Marketing • 24 minutes

From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales Performance

October 22, 2024

Episode Overview

You can’t argue with the success of Valve+Meter Performance Marketing CEO/founder Marcia Barnes.

Over the course of 14 years, Barnes grew a home services business to $400 million in annual revenue. 

Let that number sink in.

What was her secret? 

“I felt like the way businesses bought marketing was broken and the way agencies [were] selling marketing was broken,” Barnes says. “And there was space to reorient that.” 

After identifying flaws in the status quo, she made it her mission to get customers to look at the math in the equation before investing in marketing. Her plan was to create data-driven foundations where you can clearly see the power of marketing dollars.

Barnes doesn’t promote a cookie cutter approach. “Success is defined, and can be achieved, by many different paths,” she says. 

This highly successful entrepreneur believes numbers don’t lie, and if you look closely at what you’re investing company assets in you’ll see the roadmap to profitability.

There are myriad ways to market your company and your brand, she says. Business owners may want to adjust their marketing spend up or down. They definitely need to understand their target audience. And they certainly better have a good website, one that’s not just a static brochure, but grows and expands every year.

Barnes also makes the point that smart marketing moves are much better than trying to cast too wide of a net.

“You don't need all the business,” she points out. “You need the business that’s going to be profitable, and grow you in a good way.”

Marcia Barnes recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Barnes’ thoughts on:

  • [4:28] The marketing activities of successful home service companies

  • [5:52] The importance of brand plays

  • [7:47] Why having a good website is important

  • [11:49] Identifying the right target audience

  • [17:52] Three marketing KPIs to see the health of a business

To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.

Related Videos

About ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help home service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and substantially elevate the trajectory of their business.

Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25% in just their first year with us.

Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business?

More episodes

Business Tips • Management • 52 minutes

An American Dream: How the Trades Has The Power to Change Lives

Alan O'Neill, a former Dublin apprentice, is now a consultant with The Wrench Group, built...

Operations • Business Tips • 27 minutes

How Small Businesses Can Create Big Impact Through Philanthropy

The husband-and-wife co-owners of ProLift Garage Doors in Amarillo, Texas, have made a big...

Pro Features • Operations • 38 minutes

From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales Performance

Lee’s Air Sales Supervisor Phil Filaski is a top closer and team coach, leading by example...

About the Show

Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. Hosted by Jackie Aubel, this podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software.

Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business.

Get on the show!
Privacy PolicyTerms of UseYour Privacy Choices