Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Chris Lalomia, founder and owner of The Trusted Toolbox out of the Atlanta Georgia metro area.Chris left a high-paying corporate career in the middle of a deep recession in 2008 and started a bathroom and kitchen remodeling company in the Atlanta metro area and has been crushing it ever since.With nearly 800 reviews on Google & Facebook and a 4.7 average rating, it will be no surprise to see Chris has got his systems and training dialed in.We had a great discussion on marketing, training, quality control, software systems, local trade associations, and developing his team and department managers.He also founded and runs The Home Service Institute which provides excellent customer service training for home service companies.Chris took his managerial knowledge and skills from the corporate world and successfully applied them to the home services industry.I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and am sure you’ll find some golden nuggets in there for your company.Guest Website:www.thetrustedtoolbox.comwww.thehomeserviceinstitute.comFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsCapture - Book - Closehttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Chris Henningsen, founder and owner of Gator Garage Door with two locations in the Austin TX area.With over 1200 five-star reviews on Google and Yelp it will be no surprise to see Chris has got his business dialed in nicely.Chris freely shares what’s been working to grow his company and what hasn’t.We discuss finding great referral sources, tech training, software, SOPs, and more.We dive into marketing for two locations and how well radio ads are working for them.Towards the end, we talk about his two potential end-game goals.This was a great discussion and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.Guest Website:https://www.gatorgaragedoorrepair.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsCapture - Book - Closehttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Ryan Lucia, the founder and owner of Aaron Garage Door out of Atlanta GA.Ryan’s built an impressive three-location high-end garage door installation and repair company since 2018.They specialize in beautiful glass garage doors for the upscale, executive home market.They also do extensive work in the commercial space.His path from the world of software to home services is super interesting.We had a great discussion on everything from networking to training, scaling, and selling to private equity.You don’t want to miss this one!Enjoy!Guest Website:https://aaronoverheaddoors.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Chris Crew, the President of The Blue Collar Success Group.Chris discussed how their training company helps contractors build great businesses, get out of the field, work ON instead of IN their business, and more.I need more of that myself!The Blue Collar Success Group specializes in helping home service contractors learn how to build their company with professional, live, web-based training.The company’s founder Kenny Chapman, started, scaled, and sold a multi-million dollar plumbing company.Our guest Chris did the same himself with an electrical service company.These guys know their business and I was thoroughly impressed with the depth of their knowledge and the training systems they’ve put together. Their social proof shows it too.We also discussed selling to private equity firms, which was interesting.If you’re looking to fine-tune your service business to grow more while you work smarter instead of harder, we’re sure you’ll enjoy this episode.Guest Website:www.thebluecollarsuccessgroup.comFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Tom Howard, the VP of Customer Experience at Service Titan and owner of six home service companies with annual sales over $60M.Tom has built, bought, and sold several home service companies in the HVAC, plumbing, and pest control industries. His businesses are in Arizona, California, and Nevada.We discussed systems, software, marketing, branding, accounting, and more.He shared how he finds and trains General Managers to run the day-to-day operations and oversees six businesses in multiple states.Tom has sold companies to private equity firms and shared his knowledge of what they look for in a purchase acquisition.I wish I had several more hours to pick his brain. He’s got a depth of knowledge and skill we barely touched the surface on.If you want or have wondered how to prepare your company for the sale or to grow it as big as possible in your local market, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.Enjoy!Guest Website & Email:www.leesair.comthoward@servicetitan.comFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Brandon Saiz, the owner of NCB Mechanical in Albuquerque NM.In just three short years Brandon has taken a lifetime of plumbing, HVAC, and business skills and put together a brand and systems ready to compete with anyone.With an emphasis on quality and superior training and service, he’s achieved a lot in a short time.He talks about the need for omni-channel marketing, systems, software, and sales and marketing training. I also liked how he used networking to set himself up with many brand ambassadors sending him daily business.There is a lot to learn from this episode. Enjoy!Guest Website:https://ncbmechanical.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

This is one of the best interviews we’ve done to date.Bob took his 30 years in the business and quest for knowledge and turned it into a service company that has dialed in its systems, branding, technology, and more.Together we touch on creating systems, hiring and training, branding, marketing, and having an exit strategy.I’m absolutely positive every business owner will get something out of this episode. Enjoy!Guest Website:https://personalplumbingsandiego.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the podcast, Tyrell Tompkins, the Marketing Director for Shaw Trenchless and Shaw Plumbing Services in Spokane WA.Tyrell shared what he and his company are doing to grow both businesses and how different they are.One caters to other plumbers, while the other directly serves homeowners and businesses. A true student of marketing, Tyrell has tested or is testing just about every marketing tactic in his local market and we had a great talk discussing what’s working, what’s not, and what is absolutely essential in today’s service business climate.I’m sure every business owner will get something out of this episode. Enjoy!Guest Website:https://shawtrenchless.comhttps://shawplumbingservices.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about how to use AI or artificial intelligence and the new Open AI tool called Chat GPT to help your service business.Chat GPT-3 has been the hot topic of the last couple of weeks, especially in the digital marketing and SEO worlds.Chat GPT-3 is a new natural language AI chat bot launched by developers at Open AI.So let’s talk about what it is, where it’s going, and how it can impact and help your local service business.You can learn more athttps://openai.com/https://jasper.ai?fpr=mark57For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Alright, Happy New Year, home service pros! I hope everyone had a great holiday season filled with the people you love and lots of laughs.With a recession looming or already underway, it’s important to examine all possible tools and avenues you can use to grow sales without spending money on ads.Today we’re going to share 5 tips on how to grow sales without advertising.You can learn more at https://bizboosterapp.com/webchatFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about 12 benefits of using live Webchat on your website.Are your getting all the potential leads from your website traffic?Over 45% of consumers expect live chat on your website. - Forrester ResearchWebchat is quickly becoming the number one preferred method of contact for prospects on your website who have questions. - JD Power & AssociatesSo let’s look at the 12 benefits live Webchat offers your company and what is even meant by live Webchat.You can learn more at https://bizboosterapp.com/webchatFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about changes you may need to make to your service page content for search engine optimization.Google is constantly updating its search ranking algorithms in order to deliver the most applicable, original, helpful, and in-depth content to the searcher in relation to their query.According to Google, they’ve had 8 big updates in 2022 alone.We have noticed the updates in the last several months have had an effect on some of our client service pages.Learn more about what we discovered and how we not only corrected the issue but made our sites rank even better as a result.Google Updates:https://developers.google.com/search/updates/rankingFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about how to power up your service pages to rank better in Google search to grow more traffic and ultimately more leads into your business.I call this the 1-3-1 formula and it’s super powerful so if you want more leads from your website, then consider deploying this tactic right away.For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about why your Google ads may not be performing well.For most home service companies, Google search ads can provide you with highly qualified prospects who have a problem and are looking to fix it right away.46% of Google searches are for local businesses.  -Pew Research CenterIf you are not experiencing better quality leads at profitable costs, then let's explore 4 common reasons why and 8 dashboard features in Google ads that can improve your performance.ClickGuard link: http://www.clickguard.com?cgrf=BATTLEPLANFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about some important updates to US laws on acquiring and displaying customer reviews.The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently fined online retailer Fashion Nova $4.2 million for blocking negative reviews of its products from being published on its website.There have been many other companies fined by the FTC for this and related practices, but this latest one has triggered new FTC rules & guidelines for all companies as of Sept. 13, 2022.The FTC also warned that “companies can be held responsible for what these review service providers do on their behalf, so companies should understand how to review software vendors to generate the results they offer.”  So let’s dive in and see what the new rules are so you don’t get in trouble.Links mentioned:Prohibited and restricted contentWhat is Yelp’s review solicitation penalty?United States: Endorsements, testimonials and product reviews ̶ FTC advertising enforcement prioritySoliciting and Paying for Online Reviews: A Guide for MarketersH.R.5111 - Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the show all the way from Dubai, Mr. Vladimer Botsvadze.Vladimer Botsvadze is a globally-renowned, multi-award-winning, digital transformation and social media influencer, Fortune 500 consultant, thought leader, futurist, professor, keynote speaker, startup advisor, and media personality who has always been at the forefront of fast-paced industries.He has been described as ''the world's best digital marketing consultant and speaker'' and ''a force of passion and unique insights for business'' by his global clients. We had a high-energy discussion on where your prospects’ attention is today and how to reach them and get noticed in a busy world.For those in a hurry, the most useful advice for local service companies starts at the 11:06 mark.Guest Website:https://www.vladimerbotsvadze.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about changes we’re making here at Battle Plan Marketing, LLC.We will be switching the podcast to one episode every two weeks starting with this one.Our thanks to everyone who provided input to our suggested podcast topics survey last week.We will be trying our best to interview more service business owners, which was the number one request.So if you or someone you know would be a great guest on our podcast, please invite them to our website and have them fill out the form on the podcast guest page.https://battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/guest-calendar/We’re also nearing the launch of our new lead nurturing CRM and reviews software, which we call the BizBooster™ App.Listen in to hear about the great tools our new app will provide you with to grow your business and get the most out of every marketing dollar you’re already spending.For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got a special guest on the show, Mr. Everett Lippel, the Director of Sales with SupplySmart.com.We had a great discussion about sales training and why it’s so important for your plumbing and service technicians.Everett had some great insights & advice on how good sales training makes for happier customers and improved sales at the same time.Everett also shared some great resources where plumbers and HVAC companies can connect with industry leaders for training, networking, and potential acquisition relationships.We talked about how and why water filtration & softener systems create super happy customers and make a big impact on your sales and profits. Whether you’re in the plumbing & hvac industry or not, there’s something for every business owner in this episode.Supply Smart Website:www.supplysmart.comFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’re going to talk about using images to power up your Google Maps listing and website’s ranking power.Did you know that the simple use of images can help you generate more traffic and leads to your business?Today we’re going to look at Google’s best practices for images for your service business to use on your website and in your Google Business Profile.Plus, we’ll talk about Google’s artificial intelligence for images, which is getting better and better at identifying who and what is in an image.Google calls it Vision AI.And knowing how it works can help you grow sales!We’ll touch on a couple of Vision AI tips at the end of this podcast.So let’s get into how to turn images into more traffic, leads, and sales for your company!Link: Google Images Best Practices - Search CentralLink: Google Business Profile HelpFor more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we’ve got three special guests on the show from Duncan Plumbing in Waxahachie, Texas; Michael (CEO & Master Plumber), Erica (COO), and Brian Duncan (Field Operations Manager), running a highly rated plumbing company.We had a great talk and I was envious of the guys’  ZZ Top beards.They talk about flat-rate pricing, using software to help their business be more efficient and consistent, working with & helping their community, as well as using their commitment to superior quality as their primary marketing tool.I think there’s something for everyone in this great discussion. Enjoy!Duncan Plumbing Solutions:https://www.duncanplumbingsolutions.com/For more podcast episodes, visitwww.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/Battle Plan Marketing®Next-Level Marketing for ContractorsAnalysis - Strategy - Growthhttps://battleplan-marketing.com/LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing