Clean It Up
UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Rob_Mac on March 12, 2013, 09:07:14 pm
-
Just finished a template for a domestic market leaflet. This will be going to the leaflet guys in the next couple of days and hopefully get it turned round in time for me to start getting them out.
Specific areas will be targeted - not going to ignore this sector anymore.
Rob ;D
-
And there was me expecting to see a link to the leaflet
-
You don't need to see my leaflet Carl ;D
It is just going to mention throwing a bit of water about and a look in one of my pikey vans!!!!
Rob ;D
-
You don't need to see my leaflet Carl ;D
It is just going to mention throwing a bit of water about and a look in one of my pikey vans!!!!
Rob ;D
Will you be attending a smartarseseal coarse now you are returning to grannies patio's? ;D ;D ;
-
Are you following me Rob 8)
We have started a massive campaign ourselves into this type of work
Websites
Checkatrade
Leaflets
SEO
Hope it will bring you loads of work.
-
The domestic market is substantial and is multi faceted.
I will be targeting a specific area of it. Granny's patio, unless she is prepared to pay, may not be in the plan.
There wont be any requirement to take any courses because I view courses and letters as a waste of time - just my opinion but if I need to know how to do something I would check it out on the internet or speak to someone who knows about the specific area.
Rob ;D
-
Darren
Great minds think alike!!! ;D
There is also something about - 'fools seldom differ' ;D
Rob ;D
-
Darren
Although I hate trade organisations I have just gone on Checka-trade. I can really see customers liking the tick!
What level have you gone for and how much is it - waiting for a call back
Rob ;D
-
Rob, in recent posts you mention you started as a window cleaner, why did you stop offering this service ???
Reason for q currently considering setting up van to run alongside existing services and feed off each other. We already have portable wfp setup, including a full setup will be simple. As 'others' may be reading this if we follow this route - It wont be an add on service, we will be offering a full PROFESSIONAL service. The main sticking point with myself is the pain in collecting payments ... unless from the outset we only except bank payments.
Welcome back to the domestic market ;D, as you know the real plus is payment on completion forget 60 days nonsense !
Just saw your post lots of guys use Check seem to get lots of feedback... why is all the feedbacks which I look at 10/10 as a customer it would put me off as it seems false.
-
Darren
Although I hate trade organisations I have just gone on Checka-trade. I can really see customers liking the tick!
What level have you gone for and how much is it - waiting for a call back
Rob ;D
Give me a call if you want to talk about CAT, I've been a member for about 6 years
-
Mike
The VAT threshold and having to apply that to 700 customers came along just as I started on the national works, both of those coupled with a really good offer to buy the domestic work, which gave me the start up revenue - seemed like a no brainer.I'd had enough of the small payments and knew where I wanted to be.
I kicked in some works on the domestic window cleaning a couple of years ago and built up about four days but I still didn't want it then so I gave it away. I am in a different place now!
I have regrets because it is a great business but not quite where I expected by now (don't read too much into this as it is still in a very healthy place but I expected more!) and as you mention I did some work and invoiced on the 05th December - still trying to get paid a lot of money so the cash-flow of smaller works should help.
My idea of smaller works is still the affluent areas around the country that can all be leafleted as we go around looking after stores. I have been through Chelsea & Kensington this week, Cheshire and York - all with works pending or currently being worked on.
Roger - trying desperately to get a quote completed, will bell you tomorrow
Rob ;D
-
Just saw your post lots of guys use Check seem to get lots of feedback... why is all the feedbacks which I look at 10/10 as a customer it would put me off as it seems false.
Because some of us are that good 8) 8)
-
Roger - trying desperately to get a quote completed, will bell you tomorrow
Rob ;D
Ok back on-site tomorrow (just finished 45 days straight) might not hear the phone though leave message and I'll bell you back.
-
Just saw your post lots of guys use Check seem to get lots of feedback... why is all the feedbacks which I look at 10/10 as a customer it would put me off as it seems false.
Because some of us are that good 8) 8)
Trouble is according to that site, the vast majority 'are that good' ::)roll - But if it produces results 8)
45 days straight ... sounds like a prison sentence ;D ;D
Thks for info the other day .. to be honest probably give my guy 6 mths then make a decision.
-
I can't get on check a trade .Because i live in a caravan and move around. :'(
-
Are you following me Rob 8)
We have started a massive campaign ourselves into this type of work
Websites
Checkatrade
Leaflets
SEO
Hope it will bring you loads of work.
What other sort of campaign is there..... i do all of the things you recomend and i am still struggling to get work/make a living!!
Hows the new machine?
-
The CAT rep who signed me up came to mine to go through everything. A few days later she emailed me wanting to go for a drink hahaha
Rob would you clean house roofs?
-
Just saw your post lots of guys use Check seem to get lots of feedback... why is all the feedbacks which I look at 10/10 as a customer it would put me off as it seems false.
Because some of us are that good 8) 8)
Trouble is according to that site, the vast majority 'are that good' ::)roll - But if it produces results 8)
45 days straight ... sounds like a prison sentence ;D ;D
Thks for info the other day .. to be honest probably give my guy 6 mths then make a decision.
45 days working on a major furniture restore.
-
Rob
I went for the highest level as I pay that A MONTH FOR SEO! and theres lasts a year!
I will see how it goes with them, but like you cashflow always bloody hurts when you have two or three slow/late payers.
I will have to eat bread and butter this month :-[
-
Which directory did you go in?
-
I can buy a new website with a first page Google listing (not addwords) for less than that. You only pay at the end of the month when you are on the first page of Google for your chosen keywords..
-
Darren
Had a quick chat this morning with one of their representatives, is the highest level the £599.00 one or is there another one up from that.
Lee - Yes I would - Why?
I know it was raining this afternoon but you definitely missed at least one bit on that vid ;D ;D
Rob ;D
-
Darren
Had a quick chat this morning with one of their representatives, is the highest level the £599.00 one or is there another one up from that.
Rob ;D
Yes there is Rob
-
I looked into it. Not really as big up here as it is down south.
-
Which directory did you go in?
Ashford - just to see what happens.............
-
Darren
Is it worth it, How do you monitor referrals from Checkatrade?
Rob ;D
-
Which directory did you go in?
Ashford - just to see what happens.............
Ashford Kent, new area for Cat as is most of the Kent region, can take a year for it to get properly going in the new areas.
-
Darren
Is it worth it, How do you monitor referrals from Checkatrade?
Rob ;D
It doesn't work on a referral system, customers contact you direct NO middle man as such.
-
Roger
They explained that to me today but how do you know whether it is £600.00 well spent. I am already getting plenty of hits on the website but it is geared towards commercial works, so maybe this is putting some enquiries off.
He explained that they had 32 searches in my region for pressure washing last month, I am getting 7 times that through the website with one day 40 visits.
I don't expect to transfer many of those into quotes and new clients. The website has done its job already this year and if I get one high spending client per year I am happy but I have to start thinking differently for the new potential client base.
I just want to measure its effectiveness.
Rob ;D
-
Smartseal site for your area £290...one off payment . Got it forever with fully qualified leads... maybe 20/30 a year.
-
You are always moaning that you aren't very busy - reading between the lines I would say that has a lot to do with the window of your business.
For £300.00 I could get my own website - tailored to suit me with no requirements to sell a particular brand!
Rob ;D
-
You are always moaning that you aren't very busy - reading between the lines I would say that has a lot to do with the window of your business.
For £300.00 I could get my own website - tailored to suit me with no requirements to sell a particular brand!
Rob ;D
You have answered your own question...better than spending £600 advertising on somebody elses website....another "internet directory".
-
I am so glad you are here to be my guru and guide me in all business decisions - Thank you. ;D
I will be taking advice from the other, at least three on here, who are on Checkatrade before I make my final decision.
Rob ;D
-
Your welcome. To whom do i send the bill? ;D
-
Checkatraaaaaaaaaaaadeee...Cheackatrade dot com!
-
I have just started check a trade and to be honest its been slow, as its been stated its newish here in Kent. The rep told me there wasn't a directory in Kent yet. If it does'nt pick up I won't be doing the second year - I might sign up to smartarseseal instead having learnt what I'm pouring over grannies patio ;D
-
Here's my hits since joining last September.
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2e3280o.jpg)
-
Is that good or bad!!??!!!
When I was speaking to them today they said they had someone on the top side of Manchester. I said is that my mate Lee from blastaway.
He said yes it is how did you know?
I said I know him but I did not know he was on Checkatrade!
Post that video on here that you sent me this afternoon!!! ;D
Rob ;D
-
Here's my hits since joining last September.
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2e3280o.jpg)
How many jobs did you get. Charts like that show hits from googlebots,spiders,yell .com searching for your details, Quote Carl "curry swallowers" offering SEO etc . Good for check a trade meaningless numbers really.
-
I spoke to checkatrade a couple of weeks ago.
They said the cheapest was £599+VAT. I can see the benefits but I asked how many searches they had for pressure washing in Cardiff and they said two in the last month. I told them that was me seeing who was on there!
It wouldnt be worth it for me as clearly people are not using it in South Wales/Bristol.
-
Richy
I kinda get that impression - told me 30 searches but who is to say that is factual. They may well have a member of the team sitting creating random searches
Rob ;D
-
I am so glad you are here to be my guru and guide me in all business decisions - Thank you. ;D
I will be taking advice from the other, at least three on here, who are on Checkatrade before I make my final decision.
Rob ;D
I'll speak to you tomorrow as you can't really have a decent discussion on here with some people.
-
Checkatraaaaaaaaaaaadeee...Cheackatrade dot com!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I always sing that when someone mentions it.
Worked out where you get hypo as well pal, not as thick as i look ;D
-
I always think that you have to give some things time to work.
I decided on Checkatrade because I use it to find decent tradesmen - plumbers etc when I need one.
Plus I also know two or three people who have been on it for years and done very well from it.
I dont expect it to be the best way of getting new work - but every little bit helps.
My own websites each bring in different types of work - just last week we gained a lot of solar panel cleans for the Environment Agency as when you google - solar panel cleaners - we pop up.
You have to keep trying............
-
Darren
I will ring you tomorrow, Going to be busy tomorrow. Its the quantifying the return that I'm not getting!
Rob ;D
-
Is that good or bad!!??!!!
When I was speaking to them today they said they had someone on the top side of Manchester. I said is that my mate Lee from blastaway.
He said yes it is how did you know?
I said I know him but I did not know he was on Checkatrade!
Post that video on here that you sent me this afternoon!!! ;D
Rob ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMthH_EB7_g
;D
I've just updated my chas and safe contractor on CAT, forgot to do it and was getting mithered to.
To knowledge I've had one person say so far that they found me on CAT but the main aspect in my opinion is long term of the reports that I'm gathering from it and see how it expands up north.
-
I love it ;D ;D ;D ;D
Rob ;D
-
I love it ;D ;D ;D ;D
Rob ;D
Cuts the moss nicely on the return length! ;) ;D
-
Darren
I will ring you tomorrow, Going to be busy tomorrow. Its the quantifying the return that I'm not getting!
Rob ;D
I know what you mean Rob!
-
We do ok from Checkatrade.
When I carry out the quotation I ask where they got my number from and then I make a note of it so I can monitor what advertising works.
That's my 2 pence worth anyway ;)
Cheers
Alan
-
What sort of return are you getting Alan.
How many calls Via Checkatrade?
Rob ;D
-
The thing you have to remember Rob is that I am based right next to Selsey where Checkatrade is based and founded, so my return and calls from Checkatrade will not be the same in other parts of the country.
Also I am in 3 of their local directories, so pay quite a bit each month ;)
-
Alan
I have heard that more than once today, but you are still getting what you feel is a worthwhile return so it must have something!!
Rob ;D
-
As I am sure you are aware advertising is a funny old game. What works for some doesn't work for others and the same goes for different trades, areas and markets!
-
Alan,
Do you use the CAT forum (members area) at all?
-
Roger,
No I don't is it any good?
-
Roger,
No I don't is it any good?
Interesting? I'll email you.
-
Where's Mike gone?
Not me this time!
Rob ;D
-
He was on here last week, has he left again?
-
I think so Roger - his profile is black again!!
Rob ;D