
“The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.” — Dipen Parmar
The 2024 Shed Builder Expo was an awesome reminder of the unlimited potential of our industry. December 2024 will mark my 29th year of selling and marketing sheds, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of just how much our industry has grown.
With that said, I still feel like we have a long way to go when it comes to managing sales lots and taking care of the daily activities that really spur sales.
I will share a couple of things (from my 10 Core Commitments for Success in the Shed & Carport Industry) that I do, and feel, are essential to maintaining a successful shed sales business.
PUT SIGNS AND PRICE LABELS ON SHED DISPLAYS
During my Shed Coach presentations, I always find it interesting that of those surveyed, only about 50 percent believe signs and price labels are effective. I’ve even had folks tell me that price labels are a bad idea.
In my 29 years, I have yet to have a customer tell me that they did not like knowing what the price was. Never. In fact, it’s been just the opposite.
On numerous occasions, I have had customers tell me they love seeing my price labels as it helps them quickly figure out what size and style that they prefer and which one fits their budget.
Just recently, I was selling a shed and I asked the customer why they decided to buy from me. They told me the main reason they chose me was the fact that I clearly displayed prices and RTO payment options.
I always say that price labels, brochures, and signs act as a “silent salesperson” when you are not able to be at your lot. Today, where everything seems to be moving at warp speed, people want as much information as they can get to make an informed/ quick decision. Price labels and signs really assist people to do just that.
I use a laminated sheet of paper for my price labels, which really comes in handy if prices change suddenly. All I have to do is erase the old price and write in the new one. This actually gave me a huge advantage back during COVID when we had to add material surcharges.
People would see my current prices on my labels and ask me if I had to add a surcharge, and they were pleasantly surprised when I told them that the price was current.
Please keep in mind that my mission, as well as yours, is to make the buying experience as easy and simple for the customer as it possibly can be.
KEEP YOUR LOT LOOKING FRESH
In my travels, I have visited lots pretty much all over the United States. I have visited some really nice, maintained lots, a few mediocre lots, and way too many “blah” lots.
Let me tell you what I found out. Normally the nicer lots have pretty good salespeople on hand that seem to want to help you. The mediocre to “blah” lots very rarely have someone on-site or no one, period. This should not be acceptable.
I would much rather have one super-stocked, well-signed lot with a whiz-bang sales associate than to have 10 mediocre lots with so-so salespeople.
I strive to keep my lot looking fresh with signs, banners, streamers, wind blowers, etc. I do not want to look like a cookie-cutter-type lot. I want to stand out and get as much attention as I possibly can.
Over the years, I’ve had so many compliments from customers about how decorated my lot looks. One of my customers even told me that he couldn’t help but notice me and stop by.
Another thing you can do to grab attention is simply have your driver change the angle of a few sheds or move them around altogether to keep a fresh look.
You’d be surprised at how much positive impact you can have by paying a little more attention to your shed lot appearance.
Shed Nation, I encourage you to take the time to add price labels, signs, and brochures to your displays and do whatever you can to keep your lot looking fresh and new.
Having more information displayed for your customers and making your lot stand out can have an incredible impact and set you apart from your competitors.I truly believe our best days are just ahead! God Bless.