How Contractors Can Stay on Top of New Trends
It seems like trends are changing every day. There’s new technology, new design trends, new materials, and even new legislation. There is so much to keep track of, how is it even possible? Keeping track of trends can feel time consuming, but it is vital for your business. Here’s how contractors can stay on top of new trends.
Customize your social media feed.
As a contractor, you already know how important it is to stay active on social media. You already need to check your business’ social media feed regularly, so why not customize it to make the most out of it? You should follow your suppliers, news sites, and industry leaders on social media. These will give you more visibility on the platforms and will allow you to keep track of the innovations. It’s also a good idea to check up on your competitors to see what they’re doing, but make sure not to click that “Follow” button. Your followers show up on your profile, and you don’t want people checking out your profile to see them. However, checking out their feed once in a while to see what they’re doing will help you stay on top of new trends.
Do your research.
Take some time each week to do some research on top industry trends. This will hopefully give you some ideas that you didn’t see in your social media feed. Just a quick search for “top contracting trends” should give you plenty of results. See what people are saying. How can you make your processes more efficient? Is there a new type of flooring everyone likes? Are people turning to cheaper products because of the economy, and can you offer something better? Is there a new piece of technology or legislation in development that will affect your future? The small amount of time it takes to do this research will help you immensely.
Embrace technology.
It seems like there is a new technological innovation every week. While it’s tempting to stick with what you know, embracing technology is a great way to stay on top of new trends. New technology can often make your processes more efficient, more affordable, and, therefore, more attractive to potential clients.
Network, network, network!
Networking is perhaps the best way contractors can stay on top of new trends. Whether it’s trade shows or just getting together with other people in your industry, nothing beats the value of person-to-person communication. You can get great insight into what’s going on when you just talk to people.
Communicate with your clients.
Last but not least, your clients’ opinions really do matter and can be reflective of new trends. If you have several clients who ask for something you don’t offer, that may be a new trend you need to consider.
One trend clients love is general contractor financing, because it makes the process easier for them. With HFS Financial, all your clients have to do is fill out a 60-second loan application and we’ll fit them with the right loan. Partner with us today by calling 1-800-254-9560. “You Dream It, We Finance It.”
