Larson Builders Using Social Media Tools for Web Success
The Larson Family of Companies has served business and home remodeling customers in central and southern Minnesota since 1967. Founded by Richard Larson, the company originated as a new construction and remodeling business in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Larson quickly established three key aspects to his company that have followed thru today; provide the highest craftsmanship available, use the industry’s best products, and follow up with exceptional service. They continue to design and build the highest quality homes in Minnesota for the past 44 years.
Larson Builders was an early customer with Vivid Image, but then later strayed to a larger marketing company located outside of Minnesota, who had big promises for search engine optimization and more. Doug Kephart, one 
of the owners of Larson Builders remembers, “The other company claimed they were experts in SEO marketing, but we soon realized that they had no idea what our business was about or how to market our product through a ‘non-retail’ environment.” It did not take them long to realize the difference between Vivid Image and others in not only the work, but also the service. Doug felt that the other company did not keep his goals in mind, “It was difficult to talk to someone about my concerns, and I felt isolated from my website, my marketing approach, and the end product that was being placed in front of my customers. It felt out of control.” Doug and the team at Larson knew they had to make the switch back to Vivid Image.
When Larson Builder’s returned to Vivid Image they did it full-force and started many online marketing initiatives such as blogging, Facebook, YouTube, social search, and email newsletters. Of all these online tools, Doug has found Facebook to have the most significant impact. He was pleasantly surprised with the results of Facebook and now sees it as an integral part of their marketing, “I had no idea of the power of that tool. Sarah at Vivid Image was very instrumental in pushing me this direction. I had faith in her; listened to her instructions, and implemented a plan.”
Sarah at Vivid Image was very instrumental in pushing me this direction. I had faith in her; listened to her instructions, and implemented a plan.
Larson Builders even started their own blog where Doug writes most of the blog posts, with guidance from the Vivid Image staff. Doug is now a proud blogger, “The process was extremely, and surprisingly smooth. Sarah had confidence in my ability to creatively handle this. Through her insight, and direction, I made the transition relatively easily.” The biggest challenge for Doug is to find the time and allocate the creative environment to generate the blog posts, “My goal is to, at a minimum, have a weekly blog post. The WordPress platform has been convenient, easy to use and learn. But as the owner of a small business, I wear many caps. I feel like I should be doing more, but my schedule seems to restrict me.”
Even though it was a tough lesson to learn, Doug could not be happier with the decision to reunite with Vivid Image, “The results were fantastic. First and foremost Sarah listened to my concerns regarding my previous vendor (This would have been her opportunity to say, ‘I told you so,’ but never once did she. She handled the process very professionally).”
When we asked Doug what he like best about working with Vivid Image, he did not hesitate to name a person on the Vivid Image Staff. He replies, “Without a doubt, the answer is Sarah Skoog. She is the only reason I did not look elsewhere for other vendors after making the decision to change. She has a ‘can do’ attitude; with a very caring, listening demeanor (exactly what I needed after the frustration with the previous vendor).”
Social media and blogging has set Larson Builders apart from others construction and remodeling companies. Blogging gives Larson a personal voice, and social media provides another way to communicate with their customers. Doug is glad that they started their social media initiatives when they did, and recommends that others do the same, “Businesses need to understand that they cannot afford to pass up the opportunity that social media presents to them. The longer they wait, the farther they will be behind the competition.” Now the foundation has been laid for continued success for Larson Builders, “Our website has become our largest marketing tool and is easy to navigate, warm, colorful, and filled with beautiful pictures. We continue to learn what else we can do with it.”
Businesses need to understand that they cannot afford to pass up the opportunity that social media presents to them. The longer they wait, the farther they will be behind the competition.
We are proud to work with the Larson Family of Companies. They are passionate about what they do, and it shows through their website and their work. See what Larson Builders is built of- check out their website and blog and “Like” them on Facebook.
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