Whats the best way to aquire new monthly accounts?

[wndwgrl]

Go to the places and give them an estimate even if they havent asked for one. Ive gone to new commercial construction sites and asked if I could give an estimate.I’m often looked at a little strange- i think cause im female…sometimes a disadvantage…but other times I think it helps a little;)Be persistant…tell everyone what you do…have a ton of biz cards and hand out. Go out and get the biz…do flyers,postcards w/coupons. Be personable, get them to like you…good luck

[system]

Looking to get more commercial accounts. What do the guys that have been in the business for awhile few cold calling? I’m thinking about this form of advertising more and more.

[CACB]

Did anyone mention that even if you do phone sales for window cleaning, pricing is still going to have to happen on site. The person hired may be able to set an appointment, but the person doing the on site estimate is going to have to make the sale anyway. If you are going to hire a sales person, get them on the street, not on the phone. Have them work in the field with you, side-by-side, for at least a week before you cut them lose so they can talk window cleaning. The best sales people are happy to work on a commission-only basis. They know with the right compensation package they can make better money on commission only.

Eric

[CACB]

One person doing 85 houses in an hour on foot???!!!. That’s one house every 45 seconds. Are you working down the hall of an apartment building? Can’t be doing more than placing the circular on the step and running even if the owner is there watching you. The math here makes this sound like a big fish story.

Eric

[BostonMike]

@cyborg

Personally because I do mostly residential myself and wanting to get more into commercial for the regular monthly income reasons. I was thinking of advertising on craigslist for a sales person to cold call commercial businesses and allow them to let me go give them an estimate - I’m training right now plus working jobs most days. I thought about offering the sales person 50% of the first month job and then long as that business/s continues with their monthly clean they will continue to be paid 20% of the job each month, making pretty easy money for them and allowing me to continue doing what I do but also have a great sales person on the phone securing interested commercial accounts that want window cleaning done rather than simply a walk in, walk out numbers game. They make good money and even paying them 20% each month afterwards I’m still making 80% of the job minus help if need be.

My minimum charge on commercial is $30 upwards and a couple of months ago secured myself a golf club (exterior only) at $640 so even if were the one that got me the estimate the first time and I continued to pay them 20% because of it (so they have an income and continue to work for me) I still make good money, takes me 5 hours due to them being french windows but none the less I work away with over $120 an hour each month just need to build the commercial side of things up more though.

I have worked in sales and I have to say your commission rate is way to high. I have never seen more than 10%. At that rate you will want to trade places with your sales rep a few years out or just kill him. Check it out with a real business professional or at least research the topic on a few window cleaning forums. You could start here.