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

I'm fortunate enough to be in a trade where most wont want to do the work, because of the heat, and there's no YouTube videos showing complete re-roofs being done. With that said, the ones who try, usually fail, unless they worked in the field for several years and understand the concept. Even at that, they will usually fail around valleys or penetrations. They can pay me now, or pay me later. Not really losing anything from DIY's. Not to mention if I do convince them to contract with us, I have to add extra money, because they will impede progress by trying to micromanage my crews.

You can't. Many people are unable to see the difference a designer's effort makes. They are aesthetically numb and any difference they do see, they don't value. That said, not everyone needs an interior designer. If they know exactly what they want, they go out and find it and will be satisfied with the result. Of course they miss the detail knowledge that makes a job stand out and experience many of the pitfalls of actually producing a job, but they will write it off. As Jared said below, "They are not your prospective customer." You can not convert them.

E-3...expertise, employees and equipment. Ours is a very hazardous industry and if you do not know what you are doing, things can get ugly quickly. We know what we are doing and have the equipment, knowledge and people to get the job done right and efficiently. You may be able to do small jobs yourself and we will be up front and tell you if that is the case. For the more challenging and technical jobs you need a professional...and that is where we can help.

I sell "Service", to include 25+ years experience in Interior Design! Just know, you won't get all opportunities. The ones you don't get will get exactly what they pay for, sub-standard service and inferior products. I've learned to spot "The deal searchers", I always PASS on those projects.

I say let them look it up and attempt to do it themselves, and after everything is over add up their losses.

And if it works out for them and it fits that needs, kudos you have another trade under your belt.

Well I caution them to read the reviews on the BBB- verified yelp reviews can be bought and sold by reputation companies, but the BBB (I'm accredited but not a fan) is very good about not letting scandalous moving companies list- A second would be this- follow the old rule- if it looks to good to be true, it probably is- No legit mover is going to be able to work for 39.00 an hour without raping the customers for tons of add on charges- I'm very grateful in AZ we just recently passed a law that now makes it criminal offense to hold your items hostage if you don't pay the added on fees. It used to be cops hands were tied it being a civil suite, but that law has changed, you can read the law on my website at www.newstartrealty.com on the moving tab. I also have great moving tips and real estate tips for do it yourself on my YouTube Channel. I also welcome calls to discuss the many types of moving scams out there and how to spot them. I find that once people understand what they have to pay for a rental when you add, full insurance on the truck, pads, dollies, fuel and mileage, its worth the extra hundred to 200 to do it with a legit professional

We actually have a service to teach people how to take care of their trees, and charge for this service. Then they soon find out how much better it will be to have us take care of their trees. They find out they will need to buy all kinds of specialized and expensive tools. They also find out how dangerous tree work is when working in large trees. When we teach these dot it your self people, we end up with good customers.

You really need to decide and define: who is my ideal customer?

Once that question is answered: what organizations fit that description? Create a hit list.

The crux of the problem is this: most people dont want to get out from behind their desks -- they expect the phone to magically ring. The truth is your going to have work harder at qualifying who is a bad prospect and who is an ideal prospect.

#1: develop a decent web site that communicates a solid message. It doesnt have to be a $10k web site. Utilize "google my business." This is a free service and each week you can post a new subject for those that are already searching for your services. I can't tell you how many leads I get from this free service from Google.

#2: get out there and start knocking on doors - this is where people fail the most... not because they try so hard -- but because they dont try at all! If you want to stand out? Then you need to get out. Refine your sales message. Join a Toastmasters group if your uncomfortable speaking in front of crowds. Who would want to hear you publicly speak about what you have to offer or hear about solutions you've already provided? Find those people.

#3: when they do call - have a game plan that covers all the bases of who, what, when, where, why, how and how much? Most people dont go to this extent. You can stand out by asking the right questions and being prepared to act immediately.

#4: Dont put off till tomorrow that which can be done today. Prospects want it now. Learn how to embrace the now for your prospect, learn how to communicate the message of caring about their problems. When you take personal ownership of their problems -- they will share more with you.

#5: Track your prospects. Invest in customer relationship software and dedicate yourself to understanding how to leverage it.

Lastly, give up on "good luck" mentality and embrace "luck is not a factor" mentality. We all know that we can be in the right place at the right time but when you've prepared to be in the right place at the right time then luck becomes less of a factor... your skill in developing relationships, actively listening to prospects while communicating effective solutions is essential if your want luck to help. Until then -- luck is NOT a factor...

Dont be shy! Set some goals! Go for it !!

If I know a customer is price shopping, I'll charge them a fee to do a quote. But I tell them that's fine if they want to do it. I'll tell them roughly what tools, equipment or time it would take and said if they have the money for rentals or time then they could do it. I tell them this is what it costs me to do the job before I make a profit and if you want it done it will cost this much and we would have it done in this amount of time vs the long time it would take them.

If people are looking up moving across town or across the country on the internet I say keep on looking, there is so much to consider when doing a move yourself. What if the person doing the moving hurts his back? I hope he is not the bread winner and sole provider in the household, then they need to consider how much they have accumulated since the old College days and am I going to create enough damage to my furniture and new home is it really going to be worth it? Power to the internet although I still feel that there are some things that you should just hire a professional company.