If I was to turn back the clock with what I know now I would do some of the following in regards to marketing:
[FONT=“System”]#1. Whenever I did a job I would take 20% and put it right back into marketing.[/FONT]
The rest I would keep to live on. As you do more homes (this is directed to residential) you can increase your marketing efforts.
[FONT=“System”]#2. Do I have more time than money?[/FONT]
When I had more time than money I would do the flyer thing. I actually did the flyer with the rock in the bag distribution thingy. To be honest it didn’t really work that great for me. But I have read on here that there are people who have had success. So it was probably my flier and the distribution amount.
[FONT=“System”]#3. Lots of circulation + cheap prices= results[/FONT]
The avenue I chose to go down was using the mom and pop advertising companies. They are the ones that don’t look really fancy and your ad is surrounded with other peoples ads. (yes even other window washers) But they get results. I think one of the mistakes people make is they think that if they have a real big ad then they will get reall big results. I don’t think that is true. I don’t have any statistics to back that up with but my personal bank account tells me that the smaller the ad with the greater circulation wins. Usually how those mom and pop companies work is that they split your city/area into smaller areas and you can pay for the ones you want. Eventually you can work your way into multiple areas so you can get a greater response.
If you do it that way you will be driving around a lot but isn’t that better than sitting at home?
[FONT=“System”]Where am I now?[/FONT]
I just found out that two of my biggest competitors are not washing windows anymore. One of them is giving me his clients with a one time % added to them. The other is just quitting and doing something else. This guy has been doing window washing for 15 years. The one prior has been washing windows for almost five. I’m approaching my three year mark.
[FONT=“System”]What was their problem?[/FONT]
I guess the one guy didn’t have a problem. He is getting a % on his clients from me and starting another business. However, the one who has been going at it for 15 years doesn’t call his past customers. He just waits for the phone to ring. (I know this because he told a pressure washer friend of mine)
[FONT=“System”]What is my soloution to make sure that doesn’t happen to me?[/FONT]
This is exactly what I do:
#1. I send approximately 75 cards out to my past customers a week. I have 832 customers (all residential) that takes me roughly 11 weeks or three months to do so. I might send more than that a week but for now it is good. I also make 10 phone calls a day to my past customers. If I make those calls and send those cards I feel I will remain busy and have steady growth.
[FONT=“System”]Case in Point![/FONT]
My wife called 10 customers on Friday. She booked over $700.00 (two jobs) Today I called 15 customers and booked a little under $600.00 (three jobs) From my last weeks cards I scheduled $705.00 from four customers. The cards cost me $65.86. (including postage) Took me two minutes and thirty seconds to send those cards out. I put a picture of my family on the front of the postcard, reminded them of a the 40% discount if they do the outside only and gave them a great big heartfelt thank you for their past business and any future business they have given us.
Works like a charm! If you new guys will create a system like the one that works for me early on then I feel you will have a predictable and steady business.
