Design Build Planners recently had the opportunity to interview Kyle Hunt of Remodel Your Marketing. Kyle is a highly respected professional in the remodeling industry.
Q: What is your one favorite part of your work day?
A: I firmly believe in the Jim Rohn quote “Never begin the day until it is finished on paper.” The favorite part of my work day is when I have my day 100% organized. In my case, this means it’s all typed in the ‘Notes’ app on my Mac. When I do this I’m focused on the correct things and productive. I aim to have this set before 8:00AM (ideally, it’s done at the end of the previous business day.)
Q: What is the most important personality trait for a remodeling company owner to possess?
A: Always wanting to improve. The top remodelers in our industry have this in common: They are always looking to improve, tweak, change, implement in every and any part of their business. They are not complacent. Each week (or day!) think about what you can improve in your business. Could be production, office systems, marketing, sales, financial, etc. The desire and drive to always be improving is a vital personality trait to possess.
Q: What marketing strategy or technique has remained the least changed during your time in the industry?
A: Referrals and repeat work from previous clients still rule the day. In most every case, the majority of the revenue you generate this year is going to come from repeat work or referrals from your previous clients. What this means is the ‘marketing strategy’ of giving your clients a remarkable and solid experience is still your best form of marketing. Invest in giving them a great experience from start to finish. This means prompt communication, a clean jobsite, handling problems head on, keeping on schedule and budget, and surprising them with how great the process goes from start to finish. This is the best and most consistent marketing you can do. Don’t overlook it.
Q: What one simple piece of advice would you offer any remodeler that you meet?
A: Call your previous clients. This is extremely simple, it works, and costs you nothing but a little bit of your time. Today – get the name and number of three previous clients (could be 1 year ago, 5 or even 10 years ago.) Simply pick up the phone and say… “I was just thinking about you today and wanted to give you a call to see how you and your family were doing!” By doing this you are building know, like and trust – and, perhaps, generating a project lead or referral. Go to your client list – pick a few names and call. Simple piece of advice, but valuable!
Q: Is there a resource you’d like to share with our readers?
A: I’m a big believer that running a successful remodeling business is about doing a lot of ‘little things’ right. What are those little things? At the link below is a list of 30 little ways to differentiate you from your competition, be remarkable, ‘wow’ your clients, and build a profitable remodeling business.
Click on this link and it will open into a PDF (no opt-in or anything.)
BONUS QUESTION: What Michigan team is most likely to win a championship the soonest?
A:That’s an easy one! I’m a big Detroit Tigers fan – so I’m predicting this with my heart, but also my head…
The Detroit Tigers will be the 2014 World Series Champions after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in 6 games. You heard it here first, folks.
Kyle Hunt is the owner of Remodel Your Marketing. He works with remodelers and builders throughout the United States, implementing his proven and practical marketing and sales system into their business. Kyle resides in Michigan with his wife, Sarah, and their four children.
You can visit his website here.
