Septic pumpers wear many hats and regularly juggle a lot of operational jobs, not the least of which is dealing with a new competitor in town.   

Check out three simple ways you can beat out the competition when regular jobs are in full swing and special events are booming in your area. 

1. Unique, consistent branding.

Ensure your brand message — or motto — and business logo appear the same across your website, print advertising materials, email messages and invoices. If you’re on the social media bandwagon, which you should be, use your logo as the profile photo so visitors and followers know immediately who and what your business is. 

Scott Thone, the president and co-owner of Portable Sanitation Inc. (dba Arkansas Portable Toilets) in North Little Rock, Ark., understands the importance of an online presence. “The beauty of social media — it spreads like wildfire and you don’t have to pay for that,” he says in a PRO article. “You just have to be somewhat creative. Once you figure out how it works and the way people use it, then you can custom-tailor your message.” 

Current customers and potential clients are bombarded with images and messages from all different businesses, so make it easy for them to identify you. They need — and want — to know right away how you can help them. 

Slap your logo right on the top of the bill, not at the bottom. Yes, customers know they are paying you for the services listed, but it will be an instant reminder that your company met all their needs. 

If you’re using old-school methods of marketing, such as yard signs and Yellow Pages ads, it’s time to embrace the digital age. Competitors can’t take down those easy targets if they live online.

Another great option is to provide homeowners with fridge magnets so you’ll also be top-of-mind when an emergency hits. When friends and family stop by, they’ll see your mug when they go grab a cold one.

One thing not to do? Don’t be petty by taking down a competitor’s signs. Be the bigger person — your current customers and future ones will appreciate your professionalism. 

2. Stay positive.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can be difficult to keep a positive attitude when the competition is winning. 

Remember why you’re in business. Hint: I doubt it’s because you like six-day workweeks and no time for vacation. If you concentrate on the bad, you’ll forget the good. You enjoy helping customers and providing a necessary sanitation service to your area. 

Ask for positive reinforcement. Now is not the time to be too proud to ask for help. Repeat customers chose you for a reason, so ask them to send you a few reasons why they chose your company and how your crew performed. The positive comments will help reassure you that your hard work is recognized. 

However, don’t ask customers to simply post on your Facebook wall — you want to make sure the comments are actually beneficial rather than detrimental. You need to manage the conversation your online presence conveys. 

3. Become a techy.

Stay ahead of other pumping and onsite installation businesses by researching industry innovations. Are there options available today that could help you streamline operations? Consider fleet management or routing software to increase productivity and maximize your technicians’ time. 

Pull your bookkeeping out of the Stone Age and invest in routing software and accounting systems to modernize your portable restroom operation, and leave the paperwork to the competition. 

Check into smartphone apps to simplify the billing process for customers. They’ll appreciate the convenience of swiping a credit card on demand rather than waiting for snail mail to deliver a hard copy of the invoice. You don’t offer credit card payments? Stop reading. Go invest in a credit card processing service now.      

Want to get started? Check out this selection of software and communications equipment to help you operate effectively and efficiently.

How do you outsmart the competition in your area? Post a comment below so everyone can learn from your tricks of the trade.