Yes... good luck, keep plugging away, something will fall in your direction eventually.

You are going after retail business (shopping center)?

Stringer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stringer

Yes...good luck, keep plugging away, something will fall in your direction eventually.

You are going after retail business (shopping center)?

Stringer

---

Yes that is my best guess to go somewhere with the most cleaning capability in a walking distance... Any suggestions on certain places to look for that are key targets ?

:-)

Well, although personally I don't like cleaning retail (too many problems), I would start with the largest stores and work down.

Ok so I did my door to door tactics today

And handed out and visited about 30-35 offices and businesses...

Lets hope I get a bite!
They all had cleaning services... every single one of them

One of them asked me for a price on a the spot... for a 1900 sq ft office and I sort of panicked lol

I did not know if I should have given him it or not... but I did:(... (it was real small office though)

So I wasn't concerned...

How did you door to door tactics go

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

Ok so I did my door to door tactics today

And handed out and visited about 30-35 offices and businesses ...

Lets hope I get a bite!
They all had cleaning services... every single one of them

One of them asked me for a price on a the spot.....for a 1900 sq ft office and I sorta panicked lol

I did not know if I shoulda given him it or not....but i did:(...(it was real small office though)

so i wasnt concerned....

how did you door to door tactics go

---

If they all had cleaning service then that is good, that obviously means that they use... now it is your job to relate to them that they may be using the wrong companies.

Good luck in getting that one, follow up... they usually do not beat down your door. :D

Typical day, picked up two new bids, one is a 26,000 sq ft building owned by the tenants, accountants. And another one that is 72,500 sq ft, however this one is a forced bid...

Stringer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stringer

If they all had cleaning service then that is good, that obviously means that they use....now it is your job to relate to them that they may be using the wrong companies.

Good luck in getting that one, follow up...they usually do not beat down your door. :D

Typical day, picked up two new bids, one is a 26,000 sq ft building owned by the tenants, accountants. And another one that is 72,500 sq ft, however this one is a forced bid....

Stringer

---

Yeah another typical day for me also... NO BIDS... haha Im going to go pluck at it again today...

May I ask How did those bids come about hearing about yor company?
Also
What is a forced bid?
Are they forcing you to bid or something.+?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

Yeah another typical day for me also....NO BIDS... haha Im gonna go pluck at it again today...

May I ask How did those bids come about hearing about yor company?
Also
What is a forced bid?
Are they forcing you to bid or something.+?

---

Most of our business the last 5 to 10 years comes from direct cold calls, a lot from references and advertising, etc.

What we refer to as a 'Forced Bid' is one where they may not be actually looking for the service or contemplating a change but are willing to let you go through the process and offer up a proposal. Unlike one where they are actually in the market so to speak. The close to bid
Ratio is not good on these types of bids but we do sell some of them. The term is an internal one that we use so that others in the company understand the circumstances...

Keep plugging away... that is always necessary.

Stringer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stringer

Most of our business the last 5 to 10 years comes from direct cold calls, a lot from references and advertising, etc.

What we refer to as a 'Forced Bid' is one where they may not be actually looking for the service or contemplating a change but are willing to let you go through the process and offer up a proposal. Unlike one where they are actually in the market so to speak. The close to bid
ratio is not good on these types of bids but we do sell some of them. The term is an internal one that we use so that others in the company understand the circumstances....

Keep plugging away....that is always necessary.

Stringer

---

Understandable...

I am going to keep plugging away..
I went to a few offices again today...
They all had cleaning services already...


I then walked into a Bank they just opened up out here by me and gave them my business card...
When I handed it to the employee she stated that "Corporate" hires all the cleaning services for the banks...

This kind of disappointed me lol

Is there any way to get into corporate offices based off your experience?

Also when you go into businesses how do you approach the secretary and tell them about your service?

Any advice on that one..

I usually introduce myself and ask them if they currently have any cleaning services and if they are satisfied with them...

Is this a good way to approach??

Also..

With smaller offices...

When bidding on them

Lets say a 2000 sq ft office.. once a week on fridays...
Should I charge more towards $ .20 per sq ft for an entire month?

Or go with a hourly charge?

Hi, guys!

Problems here are getting solved little by little, so I should be on here more, soon!

I just wanted to let you know, that I got a piano tuning simply by bringing up in conversation what I was going to do for the evening with a cashier at Wal-Mart.

Thanks!

Hi Clough, welcome back.

Hi Clean,

There are a lot of banks and other companies that are centralized in their purchasing and decision making. Generally you have to be larger to be able to source these types of contracts. I would try to find locally owned banks, the decision maker is there on site usually.

Actually it is tough getting jobs without the experience levels and time in business, companies usually don't want to go with the inexperience. I would not bring up experience at all, if they do then I would sell your attitude in that you will 'live there' if necessary to make sure that everything that needs to be done... will be.

Aaaha... the gatekeeper... You have to make her love you at first sight. Smile, smile, smile, be pleasant, smile, use a calm convincing voice, smile... did I mention smile? I have learned over the years not to give them to many questions;

Ask them if you may speak to the person that contracts for their nightly cleaning service. If she says 'who, what? (Usually they are not listening attentively) Then simply ask 'who in your company hires the cleaning company?' If she says that they are busy, then say that that is fine, may I have his/her name, phone number AND the email address so I may sent them some material about who we are, what we do and why we are different from the other companies? They will usually do this, or they will just give you the department and not the perosns' name at all. Still send all the materials. After you receive all this info, then you can joke around a little with them, but politely. And then simply ask them if the present company does a 'great job?' Usually they will say no or so so... (no one is usually happy-they will remember that toilet seat that wasn't cleaned properly two months ago=forever) then you might ask her.. 'well what are some of the problems... THIS is information that you can address later in a meeting with the decision maker. BUT, do not get the gatekeeper in trouble... don't say that he/she told you this... just that while you were waiting you got into a conversation with one of the other employees. If you turn the gatekeeper against you, your chances are like a snowball in h3ll. They can kill you, make them a friend.

There are many books out here on how to make friends with the gatekeeper and how to get past them.

Again, I never charge by the hour for regular monthly cleaning, it just isn't professional in my experience and opinion. The only time that I charge hourly is for 'side work' or projects... VCT work, carpets, windows, fabric chair cleaning, machine scrubbing of bathrooms concrete warehouse floors, etc.

Anything less that 5 days/week... charge a little more as the garbage and dirt builds up the days that you are not cleaning and you will spend more time there on the day/s that you clean it.

Stringer

Thanks, Stringer!

I'm now waiting for MidAmerican Energy Company to come and turn on my gas and electric again. Everything's in place for that to happen now. So, I should be able to communicate much better then.

Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clough

Thanks, Stringer!

I'm now waiting for MidAmerican Energy Company to come and turn on my gas and electric again. Everything's in place for that to happen now. So, I should be able to communicate much better then.

Thanks!

---

Great, not the same with one of the good guys not here... :D

Stringer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, guys!

Problems here are getting solved little by little, so I should be on here more, soon!

I just wanted to let you know, that I got a piano tuning simply by bringing up in conversation what I was going to do for the evening with a cashier at Wal-Mart.

Thanks!

---

Hi clough! It is good to hear from you. Hopefully we can catch up soon!
Hope all is well ! Talk to you soon!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stringer

Hi Clough, welcome back.

Hi Clean,

There are a lot of banks and other companies that are centralized in their purchasing and decision making. Generally you have to be larger to be able to source these types of contracts. I would try to find locally owned banks, the decision maker is there on site usually.

Actually it is tough getting jobs without the experience levels and time in business, companies usually don't want to go with the inexperience. I would not bring up experience at all, if they do then I would sell your attitude in that you will 'live there' if necessary to make sure that everything that needs to be done...will be.

Aaaha...the gatekeeper...You have to make her love you at first sight. Smile, smile, smile, be pleasant, smile, use a calm convincing voice, smile...did I mention smile? I have learned over the years not to give them to many questions;

Ask them if you may speak to the person that contracts for thier nightly cleaning service. If she says 'who, what? (Usually they are not listening attentively) Then simply ask 'who in your company hires the cleaning company?' If she says that they are busy, then say that that is fine, may I have his/her name, phone number AND the email address so I may sent them some material about who we are, what we do and why we are different from the other companies? They will usually do this, or they will just give you the department and not the perosns' name at all. Still send all the materials. After you receive all this info, then you can joke around a little with them, but politely. And then simply ask them if the present company does a 'great job?' Usually they will say no or so so...(no one is usually happy-they will remember that toilet seat that wasn't cleaned properly two months ago=forever) then you might ask her..'well what are some of the problems...THIS is information that you can address later in a meeting with the decision maker. BUT, do not get the gatekeeper in trouble...don't say that he/she told you this....just that while you were waiting you got into a conversation with one of the other employees. If you turn the gatekeeper against you, your chances are like a snowball in h3ll. They can kill you, make them a friend.

There are many books out here on how to make friends with the gatekeeper and how to get past them.

Again, I never charge by the hour for regular monthly cleaning, it just isn't professional in my experience and opinion. The only time that I charge hourly is for 'side work' or projects...VCT work, carpets, windows, fabric chair cleaning, machine scrubbing of bathrooms concrete warehouse floors, etc.

Anything less that 5 days/week ...charge a little more as the garbage and dirt builds up the days that you are not cleaning and you will spend more time there on the day/s that you clean it.

Stringer

---

That is understandable for a bank to take those measures...

Do you currently clean any banks?
I also mail my card to banks and daycare centers and a variety of other companies and a letter explaining my services... and just introducing my business to them...


I also mailed my cards to property management companies...

Do property management companies hire or contract cleaning services?

Ok so I have averaged the rate in chicago area to be .15 to .20 per sq ft...

My quote for a 2000 sq foot office I figured .20 per sq foot (once a week cleaning) on fridays

For 400 per month...

Does that sound right to you :-)

Hi, Guys!

Gas and electricity is back on and I'm raring to go here!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, Guys!

Gas and electricity is back on and I'm raring to go here!

---

Hehe woo hooo lets get this memorial day party started...

Lol

Are you there?
I can never tell when you and stringer online anymore you guys hide it!

I'm here! I'm going to "uncloak" myself so the you know that I'm online.

Are you still there, Cleaningman23?

Thanks!

w00t w00t..
So how have you been
Glad your back..
As you can see I have been asking many questions...
Lol
Where did you go...
I seen you found a piano tuning at walmart...
I wish I could do that at targetlll
I did do it at a gas station almost!@ But I was out of business cards which hurt me!
I won't make that mistake again!@

Yes, it's best to always have business cards with you.

I think that you knew that I was in the hospital for a little while over a month ago, didn't you?

Do you make your own business cards?

Yes, it's best to always have business cards with you.

I think that you knew that I was in the hospital for a little while over a month ago, didn't you?

Do you make your own business cards?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clough

Yes, it's best to always have business cards with you.

I think that you knew that I was in the hospital for a little while over a month ago, didn't you?

Do you make your own business cards?

---

Yes I Do...
I don't know if oyu ever heard of clubflyers.com
But they are real good website

I used them when I owned a promotional company for clubs and bars in chicago two years ago...


I heard that you were saying your health was not well but what happened?

Hope you are feeling better

I was hospitalized for a few days at the begging of April because I was having chest pains and couldn't walk. Turned out that I was having a massive panic attack. Same symptoms as a heart attack.

I had painted very large, different colored stripes on the ceiling of a very large living room for a customer. It had to be perfectly straight. Just the taping-off, looking up at the ceiling for extended periods, really took a toll on my neck and back.

I use Microsoft Word to make my own business cards. I create my own templates and make them using a variety of colors. Then I cut them out myself.

I don't get a lot of cards that way, but enough, anyway. But, they do look nice!

I will check out clubflyers.com

Did I ever give you that big list of places where you can advertise for free?

Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clough

I was hospitalized for a few days at the begging of April because I was having chest pains and couldn't walk. Turned out that I was having a massive panic attack. Same symptoms as a heart attack.

I had painted very large, different colored stripes on the ceiling of a very large living room for a customer. It had to be perfectly straight. Just the taping-off, looking up at the ceiling for extended periods of time, really took a toll on my neck and back.

I use Microsoft Word to make my own business cards. I create my own templates and make them using a variety of colors. Then I cut them out myself.

I don't get a lot of cards that way, but enough, anyway. But, they do look nice!

I will check out clubflyers.com

Did I ever give you that big list of places where you can advertise for free?

Thanks!

---

Ahhh Yess!
A friend of mine was having panic attacks due to caffeine and stress and had to go on meds!
I hope it never escalates to a heart attack for you though... lay off the coffee if you drink it hehe..

But yes I designed my cards on FL STUDIO then uploaded to clubflyers...

They have free product services

!!

But yes I registered and advertised on every single webste you listed before! All of them one way or another!

The next step I was going to take was to try and get more traffic to my site.. I already use Google ad words and Facebook adwords and msn adwords...

I have seen few results but have gained only 2 customers so far...


Btw if the forum says I am not online anymore it is because I have been having troubles with my internet

I can definitely commiserate with having Internet problems! Sometimes I have them so much that I just get off the Internet and end up playing a game on the computer!

What I meant about the list of sites was a huge list. There must be at least twenty sites on it.

Did I give that to you yet?

Thanks!

I can definitely commiserate with having Internet problems! Sometimes I have them so much that I just get off the Internet and end up playing a game on the computer!

What I meant about the list of sites was a huge list. There must be at least twenty sites on it.

Did I give that to you yet?

Thanks!

By the way, I've had to give up anything with caffeine in it a number of years ago. Drinking beverages with it in it, was really doing a "number" on my heart as well as my nerves!

I'm now back on a number of medications.

Yes! My internet is horrible right now it is wirless and goes out periodically for no reason.. I have to get a new adapter for the uusb

But besides that

I have been to every single one of those free sites you listed...

I did receive a email from one of them for an estimate...
But the call was form out of my area.. in a "ghetto Suburb" may I say that I don't want to service or drive to...

So I turned it down...


Yes I sometimes drink an nrg drink and get real jittery!
I too have been cutting back on caffeine

A chiropractor friend of mine told me a long time ago, "Did you ever see pictures of what caffeine can do to your liver?"

Please give me a list of the sites where you've placed your ads.

I'm going to need to go momentarilly though, because a friend is picking me up to go to a concert. I'd kind of like to stay here too, because you're online and I'm helping someone else with there resume on this site. But, this is the last concert for the granddaughter of a friend who's graduating from college, tomorrow.

Thanks!

Hey Clough,
Sorry for the late response...
But you I tend to drink coffee every single day at least one cup..
I never heard of that happening...
I am looking for the ad websites where I have posted the ads...

I know some were oodle... local.com and about 10 others... I will look them up
All I know is I went down the entire row you posted in other forum and registered and posted in each one...

Okay, that's good that you're going through the list.

The next thing that we should probably do is to get make some of your own blogs, free websites you can make and also see if there are any places where you can advertise for free, that are just specific to where your are located. Those kind of places aren't necessarily advertising sites, but sites that might connected to newspapers and/or are places that inform people what might be going on in a community.

Thanks!

Yes That sounds like a good idea!
I also advertise through adwords and facebook.com
Except I have paid aobut 100 dollars so far and have enot seen any results which I may discontinue

I am wondering if you know how to get some more traffic to my site and what are some good ideas...

I know you have paid a visit to my site before what is your rating of it..
Is there anything I should change on it...
Please give me your hones opinion on it if you can...

Thanks a ton

By the way how did the concert go last week for you :-)

How's it going now, Cleaningman23?

The concert was fine! We had another performance on Tuesday evening.

Thanks!

I will take another look at your site...

Hi Clough!
Ever take a look again at the site.?

I will right now! Would you post the link to it again?

Thanks!

Dirt Dusters Cleaning Inc.

How are you doing tonight?

Thanks for the link! I'll check it out in just a bit!

I'm doing okay, I guess. Taught a couple of piano lessons tonight and also got paid for this month for them.

Have to do some work on a concrete patio for a customer, tomorrow. Fill some rather large cracks, make old paint that's coming off look fairly smooth, apply a primer and a couple coats of paint.

How are you?

Thanks!

Im doing good.
I just opened up another business this past month involving buying and shipping products from china and reselling them...
Lamps and Aroma mainly
I am trying to get as many options as possible right now to make extra income... I have a 8 month old son to support right now:)
My cleaning service has been slow and I have faith it will pick up soon..
I also bought a new company car to help bring in some business... hopefully it pays for itself hehe...

If I was out by you Id take some lessons...
I have a MIDI piano but have never learned to play...
I always wanted to..