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Thread: Finding jobs

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    27

    Default Finding jobs

    Hey everyone.

    This topic has been covered a couple of times in the past but it's been a while so it may be relevant to many of us.

    Here's my situation.

    I am confident in my skills as a technician on the shopbot as well as the rest of the woodshop but I am low on work. I have made signs. I have done some one-offs. I have done a few prototypes. I have even carved a 4ft tiki head for a local bar. The problem is that I haven't found enough regular work to support my wife (and more importantly my daughter due in April). I know that there is work around but I haven't found it yet.

    So far my marketing has been limited to some social media posts like Facebook and Twitter and a few happy customers that pass my contact info to friends.

    I'm looking for a few strategies to drum up business.

    One option I'm considering is cold calling some of the local manufacturing companies with a script something like this...

    Hi,
    My name is greg flanagan. I found your company while searching for local manufacturing businesses. Could I speak with someone about what you do there? I am curious about the industries in our neighborhood.

    I run a small job shop in Northeast Minneapolis and I’d like to see if there is a way we can help each other out. If it’s OK I’d like to stop in sometime for a chat about your work.

    What do you think? What other strategies have worked for you when looking for new work?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    7,832

    Default

    A shopbotter here you should seek out and talk to is Eugene King. He's a treasure trove of selling advice. His main thing is small items and craft stuff but his strategies could be applied to selling boogers if you wanted to.
    Words of Wisdom:
    “Words that sink into your ears are whispered…… not yelled”
    “The biggest trouble maker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every morn’n”
    “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth”
    -----------
    Just remember...when it's time for the hearse to pull up..there's no luggage rack on top!
    -----------
    The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it...Thomas Jefferson

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kennebunkport, Maine
    Posts
    4,419

    Default

    Eugene is your best bet, and very timely question as he can't cut right now.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18882
    scott P.
    2013 Desktop/spindle/VCP 11.5**
    Maine

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    San Jose del Cabo based since 1997
    Posts
    1,244

    Default

    you need to find a niche...it's taken me 3 yrs of of hard work to create a market here with our machines but it has finally started to pay off. You have to be able to convince clients that they need your product...
    Vector Studio 22

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    iBILD Solutions - Southern NJ
    Posts
    7,986

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gc3 View Post
    You have to be able to convince clients that they need your product...
    Word. People are buying YOU. Get confident - that sells light nothing else.

    Read: "How to Win Friends & Influence People" & "Think & Grow Rich"

    Watch: The Secret, now on NetFlix

    -B
    High Definition 3D Laser Scanning Services - Advanced ShopBot CNC Training and Consultation - Vectric Custom Video Training IBILD.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Great. I really appreciate the help. I have sent a message to Eugene and invited him to this thread.

    What niches have people found? Craft? Industrial? Construction? Signage?
    Are any of you making a living in your shop or is this supplemental income?

    Brady, thanks for the suggestions. I have read "How to Win Friends..." but it may be worth a refresher. Think & Grow Rich is a new one to me. I've added the secret to my queue.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    2328 Morris Creek Road Stanton, KY.
    Posts
    1,906

    Default

    Just sent you a message... Send me your phone number will call you...
    www.tgdesigns.net
    eking1953@yahoo.com

    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS IS A LABORER.
    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS AND HEAD IS A CRAFTSMAN.
    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS, HIS HEAD AND HIS HEART IS AN ARTIST.
    ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    2328 Morris Creek Road Stanton, KY.
    Posts
    1,906

    Default

    JUST SENT YOU A MESSAGE... SEND ME YOUR PHONE NUMBER WILL CALL YOU... SEND TO eking1953@yahoo.com
    www.tgdesigns.net
    eking1953@yahoo.com

    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS IS A LABORER.
    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS AND HEAD IS A CRAFTSMAN.
    HE WHO WORKS WITH HIS HANDS, HIS HEAD AND HIS HEART IS AN ARTIST.
    ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    27

    Default My #

    Thanks, Eugene. I just replied to your email. Looking forward to chatting with you.

    Greg

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    LumberJack Toys, LLC, Richmond MN
    Posts
    74

    Default

    Have to agree with Brady on the books, but I think time can be spent better than watching "The Secret".

    Do a search for threads started by Eugene King. He has written many about how he markets. Go through them, read them, re-read them, that call and talk with him. That along with some self confidence and you should be on the right path. Remember, information is only part of the process. You actually have to go out and sell.

    A good book I just finished is "To Sell Is Human" by Daniel Pink. Lots of material on how selling has changed and how to sell in today's world.

    Just my 2 cents...
    Miles Thormodson
    Custom Digifab
    "The Home of Stump's Puzzles"
    www.stumps-puzzles.com
    www.customdigifab.com
    www.routertemplate.net

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