Geoff is correct in what he's saying................to fall for the illusion , that by spraying a particular brand of Aftershave , girls will be ripping your clothes off is absolute nonesense.
Same aplies to anything..........being knowledeable
having experience
got the biggest ( anything )
It will make no difference ( if nobody knows ) and you will only get referrals, on the results you achieve, in whatever market you're active in.
Carpet cleaning is no different, from Decorating / Landscaping / Hairdressing, etc, where results are immediate and can be judged as ............BRILLIANT / GOOD / MEDIOCRE / POOR.
It makes no difference to the client, whether someone turns up, with a Puzzi or a huge Portable, or hoses, running through accross the pavement and into the house, from a van.
YOU ARE GOING TO BE JUDGED ON WHAT YOU PRODUCE.
I have said it before and it's something everyone needs to take heed of.............JUST HOW GOOD / HOW THOROUGH / HOW CONCERNED are you, about the results you achieve.
There are very few perfectionists, out there, who give clients the dedication they would wish others to give them.
Some give a poor service and think they are much better than they really are ............others know perfectly well, that they are POOR, or MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and are out to get the maximum ££££££££££'s for minimal effort.
The occasional one, is focussed, on QUALITY and CREDIBILITY and realises, that this only comes through achieving high standards in their sevice and getting the deserved referrals.
Problem is..........some are led to believe, they can get to the TOP ACHIEVER level in a matter of weeks, SORRY it just aint REALISTIC.
If you want to get a high volume of work and build a bank balance, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO SO, by being a TESCO or an ASDA, rather than a HARRODS.
THAT IS THE REALITY
Once you are in a position of solvency ( you don't owe anyone anything ) you can GRADUALLY raise your prices and market your business, accordingly.
Be realistic and do what you know will work.
Dan was following his own instincts last year and apparently doing pretty well, until he became convinced, that the way to go, was ............powerfull machine / impress the clients / raise the prices, get rich.
Dan...........go back to your roots and follow your instincts............what you were doing a year ago was fine. Just adding 10 or 20% would have kept you busy and avoided the frustration, you're going through.
1st Clean got slagged for low pricing and I was one of those who suggested a small increase would make no difference
She reluctantly followed this advice and is running to full capacity...........AND MAKING A PROFIT.
But then, why listen to me............
best of luck, whichever direction you follow, or whoever you listen to
rob
