for those who have done this before what are the angles to up selling your customers?
Leave room in your offer to up-sell. Start off with a minimal service. Ex.- Exterior Only…etc. Also Charge enough for your services before the discount. You will want to do a GREAT job when your there so you can come back or be talked about positively.
Mine is only going to be for 20 windows so there will be room to sell up. Did you have any luck turning them into customers?
A window cleaning company locally (which I had never heard of) recently did a Living Social deal for 20 windows cleaned outside for $39 and sold 31 of them. That means if they don’t up sell then they are getting less than $1 a window. I have to believe at these prices the owner is forcing himself and his crew to up sell once at the job. It would be a complete waste of time and money otherwise. Hell, not only a waste of money, but a loss of money.
These groupon type deals have been talked about a lot here Dirk. Do some searching, if you haven’t already, and read up on some of the (horror)stories discussed with these “specials.” Some have suggested success (using them in the slow season, up selling very well, ect.) though that seems to be in the minority.
Well as a new business I thought of it being a great way to get customers. I’m running a similar deal. So I’ll have to read up and see what there like before I have it on the web . Lol
I understand as a new business you want/need to attract customers. I would argue, however, that you are doing so in a way that could do more harm than good in the long run. My advice would be to offer prices that are fair and actually allow you to make money, without the immediate need to up sell. From my observations, most of these people who buy window cleaning packages from Groupon/Living Social probably are not going to be willing to pay “full price” for the same service next year. Wouldn’t they just wait for another “deal?”
If you feel your time and effort are worth less than a $1 a side for residential window cleaning, then by all means, go for it. I would urge you though to take that time to perfect your craft and allow yourself the opportunity to become a true professional contract cleaner. This will give you the confidence to offer value for your service and provide you a profitable wage in the process.
Amen!
