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I just opened a small residential, commercial and janitrial business but I am not getting any responses. I have joined the chamber of commerce, I am listed on Google, natinal black pages, have a website and angies list. I don't know what else to do. I have been open 2 months and I am thinking of closing down. What am I doing wrong?
If you are sitting there waiting for things to happen, you are wrong. You have to put some shoe leather into the effort and get out with your business cards, advertising in community papers with your rate; use bulletin boards where you can, as in super markets, senior residences and anywhere you can think would be beneficial to getting some money in the door. Start phoning!
Tick
Aside from maybe angie's list, the rest are a waste of money. You are LOCAL, and no customer is going to be looking for you anywhere but locally, and probably not online either. And the Chamber of Commerce is nice for MAYBE customers from other CC members. Advertise in your local paper. Get rates for Yellow Pages but they tend to be too high. Print a brochure with rates. Look for Request for Bids from schools, etc, in the local papers too.
You have tons of competition.
Hello L:
I'd ring door bells. If someone came to my door seeking work, I'd be VERY impressed with that individual. If I HAD work, I'd hire him.
Certainly, with COMMERCIAL cleaning, business's have people calling on them all the time seeking that kind of work..
If they decided they needed somebody, do you think they'd look on the internet?? Noooo. I think they'd hire the guy that took the time to get in his car and visit them, wouldn't you?
excon
Good aim Ex, one stroke and one hit right on the nail. I couldn't hit the greenie button...Quote:
Originally Posted by excon
We do almost everything to get new business but getting out there is one of the best methods. A lot of this is getting 'lucky' especially with commercial cleaning, but if you are not 'out there' you won't even know about companies that are ready to change companies. They won't beat a path to your door... But follow up with phone calls (Don't leave more than 2 voice mails), emails and letters after you get the names of those in charge of this activity. When you introduce yourself ask to speak to the person that decides to hire an BMC (Building Maintenance Contractor) if you cannot see them without an appointment then get their name, email, phone number and title and call them. * Be sure that you get the spelling of their name correct. And besides you get to talk to someone and that gives you experience and confidence. If you are polite most will give you this information or you may get to see the person right away.
When you made a 'cold call' make it a 'warm call'. By that I mean pick a few companies in your area that have buildings that are the size that you can handle. Do your due diligence and gather some information on them possibly from the internet or local papers, etc. This way when you are able to sit down with them you already know something about them and they will 'warm' up to you somewhat since you took the time to learn a little about them.
Besides referrals (which is an excellent way to get new business), physically making a call on them is the best way. When my wife started a residential cleaning company about 5 years ago she knew little and didn't have even one client. We put together a catchy flyer/brochure and for three weeks solid we spent 3 to 4 hours each day putting these on door knobs. When she sold the company 2 years ago she had 57 homes, 1 supervisor/driver and 12 workers. She made a nice profit also.
If you are sincere about what you are going to do and you want to do a great job for your customers then that is what you talk about and do. After you get some clients continue putting out flyers and ask your present customers to refer you to anyone that would like your service.
Good luck,
Stringer
Yes, how many hours of cold callling are you doing, have you looked at hiring sales people to do sales on commission of the sale.
But web sites, craigs list and the such can get you a little business, but normally after people already have heard of you and are looking for you.
If you Google or Yahoo or bing your city and cleaning what page are you on ?
But you start knocking on doors, leaving flyers, and talking to people.
Just the people you do busienss with, printers, stores and more, have you went in and talked to them.
When I did cleaning supplies ( not cleaning) I worked for a 20 year old company that was a household name, but I still have to do at least 20 cold calls a day, in addition to my normal calls.
Do you have a index file ( or computer planner) that shows where you have called, names, info and results and a follow up date ?
Cold calling is not comfortable situationfor most people. It takes a lot of confidence and self assurance. If one isn't comfortable cold calling, there is no sense in even trying it.
Tick
Well Tick with all respect, like I said they won't beat a path to your door. Cold calling is difficult for some, others like people and are not afraid to talk to them. What helps is knowing what you are talking about, the biggest fear is not being knowledgeable and that they might ask you something that you don't have an answer for. The way to get past this is knowledge of what you are supposed to be an expert in. And if I don't have an answer I tell them that that is a very good question, I'll get back to you. And guess what IF they are asking questions then there is interest and an opportunity to do business. And getting back to them offers another chance to be in front of them.
You are correct Tick, sales is not for everyone, but there is no business to run without it. Every job except government and postal jobs (that I can presently think of) start with a sale; customer service, manufacturing, trucking, receiving, etc. Taking orders over a phone takes no talent it is simply order taking.
If you have a product or service to sell, shout it to the world. Your successful competitors are...
Now the world starts making sense...
Stringer
You need to socialize and network. Offer your services to friends and family, and ask them to ask their friends and family. Always hand out your business card, sometimes people hire cleaners on a whim when they have extra money, and when they get so use to you cleaning they will make it a priority to budge you cleaning service forever.
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