I recently got my state license and became a CPI I’m in the process of making my new LLC and would like to know how do other inspectors advertise their business like (Who is your target, is it realtors or costumers ?) or (what platform do you use ?) etc. thanks.
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Kevyn,
Best of luck in getting the license.
There is no “one size fits all” in marketing.
There is a marketing section on the forum. https://forum.nachi.org/c/members-only/inspector-marketing/15
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wow didn’t knew there was a four for that thanks for the reply ill definitely take a look at their forum
Curious…
Have you drafted up your Business Plan yet?
How did you address this issue in said plan?
Write your business plan | U.S. Small Business Administration.
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actually no I have not drafted a business plan at least not in paper most of it has just been a mental idea I want to follow to what I think a good business would look like, I suppose you recommend me making one ?
JJ shared a link above that you should check out
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Not only is there plenty of information in the forum as @pgiannino mentioned, there are quite a few webinars that you can watch on the topic.
Webinars - InterNACHI®
In today’s day and age, having an online presence is key, starting with a website. There are plenty of free ways to advertise as well including social media, google, yelp, etc…
You can also attain free SEO by filling out your signature here and adding a website to it.
On a desktop:
- Click on your picture icon at the top right of the screen
- at the bottom of the drop down click “Profile”
- click “Preferences”
- on the toolbar click “Profile” again
- scroll to “Signature” and fill out.
- “Save Changes” and you are done.
Keep in mind, it will only work if you post often.
Good luck to you.
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In a nutshell… It doesn’t “get real” until you put in on paper!!
You can get other information here:
InterNACHI® - International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
You can also access the link through your InterNACHI Dashboard under “Business Development”
Don’t waste your time writing a business plan. That is so 1980’s.
In this business if you work hard, show up on time, have a good personality and communication skills, invest in professional grade tools and education, write a good report, network, and do all of the basic business tasks you will be head and shoulders above many other beginning home inspectors.
Have you found a mentor to help you understand what it takes to run a business in the 2020’s?
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Where are you located, Kevin?
@bgromicko1 would say that “If you show up on time, you are late.”
Always be early… 
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There are probably hundreds of realtors in your area, but many thousands of potential buyers, realtors control nearly all home sales, so obviously it is easier to market to realtors and they control the home sale
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And there you go… Bert wrote 50% of your Business Plan for you! Now you just need to add the DETAILS that are unique to you and what you hope to accomplish.
Buy the way… Yes, there is good reason why “Most”, (yes most), Newbies fail within their first 1 to 5 years!! How many old timers you still see around here, many of which are now retired or near death… or both?
Bert means well, but if you don’t have a clue what you’re doing, you NEED a Plan!! Keeping it all in your head is the first step to going out of business!!
Good luck.
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Hey Kevyn, my target audience is whoever can send me business, so in other words, if they’re breathing, they’re my target audience.
You need to fill out your signature, this is so people know where you’re from, it also helps when you’re asking questions if we know what region you’re located in.
How you advertise depends on your market and the current economy.
Starting out in this day and age, I would say start with a good website, followed by a social media campaign. You should also print business cards and brochures and visit your local RE offices and ask them for a chance to prove yourself, although most already have their list of inspectors, you’ve still got to try.
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I grew up that way too.
If I wasn’t 10 minutes early, I was late.
And, if I was waiting on a ride, be at the door looking and waiting.
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Filling out your business listing is akin to making your prescence known. Short of a web page you also want a free business listing on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and yelp. After your participation level gets to 3 (regular) on this forum links in your signature will become “follow” meaning search bots will crawl them. Don’t have a web page, just use one of your free business listings.
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Another good one is…
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Bert Hull, you advised the newbie to not waste time writing a business plan as being so 1980s’. Personally, I disagree. For a new person starting out in business some banks, lending institutions and insurance companies may want to see the business plan. Also, having a plan forces an individual to account for things like setting fees, costs of doing business including maintaining equipment, licensing and training costs, planning for continuing education, vacation time, holiday time, advertising costs, sick time, working time (nobody works 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year), and other factors.
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The best advertising you can do for your busienss is a company website. A good website works for you 24/7 and this is how folks will locate you when they are searching for a home inspector. The days of courting Realtors in thier office are going by the wayside since they are seldom in ttheir office! Social Media is overrated by those that spend hours on it making videos for TicTok and YouTube.
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