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-   -   HOW to obtain cleaning contracts and also how todo marketing for my cleaning business (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=404812)

  • Oct 11, 2009, 09:54 AM
    Prestigeservice
    HOW to obtain cleaning contracts and also how todo marketing for my cleaning business
    Hello
    I just started my own cleaning business 5months ago with my husband
    I have one contract so far... its a small restaurant cleaning once a week which is not much... I just basically looked through the phone book and that's how I got it really called a bunch of people and got lucky...
    What I need too know is how I go about getting more contracts how do I approch the client?
    What do I say too keep them interested..?
    Is there anywhere elese that I can find contracts other than a phone book can someone guide me where too go and how too find them?


    I also would like to know how I can market my business that will attract the eye?



    My business is called prestige cleaning we do commercial and residential

    Please answer :confused:

    From:prestige cleaning
    Hamilton ontario
  • Oct 11, 2009, 08:29 PM
    Clough
    Hi, Prestigeservice!

    The fact that you're making personal contact with potential clients is good! How about stopping in at places and asking people in person? Are you in the Yellow Pages of the phone book? Have you advertised anything online? Also, are you a member of or attend meetings where a goup of people might gather, like a church, club or other type of organization, please?

    Thanks!
  • Oct 12, 2009, 03:38 PM
    Prestigeservice

    Yes I have called people through the phone book and also have gone and met people face to face... no I haven't joined a group of any sort... but it would be nice if anyone could help me in trying to point me in a good direction for my buiness
  • Oct 12, 2009, 06:33 PM
    Stringer

    Cold calling is hard work but it works and gets results.

    Be upfront when talking to them; " I am in the cleaning business and we would like to be of service to you. We do cleaning, windows, scrub floors and wax them, we clean carpets, etc. Can we take a moment and talk?"

    Groups:

    Local Chamber of Commerce

    Local net working groups

    Newspapers (business sections)

    Trade magazines

    Local business fairs

    Etc...

    Stringer
  • Oct 12, 2009, 06:35 PM
    Clough
    Hi again, Prestigeservice!

    Do you have businuess cards and flyers printed up that tell some things about the services that you provide, please?

    Thanks!
  • Oct 12, 2009, 06:40 PM
    Stringer
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Clough View Post
    Hi again, Prestigeservice!

    Do you have businuess cards and flyers printed up that tell some things about the services that you provide, please?

    Thanks!

    HI Clough, you are right. I made a bad assumption and thought that they were already set up.

    Incorporated, liability insurance, business plan, equipment, supplies, possibly flyers, etc?

    Stringer
  • Oct 12, 2009, 08:10 PM
    Prestigeservice

    Yes I do have those
  • Oct 12, 2009, 09:30 PM
    Stringer
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Prestigeservice View Post
    yes i do have those

    Good, now get out and knock on doors, that's where it all starts...

    Stringer
  • Oct 12, 2009, 10:27 PM
    Clough
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images...s/viewpost.gif
    Hi again, Prestigeservice!

    Do you have businuess cards and flyers printed up that tell some things about the services that you provide, please?

    Thanks!

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stringer View Post
    HI Clough, you are right. I made a bad assumption and thought that they were already set up.

    Incorporated, liability insurance, business plan, equipment, supplies, possibly flyers, etc?

    Stringer

    Hi, Stringer!

    In my opinion, your assumption was totally "in place", appropriate and "on the ball!"

    A lot of things go into the business planning of this type of business and things might not get sorted in the correct order at first. Best to be thinking of everything involved, right off the bat!

    Thanks!
  • Oct 12, 2009, 10:30 PM
    Clough
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Prestigeservice View Post
    yes i do have those

    Hi again, Prestigeservice!

    Do you mean everything that Stringer has mentioned, please?

    I also asked you earlier on this thread if you've advertised anything online about your business. Have you?

    Thanks!
  • Oct 13, 2009, 12:21 PM
    Prestigeservice

    No I have not yet how do I do that?
  • Oct 13, 2009, 02:43 PM
    Clough
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Prestigeservice View Post
    no i have not yet how do i do that?

    If you mean advertising online, I can help to show you how to do that so that it doesn't cost you any money and so that you get the best exposure for what you do, where you do it.

    I'll be on here much later this evening.

    Thanks!
  • May 14, 2010, 11:27 AM
    FacilitySupport
    Greetings Prestige Service,
    Again I'm late getting here but your question addresses my career "pet project" so I need to respond. I consider responding to newcomers to the business a way to pay tribute to those who were gracious enough to share with me in the beginning, so here goes...
    As I read, I learn you have already received some valuable information. I'll add my two cents also.
    Below I'm going to paste a small article that's been floating around the Internet recently and it responds well to your question about direct sales and marketing. The article will suggest setting up a database (I like the MS Works database) and keeping in touch with prospects for future business. You explain that you called through the Yellow Pages. That's very good, but it's not over. Some time down the road the people you briefly spoke with will be re-evaluating their cleaning needs and wishing they could find your information to call you. You will need to call them periodically just to check in and say "just checking on ya.... making sure you're still doing OK. Have a great day!". Believe me, someone will say "Thank God you called! ... this place is a mess" and then that little sound in the back of your head goes "Cha-Ching!". Anyhow here's the article. Good Luck with Prestige Service! - Tom

    Set Up A Time Sensitive Database to Grow Your Sales
    By - Thomas Anthony

    If your prospect will need to purchase your service or product tomorrow and you call him today good things happen. The most important of which is his belief in your opinion of the importance of his issues (hard sentence, important point). You knew he would need you tomorrow and you called today. That's the company he wants to do business with!

    When I stop at the traffic light and the man approaches me saying “Hey buddy, wanna get her some flowers?”, I just close the window. I have absolutely no reason to talk with that man today and I really wish he would leave me alone. But……. When he came over to my car the day I was going to see my girlfriend and apologize…. Well that’s another story! I quickly paid his $20.00 and said “thank you” with a truly genuine tone.

    “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”. Truer words have never been spoken and understanding how that phrase applies to your business is absolutely mandatory! Squeek at the right time and get even more grease! Your company may be the strongest, most professional, most experienced and most capable player in your market for a particular task, but if you are the only person that knows that information…. Well… you get the idea.

    Every business needs to advertise to grow and establish a client base. Always remember your client base is where your consistent cash flow and your referrals come from. Whether it’s signs, uniforms, print, radio or Internet advertising, telemarketing or direct sales, you need to do something to fuel your business. Telemarketing is the subject of this article, so I’ll touch on it here.

    The brief overview of a telemarketing effort would be the understanding of who you are, what your immediate goals are and exactly who you should communicate that information to. As an example, if I were to be cold calling from a list of Facility Managers:

    “Good morning, my name is Thomas Anthony and I’m with Facility Support Services. We are commercial cleaning vendors and I’m interested in competing for the cleaning business with your company. Who would be the person I need to speak with?” I wouldn’t offer any other information, unless asked, until I connect with their decision maker. When I do connect with the decision maker I would repeat the above sentences again to him/her followed by:

    Are your cleaning requirements re-evaluated and bid annually or only as necessary? Their answer to that question gives you your action date. Forward them a little information about your company and add their information to your time sensitive prospect file. Their contract isn’t available for bid right now, so taking too much of their time now would be annoying and unprofessional (like the guy with the flowers). Set an approximate date with them for your follow up call (never more than 60-90 days), thank them for their time and send a follow up thank you letter/e-mail including brief company information. If your company has a strong client base, include it as footer to most of your correspondence.

    A time sensitive database of all the prospects in your area is an incredibly valuable tool. Your time is much better spent, and your closing ratio is substantially greater, when you are sharing information about your company’s abilities with a decision maker at the time their looking for it (again the flowers). Every contact you have should reside in this database and you should check and update it daily. Soon it will be directing you towards new business and new cash flow streams. Try to include every prospect with a short “he said-she said” in the database to refresh your memory as necessary. Always remember the rule of SW:

    SW: some will
    SW: some won’t
    SW: so what!. next! … and pick up the phone again.

    Good luck with your prospecting!

    Mr. Anthony’s service industry websites include:
    Facility Support Services http://www.acleaningbid.com and
    Staffing Tracker http://www.staffingtrack.com
  • Apr 22, 2011, 09:17 AM
    AdaXZ
    Advertising in local newspapers

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