Submit Your Videos!

You can submit video questions or accomplishments or whatever you want to the channel and get featured in an episode or a short! I’m using LiveSwitch (no software download required) to request, receive, organize, and video conference with Subscribers. You can use this link to submit your own video. A few ideas for submissions would be to show me a challenge that you’d like advice on, to show the community a beautiful job you’ve recently completed, or to just send out a motivational shout out to the community. I’ll do my best to post your video and my reply video on the channel as long as I don’t get more than I can handle! Use this link here to send your submission. https://app.contact.liveswitch.com/form#8b15aaa0-9d9d-4665-9361-df3917615a55 Also, let me know what kinds of rewards y’all would like! I’d love to give out prizes for especially great videos!

Spring Cleaning Time!

OK all you beautiful Bulletproof Handymen And Women, the busy season is upon us, just around the corner. Use this time wisely and get a head start on making sure you’re ready! Now is the time to check and build your inventory, make sure all of your power tools are up to snuff, and to restock on all those blades, bits, wheels, etc… Here in Arizona it’s already warming up and I’m already noticing the sun coming up earlier each day. While you’re at it, send over a video showing off your truck, van, or trailer, or show us your EDC bag or parts kits. I’d love to start featuring y’all on the channel!

Emergency Calls - How To Handle Them

A few general rules for middle of the night emergency calls:

1. Always answer your phone. Even if you’re only answering to say no, the client on the other end will remember who answers and who doesn’t.

2. If you say yes, your rate should be at least double your normal trip fee. This is standard in the industry. Anywhere from 2X to 3X.

3. Your goal during a middle of the night emergency call should only be to create a situation that is no longer an emergency, not to finish the entire job. If it’s a water leak, make sure the area is dry with fans going and make sure the water isn’t leaking anymore and then schedule a follow up for the coming morning. If it’s a broken window from a storm, put a board up and return the next day for a more permanent solution. You get the idea.

4. Remember, clients can be turned into LOYAL clients when they know that you have their back. Lose some sleep and take care of your clients every time you can.

Protect Your Tools And Equipment

One of our Channel Subscribers, Justin Reilly (I hope I spelled that right), recently had a horrible theft of all of his tools. In the end he figures it was over $10,000 in replacement costs and he was not yet aware that there was additional coverage required for theft or loss of tools and equipment. Luckily he’s a pro and he’ll take care of business, but not without a huge financial hit. Unfortunately we live in a world where a certain portion of the population won’t think twice about taking everything you have if they see the chance. It’s not common knowledge but General Liability Insurance doesn’t cover tools and equipment if they were not involved in an accident. You can, however, add tools and equipment as “additionally insured” to any business liability insurance plan. The price can vary widely but adding $10,000 worth of tools and equipment can be as low as $10-$45 per month depending on your insurance provider. If you’re not insured yet, or if you want to check out pricing for plans including tools and equipment coverage, I use Next insurance for my business and you can get a fast free quote from them here. https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/PyVJGN

2024 First Annual Handyman Camping Convention

We’re starting our Handyman Camping Convention this year! The dates are not firm, but you’re all invited to attend starting as early as May 29 and going until Sunday June 2. I’ll be releasing more information about the precise date and location but you can bring a tent or an RV or just stay in a hotel down the road if you aren’t into roughing it. The location will be down here in Southern Arizona with more details to come. This is open to current and aspiring handymen and is intended to be family friendly so please keep that in mind when it comes to alcohol etc… No hard set rules, just be respectful. There will also be plenty of shooting sports. Bring along your Pew Pew and have a blast! I do ask (not required) that each attendee host a quick 20 minute presentation on anything that they want to talk about that is handyman business related. This can be your story of how you got started, or a quick run down of how smoke detectors work, or whatever you want. The goal is to have sign in sheets for each class and therefore have evidence for tax season that this trip was business related and therefore tax deductible! Stay tuned for more details in the near future.

Jobber Is 40% Off Until 1/31/2024

Just a quick update, Jobber currently has a sale until the end of the month (in 2 days) for 40% off. My link still gets you the 20% off always, but using my link for the next 2 days will get you an addition 20% off totaling 40%. The sale ends on Feb 1, but if you’re not ready, don’t worry, there will always be new sales in the future. Here is my link just in case you’re ready to take the leap today. https://go.getjobber.com/bulletproofhandyman

Jobber is also hosting an online Summit this year, which I’ll be attending. They’ll have Kevin O’Connor from This Old House among many other presenters focusing in on Marketing Strategies and trends for Home Service in 2024 among other things. If you’d like to attend with me you can sign up here https://go.getjobber.com/ray-duke-jobber-summit-2024

More And More Rental Homes

Most of you already know this, but the housing industry is turning more and more towards rentals. I’m not sure how I feel about this on an ethical level, but it does impact our industry. Entire subdivisions are going up composed 100% of rentals and all of them are going to need professionals who can tackle the maintenance. If you haven’t subscribed to the Bulletproof Handyman Business YouTube channel, that is where I teach every little nuance of how to find the GOOD Property Managers to work with, and how to tailor you business to soar in profits by serving them better than anyone else. The time to get your handyman business started is now, and the time to acquire solid and reputable clients was yesterday. If you’d like to learn more on the YouTube channel you can find it here. https://www.youtube.com/@bulletproofhandyman

And Finally… AI Integration

As I always do, lets finish this newsletter off by highlighting how to integrate AI into your business so that you’re not the one getting left behind. A few ideas that I’m tossing around at the moment include creating a website that uses AI to connect Handymen with Clients And Homeowners, and training an AI assistant to start doing a lot of my admin work. I’ve ordered a Rabbit R1 for the first prototype. No clue if it will be quite ready to invoice jobs for me but if it does then that will be amazing!

The AI did an amazing job on this one! Here is a copy of my prompt along with the results that it provided…

The Prompt:

“Please help me come up with the text for an email campaign for my handyman business. I want to send out an email to all of my current clients as well as mass mail postcards to certain neighborhoods imploring them to hire my business for preventive maintenance in the backyard before springtime arrives. Please include pressure washing sidewalks and patios, inspecting, repairing, and installing outdoor lighting, installing outdoor sound systems and cameras, clearing out sheds, assembling new patio furniture, painting, assembling playground equipment, etc... Please also come up with some of your own ideas for jobs a handyman would do to prepare a backyard for springtime fun.”

The Answer:

Subject: Get Your Backyard Spring-Ready with Our Expert Handyman Services!

Dear [Client's Name/Valued Customer],

As the first signs of spring start to bloom, it's the perfect time to give your backyard the attention it deserves. Our comprehensive handyman services are here to ensure your outdoor space is not only beautiful but also safe and functional for the season ahead.

Here's a snapshot of what we can do for you:

1. Pressure Washing - Revitalize your patios and sidewalks with our professional pressure washing services, giving your outdoor space a fresh, clean look.

2. Outdoor Lighting - We'll inspect, repair, and install outdoor lighting to enhance the beauty and safety of your evenings outside.

3. Sound Systems and Cameras - Ready for outdoor entertainment or security upgrades? We can install state-of-the-art outdoor sound systems and cameras.

4. Shed Organization - Clear out and organize your sheds, making room for what you need and disposing of what you don't.

5. Patio Furniture Assembly - Got new patio furniture? Let us handle the assembly, so you can relax and enjoy your outdoor haven.

6. Fresh Paint Jobs - A new coat of paint can transform fences, decks, and outdoor furniture, bringing a vibrant touch to your backyard.

7. Playground Assembly - Ensure your little ones have a fun and safe play area with our playground equipment assembly services.

But wait, there's more we can offer:

• Garden Prep - From soil aeration to planting flower beds, we'll get your garden ready for spring blooms.

• Deck and Fence Repairs - Repairing and reinforcing decks and fences to ensure they're safe and sturdy for all your outdoor activities.

• Gutter Cleaning - Avoid water damage and pests by having your gutters cleaned and inspected.

• Outdoor Kitchen Installations - Dreaming of an outdoor kitchen? Let us help you make it a reality.

• Pool Area Maintenance - From cleaning to minor repairs, we'll get your pool area ready for those sunny days.

Don't wait until the last minute. Get ahead of the season and enjoy a perfect outdoor space for springtime fun. Contact us now to schedule your services and to learn more about our special spring offers. We're excited to help you create the backyard of your dreams!

Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Handyman Business Name] [Contact Information]

P.S. Feel free to forward this email to friends and family who might be interested in our services. Let's make this spring the best one yet for our community!

Finally, Some AI Art

The Handyman Camping Convention: