Anyone? How can I get cleaning contracts, If it's a new business with no references

Are you talking carpet cleaning, or becoming a housekeeper, or?

Are you incorporated, insured and experienced in cleaning?

Talk to anyone and everyone to find someone who will give you a start.

Stringer

A good start is by advertisement. If you have no references, try applying for housekeeping jobs in hotels or other maid based services to gain experience and quality experience. Knowing how to communicate exact or appropriate duties in a clients home is key. Even overdoing may create untrusting clients and bad references. Set out your personal boundaries and outline your exact details of your work before hand to avoid conflict between you and your client.

Do you mean a cleaning business? If that's what you're referring, you have to start with marketing. Identify all factors that'll set what you apart from competitors. Tell all potential customers that there's this kind of business that exists. Inform them how your services can address their needs. You can create a website, promote it on Facebook

I'd say advertise on a free local listings like Yahoo, Google and craigslist. Definitely build a free website.