to use, and an existing email address.

Next, you should get together a short description of your business.  You should also make a list of Categories you'd like associated with your company.  Categories include names like Plumber or Electrician plus specific types of service like Water Heater and Drain Cleaning.  It is important that you list your company with Categories that your target customers might use. 

If you don't know what Categories to use for your company, do a Google search and find your competitors' listings.  See what categories they are using, and use the ones that apply to your business.

Then, get together all of your contact information like phone numbers, email, Facebook pages, etc.  If you have a logo or pictures you want associated with your business, locate them before you begin the registration process.  They can be on your computer or stored somewhere on the web.  Google will be able to grab them all, and use them for your new listing.

Now you're ready to get listed.
 

Go to www.google.com/local and click on the Put your business on Google Maps link.  You can watch a short video about Google Local to get a quick overview of the process.  When you're ready to go, click on the Add new business button.





From there you simply fill in the forms.  You can click on the icons here on the right to see some samples of the forms that you will need to fill out.

If you do not have a retail or storefront business that customers can go to, it makes sense to just list your target market city in the address form.  This will improve your page location where you want to work.

Google will confirm your listing either via phone or mail.  Once you have confirmed the PIN number they send to you, your listing will be ready to be processed.  It can take a few weeks for it to appear in Google Maps.  Once it does, check it for accuracy.  If you need to make changes or add coupons, you can update your listing at any time.

Even if you have properly Crunched Your Numbers, printed your Flat Rate Price Books, stocked your trucks, and trained your techs, your target customers need to find you.  It just makes sense to use free tools like Google Maps that provide access to a huge segment of the market.  Take a few minutes to get listed.  It's easy, and could have a big effect on your bottom line.

NSPG software tools can help you compete on price in the situations that call for it.  They also help you to properly price and to sell your services so you can build your own profitable, high quality business niche.  Now, it's time to spread the word on line.

- - - - - - -

Give Mike Conroy a call to discuss creating your own market niche, selective discounts, loss leaders, your numbers, your performance benchmarks, or your flat rate books.  Take advantage of his experience working with hundreds of companies like yours to help you achieve your own business success. 

Measure Monthly, Adjust Quarterly
 & Achieve Your Annual Profit Goals


The Economy

Consumer confidence rose, new unemployment claims dropped, the unemployment rate was up, last quarter's Gross Domestic Product was revised down, consumer spending was up.  As expected after a major economic collapse, the economy shows few clear signs of a quick recovery.

Industry suppliers continue to announce price increases for a broad range of product lines.  Latest increases we have seen range from three to six percent.


 

Click Here to Crunch your Numbers Today!

 


Interesting Online Items

Plumber's Patent

Home Electrical Generator

Plumber Sings on Oprah

Energy Use by State


 


Call 800 841-8542 today
to learn about our
easy, subscription plans for NSPG software products.

In This Issue

Click here for your Free Book!

Call 800 841-8542 today
to learn about our affordable, subscription plans for NSPG software.

Freebie of
the Month

The freebie of the month is a web site or product that we feel gives you something worth looking at or using that costs you little or nothing.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is new free software that provides real time protection from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Reviews of MSE have shown that it performs well in detecting and eliminating threats with a minimal impact on your computer's performance.

Microsoft Security Essentials is automatically kept up to date by daily downloads so it should be able to stay ahead of most threats. Once MSE is installed, you can forget about it until it pops up a warning, or the system tray icon turns red.

Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't have the bells and whistles of commercial products, but it will probably get the job done for you with minimal hassle, and no cost.

If you have a favorite Free site, let us know.
nspginfo@nspgweb.com

 

Quotations

He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
            Chinese Proverb

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
          William G. McAdoo

You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.
               Sam Levenson

An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.
                     Niels Bohr

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
                  Mark Twain


Phone 800 841-8542

How's Business?

Nexstar members answer that question two ways:

  1. Better
  2. Easier

Our members have been through the ups and downs and faced the same business issues you're encountering. By joining together in Nexstar's "best practices" organization, they now share, learn, explore and grow - and their business is on a steady upswing - with more time to swing the clubs.

Real contractors. Real results.

Others make similar claims. Here's the difference: Members. They own Nexstar. We talk, build a knowledge base of what works and doesn't work, cut out the pitchmen and consult with the real deal experts in fields that matter to members. No gimmicks. No "pre-fab" systems. And no policy requirements that commit you long term. We know your world and speak your language because our members are your peers.

1-888-609-5490 — Connects you to a huge pool of knowledge and experience.
Just call with your questions. No obligation. No pitch. Just answers.

NEW! FREE on-line business assessment. Discover business areas that you need to improve to make your business better.

 

Click a product for more information:

Numbers Cruncher - Breakeven Calculator, Performance Monitor

National Standard Price Guide - Flat Rate Price Books

Performance Dispatch Plus - Dispatch, Benchmarks, Flat Rate, Invoice, QuickBooks



Call 1-800-841-8542


QSC Professional Logo             THE POWER OF QSC


Watch a video that showcases some of the benefits of QSC membership.
    (Video - Windows Media Format - 18.6Mb)
    (Video - Quicktime Format - 15.8Mb)

Download the Contractor Application - Click Here.


 

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Numbers Cruncher and NSPG Flat Rate Price Books training

 

Wrench Magnet - Get them to call you again.
Truck Magnet - Get them to call you again. 


Ever Wonder

Where Did the Money Go?

    

HVAC Service Invoice                      Portable Desk for forms and invoices
 

    

Call 800-841-8542 now so we can answer your questions and show how we can help you build a more profitable business.

NSPG, Inc. PO Box 1168, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
800-841-8542
201-767-5520

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