HI, I'am starting out on my own diving and detailing boats in Santa Cruz Harbor. I figure Sailboat owners will be my targeted market. My question is,what sort of features or services, that I could offer, are sailboat owners looking for that would help me stand out from the competition. I have been working for someone else for almost 2 years and now it is time to market myself. Any advice would be appreciated.Thank You
diving/detail
- Thread starter mark831
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What is needed
Heres a short list to start out with. 1. Be there when you say you will. 2. Do what you say you will do. 3. Never, ever do anything half a@%ed. 4. Be completely and totally honest with potential customers. 5. Don't try to bluff when you don't know. 6. Don't try to be the cheapest. But be competitive. 7. Be friendly and always wear a smile. If your targeting a sailboat market, you will find that most will pay a premium to have a job done on time, by a knowledgable friendly person. BS ers, and a half a&% job will put you out of business. Every boat owner ( or most ) has had their fill of people who are supposed to be professionals, and aren't even close. I know, this if supposed to be the formula for success in any business, but it is surprising how few practice it. Hope this helps, and I wish you success in your endeavor.
Heres a short list to start out with. 1. Be there when you say you will. 2. Do what you say you will do. 3. Never, ever do anything half a@%ed. 4. Be completely and totally honest with potential customers. 5. Don't try to bluff when you don't know. 6. Don't try to be the cheapest. But be competitive. 7. Be friendly and always wear a smile. If your targeting a sailboat market, you will find that most will pay a premium to have a job done on time, by a knowledgable friendly person. BS ers, and a half a&% job will put you out of business. Every boat owner ( or most ) has had their fill of people who are supposed to be professionals, and aren't even close. I know, this if supposed to be the formula for success in any business, but it is surprising how few practice it. Hope this helps, and I wish you success in your endeavor.
Couldn't Agree More ........................
.......... with Nice and Easy. Here on the west coast, we figure if you can't make it as a squeegy kid, you go into pleasure boat maintenance. Follow his seven suggestions and people will beat down your door for service. Screw up just once without explanation or apology and you will be relegated to the scrap heap along with the rest of them. I know this may seem a little strong but here, rotten, unskilled, and unapologetic service is the accepted norm for 90% of all boat maintenance. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
.......... with Nice and Easy. Here on the west coast, we figure if you can't make it as a squeegy kid, you go into pleasure boat maintenance. Follow his seven suggestions and people will beat down your door for service. Screw up just once without explanation or apology and you will be relegated to the scrap heap along with the rest of them. I know this may seem a little strong but here, rotten, unskilled, and unapologetic service is the accepted norm for 90% of all boat maintenance. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
After...
you PROMISE to do everything Nice N Easy suggests... visit all the yard managers/marinas/yatch clubs in the area you plan to service... post some info up on the the bulletin board... leave some business cards. Good luck.
you PROMISE to do everything Nice N Easy suggests... visit all the yard managers/marinas/yatch clubs in the area you plan to service... post some info up on the the bulletin board... leave some business cards. Good luck.
Give additional info
We have a diver go down about every 8 - 10 weeks. When they send the invoice they always include a memo about the % of wear on the zinc, how much longer they feel the bottom paint is good for and how much and what kind of growth was on the bottom. One of the things they DON'T do which I would appreciate is a self-addressed envelope included with the statement. I concur with previous posts - BE HONEST and thorough. Good luck on your endeavour!
We have a diver go down about every 8 - 10 weeks. When they send the invoice they always include a memo about the % of wear on the zinc, how much longer they feel the bottom paint is good for and how much and what kind of growth was on the bottom. One of the things they DON'T do which I would appreciate is a self-addressed envelope included with the statement. I concur with previous posts - BE HONEST and thorough. Good luck on your endeavour!
Don't have so many clients...
That you are rushed to do the job correctly. I always thought an underwater digital camera to photo potential problems and send to the customer was a good idea. Anyway, I got fed up with the service in my area that I got my diving cert and started to do it my self.
That you are rushed to do the job correctly. I always thought an underwater digital camera to photo potential problems and send to the customer was a good idea. Anyway, I got fed up with the service in my area that I got my diving cert and started to do it my self.
Hi Mark, in addition to those already mentioned...
my diver does the following: 1. Installs zincs. 2. Cleans any barnacles from prop and shaft. 3. Scrapes mussels from keel. 4. Cleans speed meter impeller. 5. Checks rudder for play. 6. Checks condition of bottom paint. 7. Checks hull for any exposed glass or issues. Terry
my diver does the following: 1. Installs zincs. 2. Cleans any barnacles from prop and shaft. 3. Scrapes mussels from keel. 4. Cleans speed meter impeller. 5. Checks rudder for play. 6. Checks condition of bottom paint. 7. Checks hull for any exposed glass or issues. Terry
Offer emergency service
For a 50% markup, offer 2-hour service (or 5-hour or whatever) for emergencies such as prop fouled, etc. Build in an 800 number if you can. People will pay dearly for premium service under deadline (no pun intended). Side note: Here in Virginia, new divers are precluded from cleaning boat hulls in slips because of some arcane Chesapeake Bay rule. My diver is apparently grandfathered, which makes no sense. So new divers have to have the owner motor out to the creek and beach it for him to work. Check your water regs for what's permitted.
For a 50% markup, offer 2-hour service (or 5-hour or whatever) for emergencies such as prop fouled, etc. Build in an 800 number if you can. People will pay dearly for premium service under deadline (no pun intended). Side note: Here in Virginia, new divers are precluded from cleaning boat hulls in slips because of some arcane Chesapeake Bay rule. My diver is apparently grandfathered, which makes no sense. So new divers have to have the owner motor out to the creek and beach it for him to work. Check your water regs for what's permitted.
Good Service, Honesty
Mark~ As you provide excellant service to your customers, remember what you started out to do in the first place. I think the most important trait of any business is to be honest. Honesty can be associated with everyone's suggestions. As your business grows and you might need to expand and add employee's. You will have to make sure that they have the same honesty that was your secret to success. Treat these employees, honestly and always remember what it was like when you were an employee. These people will be the "face" of your business and can make you or break you! Write down all of the qualities of your business and live them daily.
Mark~ As you provide excellant service to your customers, remember what you started out to do in the first place. I think the most important trait of any business is to be honest. Honesty can be associated with everyone's suggestions. As your business grows and you might need to expand and add employee's. You will have to make sure that they have the same honesty that was your secret to success. Treat these employees, honestly and always remember what it was like when you were an employee. These people will be the "face" of your business and can make you or break you! Write down all of the qualities of your business and live them daily.
My Top Nine List
1. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 2. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 3. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 4. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 5. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 6. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 7. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 8. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 9. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) And then one extra special one: 1. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy)
1. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 2. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 3. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 4. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 5. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 6. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 7. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 8. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) 9. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy) And then one extra special one: 1. Be there when you say you will (a la Nice N Easy)
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