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The Times They Are a Changin’

I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago called “It is Important to Eat Your Own Dog Food“. In it, I described the definition. In short, you have to sometimes take your own advice.

This is what I spent the holidays doing

And I decided I was going to make some changes here at Darren’s, one that I hope many of you will like.

I am going to focus on the smaller shops, the 1-10 person contracting companies, the ones that have to do everything, and I mean everything themselves.

I am doing this because I think this is where I can have the most impact. You see, smaller shops need the help I offer, while the 10+ man shops think they know it all already. And while many of them do well, they are not who my target audience here at Darren’s is.

I work with some major construction companies during the day and while they are fun, I want to make more of an impact on the people I talk to online. Don’t get me wrong, I love the consulting fees they pay, but I think I am having a bit of a mid-life crisis.

I want to help people in 2011!

Not that helping people means I am having a crisis, it just means the fun has gone out of helping a company go from $4.5 million in sales to $5.2 million in sales. I want to help you go from 100k in sales to 150k in sales, or 200k in sales, or a million in sales. That to me is what I WANT for my 2011.

Oh, the times they are a changin’!

And that is why the drastic change in philosophy for DarrenSlaughter.com. I want to work more with smaller companies who will appreciate the help they are getting  because it means more. It means eating steak instead of chicken, it means Sam Adams instead of Bud — sorry if you like Bud!

So what exactly is changing?

Well, I have changed my pricing model around a bit, so anyone who has checked out my “Work with me” page may want to check it out again.

I am also putting in a store. That’s right, in a week or so you are going to see products listed in the new store tab in the nav menu above. In it, I will have products and programs that I am creating now listed for sale in order to help the guys or girls out there with even the shortest of pockets.

The nice part is, whatever is for sale will pay for itself usually with only one new client or customer over the next YEAR, so you pretty much can’t lose. But more to come on that soon.

My posts will change too. I will focus more on what you asked for, and that’s why I ran the survey over the weekend and yesterday.

So Darren, Why the hell are you tearing the place apart? If you are skimming, now is the time to stop!

Well, if you are this far into the post, I hope you have a good understanding about why, but if not, here is one last attempt. Because making money, while nice, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I know that sounds crazy coming from a marketing guy, but right now I would rather make $1000 from four small companies than one big one. So, this site will become almost useless to the contractor who has OTHER people doing the stuff I talk about here. If that’s you, you should have that person stop by.

What I ask from you – You didn’t think it was going to be all give did you?

This blog doesn’t write itself, and the time it takes could be spent with the kids or the dog or eating a donut. But if you get anything out of the content here then I ask you to share. Leave a comment, write me an email, and let me tell everyone about your successes. Your success is our success.

Lastly, tell your friends about the blog. Forward posts on topics that you think make sense for your concrete guy or remodeler friend to read, Tweet stuff, save it and read it later. Whatever you enjoy, help someone else and give them the chance to enjoy it too! Photo credit: BradMontgomery

Deal?

-Darren

5 responses to “The Times They Are a Changin’”

  1. Tweets that mention Contractor Marketing | Construction Marketing | Times Are Changing! — Topsy.com

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Darren Slaughter, JobShoots. JobShoots said: The Times They Are a Changin’ http://bit.ly/hiC3ng #construction #news […]

  2. Chris Spoerl Avatar
    Chris Spoerl

    Good karma will take you places in life Darren, and I appreciate your honesty, and hard work. We are happy to be one of the smaller companies that brought you on board. Our goals are modest, but achievable and hopefully you can help take us to the next step.

    On a side note, we found Darren via Twitter, read his blog, and communicated via Twitter to build a relationship. Everything he preaches on his blog – WORKS

    It’s not what you spend on marketing, it’s how you spend it.

    PS- Your blog is daily read and motivational part of my day.

    Thanks for everything.

    1. Darren Avatar
      Darren

      Thanks Chris, I appreciate the kind words, and keep hustling!

  3. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Good morning Darren:

    I was beginning to think “Why is he doing this? Writing a blog takes time, ALOT of time. Maybe its for revenge on the bigger guy? All I know is, I have read several types of blogs and nothing can compare to yours! They are very informative & inspirational!

    I will be shopping at your store all the time, once its open! I am going to make sure I share the knowledge I receive with others.

  4. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Thanks Donna…But I really don’t have an axe to grind, just a feeling I have of wanting to grow. Grow more as me, help you grow more as you, as a company, as a successful contractor. I am happy you are here!