Every state has a local painting scene buzzing with potential, and these local businesses have what it takes to give the national giants a run for their money!
While national giants may have broader reach, local painting companies can offer personalized service, fast response times, a real relationship, quicker trust, and a deep understanding of the local market.
In this guide, we will look into strategies and insights that can help local painting companies understand how they can stand out and get the business and leads to thrive!
How to stand out as a local painting company
Minneapolis painting companies will thrive if they create deep, authentic, customer relationships and offer services tailored to our unique Minnesota lifestyle and climate. You can distinguish your business with simple, yet effective personal touches and local expertise.
Forge genuine customer connections through community involvement and personal interactions. Think: Church, gyms/studios, community groups and sports, and networking events.
Offer flexible estimates aligning with client schedules for unparalleled convenience. And offer clear communication every step of the way, even if you don’t have the full answer.
Select materials and methods optimized for Minnesota’s conditions, ensuring durable, superior results. Take your time to research your product set.
Market as more than a service provider, but as a dedicated neighbor committed to the community’s vibrancy and aesthetic. Having your brand established will help you do just that. Just like Headwaters Painting did.
You must offer personalized service
Nowadays, customization is huge and large-scale painting companies may struggle to provide the personal touch that clients crave. A local painting company shines in this regard, with its boutique operation primed to deliver care, communication, and quality that big names simply can’t match.
To-dos:
More interactive consultations: Offering consultations that adapt to each client’s unique design vision, like selecting the perfect color palette to complement their home’s historical architecture.
Custom solutions: Crafting bespoke service plans, such as eco-friendly paint options for environmentally conscious homeowners or a painting membership where touchups are available quarterly for $X.
Follow-up excellence: Committing to thorough post-job follow-ups, ensuring complete satisfaction and addressing any concerns—a level of service exemplified when our team returns to touch up trims at no extra cost, simply because it’s the right thing to do. Asking for referrals.
This approach enhances satisfaction and cultivates unwavering loyalty among clients, propelling organic growth as they become ambassadors for the company’s dedication to personal service.
Quick response: Necessary for the times
Responding these days feels like a task in itself, specifically when thinking about texting with your mom! But with your clients and potential clients, it’s necessary for multiple reasons, primarily because it appreciates the value of a potential client’s time. An immediate reply or callback communicates your dedication and reliability even before you’ve won the job.
Prompt responses only help you and your bottom line. Communicating guarantees operational efficiency and forges a foundation of trust and respect with potential clients. A swift reply also locks in commitment by reducing the window for potential second thoughts or competitor consideration.
Use today idea:
To further optimize your response times, we suggest offering your estimator calendar (be it calendly or acuity scheduling) right on your website. This feature allows clients to schedule their consultation without fuss, at a time that works for them. It’s an immediate response strategy that eliminates that often-annoying game of phone tag.
“I loved how quickly they responded! And booking the time online was the best. I choose a slot that worked for me without going back and forth over calls. I wish more businesses offered this! ” – Sarah L., Satisfied Client
Relationships Over Leads
For local painting companies, the competitive edge lies in nurturing strong customer relationships over just gathering leads—a strategy that large corporations often cannot emulate.
Treat every client like a neighbor, not a number – know them by name and details (make notes in their file if that’s easier for you).
Build rapport with regular, genuine interactions that show deep familiarity with their specific desires.
Show a steadfast commitment to not just meet, but surpass client expectations with outstanding outcomes.
Stay up-to-date on trends: Participating in industry workshops, attending trade shows (like the PCA Expo), following home decor and painting influencers on social media, and subscribing to painting and home decor magazines are effective ways to stay informed.
Develop Your Customer Persona
Developing a detailed customer persona document is a critical step in this process (a worksheet you can get in our FREE brand playbook). This enables you to grasp the specific characteristics and requirements of your average client. With this knowledge, you can tailor your offerings to meet their expectations more effectively, which fosters a bond of trust.
It’s important to know…
unique building styles
weather challenges
price sensitivities
end-result desires and expectations
popular design choices
Think of yourself as a reliable buddy or as we like to call it, “my painting guy” (everyone has a ‘guy’) who understands exactly what looks and feels right at home. Big-name companies may struggle to provide this type of relationship. And if you tell people you do, they’ll choose you. Always prioritize deepening trust with your customers.
Use today idea:
Download our free ebook to get started on truly understanding of your audience and your brand.
Niche into a Market
Carving out a niche earns a local painting company serious bragging rights as the top dog in that space. Here’s the lowdown—when you’re the king of your court, clients notice. Let’s break it down into real talk:
Eco-friendly paints: Going green isn’t just a trend. Use those earth-loving paints that parents adore for their kiddo’s rooms. Safe, clean, and no nasties.
Historical home glow-ups: Got a thing for old-school charm? Become the “guy” (or girl- when we say “guy” we are using it as a form of ‘person’) of bringing historical homes back to their former glory.
Minimalist magic: Less is more, right? If sleek and simple is your jam, own that minimalist paint job that’s all the rage.
The go-to in a zip code: Really lock in your name in a zip code – use marketing (like direct mailers) and in-person moments to become the name of a specific area.
When you lock in on what you rock at, marketing becomes a breeze. Speak straight to the folks who dig what you do. They’ll catch your drift and when they’re thinking paint, they’ll think of you first. Transform from merely one of many options to the premier painting company that know your clients’ desires—authenticity and excellent work will naturally amplify your reputation, establishing your team as the definitive choice.
Trust: A true necessity
A local painting company needs trust more than a house needs a strong foundation. Trust acts like a waterproof sealant, it’s invisible but its absence can cause visible leaks in the health of a business.
Trust leads to loyalty: When customers trust you, they stick with you. Trust converts first-timers into repeat customers, ensuring a steady flow of business and income.
Trust boosts your reputation: Trust travels faster than a paint roller (see what we did there). A trusted painting company becomes the talk of the fence, and in a city like Minneapolis or St. Paul, word-of-mouth is more valuable than a prime-time TV commercial.
Trust builds relationships: As a local Minneapolis painting company, you’re more than just a service provider. You’re a part of the community. Trust fosters lasting relationships, helping you to deepen your ties with your customer base.
Use today idea:
One way to earn trust is through transparency. Be clear with your clients about your pricing, the scope of work, and timelines. Don’t add hidden costs or make promises you can’t keep. And if you mess up, own it and make up for it.
And when you have trust (i.e. reviews from Google) share them. If you haven’t got any, ask for them!
Local market knowledge like no other
The lifeblood of a local painting company is its vibrant connection with the community, solidified through active engagement and meaningful relationships.
Engage in local events to showcase your commitment to hometown spirit.
Sponsor local sports teams to blend your brand with community pride.
Contribute to charity initiatives to underscore your investment in local well-being.
Action steps:
Identify upcoming local events and plan your involvement – set up a booth, donate products, or offer a painting demonstration.
Reach out to local sports leagues and explore sponsorship opportunities – provide team jerseys with your logo or sponsor an award for outstanding players.
Partner with local charities for their next project – offer your painting services for a community center revamp or an auction gift certificate.
In fostering these relationships, your painting company becomes synonymous with trust and community, guaranteeing you’re top of mind for painting services.
Emphasize your local roots, creating strong relationships with clients, reacting quickly to inquiries, and providing personalized service are all crucial factors in standing out against national competitors.
Your action plan (TL;DR)
Invest in relationships: Connect with clients and community members on a personal level. Attend local events and invest in the community to become a trusted member.
Prioritize speed and service quality: Always respond quickly to inquiries. Provide high-quality, personalized services that satisfy the specific needs of your local clients.
Highlight your local advantage: Emphasize your deep understanding of local tastes and climatic conditions that guides your selection of materials and techniques.
Consider a niche: Specialize in an area that aligns with local tastes and trends, such as environmentally friendly paints or restoration of historic homes.
Engage with your community: Become a visible, involved, and trusted part of your local community.
By being more than just a service provider and acting as a dedicated neighbor, you can attract a loyal customer base that values your contribution to the community as much as your painting services. It’s not about competing with the national giants; it’s about creating a local painting service that the community knows, trusts, and prefers.