Today marked Engrave-A-Crete’s entry into the Beijing decorative concrete world.

A truck carrying a large shipping container is shown being loaded with merchandise headed around the world. What an adventure!

We send best wishes to our clients in Beijing. Thank you for your business and we’re working to keep up with your demand.  You are greatly appreciated.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a new USPS program that maximizes the efficiency of direct mailing at a fraction of the previous cost.  Using EDDM, you select an area, and then send up to 5000 pieces to every address there for as little as 14.5¢ each with no mailing list, no permit and no annual fees.

That gives you the opportunity to target neighborhoods with the highest potential for choosing decorative concrete engraving installations.

Check out the following links to decide if Every Door Direct Mail is a viable marketing opportunity for you.

• General information – be sure to click on the Retail tab to learn even more. https://www.usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm
• Introductory video - scroll to the bottom of the page to find it. https://www.usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm
• Demo tool – this is helpful because you can choose a state, city and Zip Code, as well as opting for business/residential or just residential customers to get an idea of how many recipients are in the area and a cost estimate.  https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/
• Free EDDM Kit – https://eddmkit.com/index.aspx?purl=eddmpage

And to all you moms out there, put the kid that gives you a Mongoose X to work with it. Next Mother’s Day he’ll be able to give you your dream trip to Europe.

All kidding aside…Happy Mother’s Day! … from the Engrave-A-Crete team

It can happen, and regardless of who’s to blame, it’s your job to fix the problem.

Chris Mirabal, Senior Tech Advisor, has some suggestions for dealing with the issue.

Reactive Acid Chemical (RAC) stained floor:

1.  Use a floor machine with a black pad and scrub, scrub, scrub the surface. Your goal is to get as much of the stain off the entire floor as possible.  Yes, it’s like starting all over.  (The footprints will still show up, but will be much lighter.)
2. Reapply RAC stain using standard procedure, blending in what remains of the footprints.

OR

1.  Use a floor machine to scrub as above.
2. Reapply RAC stain using standard procedure.
3. Use rags, sponge, HVLP or pump sprayer to apply Water Reducible Concentrate (WRC) stain to create a faux finish that camouflages what remains of the footprints.

For a Water Reducible Concentrate (WRC) stained floor:

1.  Apply more WRC to mask the footprints.  You will likely have to do the entire floor for a consistent look. Faux finishes hide flaws well.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  To prevent this nightmare from happening again,…

• Explain to your customer what to expect during the decorative concrete installation, and the importance of not touching the floor until you give the go-ahead.
• Use caution tape to block off the entrances or to surround the entire area. Use Keep Out signs.
• Alert other workers on the job site about the importance of not walking on the surface.

Plant the Seed

We, and you as installers, often tout the ability of decorative concrete engraving to make old concrete look beautiful. This spring, challenge yourself to spend equal time marketing to owners of new concrete.

A Concrete Network article featuring outstanding designs and superior craftsmanship by Designs-N-Crete of Colorado is a perfect example of using decorative concrete staining and engraving as a high-end flooring option in a new home.

Add Fertilizer

Connecting with home builders, architects and homeowners prior to construction should be a top priority in your marketing plan. Point out…

• Nearly limitless design possibilities. Custom decorative concrete designs for unique options rather than the cookie-cutter designs of hardwood, carpeting or tile.
• Pet friendly. If Fido has accidents – just a wipe and a swipe and the mess is gone. And, fleas and mites have no place to hide.
• Not a harbor for allergens.  A picture of a nasty dust mite that typically lives in carpeting can be pretty convincing.
• A good value.  The design goes in, not on, the concrete, so there’s no chipping. When properly sealed the design stays vibrant. Maintenance is a breeze.

Watch it Grow

It’s a great idea to leave your customer with a copy of our Idea Book to help them visualize decorative concrete floors in their own spaces. And, the pictures often inspire upsells, meaning more business for you.

Reap the Harvest

Success doesn’t just happen – it follows your best marketing efforts and top notch installations. Your harvest is a good income and plenty of satisfied customers who, through word of mouth, do a lot of your future marketing for you.