I need help with store fronts

wcs · February 19, 2014, 10:46am

pagliachi:

@shinebright [/U] @[U][URL=“http://windowcleaner.com/vBulletin/member.php?u=6741”]wcs
Hi all…
Been busy getting my podcast gear together and (dare i say??? ) working…
These ^^^^^are ALL great points. Storefronts are a goldmine, but can be a hassle.
FIRST… Tweek (NOT TWERK!) and TRACK your fliers!! Sooner or latter you will hit on a tweeked flier that gets a better response. Keep it and USE it…
Decide HOW far you want to travel to do a store front.
I travel sometimes 30 miles to do a store front… BUT that store front is well worth the travel time.
You have to DEDICATE at LEAST 8 hours MINIMUM a week to marketing (hoofing it) storefronts.
The 8 hours does not have to be all at once,(and it is easier to break it up).
I am more about numbers and soft selling than meetings with managers… so i dedicate 6 hours of the 8 to to just PUSHING (SHOTGUNNING) out fliers. when SHOT GUNNING ANY ONE WITH GLASS GETS A FLIER.(OOPS CAP LOCK ON…)
No time for chit chat meet the manager.
I use a couple different marketing ploys…
option A)
Walk in , i usually just approach the register. and Look them (who ever)in the eyes and say SOMETHING LIKE:…
“Hi
i am with a local window cleaning firm.
Noticed your windows are kinda dirty (dusty, hard to see through)
Just dropping off info to get your windows cleaned”
i THEN hand them a flier. (DO NOT HAND OUT A CARD OR FLIER TILL YOUR DONE WITH YOUR SCRIPT)
Please pass this on to OWNER/manager, handing them the flier now.
Sometimes they will say “i am the owner/manager” that’s when you slow down to sell and THEN leave a quote.
NO owner/ manger-no quote left ,just the flier…
Then leave.
Rinse, wash, repeat…Your goal is to do this to 50-100 storefronts per six hours.

B)

I call this part “the slow down” and i usually do this 2-4 hours a week.(more like 2)
This is where i Pic n Choose who is lucky to get my service.
Ten windows or less?? i skip them. Oriental nail saloons/yogurt shops?? i skip them. Clean windows?? I skip them
i LOOK for dirty windows. This is when i slow down and try to TALK /sell the owner/manager on getting their dirty windows cleaned. If they have a window guy, i leave them my info and say
"that’s Great… id like to be your #2 window cleaner, so when your #1 stops showing up, give us a call… (got that tip off this forum)
You should hope to have AT LEAST a 1% conversion rate. (mine is around 2.65% it varies…)
SET YOUR PRICE…if the going rate is o.k. with you great!! I probably charge more than most around this area and i DO more to support the cost.
As far as uniforms…i like to call it “my work garb” Don’t get hung up on it. What i mean is IF your work garb is a a tee shirt and shorts, then WEAR the SAME color tee shirt and shorts every time you go out. You don’t need a “UNIFORM” … just be UNIFORM in your work garb.
If you wear a blue tee shirt, ALWAYS wear a blue tee shirt…
When shot gunning, Don’t worry about keeping track of every place you have been to. Keep track of the ones who call you back or at least show interest.
I started out 6 hours a day 6 days a week for i month solid marketing storefronts…Now i market them a couple times a month, or when i get bored.
Remember there are 2 different types of storefronts
1-the “i just work here, so do your job and leave”
or
2- The “This is MY business and i thank you for helping me keep my business looking good” type.
Getting your mind wrapped around this concept helps you leaps and bounds…
I hope this helps some …
Crap Look at the time Gotta run and make a storefront smile!!!
If ya got ?'s, ASK or I.M. me
PEACE!!!

Great post for folks starting to build routes! ^^^^