| Tricks of the Trade© |
First edition Monday May 1, 2000 |
How To Write An Effective Company Newsletter
(I recommend putting your company logo and phone number here)
(The
first step is to make it more then just an advertisement. It needs to have
something that will be of interest to the person doing the reading. The
first article below is an example of something that would appear to a
homeowner.)
Spring Is Here And Peoples Thoughts Are Turning To Colors
You may be wondering like most people. What is the hot exterior
color this year?
Greens
are all the rage this year. Grey greens and dark greens seem to be the
colors of choice. Some people are mixing them with whites to give the house
a crisp look and highlight special features. (See the photo to the right)
Creamy
off whites with bold rich colors such as a burgundy are also very much in
style. (See the second lower photo)
We
at “Company Name” would be
happy to help you select just the right color for your house. No one color
is perfect for any given home. This is because each house is different
because of the colors already present.
We
would be happy to leave you a color chart from you local “Paint
Brand” dealer. We feel their paint is of the highest quality. We will
only apply premium quality paint to your house.
Please
feel free to call us at:: “Phone
Number” to discuss any painting needs you may have. We would be happy
to stop by and give you a free no obligation estimate.
Make
this the year you improve the outside of your home with a fresh coat of
paint. The quality will last
for years to come.
(Use some humor to make it
fun to read. Part of getting people to buy your service is making them feel
comfortable with the one doing the selling. A sense of humor can take down
walls)
Top Ten Comments
Taken From Actual Work Evaluations
This
was a very funny list of actual performance evaluations. Thankfully they
are not our employees.
1.” This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot”
2. “He sets standards so low even he can’t meet them.”
3. This young lady has delusions of adequacy”
4.” He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle”
5 “When he opens his mouth, It’s only to change foots”
6. “ Works well under constant supervision”
7. “This associate is really not so much of a has-been, but more
definitely a won’t be”
8. “I would not
allow this employee to breed.”
9. “His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid
curiosity”
10. Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and
shows signs of starting to dig”
I hope this list was as fun

(People like to see photos. Use pictures to give your ads
and any coupons a little curb appeal. It is also suggested that you make
your phone number jump off the page. Notice the bold red color? That’s
because red is an action color and you want people to call.)
(Establish yourself as an expert who knows something about your
trade. Also establish that you are concerned with quality. Notice how the
article below helps to do both.)
Why You Can’t Afford Cheap Paint
Have you ever wondered why some paint sells for $12 a gallon and
others cost as much as $25 or $30?
To
understand the economics of paint you need to know something about the
basics of paint chemistry.
Do
you want a paint that won’t disappear with the swipe of a sponge? Or on
that will cover in one coat?
Most
paint consists of three basic elements. Pigments to provide coverage and
color, a binder that forms a hard surface to bond to the existing surface,
and solvents such as mineral spirits or water.
Titanium
dioxide for example is the pigment used in most white paint and is a major
factor in the paints cost. Cheaper pigments such as …
Talc, clay, and silica can be used; however they perform poorly as
hiding agents.
As
with pigments, the binder is also a factor in paint pricing. More expensive
paints tend to have more and better quality binders. A paint film gains
durability and gloss as the binder content increases. Taking out binder to
make paint less expensive can also make it softer and less durable. In
other words you start to lose your scrub resistance.
Another
thing that can affect the cost of paint are the additives such as
mildecides and biocides. Cheaper paints tend to have less of these very
important ingredients.
So
to wrap things up, cheap paint is cheap for a reason. The money you save on
materials is often lost on the extra labor you spend down the road fixing
problems. Paints that fail, mold, or just don’t cover are not really that
cheap after all.
We
recommend the next time you paint your house that you use premium quality
“Paint brand”
All
the prep in the world won’t matter much if you don’t use the best
quality materials. The way to tell how much a paint really costs is to take
the number of years it lasts and divide that by the price you paid. In the
long run the better paint will likely cost you less over the life of the
job.
Why Use Only A Professional Painting Contractor
Sometimes people are tempted to hire a handyman rather tan a
licensed contractor. Perhaps thinking this will save them some money.
Here
are a few things we at “Company Name” would like you to think about
before making such a decision. We hope they will help you make an informed
choice.
First
keep in mind that painting can be a very hazardous profession.
Activities include climbing on ladders, working around high
voltages, working with power tools, and high-pressure equipment.
Painters also work with materials
that can present negative heath effects. They include solvents, strippers,
and cleaning agents. These are just a few hazards.
The
average handy man is not set up to deal with many of these issues.
The professional painting contractor on the other hand knows how to
approach the job in the safest manor. He also has the proper equipment to
perform the work with minimal risk to you and his employees.
Another
reason to hire on licensed contractor is to protect you from exposure to
unforeseen liabilities.
Make
sure you only use a contractor who is licensed, bonded, and insured.
We
would be more than happy to met with you to discuss any painting needs you
may have. We put all our contracts in righting and stand behind all the
work we do.
Saving
a few dollars is not worth the risk of using an untrained work force.
At “Company Name” our employees put safety first!
(Separate yourself from your competition and sell on quality not
price. Don’t make them wonder what to expect tell them what to expect)
The Best Paint Jobs Start With Good Preparation
Surface preparation is as important to the overall life of a paint
job as the paint you use. Poor preparation can result in peeling,
delaminating, blistering, and other paint failures.
The
extra time and effort spent on good surface preparation will pay you back
in a job that will last for years to come. Without proper surface
preparation, any coating applied will only fail in a matter of time. The
quality and thoroughness of preparation will play a major roll in the
long-tem success of the job.
The
first step is to be sure the surface being painted is clean. Free of dust,
mildew, grease, loose or peeling paint, etc.
It
is equally important that any surface being painted is dry enough to avoid
trapping moisture under the paint.
At
“Company Name” we believe
that a good job starts with good preparation.
A
surface that is in good condition is one that is free from cracks, holes,
and other defects. The attractiveness of the job depends on taking care of
these things before the paint finish is applied.
We
take the time to do the important things before we apply any paint to your
house. “Will give you the quality you deserve at a price you can afford.”
Why not call us today: “Phone
Number”
Please feel free to use the above articles in your own company
newsletter. I’m happy to share them with you.
They are a great way to drum up work from past clients and keep your
name before your client base. Remember your competition will also be trying
to put their name in front of your client. You don’t want them to forget
you when it comes to their next paint job. We send out newsletters four
times a year in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Each features
something that will be important to get done during that season.
Submitted by: David S Martin of http://www.davespainting.com
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