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Cleaningman23 · Jun 4, 2009, 08:09 PM

Guys,
I have been trying very hard these past few weeks to somehow obtain a bid for a contract with an office or any location possible.
I have given my card to car dealerships, banks, offices etc.
I have also sent my card to day care locations introducing myself and explaining my services...
I have walked into over 50-75 locations in the past two weeks and have no luck!
I have also contacted a new nursing home that just opened up down the street from my office and have no response!
I am not giving up though!!
I would pay someone right now just to bid on their location... lol

What else can I do! I am not giving up this battle!!

Stringer how do you do it... can you send me over one of your lucky cleaning rags to bring with me lol...

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 08:52 PM

Hi again, Cleaningman23!

As you know, times are tough right now. Many places are cutting back and doing the cleaning themselves.

I know that Stringer has also lost business. My immediate neighbor who does freelance custodial work and other things along those lines has also lost a number of jobs that he had.

It's really kind of scary right now for those of us who are self-employed in some kind of service industry.

What I try to do is broaden out with what I can do for people. I get calls for piano tuning, but really not enough right now. It's deck cleaning and staining season, so I try to advertise being able to do that. There are a number of other things that I do in order to make a living... painting, furniture refinishing, making porch swings, advertising as a handyman, window washing, (it is one of the times right now to emphasize being able to do that), carpet cleaning, etc.

Let's face it. It's a war zone out there! And, if we're going to get jobs, then maybe we need to try different approaches.

One of the things that we can do is to broaden out the area where we might be willing to travel. Offer discounts for referrals, hang more fliers up wherever there might be a public bulletin board and also be willing to do a variety of things in order to make a living and just not a few things.

Thanks!

Cleaningman23 · Jun 4, 2009, 09:10 PM

Yes. I know.
I had a pool cleaning to do aobut a week ago and he cancelled on me the night before.. for no reason... I think I may have told him tooo much information lol
But yes I know how it is.. that is why I am moving over to the lamp business also...

Lets face It after owning my own business I don't think I can work for anyone ever again...

That is why I am weighing out all my options first lol

It is a war zone though there is tons of competition and it is scary...

I have also given all my current customers flyers for 20$$ if they refer me to any of their friends or family members...

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 09:22 PM

What other types of things would you bill willing to do for a self-employment type of business?

Thanks!

Cleaningman23 · Jun 4, 2009, 09:26 PM

Anything at this moment...
I have experinece in sales and others fields so I am also looking for new options...

What do you have in mind... "-)

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 09:44 PM

I get calls a lot to do things for people. However, lots of times I'm not the only one bidding on the jobs.

Have you tried a temp agency to get by for awhile? Also, what are the other fields in which you have exerience?

Thanks!

Cleaningman23 · Jun 4, 2009, 09:59 PM

I have a few years with customer service... I was a supervisor for 1800GOTJUNK! And use to do all the field estimates...
I also worked for BP AMOCO at their oil refinary...

Once I heard they were switching me to removing asbestos I quit the job... even though it brought in 60k a year...

I never thought about a temp agency though...

Are they usually successful?

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 10:04 PM

A temp agency can usually find you a job, although it might not be exactly the kind of job that you'll like. But, at least you'll be able to network with other people in order to get the work that you'll really like to do.

Using a temp agency can also lead to a permanent job.

How are your typing and spread sheet skills using Microsoft Word and Excel, please?

Thanks!

Cleaningman23 · Jun 4, 2009, 10:08 PM

They are excellent.. I have many years and have two years college experience typing...

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 10:23 PM

When you go to a temp agency, they can test you for free on your various document formatting abilities. They can also test you on things having to do with activities that a person might do in industrial and service type of activities.

Here is the link to a site where a person can hone their typing skills in document formatting as well as ten-key typing.

Typing Test - Learn2Type.com - learn to type online FREE typing tutor and typing tests, typing certification

My ten-key skills went from about 2,000 KPH to over 10,000 KPH in a couple of weeks. If you need to use ten-key on your job, then a minimum of 5,000 KPH, to my knowledge is what a temp agency will require. Many jobs require the ten-key skill to be 9,000+ KPH.

The site is free to use.

Thanks!

Clough · Jun 4, 2009, 10:23 PM

When you go to a temp agency, they can test you for free on your various document formatting abilities. They can also test you on things having to do with activities that a person might do in industrial and service type of activities.

Here is the link to a site where a person can hone their typing skills in document formatting as well as ten-key typing.

Typing Test - Learn2Type.com - learn to type online FREE typing tutor and typing tests, typing certification

My ten-key skills went from about 2,000 KPH to over 10,000 KPH in a couple of weeks. If you need to use ten-key on your job, then a minimum of 5,000 KPH, to my knowledge is what a temp agency will require. Many jobs require the ten-key skill to be 9,000+ KPH.

The site is free to use.

Thanks!