How do you position yourself as a worthwhile business when many people want to look it up and do it themselves?

My first thought is Let them do it themselves!

Move on and find someone who really appreciates what you can do! Don't waste your time because if you are good there is plenty of work out there for all of us! I always felt bad when I didn't get the job! And sometimes when I did land a good job I said to myself, Oh crap, what did I forget to charge them for in my quote..I sometimes wondered why they picked me! But after a while you have to tell the customer that YOU are the best choice for the project and prove to them that you are once you get the chance!

Good luck,

Phil Polak

sodsalesdirect.com

I like Brian Tracy's attitude of positioning yourself more as a consultant than as a saleman for my company. When home owners call, if it is something they could just as easily do themselves I will explain to them how to do it over the phone. There is an old adage that says "what goes around, comes around".

Many of our clients know that we will tell them the truth of what the problem is and how to solve it.

So our business model is that we are consultants, analyzers of problems, advice givers to some as well as a service company.

For us it works well.

Roger B .

As a florist everyone knows the you can purchase flower everywhere today. The florist have been hit hard by the internet as well as every grocery store gas station, and chain stores now selling flowers. Florist have to position themselves as a specialist offering what the chain stores and internet can't that being customer service and expertise. We have to sell our trade, experience, dedication, and creativity to keep our current customer and bring new customers back to the flower shop. All you can purchase on the internet is picture of which you may not get, or flowers so old from the stores that they fall apart when you take the plastic off. Our value is to use this medium as a mode to educate and promote what your business stands for. I believe that you must treat everyone who call you rather to make a purchase or simply get information to do it themselves like you would want to be treated when you need help on a project. If you show kindness and share what ever information you have that will help others even if you don't make money on that call. My experience is they do come back.

What kind of business?

People can learn and do pretty much everything themselves, but choose to pay others when they are convinced there is benefit by saving time, doing it right and sometimes saving money. The last point is not always the most important. Think of changing the oil and filter in your car. It is really not that hard. Kids with minimal training do it for you at changing stations. You could save money to do it yourself and learn to do it as well as or better than most changing stations, but the combination of convenience and not having to learn make it a viable business.

How do you position yourself as a worthwhile business when many people want to look it up and do it themselves?

You position yourself by knowing exactly who you are, and by knowing who your market is, and knowing who your market is not.
There are many people who choose the DIY route simply because they have a need for a product or service, but they legitimately cannot afford to hire a professional. There are also plenty of people who are short-sighted, or just selfish and greedy. They try to do almost everything themselves; you can never help them, so just keep it moving. But some of us are serious-minded visionaries. We recognize that our time is our most valuable and it is a non-renewable resource. We choose to operate at our highest and best use - as much as possible. We see hiring professionals as an investment in ourselves and as preservation of our valuable time. We respect others who have taken the time and effort to cultivate a trade, useful product or quality service. We are happy to pay the entrepreneur for what they do because it frees us to continue to focus on what we do best.

Your market is not those who want to do it themselves. Most people who 'want' to do everything themselves are not going to be able to effectively grow their businesses as entrepreneurs or their wallets as consumers, and hence, they won't be the ones who can comfortably afford your service, anyway.

Identify your market; they are the people who need your service and are willing to pay a professional for it. In finding your market you will experience reciprocity, and you will increase your capacity to become great.

Debórah Benton
CEO
www.Anansistreet.com
[email address]

We have a great website that is very informative and allows potential customers to email us for any additional information and/or questions. We also have always used radio ads to get our name out there w/ snippets about what we offer and how we can help. And we are starting a billboard campaign that will draw attention and further get our name out there to assist w/ any pest, termite and wildlife needs. We offer free no obligation inspections for most issues and are very competetive!

I think it's great that folks look up and learn how to do these things. Most times they see what has to be done and get over whelmed and that is where I come in. I have given advise on how to do things - they will remember who has helped them without charge and without bias and on the jobs they don't want to do and they will call you.

Most Roofing - Remodeling Companies that put Roofing at the end of their name are anymore just check collectors, they have never worked in the field on top of a roof in the summer on a flat or shingle roof. Having been born into the Roofing Business and gained valuable hands on experience with real world application and tight oversight over each job I will get called in to clean up all the damage after the salesman and applicator have messed up the project. There is no substitute. Google also allows Roofers to buy themselves to the top of the page. It is not fair but complaining about it wont change the system. People and business owners in Wichita one of the hail capitals in the USA. should know better by now to wait and use a good quality local Roofing Contractor. That is not the case more and more.

We remind customers that if they are not familiar with floral design and working with flowers to not have high expectations with their D.I.Y. projects- anything from time management to improper handling of the products could turn into a disaster and cause them necessary stress! However, not everyone can can afford professional flowers, and for these customers we do encourage D.I.Y. flowers. In fact, we offer floral design classes and flower crown workshops to customers who are eager to learn! [However, we also have a small cafe and many times bridal parties end up ordering brunch and spending more than they would have if we did the flowers for them- this brings in the revenue and relieves the stress of having to please the customer, as the burden is on the guests to make their perfect floral designs!]

liked jared's response, many brides do a part of their wedding and we do the more detailed items. (we have also redone many of the projects that didn't "work out" as planned- usually last minute) I can study on line how to put a transmission in,but I'm smart enough to know my limitations and let a pro do it,