[Hilton]

Seminar being advertised on here above, states that you should add at least 2k a year to turnover to your business or your money back.

A massive £38.50 a week  :

Would not be so bad if they were not asking for £175.00 per ticket for the privilege, I know nothing about about the fella organising it he may well be Britain's answer to Joe Polish but then I would not have paid £175.00 to see him either.

Any way out of interest has anyone attended one of these before (did you get your feet burnt  ) has it been a benefit to your business, what percentage increase in sales and referrals have you had since since applying the tactics suggested.

Maybe this is where we are going wrong and I should get myself on one, so long as I can pay in instalments. 

[Ian Gourlay]

Actually the price is £145
But its a Free Country

[Hilton]

It says £175.00 and this certainly isn't a free country.

Anyway;

Are you going or have you been on one already, if so can you recommend it.

[Mike Halliday]

if he is as good as this guy then I'll go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAJPPjGrU7g&feature=player_embedded

2mins 40 seconds is why most of you won't succeed

[Ian Gourlay]

There is a special price at bottom of page

Am I going

Looking at event it appears to be  different .So it is my intention to go

Will I Fire Walk

Feel the Fear do it anyway

I have a pressing engagement  so very unlikely

Do I recommend not for  me to say
 But have known Pierre for a few years and know he is genuine   

Mike But maybee I need too much  sleep

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I don't sleep well or eat much when will I become successful?

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

sleep and food are for wimps 

but getting back to the original topic, if you want to add 2 grand onto your profits ( not your turnover) just add £5 to every job sounds simple but i guarantee it will work!!

or sell every customer a bottle of spotter

[JandS]

If you only do 200 days work a year and do 2 jobs on those days
at an extra £5 a job you have £2000.
Whether it's profit or turnover depends on how you invoice it.

John

[Matt Lindus]

If you only do 200 days work a year and do 2 jobs on those days
at an extra £5 a job you have £2000.
Whether it's profit or turnover depends on how you invoice it.

John

No its not, with tax and ni deducted its £1400. Unless your your seeing the queens head after every job.  

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Back to the thread, if you were to get referals from your favoured customers then you  would get like minded customers and they would ask for YOU rather than how much, £175 could be made from one customer, imagine binning all of your Z listed customers and enquiries and just having people asking for YOU !

That's what message Pierre is saying, if you focus on the strategy then you will gain that kind of customer and the loyalties but you have to be a 'stratagist' and learn and plan, okay nothing is 100% but lets say it works 10% it's a great way of growing and not stagnating.

I've been on a few of these (not Pierre's) events and they do keep you focused, anyone gaining customers with a shot gun approach would do well going as in the longer term they would seriously benefit.

Shaun

[derek west]

theres a flaw in his secret weapon, free spotter bottles and a chat to the neighbours you clean for is all well and good, and will probably get you 2k extra a year in profits, trouble is, it'll cost you a grand in spotter bottles. good marketting is not rocket science and is available free if you know where to look and can be bothered to search for it.

not that i'm knocking free spotter bottles as i do it regularly, but i didn't need to pay 175 to think of it.

[Carpet Dawg]

Dont mean to sound greedy but............. an extra £2,000 a year  :

His secret weapon....

In the video, is he not just explaining the ole neighbour nudger?

Thing with these seminars is that most are filled with fluff, i.e. they will go on about how important refferal marketing is for hours... and then drop a wee tip.. then more fluff.. then a wee tip. And thats the day over with.

But one positive thing about these type of seminars is they can be motovaional if the speakers know they're stuff, so this can be worth the price of the ticket alone. If you act on those inspiring words that is!

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Nobody knows what exactly in the seminar so it's hard to second guess what is in the presentation, I agree there's a lot of fluff in it but I'm sure and hope there would be more than just spotter bottles and neighbour nudges, from the videos I have seen of Pierre he's not short of confidence and has the gift of the gab which is the way to spread the word.

Shaun

[wynne jones]

The breatheing analogy is very good, but not for what that black guy sez. When you have got your breath back, you slow right back down.  

Most people can raise their game when the mortgage needs paying, but few people keep on pushing when the external pressure is off.

 

[Adam P]

if he is as good as this guy then I'll go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAJPPjGrU7g&feature=player_embedded

2mins 40 seconds is why most of you won't succeed

wow that was nice of you. surprised you could be bothered to post that link for us low lifes down here, how did you even manage to reach the keyboard on that high horse anyways? 

[Cathedral Floorcare]

I'd rather see this guy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2c5j01Z6yY&feature=related

[Ian Gourlay]

Over the years there have been different methods of getting refferals
Free Room Offer, Marks Spencer vouchers , £5 note £10 note £20 etc

The Free Spotter bottle which I sometimes wonder was designed to sell more cleaning solutions  If this works please tell

I have a tape that i bought on the Motorway I think on the way to the Carpet Cleaner Day out in Milton Keynees organised by Woodman

Anyway on this tape it says you need 5 customers  and the theory is you will then have an endless supply of customers for life.

In practice I did not get it .

So my theory is anything that helps me gain three customers over next year, gives me another angle on referrals  gives me more confidence,   gives me a day out, with a good laugh at the end  is worth as they say on Dragons Den is worth a punt. And on Sunday you could go to Cambridge and have a real punt  get stuck in mud and left hanging on to the pole
Oh and if I am bored by lunchtime after I have eaten all the food of course I can ask for my money back  and in my case be home in half an hour. 
As a bonus I might meet one or two of you guys.
For those staying over Cambridge and Ely are two lovely cities  come and Enjoy East Anglia for the weekend
Clean Surrey I do not get what you are saying Mike H. is one of the most helpful Carpet Cleaners on the planet, well in East Yorkshire
 

[Mike Halliday]

if he is as good as this guy then I'll go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAJPPjGrU7g&feature=player_embedded

2mins 40 seconds is why most of you won't succeed

, how did you even manage to reach the keyboard on that high horse anyways? 

I have very long arms

by the way are you the adam Mayhead who owns  Mammalian Media?

[Simon Moat]

I think I may be in the minority but £145 or £175 is good value if it puts 2 grand on an end of year return.

[CleanerCarpets]

if i pay the fee will Pierre throw in some testimonials for me on my YouTube channel saying how good my carpet cleaning is? I've heard he likes doing that for people (along with others!!) ......................

[garry22]

Would not be so bad if they were not asking for £175.00 per ticket for the privilege, I know nothing about about the fella organising it he may well be Britain's answer to Joe Polish but then I would not have paid £175.00 to see him either.

Just out of interest, if you had some specialist knowledge that could be of great value to others, how much do you think it would be worth?

[Mike Halliday]

garry its worth what people are willing to pay, if it sells out then it was obviously considered worth the money


the way i see if 12 people reading this can get together and block book they will get it for £115,

 if I wasn't on a business trip I would be going

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

if i pay the fee will Pierre throw in some testimonials for me on my YouTube channel saying how good my carpet cleaning is? I've heard he likes doing that for people (along with others!!) ......................

This for me is where the credibility factor falls down ................ fast trackers posing as clients on video giving fellow fast trackers testimonials  :

[mark_roberts]

Speaking about referrals anyone noticed people arnt referring as much during a recession??

Cant figure out why.

Ive met this guy and hes very clued in and has been said the gift of the gab.   If your close by go.  I reckon it will be a enjoyable enough event.

Mark

[wynne jones]

People are still refering, it's just the people they are talking to ain't interested.

I suspect lots of custies recommend us, but less people are bothered. Us british prefer to live in our own dirt so we can pay to have the new car shown off at the Hand car wash every week.  :

[CleanerCarpets]

if i pay the fee will Pierre throw in some testimonials for me on my YouTube channel saying how good my carpet cleaning is? I've heard he likes doing that for people (along with others!!) ......................

This for me is where the credibility factor falls down ................ fast trackers posing as clients on video giving fellow fast trackers testimonials :

i agree - i am sorry but when i saw all that going on i couldnt believe it. It was going on on their websites too. Sorry, but if people who are constantly doing webinars trying sell us their professional marketing tactics have to resort to underhand practices like that then i am not interested.

thats not selling, thats out and out lying and if they are prepared to do that to their customers, when you buy their course you in turn become their customer and they will do the same to you

i am all for advancement and progressing the business but come on guys, nothing like good cleaning, good manners, honest selling and honest communication to keep your business afloat

if they were so great as a business why would they want to sell all their secrets to you!? simple - they arent secrets - just common sense. The fact is they want to profit from you and i think you will find you can get much better advice freely by networking with other good cleaners - from my experience they are always only too happy to help - FOR FREE!!

[wynne jones]

What people need is a boot up the arse course, but they want is a  magic bullet instead which turns out to only fire blanks.

[clinton]

Its the same fking crap spewed out over and over again and its no magic secret just common sence..

[wynne jones]

I think most custies are camera shy, but to get bogus video testimonials surely is a criinal offence according to recent laws on trading?

[derek west]

if you haven't got the drive to find these things out for free or the brains to think of them yourself then you'll never have the brains or the drive to be successful. like has been said a few times on here, a monkey can clean carpets, but a monkey can't be a successful carpet cleaner.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I think most custies are camera shy, but to get bogus video testimonials surely is a criinal offence according to recent laws on trading?

If it isn't, it should be !
If these guys are supposedly turning over £17 - 20 grand a month, then why do they have to resort to these tactics.

You would learn more in the bar the night before ccdo, talking to like-minded people, than you will learn on these courses.

The best marketing is word of mouth and referrals, you only get this by doing the best job possible every time and being polite, professional and going the extra mile.

Plus, it you do this every time, price ceases to be the most important factor - in my experience.

[wynne jones]

Steve

I know what your saying but there are plenty of carpet cleaners who did a good job and went out of business waiting for the referals to come in.

If you google marketing referals you will get loads of sound ideas to crank the referal handle, same with loads of other marketing stuff, but for some reason many guys won't follow thrugh.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Clinton I was talking to someone today not in the cleaning trade who knows you, says he wants his carpets cleaning so I passed him Roger's number

Shaun

[Steve. Taylor]

 

[Ian Gourlay]

if i pay the fee will Pierre throw in some testimonials for me on my YouTube channel saying how good my carpet cleaning is? I've heard he likes doing that for people (along with others!!) ......................

This for me is where the credibility factor falls down ................ fast trackers posing as clients on video giving fellow fast trackers testimonials  :

Like you Steve I do not like false testimonials etc but I have just tooked at the Flip Clips on his site and the look genuine to me .

I first saw this idea a year to 18 months  ago on other peoples sites and some of those looked a bit doggy
 Spend £145 on a Flip Camcorder or £145 on a seminar ?

[wynne jones]

What makes a video is the sound. There's nothing worse than a crappy audio. I can live with a low def picture.

[wynne jones]

poo me if he does firewalking that's awesome, hats off to the guy.

[clinton]

Am going to try it wynne even after a gym workout

[Ian Gourlay]

7 Fire Ways to Build Your Referral Business

1. Set A Target: In business, measure the results to improve performance. Set a clear goal with a time line. Example, 10% increase in referral business over the next 10 weeks.

2. Timing: Conventional sales wisdom claims the best time to ask for the referral is immediately after the close. This tactic is far too aggressive. Give your clients time to experience your service or product before asking for a referral. Ask for the referral at close only if your client is already delighted with your business.

3. Top 20: Not all customers are referral candidates. Find the top 20% that are ecstatic about your business and ask them for referrals. Make sure their network is the type of client you want.

4. Give and You'll Receive: Give your clients extra service and follow-up support before asking for referrals. When you give willingly to your customers, they will return the favor.

5. Type of Customer: Inform your referring clients of the type of customers you can help. Provide a clear picture of the customer demographics will help your referral marketing.

6. Rewards Program: Provide special rewards to your referring customers on a regular basis. If a customer provides you with 5 sales, offer them something special, e.g. discounts.

7. Thank-You:
"Create a basic thank you letter that can be personalized and sent to each referral you receive. Treat your referral sources with the utmost of care and you will not only build a foundation of trust but keep hot prospects coming to your door."

This might help

These tips are simple but when executed on a regular basis they can drive your referral business and build sales revenue. Start today and watch your referrals grow.

[Hilton]

You have been on the course, you little liar 

[Mike Halliday]

a quick tip Ian, where ever you cut & pasted that from don't go there any more : :  its generic marketing waffle that can be heard or read anywhere.


http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/advertising/a/aa020203a.htm

[Mike Halliday]

the idea that referral marketing is as simple as..... 'do a good job at a fair price and people will recommend you'[/i.......] is in my opinion is wrong,  its not as simple as that.

you first need to consider the 3 types of people that you will get recommended to.

1) family,

2)  friends ( inc' work colleagues)

3) business contacts & associates

you cannot try to harvest referrals from each group in the same way. You  must  put yourself in the shoes of the person you are asking the referral from and understand their motivations and thinking process.

think of a customer who recommends her daughter- very low risk

think of a MD of a large company recommending you to another MD, they are not just recommending you they are vouching for you.... putting their own reputation on the line  so high risk


to think all you need to do is hand out a bottle of spotter and say" tell your friend about me"  is not going to do it

[Ian Gourlay]

Mike

You got me exposed at last.

No seriosly one of the lads said Goggle Referals so I did.

You did me a favour as it trigered my brain into rembering I have a 10 CD collection  by Jay Abhams on referals

My experience in nearly 20 years direct sales follows what you have said in your post.

However if I could acheieve a 50 50 split I would be happy

[james roffey]

if he is as good as this guy then I'll go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAJPPjGrU7g&feature=player_embedded

2mins 40 seconds is why most of you won't succeed

Mike

Me too Mike,  inspiring, insightful, and strangely rather moving.

Plus i love that song "a change is gonna come"especially if Sam Cooke sings it

[CleanerCarpets]

7 Fire Ways to Build Your Referral Business

1. Set A Target: In business, measure the results to improve performance. Set a clear goal with a time line. Example, 10% increase in referral business over the next 10 weeks.

2. Timing: Conventional sales wisdom claims the best time to ask for the referral is immediately after the close. This tactic is far too aggressive. Give your clients time to experience your service or product before asking for a referral. Ask for the referral at close only if your client is already delighted with your business.

3. Top 20: Not all customers are referral candidates. Find the top 20% that are ecstatic about your business and ask them for referrals. Make sure their network is the type of client you want.

4. Give and You'll Receive: Give your clients extra service and follow-up support before asking for referrals. When you give willingly to your customers, they will return the favor.

5. Type of Customer: Inform your referring clients of the type of customers you can help. Provide a clear picture of the customer demographics will help your referral marketing.

6. Rewards Program: Provide special rewards to your referring customers on a regular basis. If a customer provides you with 5 sales, offer them something special, e.g. discounts.

7. Thank-You:
"Create a basic thank you letter that can be personalized and sent to each referral you receive. Treat your referral sources with the utmost of care and you will not only build a foundation of trust but keep hot prospects coming to your door."

This might help

These tips are simple but when executed on a regular basis they can drive your referral business and build sales revenue. Start today and watch your referrals grow.

are you on commission Ian? 

the testimonial thing was shocking, they all lost any trust anyone could have in them

[james roffey]

I think most custies are camera shy, but to get bogus video testimonials surely is a criinal offence according to recent laws on trading?

If it isn't, it should be !
If these guys are supposedly turning over £17 - 20 grand a month, then why do they have to resort to these tactics.

You would learn more in the bar the night before ccdo, talking to like-minded people, than you will learn on these courses.

The best marketing is word of mouth and referrals, you only get this by doing the best job possible every time and being polite, professional and going the extra mile.

Plus, it you do this every time, price ceases to be the most important factor - in my experience.

Steve

I could not agree more, these are i think the fundamental values of good business,

[Mike Halliday]

so did anyone go?  how was it?

I was chatting to howard partridge the other day about this, he had some interesting ideas. ( just thought i'd do some name dropping )