I just started a cleaning company but it seems to be dry (no customers), Any advice?

Cleaning Mattresses, Carpets, Sofas, Window washing, car interiors, wall washing, e.t.cI just started a cleaning company but it seems to be dry (no customers), Any advice?
We just started a cleaning business . We got 500 business cards printed and posted them through our neighbours' doors and passed them on to friends and family . Within one week we had 12 hours of new regular work and we had only posted 300 by then !!


Write '; fully insured '; on the card somewhere because a few folk ask and are disappointed if you are not.


Put cards up in the windows of local newagents . Make sure it looks good though and isn't a hand scrawled , last minute , idea . Use one of your busines cards if you are allowed .


Put your address on the card so people can come round and see you if they want .


If you live close to us just forget all this stuff and move ... (but sell us your stuff real cheap first ... wink..)I just started a cleaning company but it seems to be dry (no customers), Any advice?
Leaflets (need not be fancy) in the library


Notice in newsagents windows


Any Army/RAF bases nearby? Put a notice in the community areas. This could be a big earner.


Go round estate agents; introduce yourself and leave your details.


Leave your details at the local council offices and social services.





Practice introducing yourself and your business so you sound professional, courteous and the sort of guy people want to invite into their homes. Use family, a mirror, a camcorder; anything that will help you refine your introduction.





Make yourself a free website. Easiest way is to type WWW dot, then FREE and WEBS (all one word) then dot com (Yahoo won't let me give it in one go, as they are a competitor site, and better.) Make sure your web address goes on all your leaflets.





Make sure you do some BEFORE and AFTER photos (especially cars/gravestones etc. You may have to fake a dirty home - people are unlikely to give permission). Put these on your website, and make a folder of them to show to estate agents and other enquirers.





If you get contracts with local businesses, you may need to take on staff. If this happens, get an accountant who also does payroll - and fast!





I wish you well.
Approach your local council and social services departments-you may get a contract for old peoples and residential homes also approach big companies for contracts-you need a business manager,,,Think big and ambitious,believe in what your doing and people will pick up on your confidence-remember YOU have to go THEM!!!


Good luck


x


x


x
you have to build up a good reputation, loads of advertising and promotions to start with then word of mouth should keep you going, get out there and talk to people give out flyers, advertise in shops ect GOOD LUCK
Flyers through doors, or give some out to the mums and dads at the school gates where your kids go to school.
You need to do more advertising and perhaps print some leaflets with special offers on them to attract the customers.
Advertise! Now is the right time to do it because people are thinking about spring cleaning - play on that fact in your advert. Do a leaflet drop in your area.
Whats your USP ?





Are you using a good 'features / benefits' statement on your advertising ?





Have you approached your 'warm market' first?





Hows AIDA coming along ?





Whats does your ';Elevator Speech' sound like when spoken out loud.. (you do have an elevator speech dont you !!??)





if you dont understand any of the above then take a course on 'marketing'.... most business owners set up a business they are an expert in, and forget that potential customers only care about ONE thing....themselves...





so once you get the marketing figured out... your business will start to grow.





(marketing teaches you to look at your business from a potential customers point of view, not from yours !!)





and because your not doing so well... you need some advice from an expert...





check this site out, sign up for the newsletter, listen to the audio.. if all else fails email me and i will give you some help.





( i am a marketing manager)





good luck
Advertise~


:]]


Leaflets are generally good.


Try not to crowd the leaflet with too much info, put in only what's needed and you'll do great
Business cards with a coupon on doorsteps. That is how I got my maid and I wasn't even looking for her!
Advertise.
Go out and annoy people with junk mail flyers and put an ad in your local rag. (pardon the pun!)
advertise, print out some leaflets and get posting.xx good luck
Get the Yellow Pages out, start from the beginning (A), and just start calling maybe 5-10 business a day that you feel could benefit from your service - asking to speak to the owner (preferably) or manager and then telling them what you do.





You could mail business cards or flyers but actually speaking to the person in charge allows some back and forth discussion and should create a lot of jobs for you.





In addition, you may end up with a big contract that will allow you to expand. Good Luck
Ask some potential customer if you can clean for free in exchange for three solid referrals. Charge only for your consumables and ask him if you can put up a sign at place of business.





Do a great A++ job and charge the referrals a little higher to make up the difference.





Sometimes you have to prime the pump.
You have a PC so why not print off about 100 flyers and take them to businesses on industrial estates near you. Ask if you can post one on the staff notice board. If the business has offices you may even get a call to clean the office carpets, reception furniture etc or valet the staff cars.


Good Luck! I know how difficult starting up a business can be.