Grow Your Bail Bond Agency in 2015
- February 06, 2015
- by AboutBail Staff
- Business Tips
- Marketing
- Local Search
- SEO
- Videos
With 2014 behind you, it’s time to take advantage of opportunities to grow your bail bond agency in 2015. If you’ve already set business resolutions or targeted a specific area for improvement, you’re off to a great start; but it’s important to make sure you’re not missing other opportunities to expand your business.
Here are 11 ways to grow your process serving business in 2015:
1. Focus on local search marketing
This aspect of your Internet presence is crucial for growing your business in 2015. Local search marketing is becoming a very large part of a successful online strategy. As a business offering location-specific services, it’s important to adapt to the way people search. Make sure that you claim your local listing, submit your company to multiple directories and networks, and utilize available tools to help your business show up in local search results. Not sure you need to show up in local search? Check out this article for 10 reasons you need local search.
2. Get directory and trusted network listings
Submitting to multiple directory and network listings will support your local search marketing. Think of each listing as a recommendation for your services. If ten of your friends recommended the same mechanic, you would probably try his or her services first. Directory listings tie into local searches the same way. If your friends didn’t know a mechanic in your area, just as people search for “Los Angeles Bail Bonds” you would search for your city and mechanic. Though it’s an Internet search, people approach the situation with the same mentality. If the same company is listed three separate times, that’s usually the first person they call. Multiple directory listings will get you leads, but make sure you’re included in trusted networks to help turn those leads into clients.
3. Join state and national associations
Joining a national or state association will never hinder your business growth. The main role of associations is to preserve the industry and make sure all bail agents have the best opportunities to generate income. Association meetings are a great place to connect with out-of-state agents and get business tips from experienced, successful professionals. Consider joining out-of-state associations to expand your network.
4. Utilize free resources
A resource can be anything from an industry group to an article you’ve found helpful or even a smartphone app or computer program. Use whatever you can to get connected with your clients and job opportunities, and always have an eye out for programs and services you might find helpful. Sharing your resources with your colleagues will also help you get established as a leading industry professional.
Social media is an excellent source for free marketing and networking, so make sure you set up a Facebook page and Twitter accounts for your business. Utilize social media to join industry groups, network with other professionals, and share related information and news. AboutBail hosts the Bail Bond Professionals LinkedIn group and Bail Bonds on Yahoo. Each group allows members to share tips and comment on industry news.
Here are some industry groups and profiles
5. Build a website or revamp your existing site
Without a website, or even with a dated website, you might be stunting your growth potential. Even with referrals, trusted network listings, and a spot in local search results your potential clients will likely check your website before contacting you. Music, animation, and broken links may lead them to continue searching, so clean up your existing site and decide if it’s time for a new one. Remember, your website can affect some of your search result rankings, so if it’s time for a complete renovation make sure you explore your options. There are many alternatives to building a search engine optimized professional-looking bail agent website on your own.
6. Expand your services
One sure-fire way to experience business growth is to expand your services. Whether it's focusing more on fugitive recovery or offering more advanced skip tracing services there are always opportunities to provide additional services. Consider adding electronic monitoring, private investigations, process serving, and fingerprinting to your service list. Make sure you find creative ways to inform clients about all of your services.
7. Do the unexpected for your clients
Check-in with your clients. Be sure to thank them for their business, and contact them to find out if there’s anything you can do to improve customer service. Ask specific questions, like what problems you can help them solve and whether or not your agency is giving in-depth information on the bail process. It’s also a good idea to have your calls forwarded to your cell phone when you’re out of the office. Most clients will turn to the first agency that answers the phone.
8. Do your job to the best of your ability
One of the key tools for doing your job well is communication, especially when there is an issue. Clear communication is the best way to build trust and lets your clients know they can count on you. Make sure you are handling complaints, staying organized, and being patient when explaining the process. If you continually exceed expectations you will likely get repeat business and referrals.
9. Reinforce your brand
Display your company contact information, including your logo, prominently on all correspondence - envelopes, letterheads, faxes, and the signature file of your email.
This is a simple and inexpensive way to repeatedly expose your business to clients and colleagues. Include your company name, toll-free number, fax, web address, email, etc. Reinforce your services, and include a tagline specific to the services you offer – “Bail Bonds throughout Las Vegas" or “For all your bail and fugitive recovery needs”.
10. Invest in effective business tools
Growing your business is not exclusive to expanding your services and getting more clients. Look for opportunities for improvement within your business. Invest in tools, technology, and marketing that will help streamline operations, enhance business-client relationships, and help get you in front of your clients. Remember, it takes money to make money, so make sure you invest in effective marketing that will generate a return.
11. Set reasonable business goals
All successful companies have annual, monthly and sometimes even weekly and daily goals. Write down your goals and share them with your staff and anyone who will hold you accountable. Studies have shown that by writing your goals down and sharing them with other people you are more likely to achieve them. It's also important that your goals are clear, measurable and realistic as well as ambitious.
Growing your bail agency takes time, but with persistence and the right tools, you should find yourself with more business by the end of 2015. If you adapt to changes in marketing and advertising and constantly look for opportunities for improvement, you will likely experience significant business growth and become a leader in your industry.
