Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Deangsi on March 10, 2012, 01:11:30 pm

Title: own canvassers
Post by: Deangsi on March 10, 2012, 01:11:30 pm
anyone have there own canvasser? i have one starting monday any advice and tips would be great  ;D iv tought him the basics and hes very enfusiastic and a confident outgoing lad. im setting him a target of £150 new work per week 4 hours a day. surely this is an easy target? maybe he should get more ? ;D
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: outdoor restore on March 10, 2012, 04:57:20 pm
Dean

Did GD ever come and canvass Shrewsbury for you? 
He was meant to be coming up for me, but after making arrangements to come and a bit of chasing from me (he wasn't very good at replying to emails) he eventually told me he wasn't going to come.  Just wondered if it was me or Shropshire he didn't fancy.
Good luck with your canvasser.

Neil
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 10, 2012, 05:57:20 pm
Neil
I dont want to get into on here, I explained in the email why I wasnt coming.

Just a quick notice to everyone, I am not taking on anymore new customers for the next few months. I appreciate all your interest but just cant keep up with all the enquiries never mind get all the work done. I could work 20 days a week at the moment which is fantastic but I just need time to get the business into a place where I can cope with this level of work. Everyone that is on the list will get done as soon as I possibly can but wont be adding to the list at the moment.

Thank you all for everything....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: AS Window Cleaning on March 10, 2012, 07:25:38 pm
hope u get sorted GD, u seem a decent chap, helpful on here too (tho not seen ya so much of late).

be interesting to know what sort of return you get from door knocking (and also how successful it is using a non window cleaner). my wife is starting pretty mega canvassing from April 1st.....itching to find out what kind of return to expect!
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 10, 2012, 07:56:32 pm
I have been a window cleaner and it really helps to know all the pitfalls...

I will get it sorted over next month or so, I know everyone thinks being a canvasser is easy money but there is more to it than just knocking on doors. If you would like to know more drop me an email.

I have been running a trial and my next move is into social media for window cleaners which will be a big success if the trial is anything to go by, but the last week or so has proved to me I am not ready to lauch it yet as canvassing is taking up my whole working life....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 10, 2012, 08:22:13 pm
Back to the original post, even if he only picked up one an hour he should hit 200 in the week. It depends how you are paying him too, most employed canvassers are on one clean or similar ie basic plus commision.

The other thing to watch is he actually works the hours, motivation is the biggest barrier anyone will face doing this job. If he is on a basic you need to keep an eye or work with him...

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask...
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: AS Window Cleaning on March 10, 2012, 09:31:24 pm
cheers for advice George, I wasn't referring to you as I know you used to be on the tools. got a friend who needs work, and rather than pay her to leaflet drop wondering about training her to door knock too......but worried bout training her how to price.

might just stick to my wife canvassing, this way I can get 'credit' to my account if she under charges.....more nights down the pool club earned for me lol.

all the best guys.
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 10, 2012, 10:04:17 pm
I just have a set formula for pricing, so each type of house in the area is a set price. I then meet with the window cleaner and ask him to price some similar houses and then adjust my formula up or down depending on the area....

Knocking on doors is one of the hardest jobs to do well, it takes alot of determination and a very thick skin lol...  Saying that most people are nice enough once they know what you doing and I am sure they would be nicer to the female of the species....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Deangsi on March 11, 2012, 10:53:02 am
Thanks for the advice george. Nice to see your busy, i guessed you would get busy very quickly.  :)
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Cliff perkins on March 11, 2012, 11:56:24 am
Just a thought to seeing if they are actually working or not.if you employ them you can put a smartphone in the pocket of the person thats doing it and you can link it to google latitude this will tell you the route he has gone and if he has been sitting on his arse somewhere doing nothing or not.
Just a thought if you havnt thought of it.
Regards
Cliff
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 12:29:18 pm
Hi Cliff,
Its a good thought but just because they have walked the route doesnt mean they are working properly.

I could knock on 100 doors and not come out with a single deal, its the way they are working that really matters. You have to be on your top game on every single door you knock on, you have to think that behind every door is a potential customer and give them the right first impression.

The hardest part of the job is dealing with all the negatives yet still being positive.... Its harder than you think to do this job well....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Cliff perkins on March 11, 2012, 12:33:15 pm
I know the feeling that negative thoughts can do when door knocking,if you knock on 100 doors and dont get a bite and people being rude to you it does get you down.

It is a tough game which i admit im not very good at. :(
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 01:07:12 pm
It is a tough game to do well in, I think that some people are under the impression that canvassers have it easy lol....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Pete10 on March 11, 2012, 07:55:48 pm
Hi George, am new to canvassing, just wondered if I could pick your brains over the phone/ do you offer training to newbies? all the best, Peter
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 11, 2012, 08:03:24 pm
pete ill provide you full training and pay you 30% of all first cleans how does that sound!?
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 08:04:33 pm
Are you canvassing for your own round or my competition cos that will affect my answer lol...
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 11, 2012, 08:07:05 pm
haha not much too it pete just walk and talk ,

ask people if they want a window cleaner there is no real silver bullet to find out if they want a one of or a regular! if you charge too much and have cancelations then your customers will be ped off if you charge little you get no problems,
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Pete10 on March 11, 2012, 08:31:15 pm
Cheers chaps, many thanks for the offer (cystal clear) but i think I'd starve to death given my performance! No competition for you George .....just setting up a small round and done a couple of weeks on the knocker....hard going but averaging about £150 a week on two hours a day.....just wondered if there were any golden rules.....and I can gaurantee i won't be canvassing for anyone else or a minute longer than i neet to!!!!!
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: red star on March 11, 2012, 08:38:23 pm
just got myself a canvasser starting tmr
deal done on £5 flat fee for every custy  paid weekly and 50% of first clean  paid after done

didnt think that was a bad deal - what do you think
also his sticking a business card thro every door knocked for my garden maintenance side thrown in

Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 08:40:02 pm
I am working in cambridgeshire later in the week if you fancy a day out for some training...
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 08:43:26 pm
Hi Red,

The only trouble I can see is its very easy to get a name and number so you may pay for customers that dont clean.

My advice would be to clean them before you pay and just pay a flat fee of the first clean. That way you cant pay for non cleans...
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: roundbuilder on March 11, 2012, 08:46:28 pm
I have 2 canvassers and both get £10 per deal or half the value if over a £20 job and get paid after first clean has been done. Works very well. My terms are if customer cancels between first 3 cleans then they need replacing so I'm never on a loss which is the best way when building rapidly if I was to be paying out X2 for a 2 clean guarantee i would be in tears as I find as an average 50 percent of canvassed work cancels between the first and sixth clean after that they tend to be good cuties that last just a head ache getting there.
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 08:50:25 pm
Customers can cancel for a variety of reason no matter where they come from, no method is perfect and its just part of building a business....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: roundbuilder on March 11, 2012, 08:53:26 pm
Customers can cancel for a variety of reason no matter where they come from, no method is perfect and its just part of building a business....
Agreed but canvassed customers are the most temprememtle of all. I also buy work which tends to be more bullet proof for losing cuties as long as a good job is carried out..
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 08:56:36 pm
I would say leaflet customers are slightly better but its not such a marked difference that some people would have you believe....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: roundbuilder on March 11, 2012, 09:01:33 pm
I would say leaflet customers are slightly better but its not such a marked difference that some people would have you believe....
Leaflets have there place but when I did a few leaflet drops I found many were just 1 off cleans. Canvassing is defo better than leafleting as the hit rate is so low for the amount of time it takes delivering them all. Only downside is many canvassed calls also just want 1 offs without telling you that at the door but the hit rate is 100 times better so canvassing wins over leafleting hands down for me.
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Pete10 on March 11, 2012, 09:11:19 pm
If that was an offer to me George I'm in!!!! (pete_lynch@btinternet.com)
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 09:21:37 pm
Drop me an email, its in my profile... And will be in touch, I am there thursday and friday....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Pete10 on March 11, 2012, 09:24:41 pm
will do George, much appreciated, Peter
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 09:48:56 pm
Hi Mick,

I get your reasons for employing your own and agree with all things except three clean guarantee, how long have your guys been with you? They wont like it when they have to replace for free and its hitting their pockets....

Also the reason canvassing companies work is that most people couldnt keep up with one mans new work everyday never mind two....

How many first cleans you doing everyday?
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 11, 2012, 10:09:45 pm
mick not a bad deal u got there i try to pay about £5 a customer but aything one off front etc. how many guys u got doing it for you?

the reason why i aint splashing out 2x cleans is because after 3-4 cleans its as if you have paid 4-5 cleans!
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: roundbuilder on March 11, 2012, 10:21:11 pm
1 for years when i was canvassing for others and the other does it as well as the cleaning who isn't that good at it but still gets leads. Normally 30-50 new weekly cleans spread with 2 vans mon to fri with existing work and then a full day doing them Saturday which sometimes is as many as 20 but only 1 van 2 men on sat it sounds like I should be massive but have only been expanding since October taking 4 months to canvas and ween up a decent round with 3 of us canvassing 3 nights a week and also the odd Sunday. New van next month though so will be hitting the canvassing very hard to get 3 solid full days a week in every month then tweaking weening out the crap and slowly get 5 good days then happy days my 3 van target hit by end of summer.
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 11:04:13 pm
Sounds like you have it all sorted Mick, I still think three is a little harsh as I bet you never guaranteed that when you were canvassing but if you can get away with it then fair play...
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 11, 2012, 11:09:47 pm
well £10 pluss 50% is quite alot of money can be about 1.5 cleans will need some sort of guarantee, if i think the best way is something like 50% no guarantees but you get it on one offs everything, then again could the canvasser make a living who knows.
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 11, 2012, 11:13:19 pm
He doesnt pay 10 plus 50 percent....
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 11, 2012, 11:28:33 pm
oh true just £10 OR half yea its still a bit too much if they cancel imo. cos if its say a £15 house plus running costs and wages say if he paying could break even so id say about 50% tops would be the amount where no issuies happen if they cancel so no guarantees needed , come on then gd 50% want a job!:?

50% no stress! one offs anything
Title: Re: own canvassers
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on March 12, 2012, 12:35:42 am
Lol no thanks, i dont think my family would appreciate cutting my income by 75 percent. I have to make a living too and if people were not happy to pay it I wouldnt have a business....

I was not saying mick shouldnt have a guarantee just not 3 cleans...