Marketing ideas 1

[mouhandess]

Hi,
I would like to get some thoughts and ideas on marketing techniques by engineers to provide their services. I am new at the marketing aspect of the engineering business (I am forced to do it unfortunately), so any ideas would be appreciated. I'm mainly interested in knowing how to go about getting new clients, would you call architects? Visit architects door to door? It seems that word of mouth is just not cutting it so far.
Thanks in advance.

 

[samdamon]

1. Join and participate in your local AIA chapter. Engineers can join the AIA as associate members.
2. Write an article for one of the structural trade or technical journals. Get your name out there.
3. Identify Architects or building Owners you want to work for. Don't be afraid to carefully choose your clients, rather than just take whatever work from whoever calls. To build repeat business and a client base you need to develop relationships, and that takes time and research. Check out all the local Architects, choose just a few that perhaps you really would prefer to work for, and court them.
4. Advertise discreetly in the local ASCE and AIA chapter newsltters.
5. Get at least a minimum web presence. There are sites that offer free listings for building professionals. Potential clients will probably google for "structural engineer" combined with the name of your town. Make sure your name comes up.

Just a few off the top of my head. Good luck.

 

[mouhandess]

Samdamon, thanks for the great ideas, I really appreciate it.

 

[archeng59]

joining AIA is a great inexpensive (relatively) way to meet new clients. Also, if you join other organizations where architects and contractors (another source of engineering work) are members, it will help. when you join, you need to talk to the people there as much as possible. If you know someone there, ask them to introduce you to others. if you are a wall flower, you are wasting your time.

 

[jheidt2543]

Many local papers have an annual or semi-annual "Builder Section" or "Home Section" that they sell ads for. It is an inexpensive way to get you name out to potential local clients in a trade specific, local publication.