http://savvycard.net/ToddJohnson/tampa_home_inspector

Todd Knows Home Inspections

When you meet Todd Johnson, chances are he’ll greet you with a warm smile and a friendly handshake. Todd’s a people person, and that’s a serious plus in his business: home inspections. “In my industry, trust is a crucial component in building and maintaining relationships with my customers, particularly since much of my business comes through referrals. The way I build and maintain trust is twofold: First, I carefully cultivate my image and reputation, and secondly, I always strive to establish a direct, honest and open relationship with the people who hire me.”

Todd Knows Small Business Marketing

Todd is also a very intelligent guy. In the 14 years he’s been running Frontline Home Inspections, he’s spent an enormous amount of time researching and perfecting his marketing strategies and techniques. When he first saw SavvyCard, he knew he had found an impressive way to differentiate himself in a crowded marketplace. “There are so many ways to use a SavvyCard, it’s almost mindboggling. At first, I thought of it as just an online business card, but once I started to understand all the features it offers, I saw whole new ways to take advantage of it as a powerful marketing and branding vehicle. It’s made me much more visible and accessible than other home inspectors.”

Todd Makes His SavvyCard Work for Him

Todd first made sure that he took advantage of the incredible flexibility that SavvyCards offer in terms of branding and customization. “I am very particular about my image, which is one of the reasons why I chose to use SavvyCards in the first place. I was able to get my web designer to put together a branded background for my card that’s unique to my business, and then I had a professional photographer take my photo. The resulting visual experience is really powerful. When people first meet me after having used my SavvyCard they say ‘I know you, I’ve met you on your SavvyCard!’ The fact that they feel like they know me before meeting me in person is really extraordinary. It is so much easier to gain someone’s trust and sell them on your services when your conversation starts at that level of familiarity and comfort.”

Todd then used a number of SavvyCard’s additional marketing features to help spread the word about his business. SavvyCards provide users with a unique QR code for every card they create. Todd placed his QR code in his electronic newsletter, on his website, in advertisements, and in other marketing material. He even had it printed on the tire cover located on the back of his truck. “I often see people standing around my truck staring at their phones, and I know exactly what they’re doing. I go up and say ‘Hi’ and they respond ‘Oh, hey, this is you!’ and show me my SavvyCard. It‘s a great ice-breaker.”

SavvyCard also offers an email signature generator that produces a graphical email signature, or SavvySignature. The SavvySignature includes your image, your name and contact info, and your SavvyCard’s QR code. Todd uses his SavvySignature in all his electronic communications, including emails. He’s also posted his SavvySignature in online advertisements as a way for people to get in touch with him quickly.

Todd Uses SavvyCards in Social Marketing

Todd also does a lot of social marketing. He often includes links to his SavvyCard in his tweets and Facebook posts. “It’s really valuable giving people my SavvyCard right at the point of social interaction. They’ve taken the time to interact with my posts, and landing on my SavvyCard and ‘meeting’ me virtually is a strong way to complete the experience for them. They usually end up calling me or texting me, either to ask a question about what I’ve posted or to find out more about me. Either way, once they talk to me and interact with me personally, I’ve a much better chance of getting their business, either immediately or in the future.”

Todd Finds Mobile Optimization to be Key

One of the reasons Todd loves his SavvyCard is because people can get a whole lot of information on his business from their smartphones, including links to important industry information that he regularly updates in his “Savvy” section, and referrals to other businesses and people he recommends in his “Recommends” section.

“Before I had a SavvyCard, people on mobile devices weren’t able to access my online information in any meaningful way. Sure they could go to my website, but my website was designed for a user sitting at their desk with time to browse and do research. It’s not that easy an experience on a smartphone or tablet. I knew I needed a mobile optimized website, but after I saw a SavvyCard, I knew it was a better solution for communicating to people on smartphones and tablets than a mobile optimized website would be. And SavvyCard is free. The decision to use a SavvyCard for servicing my clients and prospects on mobile devices was a no-brainer.”

Todd Thinks SavvyCards are More Than Just Online Business Cards

When asked if SavvyCards have helped his business, Todd replied with an emphatic “Yes. SavvyCards aren’t online business cards, they’re actually highly effective, mobile optimized websites. They drive contacts from prospective customers and allow me to differentiate myself from my competitors. People can read about my credentials, put a face with the name, and get everything they need in one place. It’s an amazing business tool.”