I own an Oven Cleaning franchise in Gloucestershire (note, Oven Cleaning, not OVENCLEAN!!!!!). In response to the double subject of this thread, ie oven cleaning and leaflets/advertising, I can only go by my own experiences. I bought a franchise because I wanted to work for myself but knew nothing about business as I was in the Royal Navy for 28 yrs. As has been proved, oven cleaning is still a relatively untapped market, certainly in my area so the main thing is to get the name and service out to the public. Leaflets and massive amounts of newspaper advertising incurring a lot of time and money at the beginning (July 04), now I do very little of either because 1. Leaflets are very time consuming and response/bookings not worth the effort. 2. Newspaper ads expensive (although response rate better than leaflets) 3. Now I rely on referrals and repeat business that fills my diary every week (in fact worked 12 hrs per day every day in run up to Xmas, already booked first 2 weeks of Jan. One of the best and cheapest forms of advertising for me are local trade mags and I am also a member of BNI. If you dont know what that is, do a search as it has been done before.
Anyone considering Mr Muscle, DONT!!!! I have cleaned ovens that have white stains on them and glass doors that have been permanently marked because of it. Remember, it is not a pleasant job, dirty and hard work, but I do get job satisfaction. Wont be competing with Richard Branson in the income stakes, but it supplements my navy pension!
Kelvin
