Welcome to 2024 it's finally here.

The beginning of the year when you take a few hours to sit down and figure out how you're going to make this next year be better than the last.

Even if last year was a good year, keep the pressure on and aim higher and higher.

Then if last year was a disaster……. Then you're going to want to stay tuned to figure out why it's wrong.

Tool Box Talk for electricians - Helping electricians reduce stress, gain back time and earn more money in 2024.

Welcome to 2024, Ben Poulter, your host of tool box talk for electricians here once again.

This podcast is going to give you some ideas for 2024 to make your electrical business better and make more money.

Even if you have had a good year, there is always room to improve and do better.

How you start the year sets the pace for the the whole year, if you start off strong - it can only get better.

If you get into your head that people have just had christmas and don't want to spend any money - STOP right there.

There is always a call for electricians….

Faults

Upgrades

Extensions

Maintenance

The list goes on and people's businesses still need to function in 2024 so they require electricians to keep their electrical installations in tip top condition.

Businesses may have had a good Christmas period and can finally afford to get the work done they have been putting off for so long.

There had been an increase in enquiries for EICR for people selling and buying houses.

The work is out there, it's down to you to get in front of these people and make sure they call you.

So many companies do January sales. This is something I have never done in my business and never will.

The work I do and the service I provide is better than any business having to offer a discount in order to get work.

I did however experience a lot of new customers getting a few quotes, then coming back to me asking if I could match the others.

Again - that's not a game I take part in. I aim to get as many quotes out there as possible, even if I'm sure the customer isn't going to go for it.

You can guarantee that the customer will have a bad experience and next time come to you for a better service.

So the first thing to take a little time doing would be checking the price of materials.

I could sit here and tell you a drum of 2.5 twin and earth is £48, but the truth is every electrician gets different prices from a wholesaler.

Check to see if you are getting the best price for materials from the wholesaler you have been loyal to in 2023.

Just call up for a price. You don't have to go and buy a drum from each one.

Maybe get a list of a few items like

2.5 Twin and earth

35mm KO boxes

10 way consumer unit

The things you use all the time, it may even be that the difference is a few pounds, well that few pounds will add up over the year and be enough to fill the van.

Pennies make pounds after all.

Or even enable you to do more competitive quotes to get the job in the first place.

Another good idea would be to take a good look at the work you done in 2023.

How busy were you?

Stacked out without a moment to spare, This may be a good feeling to have constant work.

But

Could it be time to put your hourly rate up, maybe win less quotes but make more money on the jobs you do.

This will give you more time - and when you're busy all the time you must admit, having a day off here and there would be great.

I don't care if you're industrial, commercial or domestic - Keeping in contact with customers is a fantastic way to keep your business growing.

A quick follow up email to make sure the customer is happy with the work, along with asking for a review on google.

Google seems to be the go to place for a lot of people looking for an electrician in 2023, I would imagine 2024 will be the same.

So if you haven't got your business on google, do that today. It doesn't even take that long and having customers be able to see who is going to turn up at their house is a massive advantage.

Just have a picture of you in your work kit by the van, even better if you have it written.

Customers like to trust strangers in their homes, if you look well established with a google page, with photos and reviews - it's going to help your business grow.

Some people may not like the fact, of even hate social media… But

It really helps any business with

Customer reviews

Comments on work

Comments on solutions

Enabling customers to see who will be coming round

A google business page is a good place to start, then facebook page, maybe instagram and all the others.

The home page of them all can be a linktree - and all this is free.

I have never used paid ads to generate customers. I know there are plenty of courses out there that promise the earth with paid ads on google and facebook.

I always think if you start paying for customers you will never stop.

Grow a business the organic way with building a brand and a reputation and it can be stopped.

Start the year out as you mean to go on - Clear the van out and get your shit in order.

That blunt holesaw you have been using for downlights all last year - get a new one.

Invest in yourself and your business with tools that help you do a better job.

Rods, multi tool, test kit.

Depending on the level of qualification you have, plan to get more this year.

If your 17th Edition qualified, get the 18th under your belt.

Been thinking about the 2391 testing and inspection, book yourself in to do it.

Alway aim to do better, be better than last year.

All these ideas are to make you and your business better in 2024.

With the business doing better, this means you are making more money - which is the reason we all do it in the first place.

Don't just think 2024 is going to be better or wish.

Do something about it. Take actions to improve all aspects of your business however small the steps are.

I bang on about the email nails I send out to customers.

I never really knew they worked for a long time, but then customers would start to mention the email.

The thing is I was round the house doing a completely different job.

The email about USB sockets is not nessellary about getting a job installing usb sockets, its to let the customer know I'm there.

I am yet to meet anyone who doesnt need an electrician for something. I even have a job out of another electrician because I told them about my new Milwaukee M12 soldering iron.

Use the 10 email nails in the show notes below, start the year off trying something new.

Who knows it could land you a few easy jobs in January when everyone else seems to think it's slow.

So get out there and start 2024 with a bang - then keep the momentum going.

Until next time