In gutter sales, it's all about getting good leads and closing them fast. You know the drill: more leads mean more jobs and more cash in the bank. But here's a game changer - AI, especially ChatGPT, is now part of the gutter sales toolkit.
You’ve probably heard of these tools on the news or in passing, but you may have been left wondering if they’re worth your time to learn. What can you do with them, and do they have a place in the gutter world?
In this newsletter, we’ll cover what kinds of material have been produced with AI (and the results), show you how to set up and use these tools, and even show you where you can download the resources we’ve created below.
You’ve probably heard of these tools on the news or in passing, but you may have been left wondering if they’re worth your time to learn. What can you do with them, and do they have a place in the gutter world?
In this newsletter, we’ll cover what kinds of material have been produced with AI (and the results), show you how to set up and use these tools, and even show you where you can download the resources we’ve created below.
AI door hangers
Generating leads for gutter sales can be tricky. You need a solution that has a low cost per lead, identifies qualified prospects, and (ideally) operates in a limited geographic territory.
Using AI, a salesman at All Gutter Systems in Grandville, MI was quickly able to write the copy for a door hanger that garnered a 10% response rate. One hour of walking around putting up door hangers in a neighborhood resulted in 3 leads that came in over the next month.
Generating leads for gutter sales can be tricky. You need a solution that has a low cost per lead, identifies qualified prospects, and (ideally) operates in a limited geographic territory.
Using AI, a salesman at All Gutter Systems in Grandville, MI was quickly able to write the copy for a door hanger that garnered a 10% response rate. One hour of walking around putting up door hangers in a neighborhood resulted in 3 leads that came in over the next month.
An AI generated sales script
Prospecting builders can be a reliable way to earn repeat business. Once a builder uses you for a project (and you prove to be reliable), you can count on them to come back for more.
Rather than “wing-it” on every phone call with a valuable prospect, another one of All Gutter System’s sales reps used AI to generate a sales script. After an hour of calling using the script, he earned the business of two builders - which has, so far, generated $40,000 in gutter installs. Not bad.
SOP for interviewing candidates
Prospecting builders can be a reliable way to earn repeat business. Once a builder uses you for a project (and you prove to be reliable), you can count on them to come back for more.
Rather than “wing-it” on every phone call with a valuable prospect, another one of All Gutter System’s sales reps used AI to generate a sales script. After an hour of calling using the script, he earned the business of two builders - which has, so far, generated $40,000 in gutter installs. Not bad.
SOP for interviewing candidates
In his book Traction, business coach Gino Wickman advocates interviewing candidates around a value system, scoring their response on a scale of 1-3, and then hiring based on how high a candidate scores.
AI was able to effectively generate a script for interviewing sales candidates surrounding the RGA values for gutter salespeople (GUTTERS - Gutter expertise, Understanding, Technology, Timeliness, Enthusiasm, Resilience, and Salesmanship), ensuring that future hires embody the traits necessary to succeed in their role.
Logo Design
Finally, AI can be used to generate unique logos for your seamless gutter business, like the ones below, in minutes.
Finally, AI can be used to generate unique logos for your seamless gutter business, like the ones below, in minutes.
How to use Chat-GPT
So the outputs can be valuable…but is using AI simple? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes.
The current suite of popular AI tools - think ChatGPT and Dall-E, are extraordinarily easy to use. In fact, they resemble popular messaging apps you probably already use, like Facebook messenger.
So the outputs can be valuable…but is using AI simple? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes.
The current suite of popular AI tools - think ChatGPT and Dall-E, are extraordinarily easy to use. In fact, they resemble popular messaging apps you probably already use, like Facebook messenger.
Using Dall-E
If you need to create an image or a logo, consider using Dall-E. With a recent update, this powerful program is now built into Chat-GPT and included with their $20 premium subscription. Dall-E works exactly like ChatGPT with regards to how you use it (you simply provide a prompt, which can include pictures), but the reply includes an image.
If you need to create an image or a logo, consider using Dall-E. With a recent update, this powerful program is now built into Chat-GPT and included with their $20 premium subscription. Dall-E works exactly like ChatGPT with regards to how you use it (you simply provide a prompt, which can include pictures), but the reply includes an image.
The Future of AI in the home service industry
The RGA expects AI to dramatically impact our industry in the following four areas:
1. Office Work
2. Niche Software
3. Cost/Prices
4. Expectations
1. Office Work
As the capabilities of AI expand, we expect most of the work involved in routine office tasks to be taken over by AI. From answering the phone to managing the books, most tasks involving data entry or working remotely with customers can likely be handled better, and at a lower cost, than a person.
This goes beyond the tasks we normally associate with machinery and computation. This next generation of AI powered software can handle sales calls, scheduling, and even tasks requiring creative effort.
2. Niche Software
ChatGPT can also code - programmers are already using the tool to create simple applications and computer games. As AI models progress, they will be able to create more and more advanced softwares - like CRM’s or project management tools. Everyday employees will be able to create their own software by simply describing or sketching out what they want to see programmed, and ChatGPT (or something like it) will write the code for them.
Expect to see more and more companies and industries build their own software as the barrier to entry continues to lower.
3. Cost/Prices
Theoretically, AI should lower the cost of goods and services across the board. As automated, intelligent systems improve efficiency, those savings will be passed to the consumer. As a business, this means you can make the most profit during the transition if you are ahead of the competition - you can incrementally lower your prices to be more competitive while drastically lowering your cost of doing business.
4. Expectations
Internally, expect to see AI tools and AI software plugins creep into software you are already using. We already saw this with the implementation of Siri into iPhone and long ago with autocorrect, but more advanced AI models are already being implemented into CRM’s, graphic design tools, and email platforms. Expect to see this trend accelerate, not slow down, as AI becomes more and more powerful.
Externally, consumers will probably expect to talk to AI, by default, for sales and for service. Of course, given a choice, most people would prefer to talk to another person. But will they pay a premium for it - especially when a person is less reliable, less informed, and less polite than an AI?
How will you use AI? Give it a try today to stay ahead of the curve.
The RGA expects AI to dramatically impact our industry in the following four areas:
1. Office Work
2. Niche Software
3. Cost/Prices
4. Expectations
1. Office Work
As the capabilities of AI expand, we expect most of the work involved in routine office tasks to be taken over by AI. From answering the phone to managing the books, most tasks involving data entry or working remotely with customers can likely be handled better, and at a lower cost, than a person.
This goes beyond the tasks we normally associate with machinery and computation. This next generation of AI powered software can handle sales calls, scheduling, and even tasks requiring creative effort.
2. Niche Software
ChatGPT can also code - programmers are already using the tool to create simple applications and computer games. As AI models progress, they will be able to create more and more advanced softwares - like CRM’s or project management tools. Everyday employees will be able to create their own software by simply describing or sketching out what they want to see programmed, and ChatGPT (or something like it) will write the code for them.
Expect to see more and more companies and industries build their own software as the barrier to entry continues to lower.
3. Cost/Prices
Theoretically, AI should lower the cost of goods and services across the board. As automated, intelligent systems improve efficiency, those savings will be passed to the consumer. As a business, this means you can make the most profit during the transition if you are ahead of the competition - you can incrementally lower your prices to be more competitive while drastically lowering your cost of doing business.
4. Expectations
Internally, expect to see AI tools and AI software plugins creep into software you are already using. We already saw this with the implementation of Siri into iPhone and long ago with autocorrect, but more advanced AI models are already being implemented into CRM’s, graphic design tools, and email platforms. Expect to see this trend accelerate, not slow down, as AI becomes more and more powerful.
Externally, consumers will probably expect to talk to AI, by default, for sales and for service. Of course, given a choice, most people would prefer to talk to another person. But will they pay a premium for it - especially when a person is less reliable, less informed, and less polite than an AI?
How will you use AI? Give it a try today to stay ahead of the curve.