Residential locksmithing is exactly what it sounds like. Locksmithing for private residences. Residential locksmithing is probably the most common type of locksmithing niche that you will see. Residential locksmithing does not mean non-commercial, though. In fact, the locksmith kit for a residential locksmith vs. that of a commercial locksmith look very similar. The major difference is in your client base.

Who should you market yourself to?

Residential locksmiths should be marketing themselves to, obviously, regular people. You want to be known as the guy or gal to call when the home is bought and the locks need changing. When the doors get frozen shut. When little Timmy decides to pack the keyhole full of silly putty.

But, you also want to make sure you’re reaching out to your local landlords.

Landlords are where you are going to get your consistent return calls. When tenants leave, locks get changed. When tenants break the doors, locks get changed. Keys get made. Deadbolts are added. Sliding locks. Peep holes.

Where to go?

Reach out to your potential customers by visiting them on their turf. Get out there to your local REIA (Real Estate Investor Association) group meetings. Jump onto Craigslist and find out who is renting properties. Heck, go to your local tax collector and get a list of all non-owner occupied properties and do a letter writing campaign.

We’ll dig in deeper on different marketing methods in later posts, but at the end of the day the key (get it?) is to get out there and make your name known.