[msowens]

I have a cleaning business and I am trying to secure commercial and residential contracts. I have built a website, passed out business cards and did search engine submissions. What else can I do to get clientele?

[Fr_Chuck]

For commercial accounts go out every day and call on many accounts, keep notes and records and every month or two return to the most promising ones. When you are talking find out who they are using, what they do, even try and find out what they pay, find out if a contract when it renews.

Then use that info.

[msowens]

Thanks. With commercial what service will get their interest, besides lower prices.
Also what about attracting residential customers

[Fr_Chuck]

I of course sold chemicals to commercial accounts, often cleaning chemicals, so it may be somewhat different

But price for some, for others it does a better job, for some I had additional services we offered.

You find their need by talking to them, and by looking, do you see filled trash cans, do you see dirty floors, do bathroom smell, if so you sell to their need.

For example, I now operate a Martial Arts Dojo, we offer in advertising a 40 dollar a month program, and yes we sell a lot of them for 2 lessons a week. But this is also used to get them in the door and hopefully we sell a 60 dollar or a 125 dollar or even a 200 dollar a month program.

So much of selling is often "up grading" the basic wash and wax or the deluxe wash and wax. Same thing they do in car washes. The one by my house, sells a 3 dollar car wash. I get that one all the time. But each time I also have to listen to the sell job for the 10 dollar wash, the 20 dollar wash and the 40 dollar wash.

[Stringer]

Put together a 'flyer' / one sheet brochure for residential prospects. Put as many on doors that you can constantly. Keep it brief and to the point, easy to read. Do your demographics and choose homes that you believe can afford cleaning in this economy. Do this constantly and redo the homes you already hit about every three months. When you do get some homes always ask them for referrals and offer an incentive; cash or a free cleaning.

Also talk to everyone about your business, either they are interested or know someone that is. Always have your card and a flyer available and with you, you never know when the discussion will come up.

Stringer

[msowens]

I forgot to mention I located in Massachusetts. Right now I'm currently doing turn overs for property mangers with that I charge a flat rate price according to the unit size. Should I keep that rate or charge per hour?

[Stringer]

Residential is usually bid by the hour or total for the one time job, commercial is bid monthly as a total monthly price.

Stringer

[msowens]

Thanks Stringer. I appreciate your help