Asking for reviews and referrals is a business necessity that undoubtedly requires a bit of tact and some best practices.

Utilizing social media to reach potential and existing customers is the newest trend among small businesses and is a great tool for you to consider to increase your snowplow contracts. After all, 81% of the United States population now has a social media account, according to Forbes. Most small businesses can attest to the fact that there is often a lot to accomplish with a limited amount of resources and funds. Using social media can provide a cost-effective method that reaches customers directly. It also avoids the time-consuming efforts that come hand-in-hand with traditional marketing and advertising. Learn the key steps that can help you leverage social media and make a world of difference in your small business:

As a snowplow contractor, finding the right crew for the job can be one obstacle to taking on more winter work. With winter fast approaching, crunch time to find workers is here. Here are some avenues to consider when recruiting additional workers.  

1. Social Media- If your business has an established Facebook or LinkedIn page, share the job opening, description, and compensation on your platform. Encourage those that follow your page to share the post with their friends to help you cast a wider net. This is a free way to recruit the talent you need to get the job done. Social media can also be a good way to vet candidates. When you receive applications, take a look at their social media page to learn a little more about the person you are considering for hire. 

Sample Social Media Post:
Looking for winter work? _________________ company is currently hiring for the 2016-2017 winter snow removal season. This is a temporary, seasonal full-time position, during the months of December-April. This job comes with a pay range of $15-$25 per hour. Interested candidates can visit _________________ to apply or call XXX-XXX-XXXX for more information. 

On-site documentation of the work performed and conditions of the properties that you are providing snow and ice management services for can be very beneficial. By recording what has been done at each property that is receiving your services, you can save yourself from any confusion that may arise down the road about a particular snow event or about the work performed.

With such a relentless, record-breaking winter we experienced last season, you may have added or are considering adding a few new members to your snow removal team. Some may be experienced snow and ice removal professionals with many winters under their belts, while others may be new to the industry. For the newcomers, you will want to provide adequate training on snowplowing best practices. This will not only help them when the first storm hits but will also help to establish your performance expectations levels and safety standards. The Accredited Snow Contractors Association’s 2014 American National Standard highlights snow plowing basics that could be beneficial for your new hire to know*. Share these tips and help them put the best plow forward. 

When it comes to ice management, there are many spreading applications available for a contractor to choose from. There are many different features and spreading materials that can be used, which can make choosing the right equipment a little difficult. Whether you are responsible for deicing your own personal driveway or if you are a commercial snow and ice management professional, we’ve created this guide to help sort out what you’ll need to consider before purchasing deicing equipment.

The polar vortex brought an unusually cold and bitter winter that will not be forgotten. We are still feeling the effects of the harsh winter moving into the winter of 2014-2015. Salt is a hot commodity and valuable resource for combatting snow and ice. At the end of the 2013-2014 winter, it was difficult for many to get enough salt needed to treat their regions. This has left many buying salt even earlier than normal in preparation for the winter ahead. 

If you are planning ahead for next season by purchasing early you will also need to consider storage of the salt in the offseason.  It is important to note that salt requires proper storage at all times.  Salt can have damaging effects on the environment which has caused the government in each state to elicit specific salt storage requirements and fines if requirements are not met and the salt causes damage. 

With summer upon us and lawns to be mowed the thought of winter storms may already be a distant memory.  However, with the ground free of any accumulating snow it’s a good time to visit the properties you service and perform your snow and ice removal preseason site inspections. Performing a preseason site inspection is a very beneficial documentation process that could save you many headaches and money down the road. Documentation can also set you apart from others in the industry. It helps present your business as a serious, professional snow and ice management company who is invested in customers even after the snow has stopped falling.

Now that you have established a social media presence using Part 1 of this guide, let’s take a deeper dive into developing quality content that will be shared by your followers. Quality content done the right way is what can set you apart from your competitors and is the key to customer trust. Read on to learn what quality content is and how to create it.