Archive for Company News
We’re Launching Our Custom Building And Remodeling E-newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter!Like many small businesses, we were late to the game when it came to developing an email list so we’re doing it now.
Sure we had lists. Several lists. A list of emails in our accounting. A list of emails in our old Outlook database. A list of emails in Gmail. A list of emails on rosters from various organizations. Probably a lot of emails in file folders from customers and prospects. It’s a daunting task to organize that information, and as we’ve talked to other businesses, they experience this challenge too.
You used to be able to throw people on a big email list and send away, but with spam laws, this is no longer acceptable. That’s a good thing, but it doesn’t always make sense. You know that many of your customers who like the work you’ve done want to hear from you. They gave you that address during the sales process. They corresponded with you many times from that address. Same goes for friends, family, and associates who wouldn’t care if you signed them right up. Technically though, they didn’t opt in and give you permission to send them an e-newsletter.
So that brings us to the point of this blog post. We have sent some invitations out via email to those who have corresponded with us recently. Many of you opted in, and we are very grateful for your attention. We know how precious attention is in this information-driven world. To sweeten the pot, we are running a contest for the first 100 subscribers—we’re half way there by the way. After we reach 100, we will draw two names who will win home improvement gift cards from Lowe’s and/or Home Depot.
So here is yet another chance to register. It’s a simple process. Put your name in the box, add your email, click submit. Then go to your inbox (check your spam folder if you didn’t get one immediately) and click the confirmation link. You’re done. We plan to start with a monthly update, but we may work in some other key messages here and there. You can unsubscribe at any time.
P.S. This is different from getting blog posts via email. That option has been on the site since the beginning. Sign up for that too while you’re at it.
Share on FacebookP.L. Lyons Wins Sales and Marketing Award
After 35 years in the building business, P.L. Lyons has won many awards. They range from Homearama awards to 2009 Remodeler of the Year. The latest award was for taking a leap of faith into the new world of inbound marketing, also known as internet marketing or digital marketing.
“The President’s Grand Award” for Best Integrated Internet Marketing Campaign was given by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Louisville.
We submitted to win the award back in the fall. The basis of our campaigns included content marketing via free reports and downloadable guides. It also included social media marketing and sharing via our Twitter and Facebook accounts. We spent a lot of time blogging and video blogging about industry topics, custom building tips, and showing actual site work.
We’ve also been developing a monthly e-newsletter which is set to launch this month. We’d love for you to join our email list today by entering your email address below. You’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription, and you’ll need to click on “confirm” in order to start receiving emails.
Thanks for your support!
Simplified Solutions LLC , an inbound marketing agency in Louisville, KY was proud to help with the strategy, the website updates, the blogging, and the social media coaching— but owner Perry Lyons embraced new media and ran with it. He deserves lot of credit as many scoffers have overlooked digital marketing.
P.S. I’m also Perry’s son in law. In case you didn’t know 
P.L. Lyons featured in November issue of Louisville Builder
If you get Louisville Builder magazine, then make sure you take a few seconds to check out the story they did on us in November. The article written by Nancy Miller focused on Virtual Tours, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook and LinkedIn. It was titled “They’re Not Just Techie Buzz Words; They’re Today’s Marketing Reality”.
Our part of the the story focused primarily on Twitter (micro blogging) and Blogging. It discusses how we keep up with producing content, engaging in social media and using our online presence as a sales and educational tool for customers— or prospective ones for that matter.
Online with Google— it really is the way most customers begin their search. They vetted you there. They see if you’re up to speed on the market. They expect you to be involved in social media and blogging— engaging them with educational content and answering their questions. They want to believe you’re a thought leader in your field. They want to build trust with you online before they meet you offline. They don’t have time to drive around in cars pressing flesh (shaking hands) with 5 builders before they pick one. Yes we still meet people offline eventually, it’s just that the conversations often begin now on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, our Blog, through email or via our forms on our website. A lot has changed but the playing field is leveled to compete with those who bought attention through ads and direct marketing. It’s hard to do that now. The little guy can bootstrap his efforts now more than ever.
Share on Facebook2009 Remodelor of the Year Award to Perry Lyons of P.L. Lyons, Inc
We found out a while back that we had received the 2009 Remodelor of the Year award from the Home Builders Association of Louisville. We received the award by submitting two remodeling projects we completed in 2009. We’ll post a follow up to this post with some pictures of those projects. If we can round them up of course.
The article ran in this month’s Louisville Builder magazine. We are very honored by the award. We do a lot every day to make sure our work stands up to quality standards and to meet our customer’s expectations. This helps solidify our hopes.
Here is a really bad picture of a very nice award.
If you know of a better way to take a picture of a glass object, let us know in the comments.
Share on FacebookHome Trend Garden and Remodeling Show Recap
If you stopped by to see our booth at the Home Garden and Remodeling Show then thanks. We participated in the annual event for the first time in several years and we’re glad we did.
Although we’re doing many creative things with our inbound marketing, we still realize you can’t pass on the chance to get your name out in an event of this scale.
We’d like to thank the Homebuilders Association for organizing the event and Trend Appliances for their main sponsorship.
Three reasons we gleaned for getting an annual booth in this event:
1) You get your name out there and you can get a few leads. One lead that turns into a paying customer probably pays for most of the cost. Then the rest of the exposure is just gravy.
2) You get to say hi to all the old faces you’ve done business with over the years. They keep getting older but they also get a little wiser too.
3) You get the pulse on the industry. You can walk around and see who is still in the game, who’s new, and what innovative products catch your eye.
We gave away some Lowe’s gift cards to individuals who signed up for our monthly newsletter. They will be contacted directly via the email address they used to register. We have some more cards for a future contest or promotion.
Share on FacebookTrend Appliances Home Garden and Remodeling Show
If you haven’t made plans yet for this weekend, then schedule a trip to the Trend Appliances Home Garden and Remodeling Show. If you’re considering an addition, a remodel, a hardscape project, or just any little thing to make your home better; then come on out Friday, Saturday or Sunday. You can get all the information on the main promotional site linked above. The show is coordinated by the HBAL and sponsored by Trend Appliances. If these types of improvements aren’t in this years budget, dreamers and planners are welcome too. Come on out and get some ideas for that future project. Then go home and make it a goal.
If all those weren’t reasons enough, then yes coming just to see P.L. Lyons, Inc. is fine as well We’ll have a booth focusing on our custom building and remodeling services. We’ll be giving away some freebies each day and we’ll also have some interactive treats for you.
If you have questions then comment below, hit us up on Twitter or contact us online through our form. Of course we still answer email and the telephone too- whatever your communication preference.
Share on Facebook2009 this too shall pass
We’re looking forward to a better year in 2010 than 2009.
Last year was a tough year for most of the building industry. The wavering economy and financial markets put a stop to the new home buyer market. The buyers were not only concerned that their net worth had diminished with the fall of the stock market in 07 and 08, but they were also concerned about their employment situations. Concerns and debates over nationalized health care and the unwillingness of banks to lend were two other headlines that led to uneasiness.
These are still concerns for everyone in 2010. However, tough times have always made the leaders in our industry stronger. Many of us weathered the “recession/depression “ of the late 70’s and early 80’s, when interest rates for builders and developers exceeded 20% and home mortgage rates were at 14%. We survived the slow down in the 90’s, then came out strong through the early 2000’s when builder and developer rates dropped to 5 and 6% and 30 year fixed rates dropped to 4.75 and 5%..
All that said, we just experienced the worst downturn in the building industry most of us have ever known. Those who are still surviving will come out of this downturn much “leaner”, “meaner” and “greener”. We will be savvy to current trends and the newest building practices. We will be better managers. We will again appreciate every project no matter how small. It’s part of the economic cycle. This cycle has just been a bit deeper and longer than most. However, this too shall pass.
So what does this mean to you the consumer. It means this is one of the best times in history to build, buy or remodel. Product and material prices are low and labor rates in the construction field have dropped. They won’t stay low forever. Thirty year fixed rates are still very low, and they will rise as well. So if you are contemplating making a move, now is the time to “press go”.
Our firm is looking at the future and embracing change. We’re looking into new products, practices and aligning with future mandates.
We are looking forward to good year! After all, we have our health, our faith, and our God who promises to take care of us as long as we BELIEVE. And we do BELIEVE!
Contact us today about your custom project. We’re still here.
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