Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 02:10:06 pm

Title: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 02:10:06 pm
Hi

I recently ordered some A6 350grm cards, 'Do you need a window cleaner' on one side and 'yes please clean me' on the other. I didn't read the proof carefully enough and now that I have 5000 of them, I can see the error. Would you post them anyway or pay another £150.00 and wait another 2 weeks for a new lot to arrive?

Kicking myself repeatedly here!!!

David
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: nat on September 05, 2007, 02:23:15 pm
urm ...am i being thick here or can someone please point out the error to me?
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Lizzy on September 05, 2007, 02:27:27 pm
you you should be more careful    ;)


Easily done.  Dont beat yourself up about it.   Only a few will notice.  Might actually get you more business cos it might make some laugh.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: ian m on September 05, 2007, 02:28:43 pm
Hi David

you also have used the word "you" twice in a row. :'(

personally I'd bin them and start again.

Ian
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: nat on September 05, 2007, 02:31:20 pm
urm ...am i being thick here or can someone please point out the error to me?
I see it now, i knew i'd look silly  :-[ ;D
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: nat on September 05, 2007, 02:32:08 pm
I'd still post them, better out there than wasted!
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: matt on September 05, 2007, 02:34:00 pm
I'd still post them, i doublt many will notice
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 02:43:10 pm
Ok, thanks guys, I think I will just get on with posting them. Just makes it a bit harder motivating myself to put 5000 out, knowing they have an error in them.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Sanity on September 05, 2007, 03:03:15 pm
Good marketing idea these leaflets (even with the error :) )

Let me know how they work out.  I might do something similar if it seems a good customer getter...
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 03:05:47 pm
Hi

Will do, planning on getting 1000 out this week and weekend. Will know by wednesday how they go.


David
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on September 05, 2007, 03:30:59 pm
Hi David, if you are going to get more make sure you re word the leaflet, it isnt very professional to be honest. I don't mean to be nasty but there will be some people who view that leaflet as their first impression and if they dont like it they wont put it in there window. Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people ( especially rich people!!! ) we turned down a sign writter because in his email replies he had spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes! Well done for effort though  :)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 03:35:50 pm
Hi Luke

I agree to be honest. Now that I have seen it, I wish I could do it again. How would you suggest I should word it?

David
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: a-r window cleanin on September 05, 2007, 03:37:31 pm
I disagree I use leaflets like this and I print them myself on a normal black and white printer so  they do not look as professional as the above ones.
About 2 months ago we put out about 200 leaflets and got 27 new customers.
Whenever I use this type of leaflet I always get a big response.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on September 05, 2007, 04:10:46 pm
Quote
How would you suggest I should word it?

now thats a question for my Oxford Dictionary dad! he does all the writting and I smile and approve! Luke
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: windowwashers on September 05, 2007, 04:29:48 pm
Hi

I recently ordered some A6 350grm cards, 'Do you need a window cleaner' on one side and 'yes please clean me' on the other. I didn't read the proof carefully enough and now that I have 5000 of them, I can see the error. Would you post them anyway or pay another £150.00 and wait another 2 weeks for a new lot to arrive?

Kicking myself repeatedly here!!!

David
you could always get some stick labels and have the words that you need on them, simply stick them over cost less than a tenner on ebay, just a thought, most will not worry to much about the odd typo, I am the worst for it and it costs me a small fortune as I always print my own leaflets, now if i did design for a customer it never happens as they proof read it first, think about it before you go putting them all out.
if you do delivery them all, do another drop 8 weeks later, this works every time for me
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: matt on September 05, 2007, 05:16:07 pm
Hi David, if you are going to get more make sure you re word the leaflet, it isnt very professional to be honest. I don't mean to be nasty but there will be some people who view that leaflet as their first impression and if they dont like it they wont put it in there window. Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people ( especially rich people!!! ) we turned down a sign writter because in his email replies he had spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes! Well done for effort though  :)

whilst i somewhat agree with you

we are talking window cleaning here and most just was a good job done in a regular basis, thats it, they dont care if you cannot spell or even write, they just want clean windows
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Helen on September 05, 2007, 05:31:38 pm
sorry Matt I have to disagree. All of our customers want clean windows yes, but that is only part of the package that has to be sold these days. Customers want professionally set up businesses now that can offer a good standard of customer service and be a bit above the rest! Spelling and grammar does count for that first impression, whether you print your own leaflets and have them done professionally. My advise to David would be to distribute these leaflets and see what happens, make a note of where you delivered, get a further batch printed  and hit the same areas in a few weeks time :)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: windowwashers on September 05, 2007, 05:34:52 pm
Hi David, if you are going to get more make sure you re word the leaflet, it isnt very professional to be honest. I don't mean to be nasty but there will be some people who view that leaflet as their first impression and if they dont like it they wont put it in there window. Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people ( especially rich people!!! ) we turned down a sign writter because in his email replies he had spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes! Well done for effort though  :)
whilst i somewhat agree with you

we are talking window cleaning here and most just was a good job done in a regular basis, thats it, they dont care if you cannot spell or even write, they just want clean windows
I do agree with you there Matt, but you do get the funny customers that will not like it when you cant spell to good, we are window cleaners (but we also clean houses that are worth £100000's, why do you think im letting people on here pick fault on my website, if it's all done with no error you suit every need and the ones that pick it up seem to be the best customers to have, yes they will be fussy but thats what we are paid for a great job.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: matt on September 05, 2007, 05:35:49 pm
why does this living attract so many rough un;s then, and how do they make a living ?? ??

im all for looking the part, im about to order some new T-shirts, but people forget, we clean windows and people want a good honest price for a good honest job, they dont care if your leaflets / windows have been cleaned bits of paper are on gold embossed cards or not, they dont care if you have a pair for jeans on, they just want a regular and good job
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Lizzy on September 05, 2007, 05:39:48 pm
Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people. we turned down a sign writter

See, its easily done.     

I'm not critising you Luke...honest....just pointing out how easy it is to overlook things.

I'd post them out.  I'd giggle at the leaflet if it came through my letterbox but I'd remember your business name, thats for sure.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: windowwashers on September 05, 2007, 05:51:04 pm
Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people. we turned down a sign writter

See, its easily done.     

I'm not critising you Luke...honest....just pointing out how easy it is to overlook things.

I'd post them out.  I'd giggle at the leaflet if it came through my letterbox but I'd remember your business name, thats for sure.
where do you live lizzy, I will post you one of mine  ;D
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Lizzy on September 05, 2007, 05:59:59 pm
Sunny South Wales

And I've read your website  ;)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on September 05, 2007, 06:12:03 pm
you didnt read my posts properly did you

Quote
Spelling errors and poor wording is ok on here but for buisness its unaccetable to some people ( especially rich people!!! )

this isnt my workplace
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Davew on September 05, 2007, 07:43:40 pm
.....somewhere where I can see it?
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on September 05, 2007, 07:55:36 pm
Hi Dave, the leaflet is on the first post, just click the little link to look at it, hope this helps, Luke
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: john tomkins on September 05, 2007, 09:11:38 pm
Just post em anyway, the ones that don't end up straight in the bin will probably not even be noticed :)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Davew on September 05, 2007, 10:15:38 pm
.....somewhere where I can see it?

no Luke that was meant to be a correction.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 05, 2007, 10:31:00 pm
Hi Davew

I can seewhat you mean but I think I would probably get away with that one. It is the 'you you' and the lack of a question mark I am really unhappy with.

Normally I would have picked up on it but I had been up all night the night before I checked it. My dad had a massive stroke and we though he was going to die sometime that night. I should have known to leave it until I had some sleep/was in a better frame of mind but was in a rush to get them into producion.

David
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Davew on September 05, 2007, 10:39:24 pm
I wouldn't worry about the question mark at all, it looks like an attention grabbing headline. The other ones you might be able to blame the printers if anyone spots them. But it's your call unfortunately.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: matt on September 05, 2007, 10:43:01 pm
just get them out

if they want a window cleaner it wont matter than you put " you " twice
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: supernova77 on September 05, 2007, 11:43:36 pm
Personally I would bin them and get new ones printed!

Quote
Let me know how they work out.  I might do something similar if it seems a good customer getter...

The best "customer getter" is door knocking.

Andy
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Sanity on September 06, 2007, 08:55:56 am
I have found that too, although I did leaflet the area first, then a week later went dooknocking there.  Got loads of people who said that they meant to ring but had lost the leaflet/ forgot / not had time etc.

But it will be interesting to find out the response rate to this type of leaflet drop.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: LWC on September 06, 2007, 07:54:39 pm
just stick em through, some people might not notice! take nat for example  :P
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 07, 2007, 10:25:19 pm
Hi

Just to update those interested in how this method of attracting new customers is going, I posted about 60 of these yesterday and had 5 in windows today. That is almost 10% and the 3 days are not up yet. Just for comparision, in generally the same area I posted 300 about 3 weeks ago and got a total of two phone calls. This seems to have a much better strike rate.

Thanks to whom ever came up with it and posted it in here for me to see.

David
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: nat on September 07, 2007, 10:30:39 pm
just stick em through, some people might not notice! take nat for example  :P

right back at ya LWC  :P


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: LWC on September 08, 2007, 07:04:29 am
just stick em through, some people might not notice! take nat for example  :P

right back at ya LWC  :P


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

hehehehe  :P :P :P
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: nat on September 08, 2007, 07:19:54 am
 ;)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: simon knight on September 08, 2007, 08:09:47 am
I'd have strong words with the printers. They should have spotted the error and automatically corrected it before printing off 5000.

But I'd post them anyway as I don't think too many people would spot it.

If that card came through my letter box and I needed a w/c the extra "you" wouldn't put me off.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: tacky on September 08, 2007, 10:47:20 pm
long as u av ur phone number .on flyer u ok .most people have sense of humor .x cept the tax man. n my missus .whn i foget to tape corrie .
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: windowwashers on September 09, 2007, 09:26:16 am
I'd have strong words with the printers. They should have spotted the error and automatically corrected it before printing off 5000.

But I'd post them anyway as I don't think too many people would spot it.

If that card came through my letter box and I needed a w/c the extra "you" wouldn't put me off.
it is the customer resonsibility to proof read any copy not the printers, if it was there fault then they would not charge you as it would be a mistake on there part.

I read it a couple of times and did not spot it the first time, so I would post them, and get more done (without the extra YOU) and post again in 4 weeks
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: williamx on September 09, 2007, 09:38:24 am
Dave

I would post them, 99.9% of the homeowners won't notice the mistake at first and won't be bothered by it if they do spot it.

One piece of advice, on your next batch I would put a landline telephone number on it, you will get more people calling you.
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: Majestic on September 09, 2007, 04:05:12 pm
I like your leaflet idea, it rings a bell

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=41161.20#msg327125

reply 23 ;D
Mine were home made , I cut them myself, not very straight either but did get a good responce from them
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: davids3511 on September 10, 2007, 06:19:21 pm
Hi

Yes, I remember reading that thread. I guess the thanks must go to you for a great idea. It is working very well for me. Out of that original 60 I have had another 2 appear in windows and one phone call. All together 60 leaflets brought 8 enquiries and out of that 6 new customers. Whoo hoo. Gotta run, I am off out spreading a few more leaflets ;D
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: windowwashers on September 10, 2007, 06:34:25 pm
Just looked at the other post, John, I'm going to try what you put next week and see how it goes, will let you no, if it works well I will post you up your fav tipple  ;)
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: djhaydn on September 10, 2007, 09:41:29 pm
post em out.
i didnt notice the mistake untill someone said.
i might have ago at this.
keep us informed how it goes
Haydn
Title: Re: Didn't read leaflet proof carefully enough!!
Post by: stephen roach on September 10, 2007, 09:57:58 pm
try this printers www.printcarrier.com . i have just got 5000 post card size flyers done 2 sides for under £50 and 5000 windows cleaned small cards for under £70  ;D