Hello, I am a student at a university.

I have been searching on Google on how to get cleaning contacts and read some posts by stringer and some related topics.

I have been working for 2 years to save enough money for my tuition and living costs, now I have finished my year one.

I was able to pay the first half of the tuition but I have no ability to pay the second half.

I was searching ways to earn money while studying and have done a lot of cash jobs like, restaurants, early morning cleaning,

Cashier, labourer, but non of those can earn me enough money to pay for my living cost and at the same time save for tuition.

What I thought I can do was I can get a contract from commercial businesses like office or restaurants like macdonalds.

I have the ability to find professional and skilled cleaners but I don't know how to actually get a contract.

For example if I want to get the cleaning contract at mcdonalds in front of my school what do I have to do?

If any one of you out there can help me, your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for reading.

Good evening Hijay,

Apparently you are not incorporated are you? It takes very little cost to incorporate it will protect you and is required by any prominent client. Also liability insurance is necessary.

A few questions please;

Do you have any sales experience?

You mentioned that you have done 'some' cleaning, to what degree and experience do you really have? And how long have you done this?

Everyone starts somewhere Hijay. To start in this business experience is the best teacher. Possibly go to work for a good cleaning company that will train you in the methods necessary. Professional cleaning is much more than just having a mop and bucket.

After you have experience in the actual cleaning you need to apply any sales experience that you have. Sales is mostly having a professional tenacity and always learning. Basically it comes down to liking people and enjoying talking with them. Many new sales people will simply go to a prospect and discuss with them what they require, it gives you a lot of insight also.

What are you majoring in Hijay? Or have you even selected a major in college as yet?

The cleaning business is a lot more difficult than many realize it involves many operational skills, administration skills and sales. It requires a LOT of work however I can personally tell you that it can be very rewarding in many ways.

One of the keys in this business is keeping the business after you get it. So do what you promis no matter what, your reputation and integrity will proceed you.

So I realize that I did not in reality answer your question about getting contracts in any great detail except to say that you need to incorporate and have insurance.

Could you get back to me and answer the questions I posed above, possibly we can progress from there.

Stringer

Thank you for you answer.

I have been cleaning health clubs, offices, restaurant and large function rooms for about 2 years(since I started working)

I major in bachelor of commerce- marketing.'

I have 1 year and 6 months of sales experience which includes street sales(face to face on streets), door to door sales.

Also, I have been taking orders from carwash and made average of $30/car/day sales to about $45~50/car/day.

I think selling anything requires confidence and in-depth knowledge about what you are selling and credit in me or

Specific business that I am in supports sales.

At the moment, I want to start with one contract, for example an office. Possibly this contract will earn about $300/week

Then it will significantly help my financial position.

What I am wondering is the steps to get that one contract and how to get it.

I really need your expertise with my questions.


Thank you.

Hitting the street Hijay is always necessary, in the beginning and later also.

Stop at the buildings and ask to speak to the person that 'contracts' for their janitorial cleaning. Get an appointment. Plan out what and how you are going to present yourself AND your company (incorporate and get insurance).

Talk about this to everyone, constantly with enthusiasm. Even if they personally cannot help you they may know of something or someone than can.

Where are do you live in? And is it suburban or urban? (Matters)

Learn a system of cleaning that gets the job done in time to make some money.

Let me know...

Stringer

I live close to the city, but as it is too competitive in the city I am looking forward to getting contracts from offices and restaurants outside the city.

How much would it cost to just incorporate as you mentioned? And to get a insurance?

Contact a local insurance agent for insurance pricing.

Incorporating isn't expensive. Most states charge less than $400 and as cheap as $150.

Stringer

My first suggestion is that you must really understand the industry and the possible pitfalls. As simple as the janitorial industry is it is also very complicated. Chemicals to be used the right equipment and creating achievable specs for the project are all real concerns. The honesty of your staff and the responsibility of having the keys to a business or home can at times be daunting. It only takes one dishonest cleaner to reui your reputation. If you are looking to earn enough capital to have just spending cash then you should really target the offices and stores of friends and family. That is the low hanging fruit! If your are trying to acquire commercial cleaning leads of larger variety it gets complicated with proposals and insurance and bonding requirements. In the residential sector you can also do relatively well with house cleaning contracts if you have a stable work force of clean well manored women. In all of the above lots of pounding the payment, flyers, door hangers and similar other methods. It's a long and winding road but can prove to be lucrative if done well.