Leverage contracted work in your favor
#1: Leverage Insurance Company Customers by Getting Them to Leave Reviews
Google uses two basic means to determine what roadside companies show up when an online search for your services is performed, those are location and reputation. One measure of a company’s reputation is the quantity and the quality of their online reviews.
If you provide valuable service and are courteous to the insurance companies members you have every right to ask for a review. The problem is most customers will say that they’ll leave you a review but if left to their own devices 95% of these people never do.
Providing the customer with a business card with a link to your online review portal is, in most instances, fruitless. Customers will forget, not understand the process, or simply say they don’t have enough time.
Your best bet is to get that review when you’re face-to-face with the customer. Take a look at how this review tool works. You simply ask a question like; “If I’ve done a good job for you today will you please leave me a review?”
If the customer agrees to do so, you just tap an app-like bookmark on the home screen of your smart-phone and then text it as a link to the customer’s phone. This allows them to provide you with a review/testimonial beforehand.
Positive reviews are like money in the bank. Although there are many other things to consider when upgrading how Google views your reputation online, reviews are a step in the right direction. So, if you’re going to be a contracted service provider for some of the insurance companies you might as well take advantage of this opportunity.
#2 Turn Insurance Company Customers into Your Customers
As stated earlier, insurance companies need to make a profit to stay in business. And one way they do this is by looking for the contracted service provider who will do the work for the least amount of money. This means that, many times, customers are required to wait while a dispatcher conducts a search.
Sometimes, it takes more than an hour before a service provider is finally found and dispatched. And, depending on how far they must travel and how backed-up they are, it may take another hour before a tow truck finally arrives. This can be very frustrating for the customer as they don’t have a clear understanding of the process. And many times, they tend to lash-out at the person who’s there to help, the tow truck operator.
If you can empathize with the customer’s position and turn their frustration into “relief that help has finally arrived,” and they are from the area, you may be able to turn them into your customer. Rather than allowing a customer’s anger to spark your own, hand them a bottle of water and a business card. Help them understand the situation and tell them that, if they’d prefer not to wait so long next time, they can just call you direct.
Depending upon the relationship and agreement they have with their insurance company, the customer can call your company direct, pay for your services, and submit your invoice to their insurance company for reimbursement.
It’s that simple. Turn what could be a measly $45 call, that may or may not conclude with a negative online review about your business, into a customer for life.
#3 Working as a Non-Contracted Service Provider for the Insurance Companies
Instances will arise when an insurance company must go outside their database of contracted service providers in order to get service to one of their members. The reasons for this vary, and may include the fact that there are no contracted service providers in a given area, no contracted providers are willing to do the work for the pittance the insurance company is willing to pay, or simply, that they are all too busy and are not able to provide the dispatcher with an acceptable ETA. When this happens, the dispatcher must find a non-contracted service provider to help. This is called going “outside the network,” or “out-of-network.”
To find a service provider for one of these out-of-network calls an insurance company dispatcher uses various methods. They might access a list of previously contracted service providers. And if it was an amicable separation, and you’re on that list, you might get the call. Another way is to consult The Oracle, Google, where the more visible you are there the higher your chances are of receiving the call.
If you’ve been in the business for any time and you’re not currently contracted with the clubs, you’ve probably received these calls many times.
The advantage of being a non-contracted service provider and receiving one of these calls is that, if you get the call, the insurance company will pay your rates. You don’t have to accept the low-low rates that a contracted service provider would receive.
#4 How to Maximize Profits for Your Business
Understanding the way insurance companies treat contracted and non-contracted service providers, and the various methods of leveraging these relationships can help your business. But if you want to maximize profits and stop spinning your wheels you need to be familiar with how money flows into your business, and which revenue streams are the most profitable.
There are basically 3 ways in which a stranded motorist finds the services of a company.
Insurance Companies/Motor Clubs
Referrals (includes repair-shops & word-of-mouth)
Google Online Search
From our experience with the hundreds of companies we’ve helped over the last 6 years, we know that the best and most profitable means of attracting new customers is Google Online Search.
Most motorists are unprepared when they need roadside assistance, as they only require your services, maybe…once every 4 to 5 years. This means that even if they do have roadside assistance as part of their automobile insurance, they might not know about it. And even if they do, they might not want to waste the time to learn how to use it. One thing that they do have is a cell phone.
A 2017 Pew Research Center report reveals that 95% of the people in the United States have a cell phone, which means they can search for the services they need.
This means that if you’re not online, on Google’s first page, you’re invisible.
Another even more valuable thing to consider is your online presence. How well your business is showing up organically. Search Engine Optimization is important for the longevity of your business and if you’re approaching it with a shot-gun approach, or just throwing something up to see if it sticks, you’re wasting your time. Being consistently present on Google’s front page is attainable, but it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon and you must stay committed for it to work
Google uses two basic means to determine what roadside companies show up when an online search for your services is performed, those are location and reputation. One measure of a company’s reputation is the quantity and the quality of their online reviews.
If you provide valuable service and are courteous to the insurance companies members you have every right to ask for a review. The problem is most customers will say that they’ll leave you a review but if left to their own devices 95% of these people never do.
Providing the customer with a business card with a link to your online review portal is, in most instances, fruitless. Customers will forget, not understand the process, or simply say they don’t have enough time.
Your best bet is to get that review when you’re face-to-face with the customer. Take a look at how this review tool works. You simply ask a question like; “If I’ve done a good job for you today will you please leave me a review?”
If the customer agrees to do so, you just tap an app-like bookmark on the home screen of your smart-phone and then text it as a link to the customer’s phone. This allows them to provide you with a review/testimonial beforehand.
Positive reviews are like money in the bank. Although there are many other things to consider when upgrading how Google views your reputation online, reviews are a step in the right direction. So, if you’re going to be a contracted service provider for some of the insurance companies you might as well take advantage of this opportunity.
#2 Turn Insurance Company Customers into Your Customers
As stated earlier, insurance companies need to make a profit to stay in business. And one way they do this is by looking for the contracted service provider who will do the work for the least amount of money. This means that, many times, customers are required to wait while a dispatcher conducts a search.
Sometimes, it takes more than an hour before a service provider is finally found and dispatched. And, depending on how far they must travel and how backed-up they are, it may take another hour before a tow truck finally arrives. This can be very frustrating for the customer as they don’t have a clear understanding of the process. And many times, they tend to lash-out at the person who’s there to help, the tow truck operator.
If you can empathize with the customer’s position and turn their frustration into “relief that help has finally arrived,” and they are from the area, you may be able to turn them into your customer. Rather than allowing a customer’s anger to spark your own, hand them a bottle of water and a business card. Help them understand the situation and tell them that, if they’d prefer not to wait so long next time, they can just call you direct.
Depending upon the relationship and agreement they have with their insurance company, the customer can call your company direct, pay for your services, and submit your invoice to their insurance company for reimbursement.
It’s that simple. Turn what could be a measly $45 call, that may or may not conclude with a negative online review about your business, into a customer for life.
#3 Working as a Non-Contracted Service Provider for the Insurance Companies
Instances will arise when an insurance company must go outside their database of contracted service providers in order to get service to one of their members. The reasons for this vary, and may include the fact that there are no contracted service providers in a given area, no contracted providers are willing to do the work for the pittance the insurance company is willing to pay, or simply, that they are all too busy and are not able to provide the dispatcher with an acceptable ETA. When this happens, the dispatcher must find a non-contracted service provider to help. This is called going “outside the network,” or “out-of-network.”
To find a service provider for one of these out-of-network calls an insurance company dispatcher uses various methods. They might access a list of previously contracted service providers. And if it was an amicable separation, and you’re on that list, you might get the call. Another way is to consult The Oracle, Google, where the more visible you are there the higher your chances are of receiving the call.
If you’ve been in the business for any time and you’re not currently contracted with the clubs, you’ve probably received these calls many times.
The advantage of being a non-contracted service provider and receiving one of these calls is that, if you get the call, the insurance company will pay your rates. You don’t have to accept the low-low rates that a contracted service provider would receive.
#4 How to Maximize Profits for Your Business
Understanding the way insurance companies treat contracted and non-contracted service providers, and the various methods of leveraging these relationships can help your business. But if you want to maximize profits and stop spinning your wheels you need to be familiar with how money flows into your business, and which revenue streams are the most profitable.
There are basically 3 ways in which a stranded motorist finds the services of a company.
Insurance Companies/Motor Clubs
Referrals (includes repair-shops & word-of-mouth)
Google Online Search
From our experience with the hundreds of companies we’ve helped over the last 6 years, we know that the best and most profitable means of attracting new customers is Google Online Search.
Most motorists are unprepared when they need roadside assistance, as they only require your services, maybe…once every 4 to 5 years. This means that even if they do have roadside assistance as part of their automobile insurance, they might not know about it. And even if they do, they might not want to waste the time to learn how to use it. One thing that they do have is a cell phone.
A 2017 Pew Research Center report reveals that 95% of the people in the United States have a cell phone, which means they can search for the services they need.
This means that if you’re not online, on Google’s first page, you’re invisible.
Another even more valuable thing to consider is your online presence. How well your business is showing up organically. Search Engine Optimization is important for the longevity of your business and if you’re approaching it with a shot-gun approach, or just throwing something up to see if it sticks, you’re wasting your time. Being consistently present on Google’s front page is attainable, but it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon and you must stay committed for it to work
Free Listings
The best free local listings for your business to get noticed are here, however we need to go over a few important subjects first.
The internet is called the web for a reason. Each listing and account you create needs to MATCH EXACTLY. Name, address and phone number (NAP) these all need to be the same throughout all social media and local directories. Once this is done search engines will grab that same information from all of these different sources and make your business more visible ( like a big spider web ) One of the best free listing you can get will be a google my business page. Once you are in the top 3 listings your phone will ring everyday with cash calls. There are some important steps you need to take before just setting up a account. |
Rules To Success
#1. DO NOT LIST YOUR BUSINESS AS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE on the internet! This section is entirely different from the roadside assistance portion of your business ( roadside is contracted work and no advertising is needed ).
To receive CASH CALLS you will have to advertise to get the phone ringing but you will also get paid more. Remember we are setting this business up to have multiple revenue streams. This first strategy may seem odd but we are here to make money and trust me this will make you more money then listing your business as roadside assistance.
List your business as a VEHICLE UNLOCK SERVICE instead. These calls are much more frequent and you will make more money on a daily basis. Also if the roadside portion of your business has a slow day then these calls will give you a whole different route to make money.
With that being said you will to use the word locksmith as a keyword when it comes to advertising. Yes people will ask you if you make keys but don't worry all you need to say is " sorry we only do emergency unlock and roadside service." This is vital to list your business as a locksmith with google if you want the maximum amount of cash calls.
#2 Google is very picky who they approve under the locksmith category. If you just create a free listing without doing some leg work they will deny you. Instead you have to list some local citations first and then create your free account.
To receive CASH CALLS you will have to advertise to get the phone ringing but you will also get paid more. Remember we are setting this business up to have multiple revenue streams. This first strategy may seem odd but we are here to make money and trust me this will make you more money then listing your business as roadside assistance.
List your business as a VEHICLE UNLOCK SERVICE instead. These calls are much more frequent and you will make more money on a daily basis. Also if the roadside portion of your business has a slow day then these calls will give you a whole different route to make money.
With that being said you will to use the word locksmith as a keyword when it comes to advertising. Yes people will ask you if you make keys but don't worry all you need to say is " sorry we only do emergency unlock and roadside service." This is vital to list your business as a locksmith with google if you want the maximum amount of cash calls.
#2 Google is very picky who they approve under the locksmith category. If you just create a free listing without doing some leg work they will deny you. Instead you have to list some local citations first and then create your free account.
What is a local citation?
A local citation is any online mention of the name, address, and phone number for a local business. Citations can occur on local business directories, on websites and apps, and on social platforms. Citations help Internet users to discover local businesses and can also impact local search engine rankings.
Remember when listing these citations make sure they all MATCH! Below is very useful list to get you started but before you start putting in your business information here are some great keywords you can use whenever you are describing your emergency unlock service. Also it is ok to put in a few roadside assistance services but the majority need to be focused around unlocking vehicles.
KEYWORDS
Its pretty obvious that you need to create a free facebook page but here are some other free listings that you should summit before creating a google my business page.
Remember when listing these citations make sure they all MATCH! Below is very useful list to get you started but before you start putting in your business information here are some great keywords you can use whenever you are describing your emergency unlock service. Also it is ok to put in a few roadside assistance services but the majority need to be focused around unlocking vehicles.
KEYWORDS
- Locksmith ( your city ) Example - Locksmith Dallas TX
- Locksmith ( your zip ) Example - Locksmith 75019
- Auto Locksmith
- Car Locksmith
- Unlock
- Unlock Car
- Unlock Service
- Pop A Lock
- Automotive Locksmiths
- Lock Smith
- Lock Smiths
- Automotive Locksmith
- Auto Locksmiths
- keys locked in car
- locksmith service
- mobile locksmith
- car lock smith
- locksmith in ( your city )
- 24 7 locksmith
- 24 hour locksmith
- 24/7 locksmith
- 24/7 emergency locksmith
- professional locksmith
- certified locksmith
- car lock out
- emergency unlock
- emergency opening
- door unlock
- Automotive Lockouts
- Car Lockouts
- Mail Box Locks
- car unlock
- cheap locksmith
- emergency locksmith
- 24 hour emergency locksmith
- locksmith prices
- locksmith cost
- locksmith services
- locked keys in car
Its pretty obvious that you need to create a free facebook page but here are some other free listings that you should summit before creating a google my business page.