41. Get builders and architects into your yard off-hours for certified continuing education credits. It’ll give them time to browse your displays as well as connect with your sales team and design experts.

42. Reward friends and customers for leads that turn into sales. A $50 gift card is a way to say thank you and keep your business top of mind for their building supply needs.

43. Are customers pushing it with a late payment? Do them a courtesy by mailing a pre-lien. But don’t hold back on following through to get your money if they ignore the notice.

44. Your truck drivers spend a lot of face time with customers. Give them their own business cards that include their cell phone number as well as your company’s logo and the phone number for your sales desk.

45. If you routinely boast to customers about areas in which your business stands out against the competition—for example, a quick turnaround on loads, special-order notifications, and that your drivers will be accessible via phone while out on their routes—put those promises in writing. Include them on advertisements, mailers, internal and external newsletters, and hang them up in your yard where they can be seen.

46. Commit to a regular e-mail newsletter that features distribution agreement updates, new products, employee news, pricing, discounts, and information on events held at your yard. Send it out to your customer list and offer a sign-up option on your website.

47. Feature a brief profile of a contractor or builder, homeowner, one of your employees, or even another local business in your newsletter.

48. Sending out e-mails and mailers advertising events, pricing specials, and other company news? Outline a distribution strategy so you know who’s getting your content, when, and at what frequency.

49. Rent or donate the use of your showroom, parking lot, yard, or warehouse to local organizations for community events.

50. Give contractors easy access to your website by placing QR (quick-response) codes on your business cards.