Blow your competition away

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by bking

It might impress some people but it is a flawed process.

The experienced home buyer knows that the important thing is what is in the report AND that no problems were found after moving in that the inspector should have reported. This is not known to them at the end of the onsite inspection and they would be naive to start praising the inspector at that point.

I get about 20 percent of my business from clients that have used other local inspectors and were not happy with the amount of items missed. They said that they seemed to know their stuff but missed many items and they did not know it until they moved in. They also were setup with these guys by their realtor. Asking these clients to jump ahead in time would be stupid.

So, big deal. Wait until they move in.
Did you ever ask - after they move in? Why not? Too difficult? Too scary? The ROI is huge!
"After my clients have moved in" video testimonials - That's powerful. Great idea. Thanks.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by vsantos

No one is doing them because when you ask your client for a video testimonial they will look at you like you're crazy.

Did you ever ask?

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Dominic from Home Inspector Pro just told me that he provides an easy-to-do way of putting videos on your website.

[klott]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Inspector Success Tip.
Video Testimonials.

Letter testimonials are over. Do you have letter testimonials on your marketing, brochure, on your website? I know you do. And that’s pretty okay. It’s not the best though. Letter testimonials are old. They do not work anymore. Particularly when you don’t actually list the entire name of the person who apparently spoke highly of you. “….Gromicko Inspections did a great job. I highly recommend Gromicko Inspections to anyone… signed B.G.” Uh! That’s stuff is over. Forget it. It’s old.

Here’s what’s new - what’s best - what’s NOT being used by your competition. Video testimonials. Video. Don’t do letter testimonials. No one reads! Studies actually show that 1 out of every 4 words on your website are actually read. You need video. Video on your website - right on the front page! Here’s how you do it. Look at your digital camera. Every camera has a setting that takes pictures and video. It’s easy. So that’s how you actually take the video.

Here’s how you get your client to give you the testimonial. Before the inspection begins… Say to your client something like… “When we finish the inspection, I’m going to ask you for something - a video testimonial. I’d like to take it with my camera here - just a few seconds about your home inspection. So - what I’m going to do right now is my best inspection - I’m going to do the best home inspection that I can do - My goal is to earn that testimonial. Okay?”

Then at the end of the inspection… turn on your camera… Don’t worry about the audio or video quality. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it SHOULD look and sound rough. Because it’ll be more authentic looking on your website.

Video testimonials. No one is doing them. On your web page - put 10 videos, and when you’re talking with a potential client - say “Go to my website, and see for yourself. I’ve got a hundred testimonials, but I just put up a few…”

Having someone else speak highly of you - it’s the absolute highest form of marketing that exists on the planet - someone else speaking well about you and your service.

If you don’t have video testimonials on your website - you’re going to lose to someone who does.

IMHO

Hmmm.... do I smell a Nachi professional video testimonial service coming?

[Michael Bazzo, CMI]

Originally Posted by klott

Hmmm.... do I smell a Nachi professional video testimonial service coming?

Yep and its only 29.00 a month. Thats less than a dollar a day per month !!!!!!!!

[David P. Valley]

Let's see some samples, Ben........

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by mbazzo

Yep and its only 29.00 a month. Thats less than a dollar a day per month !!!!!!!!

What, you didn't get the discount, Mike?

Hope all is good downstate.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by mbazzo

Yep and its only 29.00 a month. Thats less than a dollar a day per month !!!!!!!!

No. No plans.
It's way too easy to do the videos yourself.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Let's see some samples, Ben........

I just thought of the video testimonials a few days ago.
But my old videos are still on my old company's website - Dan Keogh has kept them there. I did those about 7 years ago. http://peachinspections.com/ (6th tab down on left)
Videos on websites are easy to do. I used to do a short video of the roof inspection for every client.
How far I've come considering NACHI.TV vidoes.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Like Ben said, use your normal camera on video mode (usually get at least 30 second clips). Upload the video to youtube, take the code they give you and insert it into your website. There's no 'service' that you need. You should be able to insert it into any website for free.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

No. No plans.
It's way too easy to do the videos yourself.

Ben, IMO this is the best idea you have shared here so far. Thank You

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I agree Brian, Ben has been excellent in providing the members with the learning tools required to exemplify their task as Professional Home Inspectors.
I congratulate you Ben for all the work you do for all the Members.
Very well appreciated.

[Michael J. Merino]

There is problem with having your client give the testimonial, whether written or video, when the HI is present. You do not get an accurate survey. You have put them in a position that forces them to say something good about you. This may turn your clients off, and they may give you a good testimonial, but they may not refer anyone to you because of it.

Maybe there is a way that they could upload a video or written testimonial to your website. I am sure there is a way (YouTube). I think this will get you both a good testimonial and a referral.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

I used to send a letter 90 days after the inspection was performed. It was a follow-up letter stating, "Hey... I was the inspector... How's everything?... Any roof leaks? Ha Ha... Blah Blah... I'll be contacting you in about a year for your annual home maintenance and safety check-up... Blah Blah."

You could add near the end of the 90-day follow-up letter, "I'd like to come by and ask you for a testimonial...Are you available to do that?...."

What do you think? You don't have to get the video testimonial right after the inspection.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

The truth is , you only need 3 or 4 video testimonials at the most. Combine the rest with written testimonials.

Ask the client that has used you a few times, or a friend, or the client that you end up spending an hour talking to afterward because you went to the same high school. It's not like this is something you're doing all the time. Just get it done!