advice on approaching potential clients/customers

[moredoor]

hi all

my name is Philip and currently looking to make self employment work, like many of us!


Not so long ago I did send a post about property clearance but that just isn't possible as we speak due to only having a small vehicle to work from.

so to make a start in the similar field I would like to start off doing domestic cleaning, gardening and minor diy jobs.

Although I do believe there are plenty already doing this and could be viewed as to many people doing the same thing, I do believe that it could work.

I especially wanted to contact letting agents, landlords, and related agencies to provide the work.

but I will be honest I am not the best in administration and was looking for some advice on how to approach such companies/clients.

As most of you would guess I am new to business and any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks for reading,

philip

 

[AHirons]

Philip,

Best thing to do is print some flyers and do some leg work (literally), pushing them through letter boxes. Don't expect to pick up enormous amounts of work immediately, its all about getting your name out there. I've often found that I only get 1 or 2 responses in an area as a direct result of the flyers, but then picked up work in the same area through word or mouth and being seen on the job, just off the back of that initial single response.

Don't expect miracles, getting a business going well takes time and effort.

Andrew.

 

[PDRD]

Dont go down the letting agent route. They will have a local building firm in place who can do most tasks at the drop of a hat. They wont want to be calling a one man band.

If you do the flyers go down the joe public route. Most houses have got odd bits and bobs that need sorting but never get done. Drop them a leaflet stating that tou will be back on day x after 4pm to discuss any works. Dont just wait for the phone to ring, get back out there and show them your face.

Please dress properly, tshirt with logo on with handyman trousers/combats. Not jeans and a shirt or suit.

Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9305 using UK Business Forums

 

[Press48]

Agreed entirely with PDRD - the contracts and regular work will only come once you expand and have a bit of a track record. Marketing is very important when starting up - get a nicely designed flyer, maybe with a discount or offer on it to get started?

One thing that works well from experience, is to list some general prices so people know what to expect - it will also help you when you go back to discuss the works with potential client.

If you're getting flyers printed, I'd recommend starting with a small amount and seeing if you get any feedback on them. You can then refine your advert or even increase your prices/remove the discounts, as you get recommendation and a good client base. If you need any help with this, feel free to drop me a message.

 

[Leather Briefcase Company]

A well printed flyer as suggested previously, and get some in shop windows. If there's local residents magazines, place a regular small add in the tradesman section.
A one page website would be inexpensive and putting your website address and contact details on the flyer would make you look more professional rather than a start up.
Add window cleaning to your offer.
Make sure your name and address, phone number are clear...people want to know you have a base locally.
Some supermarkets have an information board for local businesses. Get your info available, and check regularly.
Check for local business clubs - you may find the idea a bit daunting, but you sound committed, and the harder you try, the luckier you get.
So very good luck!

 

[moredoor]

well apologises for the slow response.

but excellent advice and much appreciated!

have now decided that it is better going down the 'joe blogs' route as like was said, an agency wants fast response and having already got a day job that wouldn't be suitable at this time.

I am currently just in the middle of getting some design ideas for flyers.

I do have a rough idea with regards to a logo but also want to try and keep it simple as I was getting carried away with just thinking garden services.

I would also like to provide cleaning services and look into other jobs later down the line like property clearance, painting and decorating etc.

At the moment I just have a car so the smaller jobs can be undertaken.




How would it be best advertised with regards to a leaflet?

Would it be good to advertise as garden services and then open into other jobs later on?

Or stay open minded from the word go?

thanks again and great advice.

philip

 

[simon field]

Brave time of year to take up gardening

I think I'd spend the winter planning and preparing - I mean, do you have all the tools you'll need sorted?

I hate to say it but what about Public Liability? A bucket and a sponge is one thing - you can chance it - but up a ladder, potentially with power tools and things in the in the damp?

As for leaflet design, can you get a couple of friends / family to let you sort their mess out and have a couple of before and after shots taken by someone with a knack for photography?

Just that, and some prices / rates and a contact number would do me.

 

[moredoor]

yes it is a brave move to be starting up at this time of the year.

Will be as you say, spending the next couple of winter months getting everything together and looking into advertising!

so as for past experience, it is best to give a clear indication of price on advertisement?

Will also be getting some P.L insurance quotes.

thanks

philip

 

[Core List]

Hi Philip,

Good on you for putting yourself out there, but the next step is to get a few clients on board. There are a few avenues for advertising/marketing some work better than others and you might find some methods work better for you than others.
As you mentioned, you do not like face to face, probably try and avoid that at first to see if you can find another avenue that works. i would get a basic website that outlines your services and your contact details. Keep in mind that this is your virtual shopfront so it pays to have it looking respectable, but you only need to spend a couple of hundred pounds at first.
If you want to target households and private users, letterbox drops of flyers is a good way to start. If you get them printed and do the leg work yourself, it shouldn't cost too much.
If you want to chase letting agents, this is also worth a go, to avoid calling them face to face, you could try calling them on the phone and asking for their email and the letting managers name for you to email some info on what you do. Then send them a personalised email outlining your services. You should then send a follow up email every month and outline your services and state any jobs that you have done or task you completed that they can relate to. if you need a list of agents, just google 'list of estate agents in uk core list' for our database details.

Good luck with your new venture
John

 

[moredoor]

hello there thanks for the excellent advice, I am set on going down the route of the general public as I don't think contacting the like of estate agents and similar agencies would work for me as we speak, I have plans to keep it as just a part time business as I am still in full time employment and don't quite want to jump in with two feet just yet.

what are peoples opinions on posting flyers?

has it been proven to work? as a lot will just see the flyer and through it in the bin?lol

Also I know it is such a long shot question. But what sort of prices are charged for the likes of lawn mowing, hedge pruning etc

Is it advised to have set charges or an hourly rate or maybe both?

thanks again, philip

 

[ben@hewoco]

Most flyers will go straight in the (recycle) bin but that's the nature of the beast. You just need to keep plugging away until your flyer is in the hands of someone at just the time they decide they want some work done. Once you have that, it's just a case of doing a damned good job and hoping your reputation spreads.

The website route could be well worth an explore, especially as most people in your profession won't have good ones (shameless plug, you can get a site from us for just £15 whilst we're still in beta).

You could tie this in with some pay-per-click advertising, for instance, just looking at my home county of Essex on Google Adwords, there are pretty regular searches for "gardeners essex", "odd jobs essex", "handyman essex" etc. It sounds more complicated than it is but there'll be loads of people here who can offer advice!

 

[tedwood]

Hi Phillip, my first piece of advice is to approach these sorts of clients professionally. Whatever you do don't go the indirect route, unless you're just hoping for the spray and pray approach (which generally doesn't work). What I would advise to go direct and give them a call and start a conversation, it's an easy way in and leaves the relationship open for recommendations from them to other businesses.

 

[Private Detective London]

Flyers may be fine for leafleting a large area, I understand take up on them is very low but then so is the cost.
When it comes to approaching business' then I wouldn't use the flyer route. Even the nicest designed flyer will most probably look cheap and probably not make it past the receptionist.
Personally I would try to research the address of someone in the management of the companies you are targeting, or if not just send it to their general address, and send them a well written and consise letter. Then follow that up with a phone call a week or so later.
As said including example costs are good to give people an idea of your charges. If you have a professional looking email, not a hotmail or gmail or even your own domain name and a simple website then all to the good.
Its the old you only get one chance to make a first impression thing.
I do have a friend who works in his area, most if not all of his work comes through personal recommendations and contacts so good luck with this. There is always a market it all comes to being reliable and building up a client base over time.

 

[moredoor]

thanks ever so much for the advice. i am currently trying to produce an appropriate business name for the services i would like to offer. my main service is going to be general gardening but i also would like to offer a domestic cleaning service and maybe other services in the future! thanks, philip

 

[theBagShoppe]

Hi Philip, I think you have got enough advice. Regarding design of flyer, I can help you in this regards.