5 Places to Find Customers RIGHT NOW!! for a Woodworking Business

[@bradpayn8058]

It seems to me, in several small - medium towns that I've lived in (I've never lived in a city) that there are a few bars or clubs that are frequented by contractors and home builders, construction types, right after work for happy hour. There are more that are not, but it seems most towns have a few places that are where the construction crews go. I've never tried this as a woodworker, but mostly as a brick and stone mason who can also frame, do tile work, drywall, or paint, amoung other things, I've found that once you've discovered where the "bosses" hang out, you can almost always find work there. Don't seem too desperate, like you're mostly there for a beer, or to watch a game, but you did just happen to, or will soon, finish a project and are looking for the next one.

[@jennieanddavis]

That’s a great idea! Wow I never thought of that. Thanks for sharing, Brad!

[@kevinstephens1109]

Its not Gossip its networking. All the cool people have a custom desk !! You folks are awesome. Keep up the good work

[@jennieanddavis]

Hahaha right!! 😂 thanks for the encouragement!

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I'm not gonna lie... I've been known to pimp myself out to people I meet at Lowes and Home Depot, I ask people with blank looks on their faces as they stare at the material selection what they are working on!! I've gotten a few jobs and a handful of Subs on IG and KZbin by doing this! As usual you guys provide wonderful insight and ideas to grow as a small business maker!!

[@jennieanddavis]

That's so great, Lou!! We didn't even think of that. Awesome idea. Thanks for the love!

[@efrancis19]

A word of caution when doing that, though. I used to work at Lowe's, and once while I was arranging a window installation for a customer, an independent contractor tried to solicit business from my customer. I politely informed the contractor that he was not permitted to solicit business in my store, especially since he was attempting to steal a customer from me. The contractor became rather belligerent, so I asked the store manager to come over. The store manager wound up banning the contractor from the store. I think it's fine to hand someone a business card when they are by themselves, but don't try to take the store's business away when you are in that store.

[@crafts_avenue]

you sure as hell earned every thumbs up and bell

[@RamaSivamani]

If you do custom work and you are delivering a custom piece try to see if the client can have a reception party or mixer to celebrate getting a custom piece. I know this doesn't always work and clients may not go for it. If they do though it's one thing to have a portfolio on your phone, it's a completely different thing to see a custom piece in person. For example if you create a custom outdoor grill table and cooler stand see if the customer can throw a bbq when you deliver it, you may get more orders from his friends and guests. If you make a customized cutting board or charcuterie board for a friend see if they are willing to host a potluck when you deliver it so it can be seen by the guests in use. This may not be an option for things you are batch processing or shipping but if you do custom orders that you deliver in person this may work.

[@erlankjuliemuller7935]

It is called Word to Mouth Sales - You are selling your talents.... keep it going.....

[@BruceAUlrich]

Love the suggestion of just changing how you reply when someone asks, "How are you doing?" That's a good one!

[@jennieanddavis]

Thanks! Yeah it's been a great tip to open up a ton of opportunities. It's more life advice than sales advice haha

[@severus21]

Jennie is awesome, her spark is what keeps me watching this videos.

[@tangoindiamike9189]

Back when I was in the military and making custom t-shirts on the side, I ran into a guy I had been stationed with previously. I pulled out my business card and said, "call me. I'll have you over for dinner and we'll catch up". He glanced at my card and said, "my unit is looking to have some T-shirts made". I told him we can discuss it over dinner. He had a design already drafted. I had him bring it with him to dinner. After dinner, I took him back to my printing room and made a sample shirt and gave it to him for free. The next day he called me and everyone in his unit wanted a shirt. Another time, my sons played youth football and their team made it to the championship game. In advance, I made a couple of championship t-shirts with the team name and logo on the front, and the names of the coaches and players on the back. Their team won the game. As parents rushed down to congratulate the team, I slapped t-shirts on my two boys. A parent noticed them and loudly exclaimed, "hey! where did you guys get those championship shirts?" I quickly stepped in and handed that parent a business card and loudly but not obnoxiously announced, "I made them. I do custom t-shirts. Let me know if you want to order one." Every parent rushed me to place an order. Naturally, I had a small notebook and pen in my pocket and started writing down orders. I delivered the shirts at their championship banquet.

[@jennieanddavis]

Yes!! That's awesome. Great idea on having the championship shirts prepped.

[@jadapattersonlove]

That's really nice!!!

[@fibsniper786]

Nice work

[@DIGOLOGIST]

Good Gossip == Networking. Great video guys. I will check out the others. Thanks for sharing.

[@RandomShapeless]

It's like Amway for woodworking.

[@tonytunnell9873]

I chill on Saturdays watching KZbin videos. And you guys are the cute couple Award winner today?

[@mattyham257]

Nice Alec Steele Shirt. That guys has some serious skills. Thanks for all the advice.

[@jennieanddavis]

Yes he does! Thanks for watching!!

[@heathstoute998]

Great tips! Thank you much! Yall are killing it. Most of my business word of mouth, referrals, and repeat customers. I havent searched your content but have you talked about doing giveaways at all to generate business? What's your overall take on that?

[@ryansnodgrass7912]

I don’t know if you guys have mentioned it before but I think I have finally convinced myself Davis is in some branch of the military? And if that’s right I would guess Air Force. Ive been trying to pay attention to everything you guys say and figure out what your other job is 😂. Love the videos and all the great content you guys provide.

[@abcreationsabcreations4114]

TIMOTHY SNODGRASS for sure military. “retirements and going away” plaques are almost exclusive to military members.

[@jennieanddavis]

No, we've never mentioned our jobs 😉

[@tonymartin3738]

Thank you I’ve used some of them and a few got back to me and even one asked me to build a deck for his house....uh I’m a furniture woodworker but not turning it down lol

[@WoodWorkTherapy]

Love your buissness tips. Never thought about half of the places you mentioned! Thank you. :) Oh and I just followed you on Instagram. Thanks again!

[@sampletaster5093]

Good tips. 👍 You would have got a thumbs dow if you mentioned Facebook.

[@furthernorthfab]

Nice vid, guys. Referral networking groups like BNI are also an amazing way to grow your business by referral.

[@doubledarefan]

Fantastic shirt you have on!

[@jennieanddavis]

Haha it's definitely one of my favorites! -Davis

[@Robert-nj8io]

But here's a question what do you do if your business is going good and then it stops cold then what do you do

[@galland3496]

I live in the UK and this start to a conversation would be a bit gauche and a tad too forward. Yes l like your idea of bringing into the conversation what you would like to say, but a few sentences later perhaps. Good luck and keep on battling. Thank you for your videos, they are a new take on starting your business in woodwork , and I for one enjoy what you are trying to do.

[@deborahelliott8460]

1. Friends and family 2. Word of mouth/Networking (not gossip). 3. Some people do NOT have a router or engraver. 4. You forgot to leave a business card with a photo of a custom project you did. Customers need to see the work and if they would like it.

[@jennieanddavis]

Hi Deborah, I don't understand your list. Are you mentioning things we didn't mention or things we did wrong?

[@deborahelliott8460]

@@jennieanddavis Hi JD, Some of these you said but not in terms I could understand, so I made this list. I thought if I could make you this list, as you mentioned the first one is friends and family but not in that way. 1. Showing your friends and family is what I got out of your first example. If there is something I missed, please let me know. 2. Its not gossip, but word of mouth from others or networking as you have others share information about your work. I don't consider it gossip, but in laymen terms for me (I am a farmer, so please bear with me), it is called network or word of mouth. In your example for 3, you mentioned making plaques for events, businesses, etc. Sorry, but I don't have the kind of tools you are describing, only simple tools like drills, circular saw, jig saw, and sander. As a new viewer to your channel, and to attract customers, making plaques is not possible. Not everyone has these tools you have, or could obtain them easily. We don't even have a lowes or home depot near us, without going an hour drive. 4. You never mentioned any business cards to pass along or put up on community posts. Hope this helps clarify some things mentioned, and not mentioned in your video. Hope to start learning more from you.

[@jennieanddavis]

Thanks for getting back to us, Deborah! Yeah it's a learning process. Hopefully you can find ways to apply the lessons we share even if you don't have all the tools other people do! Firneds and family is a great place to start!

[@deborahelliott8460]

@@jennieanddavis I am watching all your previous videos, coasters? Wow. I found one on making pallet end tables, do you do any pallet projects? I will continue watching your videos, very informative and good stuff here.

[@justincook3859]

Did you build a website for your furniture biz? Is necessary?

[@georgesouza1772]

Great video

[@jennieanddavis]

Thanks, George!

[@janis8726]

Cool and informative video as always, although remembering all the furniture your client has in his home might sound a bit creepy. :D Good tip tho. Just a quick question you can answer now or later, how are you going to deal with market at the new home? I assume many of friends or contacts may not be there, so you will have to network again. Or maybe you think it won't affect you because of online sales?

[@jennieanddavis]

You'll have to wait and see ;)

[@randyderochie2731]

She looks like Scarlett Johansson mixed with a little Stephanie Tanner. But good content! Thank you!

[@JustBuildItCanada]

Great video, 👍👍👍

[@jennieanddavis]

Thank you!!

[@john.rambo6882]

i did not understand what u said about balancing free time with increase/decrease in prices. what was that. i did watch the video twice. can anyone explain.

[@jennieanddavis]

If you don’t have enough free time to fulfill your orders, raise your prices until your workload is at a comfortable level!

[@kevinoliver74]

Do u belong to the 52 weather squadron

[@jameymikels1886]

First time ever being first!!! Woohoo

[@jennieanddavis]

Woohoo!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@sprntkr]

Man I want that Taco Bell sign

[@DarkCloud_74]

How do you determine prices for your work?

[@jennieanddavis]

We cover this is a bunch of other videos. Basically we charge for materials, $30/hr for labor, and a 40% markup

[@DarkCloud_74]

@@jennieanddavis thank you for the reply, I actually saw those vids after my post! Thanks again! You all are awesome!

[@jennieanddavis]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@marktatis4065]

this was a good video ....things i already knew but good to reenforce , good video though it would have been better with a bag of Doritos , cocacola, hotess chocolate cup-cakes ,jalapenos , BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP

[@jasonshumaker3630]

Only because you asked 😝👍

[@jennieanddavis]

Thanks!! 😊

[@janicecarlson8468]

Gospel

[@robertlange5675]

Do you all make the chairs to go with the kitchen tables

[@jennieanddavis]

We've honestly only ever gotten requests for benches! That's the new big thing I guess. Especially for restaurants.

[@deschurk6852]

you guys are talking about that moving for aaaaaages! Do it allready! :P Just kidding. enjoy!

[@jennieanddavis]

We wish it would come sooner too 😂😂

[@davidanderson7488]

Participation trophies...... Lol

[@jennieanddavis]

...Lol 😂

[@brian5966]

What a beautiful woman!

[@marktatis4065]

.........4:20....THE WORD is "word OF mouth"....do you guys speak English , i saw that taco bell sign , you know, i saw that

[@nauidiver227]

word of mouth

[@jbbjbb9417]

So our problem is we do fine custom woodwork at the highest level of craftsmanship. It takes longer but the result is beautiful heirloom pieces. The problem is most don't want to pay for quality furniture and cabinets. It is difficult to tap into good clientele who can appreciate fine woodwork. Noble Artisan Woodworks. Can I plug us? lol