In my previous “The Business of Murals” articles, I have discusses several important steps that will help you get started in the mural business. Building your portfolio, gaining experience, and improving your skills are just a few. Once you have done these basic steps you will need to promote your work. As I mentioned in my article entitled “Give It Away”, doing a few free murals is a sure way to get you started. However, if you want to ensure continued mural jobs, you will need to promote your work. Here are some tips you can use:
Written Statements: Get written referral Statements from everyone for whom you have painted a mural. Have them write something complementary about your work. Display the statement along with a photograph of your work. You can display these statements in your portfolio and website. If anyone sends you a thank you letter or card, display that as well.
Permission to use previous clients for references: When you complete a mural, ask your clients if you can give future and prospective clients their number for a reference. Although less than ten percent of the population actually calls the references, the fact that you have a valid number a prospective customer will call will raise your credibility.
Run a promotion: Offer half price murals to your first ten customers. Have this printed on the back of your business cards that you give to places where you have painted a free mural. Instead of listing a number of murals, you can list a coupon expiration date instead.
Advertising: While purchasing advertising may not be the most affective way of getting mural jobs, it does not hurt. Beware of “shoppers” when advertising, however. People will call you to ask for jobs. Others will ask you to come to their house, only to see if you can come up with any ideas. Still, others will get a price quote from you only to guage what they should pay someone else. You can limit “shopper” activity by charging an appointment fee that will be subtracted from the cost of a mural job. $50.00 is a fair price. The best place to purchase advertising is in the local parent’s magazines, and other local publications that parents might read. These publications are the least expensive for advertisers and the ads will be read months after the next issue comes out.
Barter: Barter is also an effective way to get customers when you are first getting started. Try to find a barter club with low starting fees. Barter customers are willing to pay more non necessity items since many have large stores of credit with the barter company. Working with barter companies has its downsides too. It is harder to spend barter bucks than cash. Some customers do not value your time when bartering, as they are not actually seeing cash leave their pockets.
Interior Designers: Take your portfolio to a few interior designers. If you can make copies to leave with them, it would be helpful. If you can show a few interior designers that you are a reliable worker with great painting skills, they will call on you repeatedly.
Reference:
- see my other articles on the business of murals.
