"Disaster" Closer to Home

This is what's left of the tree in my front yard.

The tree just split in two -- fortunately, it fell away from the house
(although it completely blocked the street).

We've had more than a foot of rain over the last few weeks, weakening the hold the roots have on the ground. When 80-mile-an-hour winds came through, the tree just came out of the ground. This is the view of my backyard from my neighbor's driveway.

Just yesterday, I talked with my insurance agent after receiving my business insurance renewal policy. I wanted to make sure that my coverage was still adequate, since it had been a couple of years since I'd looked at it.

Good thing. A huge, fast-moving storm moved through today, packing 80- to 100-mile-per hour straight-line winds. We lost two of our mature trees in our yard (see photos), although it could have been much worse. Neither tree hit the house -- although the way the wind was blowing in (straight from the west), the one in the back yard should have crashed into the house. Instead, it fell to the south, taking out the fence, but sparing the house.

As I told my husband MANY times today ... it could have been a lot worse.

The damage wasn't significant enough to require a claim, but I've got my updated home inventory ready anyway. When disaster strikes close to home, make sure you're a good example for the public about being prepared.

More California Wildfires Threaten Homes

What a crazy year this has been! Unprecedented wildfires, tornadoes, and flooding. Only a couple of monster hurricanes would make this wild and crazy weather season complete.

The weather is big news right now -- and if you're not using it to get free publicity for your home inventory service business (especially to draw attention to the NEED for conducting a home inventory, whether you do-it-yourself or hire a professional), you're missing out on a great opportunity.

The $99 Sweet Spot

I know a lot of people get into the home inventory business with the promise of GETTING RICH QUICK!!! but the reality is, it takes time to build this business. The general public is pretty much unaware of the availability of providers who offer this service -- and, until they have a claim, they don't understand the need.

So I'm going to buck the conventional wisdom and encourage new (and existing) service providers to see their business development efforts as a longer term strategy.

I live in Omaha, Nebraska -- the home of the college baseball national championships -- the College World Series -- and I'm going to explain this strategy with a baseball analogy.

Instead of trying to hit a "HOME RUN" -- that is, a $400-$500 inventory order -- try hitting a series of "base hits." Your first goal would be to get prospects to allow you to come out and offer a free evaluation of their needs. That will allow you to see what they've got to inventory (home, garage, shed?) and show them your sample inventory book.

Your second goal should get them to buy SOMETHING. That might be an Express Inventory (a concept I outlined in my earlier post on jumpstarting your home inventory service business), or an entry-level package (under $150).

Your third goal should be to sell them an ADDITIONAL service, such as a DVD add-on to their Express Inventory, or maybe some Data Dots labeling, or a home disaster kit or first-aid kit or a home fire extinguisher.

Your fourth goal should be to recontact them after six months and do either an Update Inventory or expand their initial inventory to include further detail (maybe getting them to spend an additional $100 to do a detailed inventory of their garage or basement this time around).

Your fifth goal (and this can come anywhere along the first four steps) should be to get them to refer 2-3 other folks who might be interested in your services -- that could be neighbors, friends, or relatives.

This is a business that will build over time. Build positive momentum by getting some sales (even small ones) under your belt right away ... and then build up to larger ones. It's a strategy for success ... and the sweet spot is easier to achieve than trying to ring up a $500 sale right off the bat.

Spring Severe Weather a Marketing Opportunity

The recent above-average outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes has provided a marketing opportunity for home inventory service business owners in the Midwest. Photos of devastation and families sifting through their lost belongings are potent reminders for prospective clients about the need for home inventory services.

If you are a home inventory service provider in an area that has been hit by tornadoes -- or is traditionally a tornado-prone area, use this opportunity to generate media coverage of your services. Send out a news release or call your local television station and offer to show how homeowners should conduct a comprehensive home inventory. Now's the perfect time.

My 16-page special report on "Getting Publicity for Your Home Inventory Service Business" includes several sample news releases, including one appropriate for adapting to promote your services in a tornado-prone area. You can purchase for $10 using the link below and the report will be delivered to you immediately. The special report also has information about how to build your media list, what to put in your media kit, ideas for what to write about in your news releases, sections you can target in your local newspaper, 12 timely news release topics, and 20 reasons to send a news release.
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