Trade Blog – categories

Best business practice

Financial management:

• 3 common cashflow problems for painters MAR 2020
• The Boston Matrix: What it is and how it can help you JUL 2019
• How can professional painters better manage cashflow? NOV 2018
• Material costs JUL 2017
• Overheads JUL 2017

Process & procedure:

• Have you got a plan B? SEP 2018
• The Consumer Guarantees Act and Painting OCT 2017
• Estimating and preparing quotes JUL 2017
• Are you insured? SEP 21 2013
• Construction disputes taking longer to resolve JUN 11, 2013

Standing out:

• 4 ways to stand out from the competition FEB 2020
• Extra client services that don't cost the world SEP 25 2014
• 3 ways to make your renovation service stand out APR 3 2014

Time management / productivity:

• Maximising your productivity JUN 2020
• The importance of a clean and organised workspace... including your work vehicle JUN 2020
• Time management tactics to employ during busy summer months OCT 2019
• Toolbox essential for painters – productivity tables JUL 3 2013

Tips & guides:

• 5 things you may be doing that could hurt your business JAN 11 2017
• 5 things a painter should never do MAY 15 2016
• The top 3 things a contractor should think about NOV 18 2014
• Terrific tradespeople: 3 tips for small business APR 12 2014
• Why your network should be more than just a cellphone provider JUL 2013

How to / technical guides

Environment

• How to clean your paint brushes in an eco-friendly way MAR 5, 2014
• Does your work get the Green Star seal of approval? FEB 23, 2014
• Australia and New Zealand’s eco-friendly building sectorSEP 19, 2013

Health and safety

• Painting for clients with young children around APR 23 2016
• Stay safe on your building site MAR 3 2014
• How to maintain a work/life balance as a tradesperson FEB 11, 2014
• How to stay safe: Tips for painters NOV 22, 2013
• Workplace safety – proper ventilation MAY 27, 2013

Painting

• Working out areas OCT 2017
• Painting by overall floor plan area JUN 2017
• Treat her right: Building with timber MAR 24, 2014
• Become a better painter with these insider tips MAR 17, 2014
• Make sure your toolbelt is fully equipped MAR 14, 2014
• Specifying your paint gloss levels MAR 3, 2014

Problems and solutions

• Ideas to get you out of a creative rutAUG 2019
• Wrestling with water damage? MAR 25, 2014
• Worried about spilling paint? MAR 14, 2014
• Dealing with graffiti in your business MAR 14, 2014
• Limeburn – what is it and how can painters prevent it? MAR 3, 2014
• Problem solving tips for tradies MAR 3, 2014

Business growth / profitability

• 7 outside-of-the-box ways to grow your business NOV 2020
• 6 simple strategies to boost your bottom line OCT 2020
• 3 easy ways to help grow a business client list SEP 2020
• Employment in painting and decoratingAUG 2018
• 4 ways to grow your business JUL 2018
• Apprenticeships – add value to your businessOCT 2017
• 5 ways a tradie can boost business while on a break MAY 9, 2016
• 5 ways to add value to your trade business MAY 24, 2014

Client management

• 5 tips for dealing with difficult clients MAY 2020
• What stops customers from returning? NOV 2019
• Common client characters and how to deal with them JUN 2019
• How to deliver top customer service OCT 2018
• How to deal with a negative review MAR 2018
• 6 things clients are looking for when hiring a tradesperson AUG 2017
• When an account becomes 'overdue' JUL 2017
• How to ensure your painting business is paid on time APR 22, 2016
• What if the client's got it wrong? JUL 11, 2014
• How to manage your clients' expectations JUL 9, 2014
• 3 reasons to call your clients MAY 8, 2014

Marketing strategies

Branding:

• How to come up with the perfect tag line SEP 2019
• Small but powerful: How to create the perfect business card JAN 18 2018
• A few sign-painting tips SEP 11 2013
• The importance of branding JUNE 14 2013

Online / social media:

• How to optimise your website for mobile (and why you should) JUN 2018
• Small business social marketing do's and don'ts MAY 2018
• A beginner's guide to getting your business on Instagram APR 2018
• A painter's guide to Facebook FEB 9, 2017
• 3 marketing trends tradies can use to get ahead in 2017 JAN 15, 2017
• A painter's guide to Instagram JAN 5, 2017
• 4 social media must-dos! MAR 24, 2014
• How to use social media to promote your trade business NOV 27, 2013
• Marketing yourself online for tradies and specifiers MAY 30, 2013

Principles:

• Market segmentation: How to make the most of this marketing principle MAY 2019
• The four 'P's for painters FEB 18 2018
• 3 marketing truths that will never change FEB 14 2018
• The power of emotions: Marketing your renovation services APR 17 2014
• What's in a successful marketing plan? APR 8 2014
• 6 ways to get people talking about your business MAR 29 2014
• How to differentiate yourself from your trade competitors FEB 19 2014
• Stand out from the crowd Oct 30 2014

Tips:

• How to make time for marketing AUG 2020
• How to keep your business busy over winter APR 2020
• Marketing skills you don't know you have APR 2019
• Marketing tips for tradies OCT 26 2013
• The 80/20 marketing rule and how it works for you JUNE 4 2013

Traditional marketing avenues:

• Traditional marketing avenues: Why they're not past their use-by MAY 2017
• A guide to radio advertising APR 18, 2017
• Is advertising worth the investment? JUN 20, 2013