I started a window cleaning company a few years ago and toned it down after my partner didn’t really want to go full force on it (or at all basically). I ventured off into another business and now id like to get back into the saddle for window cleaning. Last time the way I drummed up jobs was by handing out rack cards I had made. We couldn’t afford to do direct mail its like 500 bucks minimum for like few hundred cards in a local area. I was just wondering what ways of advertising produced the best results for you?
Like:
News Paper Ads
Flyer ads
Free Craigslist, Used Everywhere, Kijiji
Paid Craigslist, Used Everywhere, Kijiji
Door Hangers
SEO Marketing
Home Magazines, Parent Magazines
TV, Radio
I just wanted to know when I start spending money what will produce the best leads for me. When I did it back in the day I got a few leads of craigslist, used everywhere, couple bites from the rack cards (rare), and just word of mouth got me a few too.
I am considering Coffee News anyone tried this here in Canada?
My best returns have been my website, craigslist, Yellow page ad, and word of mouth. I did a small direct mail that didn’t bring in much but I’m going to do more this year to give it a good go.
+1…
I also am trying yard signs this spring. I had 100 made up(18"X24") with metal stake for $300 inc delivery. They came out great. Will start setting them out in March.
I’m going to do something similar this year. When we are working in some nicer neighborhoods I will set out some A frame signs that I’ll have lettered by the sam company that does my van lettering. I can build the signs myself and take advantage of the natural curiosity of neighbors.
My best returns have been my website, craigslist, Yellow page ad, and word of mouth. I did a small direct mail that didn’t bring in much but I’m going to do more this year to give it a good go.
How much do you guys usually pay for ads in the yellow pages, I have gotten quotes some of them are insane like $1,000 - $ 2,000 a month. I am sure there must be cheaper options but this is a little agressive for me. Do you guys know any other free avenues for advertising that might help me get the first few jobs rolling?
Thanks so much guys, It helps alot to have insider input!
I pay about $50 per month per book. It is for a 1 inch in column ad (I believe they call it a 1HS ad). The price does vary slightly based on the number of people each book covers. I also advertise in the local free newspapers that are delivered weekly.
There are quite a few online directories where you can advertise for free. Google local listings, manta, hotfrog, merchant circle, 3 bears, National Window Cleaning Directory, here on WCR, etc.
I’m curious about Craigslist: I just posted my first ad on there and have received no genuine responses, but about 10 from people wanting to “help me get out of my rut” or team up with them. Maybe I need to revamp my listing, or does everyone get the other junk along with the real thing?
Also wanted to note that you probably won’t have much success with anything unless you pony up and do some relatively large quantities…
You’re going to have fixed costs & quantity discounts that make doing more at once much more appealing. If you do door hangers, for example, I reccomend doing at least 5000.
If you want things to happen quickly then word of mouth isnt much of an option. I advertise in the YP’s in window & gutter cleaning which run me about $250.00 each per month. I also have a website that I put in a plug wherever I can,-phonebook, business card, sign in front of the shop, on my vans, invoices and quotations. Heck I even have on our voicemail: "visit us online @ www. -------- for information and coupons on our services.
I believe that I read something a long time ago about being successful in marketing you should be in at least 7 different kinds of marketing. It might be higher than 7? I dont believe that there is just one type of marketing out there that will be the magic pill or cure. You have to find out what works best for you. $2,000.00 bucks a month for a YP ad in my area is a whole page add in color! That would be a total waste of good money.
My experience with YP’s is that if the competition in your area is mostly doing one liners name-address, phone#) or even a 1" block ad, all you need to do is put something equivelent to the largest ad. Chances are you will do well with the same size ad as your comp is running (with the right wording of course). A full page ad works wonders in other trades like Lawyers, Plumbers and those type of fields. $24 G’s for a year in the YPS for window cleaning? Thats sounds scary to me.
Guys it was great to hear all your input. Right now we are placing an add with a local coffee news paper for $ 300 bucks for 10 weeks and it covers about 15,000 people a week. Im just hoping to get a few leads out of this enough to make some pocket money and start spending more money on advertising like window cleaning fliers, door hangers, and possibily a website. We are already listed in the free sections of usedeverywhere and craigslist. Well see how it works, keep you guys posted! Thanks again.
Direct Mailing and my website has been the place bang for my buck. I would advise not even looking into the YellowPages at all! They are so expensive and overpriced, nobody uses the YellowPages anymore…unless of course you are talking about using YellowPages online!
I have yard signs that I ask the client to keep up a week after their window cleaning, most satistifed customers have no problem with this. I have gotten a number of jobs this way.
Just because it didnt work for you doesnt mean it doesnt work. Have you done a yellow page ad or are you just repeating what others are saying? I have heard this comment from all over but we track it and have proof that it works. It could also depend on where you service and how many books that are competeing with each other. Not the case in my area.
The yellow pages are dying and the yellow pages are
passive. I would not focus on that. I am not a
hater of YP as I believe in doing whatever it takes
to get business in the door, but the YP will not
be printed much longer and results vary too much.
Look how ebooks are killing Barnes and Noble and
Amazon pushing them like crazy. One day physical
books will be hard to find.
As for the website being best, think again as that
too is passive. It’s the best on ROI?.. ha, I hope so, it
costs next to nothing to have.
Then we have the people with the “do good work and
let word of mouth spread” :eek:
Sure, that is sound advice…
There are too many “wait for them to find you” trinkets
of advice on here. That is D-U-M-B.
How big do you think Chris’s company would be if he
relied on that? He is VERY aggressive. Funny how only the
real small guys push passive marketing (no offense)
The truth is you need a multi-media mix. You want to get
to a point where you can be found and where you can
go find them at the same time.
If we are talking shoestring budget- fliers/doorhangers
and website. Get the money coming in while you are
getting ready to open up other avenues to drive in
more leads.
Have a plan
Do not be passive unless you don’t want to make money
For the most part, I agree with Paul. When I first started, all I did was put out flyers. I quit my job that summer because of the work I gained in that one summer. Then word of mouth began to spread and I recieved still more customers. Then I did something foolish. I got too good for flyers and thought that people would just find me. Wrong! I got my head out of my @ss and began to put out more flyers. Big surprise…more buiness came in the door. I think most people on this forum will agree that Flyers/direct mail are the best forms of advertising followed by a well optimized website and word of mouth. IMO.
