Category Archives: ONLINE EXTRAS

Finding the Right Roller Cover for the Job

4 min read

Boost your team’s productivity by considering these three factors

Though many painters are looking to make their teams more productive, few are aware that choosing the right roller cover can also make a big difference for their bottom line. Connie McKinney, Senior Product Manager at Sherwin-Williams, says she’s seen how much of a difference roller selection can make. Continue reading Finding the Right Roller Cover for the Job

Understanding Gloss and Sheen: A Guide for Paint Professionals

3 min read

In this article, we explore the importance of sheen and gloss, and how those qualities impact both the longevity and appearance of the paint finish. Continue reading Understanding Gloss and Sheen: A Guide for Paint Professionals

How to Properly Pressure Wash a Deck

2 min read

An expert with Mi-T-M shares seven tips for stunning results

With rising temperatures, many homeowners will be looking to get their decks ready for summer. In addition to general wear, tear, and traffic, decks are also exposed to harsh outdoor elements. Rain, sun, snow, and ice can wreak havoc on horizontal outdoor wood surfaces—and such exposure requires consistent and proper care. That’s where you and your crew can come to the rescue for homeowners.

Of course, there are a few special considerations to make when dealing with decks. In this article, Don Holdridge—National Paint Division Manager for Mi-T-M—shares seven of his best practices for pressure washing decks.

Continue reading How to Properly Pressure Wash a Deck

What Online Reviews Can Do for You

5 min read

Turn positive word-of-mouth into booming business with these best practices.

To have a healthy business today, you need to have a healthy online presence. And one of the most important parts of your business’ online presence are your online reviews. A good review can help you reach new customers you would have never run into in real life—and a bad review can turn someone away from your business before you’ve ever said a word to them.

Megan Hinz, marketing community manager at Sherwin-Williams, and her team read and reply to every review for every Sherwin-Williams store across Google, Yelp, Facebook, and sherwin-williams.com. They read hundreds of reviews every day. For this article, she talked to us about her team’s best practices for garnering good reviews, responding professionally, and creating a positive impression for potential online customers. 

Continue reading What Online Reviews Can Do for You

Dealing With Difficult Customers

4 min read

Turn micromanaging, indecisive, and demanding clients into glowing recommendations

Difficult customers can come in all shapes and sizes; spend any time as a painting contractor and you’ll run into one eventually. Every contractor can probably recall a customer who made their work so difficult that they started to regret taking the job.

Unfortunately, these situations aren’t only frustrating, but can potentially hurt your business’ reputation if not handled correctly. As such, you need to be prepared for these customers in order to stay successful. And in a competitive marketplace where word-of-mouth is king, retaining customers and generating repeat business can grow your bottom line. In this article, we offer suggestions for how to professionally respond to three of the most common types of difficult customers. 

Continue reading Dealing With Difficult Customers