President's Message - Sep '24

Is There Anybody Out There?

In any market, on any given day, and especially as we focus on growing our industry, ensuring that customers can easily find our business and understand what we offer is crucial for success. How are you answering the question, “is there anybody out there?”

Visibility is the first step. If we are not easily discoverable, we miss out on countless opportunities to engage with new clients. This can be achieved through an effective online presence, including a well-designed website, active social media profiles, and optimized search engine listings. By being easy to find, we increase the chances of attracting a broader audience and driving more traffic to your services or products. As a value to you, our members, we are working to expand the “specialize in” field on contractor/erector company profiles. It’s a simple checklist of the services you offer and will make it easy for potential customers with a particular need to find you! Take a moment to complete the survey in the MBCEA App News Feed; customers are waiting!

Speaking of potential customers, referrals are invaluable to our business as they not only bring in new clients but also enhance our credibility and trustworthiness. We continue to share in more conversations with alternate sources (Barndominium, Cold Formed, etc.) recently of “how do our customers find your Contractors/Erectors to put up our buildings?” Having your specializations identified will help them find you!

When existing customers recommend our services to their network, it serves as a powerful endorsement, often leading to higher conversion rates compared to other marketing strategies. Additionally, referrals help us all build a loyal industry customer base, as clients who come through recommendations tend to have a stronger initial trust and satisfaction. This organic growth through word-of-mouth fosters a community of satisfied clients who are more likely to continue using and advocating for our services.

We continue to drive clear communication of what our Association, our industry offers, as it is equally important. Customers (from Architects to end users) need to quickly grasp the value and benefits of a metal building system. This involves having a clear and concise message that highlights unique selling points. Whether it's through our website, marketing materials, publications (did you see the Metal Construction News issue?) or customer interactions, the information we share should be straightforward and compelling. When customers understand what our offerings are, they are more likely to make informed purchasing decisions, leading to greater customer satisfaction and ultimately more business for us all!

Moreover, accessibility and clarity build trust. When customers can easily find information about your business, our industry, it creates a sense of transparency and reliability. Trust is a fundamental component of loyalty and long-term relationships. Businesses that prioritize clear communication and accessibility are (often) perceived as more professional and customer-centric, which can significantly enhance their credibility in the market.

Finally, in an era where Architects and potential customers have numerous options at their fingertips, standing out is essential. By ensuring that we are easily accessible, our offerings are clearly communicated, we differentiate yourself from traditional building practices. This differentiation, along with our many other benefits, will be the deciding factors for customers when choosing us, and a metal building system for their end use.

Let’s make it easy for customers to find your business, our industry, and to understand what we offer. Let’s be visible, let’s be clear and answer, “Is There Anybody Out There?”, proudly as an industry, and as members of the MBCEA!

Be Safe, Be Great,

Robert Tiffin

President, MBCEA

National Accounts Manager, Silvercote