Getting customers for a new business!

[Sure Shine]

I’m thinking of starting a Window Cleaning Business, along with cleaning gutters and conservatories, and later when I can afford the equipment, cleaning driveways, especially brick paved drives.

My first concern is getting new customers, I think the most direct approach is to knock on peoples doors and ask if them if they require a regular window cleaner. I’m not sure about the ethics of door-to-door canvassing. Apart from thinking this maybe a dreadful experience, this may well be the best way to drum up business.

My other options would be leaflet drops, which would allow me to cover a bigger area in a given time, or some adverts in local shops and in the local newspaper. Although I don’t think these two approaches would result in much business, as door knocking.

Do I have anymore options for building a client base?

 

[CKG]

I can' take the credit for this idea as it is stolen from admagic in another thread.

But how about running a competition - Free window cleaning for 12 months.

A great way to build a list of potential customers.

I found my window cleaner through him door knocking me for business. Though there can be a fine line between coming accross as a bit of a rouge and a genuine chap.

 

[MorrisChesterfield]

sure shine,

Hi mate, if you do get round to buying window cleaning equipment, i have a pure water window cleaning system, it came part of a floor cleaning system, it uses just tap water but goes through some kind of jelly which gets the lime out, im not 100% sure how it all works, but its one of those machines with the poles to clean windows rather than ladders. I wouldnt want much for it, it might be perfect for you? the machine has never bin used as we dont do window cleaning.

Ben

 

[tony84]

We have a thing in work where we send out emails informing them of whatever it is were promoting and it might drum up 0.01% business, then you follow it up with a face to face and say something along the lines of did you get my last letter or was it binned with all the other junk mails you get?
They say binned it

You say ok was there a reason for binning it?
They say it looked like junk, so then you follow it up with something like had you read it would you have been interested in it? etc

That principle can be used on so many things but itputs the thought in their head, then you follow it up and it instills the thought a little more etc.

You may only get a 2% return (thats generally what we get) so on 1000 leaflets your getting 20 clients. Build up the good service then just in time for summer you can offer to clean their drives make it look nice, then for autumn you can clear leaves from gutters then anything even remotelly related they will come to you.
I think its a good idea but were in a recession, people are cutting back. I live in a pub and our windows were done weekly, now fortnightly downstairs and monthly upstairs.

Might be worth testing it on an area you have no interest in to find out what objections people will come up with, then you will be more prepared for your real potential customers.

 

[Richie N]

Advertise on gumtree.com - its free unless you are in London

Contact accountants etc see if you can offer your services to their clients and you do theirs for free.
Word of mouth is the best advertiser......

 

[faststaff]

Leaflet drop (but I would say that!)

Your biggest source will most likely be people approaching you when you are on another job. A mate of mine does windows in another area, and he does a few leaflets, but this is how over 70% of his new business comes in. (He only does commercial premises)

 

[Cornish Steve]

You could establish partnership with other local companies. For example, when a company paints someone's house, they could refer your business. When a roofing company does some work, they could refer your business. Maybe you could convince a local hardware store (that sells ladders, etc.) to put up signs about your business. In each case, you could offer a small referral fee - or simply agree to refer these companies when you do work of your own.

 

[melmar]

Hi,Sure Shine have been loking into starting a driveway cleaning business up,i have been in contact on the net with people who have being trying this 1 bloke emailed to say he hadnt done 1 drive in the last year,most have said they are struggling but i want to give it a go anyway as i can see loads of work that needs doing.
i also thought targeted leaflets might get me started, the equipment is quite expensive so i thought i would hire to see how things go perhaps we can give each other a bit of a boost as i have come to a dead end with the project at moment.
Morris,how much for system? a mate of mine suggested i offered conservatory cleaning as well could this system be used for this you think
cheers any advice much appreciated

 

[fed-up]

I agree with the leaflet drop idea but followed up by a knock on the door.


Mark

 

[Intel Clarke]

From experience, how much stuff do you get through the door from local service providers that you chuck away without a second look? From where we are based, a hell of a lot...

For a local service, like window cleaning, you can't beat that knock on the door 'Hi I am starting a new....'

Re cleaning driveways - Have you thought about hiring the equipment for a month or so and trying that in your local area? You are less likely to face competition and can see a dirty drive before you knock on the door - you're half way there!!

Good luck.

 

[Matt1959]

digressing slightly - we have a window cleaner once every 6 weeks and it costs a tenner a time (4 bed detatched house) I don't know when he comes, don't even know if he does it my wifes tells me he does, but we dont check, but he seems a nice efficient bloke and knocks on the door the same evening asking for his money and I write him a cheque. When I pay him, I think is this really worth it? does he do a good job? (dont know, dont check) but £10 is such a small amount of money, I just pay up - I must be nuts but moral of story if there is one - charge a small amount like this every now and then and people think its so cheap its not worth cancelling.

Our gutters have been blocked for a couple of years. I dont do heights and have mentioned to a mate who has ladders but nothings happened. If I had a knock on the door and it was a nice guy, I'd snap his hand off. If a leaflet came through the door, I almost certainly wouldnt bother.

So, knock on doors but make sure you come across well

 

[ryansrs1]

There a window cleaning section on www.cleanitup.co.uk, post there for a better insight and help.

As for getting clients, leaflets a great way but the ad on the leaflet has to be good and target areas where people have a high income-more disposiable income to spend. And get a website, ok you may think-why its only a window cleaning round, but youd be suppriesd how many pople will check the web FIRST when in need of a service. It will also look good on your leaflet with a web addres at the bottom and install confidence in the customer.

Good luck

J

 

[Submarine Washer]

yell.com works well, and it's free

 

[Matt1959]

. And get a website, ok you may think-why its only a window cleaning round, but youd be suppriesd how many pople will check the web FIRST when in need of a service.



J

good point here. I'm almost at the stage where I would only use a service where I could check them out on their website. I know websites are not the be all and end all but they do give lots of clues as to who you will be dealing with and how they approach their business.

 

[maxine]

I did some work for a window cleaner some time ago and he dropped leaflets and I got on the phone for him canvassing street by street. If you are going to telemarket for prospects then remember to TPS check first. This was a good exercise as he also found out a lot about his competitors and what would persuade people to change from current arrangements

 

[Sure Shine]

Some good advice. Thanks.

I'll be knocking on doors and asking for custom, I'll will be approaching businesses aswell as private residents, once I get into the role I'm sure the ball will start rolling with referals.

I will try a competition, for a 12 month free window cleaning. I also thought about promoting a charity and donating a portion of takings.

Morris - I cant afford a long reach system, I'm just starting out with the basics.

Melmar - I thought there maybe some business out there reguarding cleaning of drive ways. Especially brick paved drives with weeds growing between the bricks and oil stains. Would need to re-sand the drives after and offer to seal the drive with the sealants.

 

[Lincs Debt Collection]

Theres no problem with going door to door for this business, just be very polite and dress smart casual so you look respectable. have some business cards and post them where folk are out. When you do get a job be chatty and friendly, but not nosey, just make small talk and be cheerful and try to get to know your new customer a bit. You could be the only person they get to see all day and out will come the tea and biscuits. When you knock the door for your money ask for the customer to check they are happy with your work first instead of just expecting to get paid. When they confirm they are happy and you get paid ask if it would be OK to mention to others in the steet that you have there custom. Then go knock the rest of the street and this time sell on the fact you have Mr or Mrs from number _ and you would like them to give you a try as well. Leave every customer five business cards and ask them to refer you. In time the initial graft of door knocking will help you build a regular round and you will find you get work coming in to fill your week up. Go for it m8, oh and offer carpet cleaning as well as these jobs can be worth a few hundred quid for a whole house and you can easily rent the machine. more people should get off there arse in this country, good luck m8

 

[Lincs Debt Collection]

P S personally I would avoid the charity pledge until you are established and have regular customers who know you. then if you want to do something for charity get your local paper to run it as a news item and your regular customers who see it will be pleased to have your service.

 

[faststaff]

Can you go to your town's chamber meeting as a guest a couple of times? Take tons of cards, and see what happens.

 

[lockie]

Get some logo'd uniform made up like a fleece or sweatshirt etc. It makes a massive difference to how customers perceive you especially if you are cold calling. Ive had loads of people knocking on the door offering various stuff but its their appearance that puts me off.

Why not set yourself apart from the others and get a police check done.Window cleaners look in an awful lot of houses and potentially could be in a position to pass on info to burglars.Get in with the neighbourhood watch as well for the networking potential.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

For the first time in my life i have a regular window cleaner, he lives opposite me

Every other window cleaner i have ever had has knocked on my door (because my windows were so minging).

I would never actively seek a window cleaner, although am usually relieved when i find one.

Just my experiences.

 

[melmar]

Sureshine-ive been looking into it a bit more seems you have to be careful when sealing on the other forums their advice is not to offer this sevice until had a bit of experience and some training on resealing
plus if you seal a drive you wont be going back for quite a few years to re-clean as for re-sanding you do know that it is kiln dry sand that you use
also if you just use a jet washer it can sometimes cause more damage (depending on blocks that are been cleaned)
im still trying to find the cheapest hire place to try this out rather than buy
at first (not cheap)anybody know anywhere please?
hate the thought of knocking on doors but needs must i suppose
dont know whether to go with business cards ideas if not in or leaflets-by the way need before and after pics for these but struggling on that one
let us know how you are going on cheers