Marketers. They carry a powerful toolkit that few modern companies could do without. Luckily for us, these intrepid mind-readers aren’t just cordoned off in corner offices—they’re also on Thumbtack. We caught up with some of Thumbtack’s smartest Top Pro marketers for tips on winning over customers.
Quote With Your Dream Customer In Mind
If business is the exchange of goods or service between two parties, there are two things every business person should know before opening their doors (or Thumbtack profile): What goods am I selling? And who am I selling them to?
Thumbtack makes it possible for you to connect with hundreds of new customers in your area—many of whom were previously outside your radar. But rather than reaching out to any and everyone, Top Pro marketers know that their time (and money) is best spent on the customers most suited to their service.
As a personal trainer and former marketing director Regan-Janell Hales explains, “When I first started, I was really loose about quoting and it took time to learn about the kind of clients that I really wanted.” These days, Regan has found her sweet spot. “Most of my clients now are middle-aged women, and they’re the most constant and loyal of the people that I train. They’re also a lot of fun to work with,” she says.
Know What You’re Up Against
Get to know your competition, explains Dave Cavanaugh, a tech-insider turned wedding officiant on Thumbtack. “Who else is bidding on wedding officiant jobs in the Spokane area? Who is the number one person and the number three person? Who is serving Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington?”
If you, like Dave, are new to a profession (or a veteran pro in a new area), getting a solid handle on how the businesses around you are succeeding can play a huge role in informing how your business stands up. When it comes to figuring out where he’s situated within the pack, Dave turns to Thumbtack. “Pay attention to the Thumbtack Competitor Reports. They can tell you a lot about how your business is doing, and what you can change to get better. For instance, it’s important for me to know how quickly I respond. I need to make sure I’m staying competitive in my industry,” explains Dave.
Invest Your Time Wisely
Joel Stein spent years in the world of marketing before starting his own events entertainment business on Thumbtack. Today, he’s making six-figures doing what he loves at parties across the tri-state area—and building new arms of his business every day.
When it came to getting started on Thumbtack, Joel didn’t waste a minute—and he suggests other pros follow his lead. “Put time into figuring out your pricing and crafting your messages upfront,” he urges. And he’s right: getting your first hire on Thumbtack is a big deal, but getting there is significantly harder for pros without reviews or a completed profile.
“The little bit of time it takes to set everything up in the beginning will save you exponentially later on,” says Joel. And saving time means a lot for busy business owners like Joel. “I’m using that time to focus on growth and hiring. I’m embracing what I’m doing on Thumbtack and setting myself up for success six, nine months down the road.”
Follow-Up Or Miss Out
People are busy. Period. You’re a pro, you know how it is. You’ve got a lot going on and every once in awhile you need a reminder to jog your memory. Such is life. And such is life for your customers.
So when it comes to courting new clients on Thumbtack, make their decision to hire you by following up. Top Pros like Kari Kerr, a dog trainer and former marketer, have made follow-up as much a part of her weekly routine as running drills and buying fresh dog treats. “As soon as someone has viewed my quote, I follow up with a message that is even more personalized. I give them additional information about my resume and training background and how it relates to their needs,” says Keri.
And Keri’s follow-up doesn’t end there. Keri uses a ‘tick work file’ to keep track of potential customers. “I go through the file every month to remind myself to follow up with that person four to six weeks after. People’s situations change. You would be amazed how many respond over a month later and hire me,” says Keri.
Don’t Give Up
Top Pros and marketers agree: starting a new business takes time, patience, and bravery—so hold on and dig in. Use any extra time you might have to learn more about your services and the people you’re selling them to.
Steve Conley, a former direct marketing specialist explains of his Thumbtack tennis business, “A lot of people don’t respond to quotes right away. But if you’re smart you’ll continue sending quotes because those customers will remember you when they’re in a better place to hire you. You have to think of those first years as a number’s game. If out of 10 quotes you get one ongoing client, that’s not a bad return on investment.”
To cut through the slowness, Steve suggests using offtime to your advantage. “It’s a time to think about my best strategy on Thumbtack and to refresh the way that I write quotes,” he says. Bottom line: don’t get discouraged. Writing quotes that work and picking prices people want to pay is an ongoing process. Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither was your Thumbtack business.
The Definitive Pro Marketer Checklist
If you’re just getting started you might be wondering exactly where to begin when building your business. Here are the most important things to focus on when starting out on Thumbtack.
✓ Picture-Perfect Profile
“Really focus on your profile and your website if you have one. As a user, seeing people’s work, especially before and after pictures, is so important.”—Jessica Miller, Jessica Rae Productions
✓ Glowing Reviews
“You have to time it right when asking for reviews. If I’m playing a sports bar, I’ll reach out the next day. If I’m playing a wedding, I wait until after the honeymoon. People value things that come easy.”—Neal Phillips, Quickdraw Records Performance and Recording
✓ Winning Quotes
“I’m not talking about certifications because that’s just jargon to someone who is busy and looking to get in shape. I’m even as bold as to say, ‘I’m really excited to work with you.’ I cite my experience and tell them to look at my reviews. I always try to leave the quote with a question. I find questions tend to linger in our subconscious and prompt us to respond.”—Elijah Bowie, Peak Fitness
✸ Bonus Item: The Professional Website
“Everything on your profile has to suggest that you know what you’re doing, down to the links. That’s why having a website is a such huge advantage. It’s a second source of legitimacy when customers are making that final decision.”—Ricky Godoy, Yo Dog Media LLC
A little marketing savvy goes a long way. Need proof? Here’s what customers say they want most when hiring a pro on Thumbtack.
