The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Marketing is a must but sometimes it’s hard to know how much to budget for advertising or where to get started. Tom’s guest today is Logan Shinholser, the owner and host of the Contractor Growth Network company and podcast, who knows how to craft a hell of an elevator pitch and reminds us all to market our why before we do anything else!    In this episode, we talk about… Why clarity about what yo...

We all make mistakes and the difference between failure or success is whether we choose to keep going down the same road doing the same old thing or create a new path using what we’ve learned. Tom’s guest today is Micah Miller from Easton Outdoors, and someone who knows firsthand how heavy debt can be if you don’t have a plan to get out from under it. Listen in as he explains why the sooner you un...

As you’re planning for 2021, give yourself time to reflect on last year, really understand what you want for yourself and for your business this year, and create a plan to hit your target! Tom welcomes Dan Sherwood to the Fight Team as they discuss the wins and misses of 2020 and how to kick ass in 2021!     In this episode, we talk about… Evaluating your failures and successes   Key indicators to...

Surrounding yourself with the right people is vitally important to growing as a business owner and growing as a person. This is a fact and it can’t be emphasized enough. As much as that concept is about finding the right people, it’s equally about avoiding the wrong people. Tom is here to tell you how to avoid those negative people!   In this episode, we talk about… Negativity shows up in a variet...

Contractors have a bad habit of stealing time from their families and that’s a huge problem, but where does all that time go? Chasing BS leads, that’s where it goes. If you’re a contractor, you know how much time you’ve wasted on leads that never pan out and it probably makes you sick. Tom is here to tell you how to pre-qualify those leads so you can stop stealing time from your family!    In this...

How many contractors out there have discounted their work just to close a deal? If you came up with the classic world of contracting, this may seem like the norm. Ask yourself this question. Why would allow yourself to get paid less than your worth? Tom thinks that most of the time, discounting your work is a horrible idea and he’s here to tell you why!   In this episode, we talk about… Strategic...

You’re a contractor that has just entered The Fight only to realize that you still have to complete a project that you now know is underbid. What can you do now? Are you screwed? Tom’s here to tell you, so take a listen!   In this episode, we talk about… Avoid going back to the client and asking for more money Keep negativity out of your relationship with the client As tempting as they are, don’t...

As a business owner that is invested and cares deeply about the business that you have sacrificed to make, you are well-used to fighting by now. However, you may be fighting for the wrong things. Tom is here to share the common things that people are fighting for that they shouldn’t be and what things they should be fighting for!   In this episode, we talk about… Holding on to your comfort zone is...

There are a ton of reasons why contractors are afraid to put their pricing on their website, but the fact of the matter is, those that do make more money. Tom could not be more of a fan of this precedent of staying transparent about your price on your website. That’s why he’s here to give you 5 reasons to put your pricing on your website!   In this episode, we talk about… Common fears that prevent...

The journey of building your contracting business to the point of financial success does not have to be a solo one. Tom’s guests today are David Szemcsak, Robert Dailey, Adam Copher, and Marino, 4 contractors with differing experiences who are using the 100K Contractor Program to get their shit together. Each of them has been in the contracting industry for a different amount of time, but they all...

Don’t know when to hire your first employee? Well, that’s why you have Tom. Hiring your first employee is something that you know you need to do at a certain point but can be very stressful. With so many things that can go wrong, Tom is here to tell you when the time is right!   In this episode, we talk about… Why you should not hire someone from a place of desperation The importance of having a c...

Every respectable contractor out there hates all those low-ball contractors that seem to be taking their business. Don’t hate all of them. Some of these guys don’t even know they are doing it. Tom is here to educate you on how to compete with those low-ball contractors. Control the things that you can control!   In this episode, we talk about… Some contractors might not be intentionally low-ballin...

Everyone is looking for a way to stand out, a way to prove their value and give their clients a reason to pay their higher price. Tom’s on the road but that’s not going to stop him from dropping a knowledge bomb on you today. You must emphasize protecting your clients’ experience!   In this episode, we talk about… Common denominators amongst businesses that continue to sell their work at higher ra...

In order to hit the goals that you set for yourself, you need to narrow your focus. If a sniper aims for a shirt, he might miss by 3 feet. If a sniper aims for a button, he might miss by 3 inches. Break down those big goals. Aim small miss small.   In this episode, we talk about… Break down your yearly goal into quarters, months, and days Why you need to aim small Be as detailed as you can be with...

Which coaching program is right for your business? There’s no better way to get to where you want to be than to learn from those who have already gotten there. You don’t just want to go out and join any group, however, because many can be poisonous and a waste of money. That’s why Tom is here to tell you about a kickass program that you can join!   In this episode, we talk about… TCF gives away a...

The truth is, most contractors are not giving their foremen what they need to be successful. As a result, those foremen become frustrated with their job and are more likely to leave. Tom is here to tell you 5 tips to help your foremen to be more successful. These tips are key to keeping your team happy and making more money!   In this episode, we talk about… Many foremen are frustrated with their...

There are still parts of the world that are completely locked down due to the ongoing pandemic. How, then, are you supposed to market your business when things are still locked down? Well, it’s definitely not the time to slow down. Tom is here to talk about what you should be doing right now!   In this episode, we talk about… What “forward” should mean to you Turn your business into a content crea...

Do you have a hiring plan? If you don’t, you’re not alone. This is a big issue for contractors all over the world. Tom is here to break down a few clear signs that you have a hiring problem that needs to be fixed. Don’t let a bad experience with hiring scare you away from bringing in the right help and scaling your business!   In this episode, we talk about… Join The Contractor Fight Night Hiring...

Winter can suck if you’re not properly prepared for the notorious slow-down it brings to businesses everywhere. Tom shares 3 ways to protect your business and be ready for whatever winter brings!   In this episode, we talk about… Price your work high enough so you can squirrel away money for operational expenses  Build your database and constantly market to your past and potential customers  Creat...

As the new kid on the block, you may feel the need to overcompensate and it’s very likely that you waste time on the wrong things. Tom is here to give you 5 tips that brand-new contractors need to focus on to be successful. Give yourself a fighting chance!   In this episode, we talk about… Focus on being a problem solver when approaching your marketing and sales Commit yourself to bring oxygen (sa...

It’s already hard enough to find skilled labor right now without considering the possibility that you might have to fire somebody. Well, consider it. Not everyone you hire is going to be the perfect fit and it’s just a part of doing business. Here’s Tom with 5 reasons to fire someone!   In this episode, we talk about… Assessing yourself as a leader before firing someone Unethical behavior cannot b...

It’s normal for the new guy to feel pressure to prove themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to run that mouth of yours. Tom is here to share a tip for new business owners that will help you skip a lot of the trouble between you and sales success. Peel it back, don’t pounce on it!   In this episode, we talk about… New business owners make the mistake of running their mouths during the sales pr...

Focus and consistency are key to making more money as a contractor. Focus and consistency with what you might ask? Tom is here to tell you three simple things you can do to make more money as a contractor!   In this episode, we talk about… Creating a clear scope of work to use your time efficiently What Parkinson’s Law says about time Conducting a meeting at the beginning of the job to transfer th...

Do you want to make more money as a contractor? Of course you do! If you don’t then this podcast isn’t for you. Tom is here today to tell you a couple of things that will help you make more money as a contractor!   In this episode, we talk about… Having an open and honest conversation with your prospects Saving yourself some time by avoiding the tire kickers Knowing what a project costs to see if...

Many contractors have gotten into trouble over the bonus policies. Tom can tell you first-hand that 100% of companies that he has worked with that had bonus plans were in trouble. There are great alternatives to bonus plans, but if that is the route that you choose to go then make sure you know what you are doing!   In this episode, we talk about… A poorly planned bonus plan can sink your business...