Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Grafters Cleaning Services on September 13, 2007, 02:31:05 pm
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I thought I would just right a little piece on gaining more work, please note that is aimed at the newbies on this forum, I am not trying to tell the old hands how to suck eggs.
(1) Presentation: smart van/car preferable sign written/mag signs stating your company name and what you do, clean fresh uniform, can include t-shirts, polo jumpers, hats et. Nice printed flyers/cards, again stating what you do (other services besides window cleaning)
(2) Canvassing: go door knocking looking smart and be polite at all times even when turned down, do not apply pressure as this will never work, if a potential customer is humming and harring leave them a card and tell them to call you if and when they decide (this works better) if you drop leaflets off prior to calling this is fine but make sure that you follow up all leaflet drops by knocking a day or so later failure to do this will result in less jobs as the majority of people will put the card/flyer to one side and it will eventually get binned. If the person states they already have a w/c then thank them for their time and walk away DO NOT give them a price undercutting the other w/c as this is totally out of order and will not win you any friends.
(3) Pricing: have in your mind an hourly rate that you would like to achieve (eg £30 per hour) and stick with it DO NOT underprice as you will regret this later and DO NOT get into a price war with the customer, if you price this house @ £12-00 then stick with it DO NOT let the customer knock you back a few quid as you will also regret this.
(4) Canvass on the move: this is a tried and tested system that my son and I use and works well, if we get a call to give a quote on a house and that is agreed then I proceed to clean whilst my son knocks the other doors in that same road. E.G. we had a call from one road where we had no other calls, there were 30 houses in this small road and whilst I cleaned the first my son knocked the others gaining 9 more calls all @ £10 each so we now have a third of that road covered.
(5) Buying work: this always a dodgy one, I personally would never pay more than 2 times it’s worth, i.e I would buy £100 worth of work for £200 and not a penny more. Make sure if you buy from a previous w/c that you are introduced to the calls and have something in writing to state that you have bought the work and that the seller will not go back to the calls to try and regain them at a later date (I’m talking from personal experience here as it happened to me once)
(6) Employing a canvasser: there has been a lot of threads on this forum with this reference (some good some bad) again tread carefully and be sure to set up agreed terms before parting with your money. I have a canvasser getting some work for me within the next week or so I will be able to keep you informed as how this goes as I have never used 1 before.
(7) Setting your target/goals: each week we set a target of gaining at least 5 new customers, this week alone we have already gained 8 new calls without even trying, we have also moved fast this week and have a free day tomorrow so we will go canvassing to hopefully gain a few more. Lets assume you set a goal of 5 new ones every week @ £10 that would generate an extra income of £200 (approx) per month, if you kept this on going within a year you would be either turning work away or employing someone to help you out.
(8)Being professional: it goes without saying that at all times conduct yourself in a professional manner whilst at a customers house or on the phone and you will be surprised as to how many recommendations you will receive.
(9) Advertising: I personally use yellow pages and it works well for me especially with the cleaning of gutters/facias etc. although it can be costly I find that I get about 5 leads a week from it most of them generating into monthly calls. I have tried the shops windows card etc but this failed for me (perhaps you know differently)
Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
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Nice one Jay, postings like this are exactly the reason why so many people use this site!
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Nice one Jay, postings like this are exactly the reason why so many people use this site!
thanx trevor, only too happy to help
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'Setting your target/goals' - I like it!
Thanks
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Hi Jay
I am about to start canvassing next week and i have never knocked on doors before. I am a bit worried about the reaction i will get.
so thanks for writing you coments they will help me.
James
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Hi James,
Canvassing or doorknocking really is quite straight forward and easy.
Just be smart, polite and to the point, ask if they need a window cleaner, if yes give a price if not ask to leave your card in case they ever change their mind or their existing w/c stops calling.
Otherwise, it's a numbers game, we would all canvass ourselves if we had time but you can only be in one place at a time.
Good luck, I hope it goes well for you, ask as many questions as you need.
Trev
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Get to know the other window cleaners in your area make a point of saying hello when you out working and come along one.
Most will speak back , Not many will ignore you if you make a point of saying hello
This way once they have got to know you may pass some work your way that they no longer want.
Paul
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Excellent advice Jay ;)
Do you mind if I pinch a copy for the guide I wrote, at least this way it will be a Permanent reminder and not lost in a few days? I will inclued youre name in the thanks section.
Thats the only problem I can find with this forum, good advice like this is lost within a few days, and never put into a section for it to be found easily.
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Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
What a fantastic post, well done Jay, pat on the back there, if only all posts were as helpful ;)
One thing missed was a website ;) this generates quite a few jobs, and easy pays for it's self from just 2 new customers. :D makes them look more professional and give customers new an old an added contact point.
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Hi Jay
I am about to start canvassing next week and i have never knocked on doors before. I am a bit worried about the reaction i will get.
so thanks for writing you coments they will help me.
James
hi james, just take trevors advice (above) and should work fine and be confident ;)
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Excellent advice Jay ;)
Do you mind if I pinch a copy for the guide I wrote, at least this way it will be a Permanent reminder and not lost in a few days? I will inclued youre name in the thanks section.
Thats the only problem I can find with this forum, good advice like this is lost within a few days, and never put into a section for it to be found easily.
no probs jeff
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Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
What a fantastic post, well done Jay, pat on the back there, if only all posts were as helpful ;)
One thing missed was a website ;) this generates quite a few jobs, and easy pays for it's self from just 2 new customers. :D makes them look more professional and give customers new an old an added contact point.
good point and yes i do a website but i don't find that it generates a lot ???
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Excellent advice Jay ;)
Do you mind if I pinch a copy for the guide I wrote, at least this way it will be a Permanent reminder and not lost in a few days? I will inclued youre name in the thanks section.
Thats the only problem I can find with this forum, good advice like this is lost within a few days, and never put into a section for it to be found easily.
no probs jeff
Thanks Jay ;) ;)
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Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
What a fantastic post, well done Jay, pat on the back there, if only all posts were as helpful ;)
One thing missed was a website ;) this generates quite a few jobs, and easy pays for it's self from just 2 new customers. :D makes them look more professional and give customers new an old an added contact point.
good point and yes i do a website but i don't find that it generates a lot ???
if your website address is: http://www.grafterscleaning.co.uk/
it is not working this could be your problem m8, I can always help out ;)
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Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
What a fantastic post, well done Jay, pat on the back there, if only all posts were as helpful ;)
One thing missed was a website ;) this generates quite a few jobs, and easy pays for it's self from just 2 new customers. :D makes them look more professional and give customers new an old an added contact point.
good point and yes i do a website but i don't find that it generates a lot ???
if your website address is: http://www.grafterscleaning.co.uk/
it is not working this could be your problem m8, I can always help out ;)
thanx for that, i have not checked it for a while, i think it may have expired and i'm not sure if it's worth renewing it
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Jay, can i cut and paste the article for the DIY forum :)
might help others
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I know jay well and i can say his image is exceptional and his manner great, in the last year i would suggest he has doubled or nearly his business,
Well done jay and keep going :)
rgds, stuart
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Finally if any other old hands would like to add to this it would be helpfull to the newbies :)
Jay
What a fantastic post, well done Jay, pat on the back there, if only all posts were as helpful ;)
One thing missed was a website ;) this generates quite a few jobs, and easy pays for it's self from just 2 new customers. :D makes them look more professional and give customers new an old an added contact point.
good point and yes i do a website but i don't find that it generates a lot ???
if your website address is: http://www.grafterscleaning.co.uk/
it is not working this could be your problem m8, I can always help out ;)
thanx for that, i have not checked it for a while, i think it may have expired and i'm not sure if it's worth renewing it
Hi there,
send me an email with the problems you had with your site to design@windowwashers.co.uk
annoys the hell out of me when people just sell someone a website and it does not work for them or have no idea of the business, I maybe able to tell you what went wrong, I will be totally honest with you and straight to the point as I dont like beating round the bush I do design websites for window cleaners but I will not try and sell you one if you wanted one I would not turn it down though ;)
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Great advice Jay, been W/C for just under a year and I'll be out there tomorrow with renewed confidence, thanks mate ;D
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Very well thought through Jay / grafters, and very well explained. Perhaps you should do this for a living.
Window cleaners are a pleasant enought bunch. I can't help chuckiling at ww though, he doesn't give in does he?
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Very well thought through Jay / grafters, and very well explained. Perhaps you should do this for a living.
Window cleaners are a pleasant enought bunch. I can't help chuckiling at ww though, he doesn't give in does he?
glad I made you chuckle VG ;) and answer to your question is never ;D nothing wrong with helping people is there VG? I have helped a few people on here now :D
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Jay, can i cut and paste the article for the DIY forum :)
might help others
ofcourse you can matt
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I know jay well and i can say his image is exceptional and his manner great, in the last year i would suggest he has doubled or nearly his business,
Well done jay and keep going :)
rgds, stuart
thanx stuart, that was nice ;D
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Very well thought through Jay / grafters, and very well explained. Perhaps you should do this for a living.
Window cleaners are a pleasant enought bunch. I can't help chuckiling at ww though, he doesn't give in does he?
thanx VG, as for WW perhaps i should get on to him to find out where my websites gone?
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Very well thought through Jay / grafters, and very well explained. Perhaps you should do this for a living.
Window cleaners are a pleasant enought bunch. I can't help chuckiling at ww though, he doesn't give in does he?
thanx VG, as for WW perhaps i should get on to him to find out where my websites gone?
your website is back up working again (well it is there anyway) I can point out straight away a few problems and why you are thinking the way you are, as I said email me and I will help. And VG be nice.
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UPDATE:
As I said earlier we finished early this week so I gave my son the day off and went canvassing on my own today, I started at 9-30am and finished by 1-30pm having gained 5 more jobs in one road including a conservatory roof clean, all jobs were between £12 - £17 (excluding the con roof clean)
This week alone I have gained 13 new jobs with very little effort.
Now for another tip. This would only apply to you if you are WFP.
When canvassing I often look out for houses on a main road with double yellow lines out the front, 2 reasons for this, 1 is that are always dirty from the passing traffic and 2 most w/cs that are trad will not touch them risking the chance of picking up a parking ticket where as using wfp I have never got a ticket yet (fingers crossed) because the warden can see that you are working on the property due to the trailing hose from the van, where as if you were trad once you’ve removed the ladder and at the back of the property you run the risk of a ticket.
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UPDATE:
As I said earlier we finished early this week so I gave my son the day off and went canvassing on my own today, I started at 9-30am and finished by 1-30pm having gained 5 more jobs in one road including a conservatory roof clean, all jobs were between £12 - £17 (excluding the con roof clean)
This week alone I have gained 13 new jobs with very little effort.
Now for another tip. This would only apply to you if you are WFP.
When canvassing I often look out for houses on a main road with double yellow lines out the front, 2 reasons for this, 1 is that are always dirty from the passing traffic and 2 most w/cs that are trad will not touch them risking the chance of picking up a parking ticket where as using wfp I have never got a ticket yet (fingers crossed) because the warden can see that you are working on the property due to the trailing hose from the van, where as if you were trad once you’ve removed the ladder and at the back of the property you run the risk of a ticket.
Very true Jay.
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Thanks once again Jay ;)
I have now added it to the beginners guide to wfp (updated version) on the academy under the Tips section.
Nice piece Jay, some good tips, and well worthy of a place in the guide;)
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Thanks once again Jay ;)
I have now added it to the beginners guide to wfp (updated version) on the academy under the Tips section.
Nice piece Jay, some good tips, and well worthy of a place in the guide;)
yr welcome jeff
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Thanks once again Jay ;)
I have now added it to the beginners guide to wfp (updated version) on the academy under the Tips section.
Nice piece Jay, some good tips, and well worthy of a place in the guide;)
yr welcome jeff
GCS what is your email address??
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Thanks once again Jay ;)
I have now added it to the beginners guide to wfp (updated version) on the academy under the Tips section.
Nice piece Jay, some good tips, and well worthy of a place in the guide;)
yr welcome jeff
GCS what is your email address??
graftersinfo@hotmail.co.uk <graftersinfo@hotmail.co.uk>
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Thanks once again Jay ;)
I have now added it to the beginners guide to wfp (updated version) on the academy under the Tips section.
Nice piece Jay, some good tips, and well worthy of a place in the guide;)
yr welcome jeff
GCS what is your email address??
graftersinfo@hotmail.co.uk <graftersinfo@hotmail.co.uk>
email sent
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Jay, what a good point about parking and trailing hoses to true,
;Dunless your handbrake does'nt work ;D
regards, stuart
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Jay, what a good point about parking and trailing hoses to true,
;Dunless your handbrake does'nt work ;D
regards, stuart
;)nice one stuart, only those in the know will understand this comment ;D
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Another tip for newbies and canvassing.
Try to speak to a long established window cleaner and he will probably advise you which areas to canvass in - most will know which areas are not currently serviced by a window cleaner for whatever reason. Canvassing 'virgin' estates is much easier and more rewarding. You will get houses closer together as well.
Spruce
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ANOTHER UPDATE:
with ref to my last post, today i have recieved 2 more phone calls from the same road and quoted them both and got them, btw i left cards in these ones as they were dirty and obvious they did not have a w/c
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i know mate rgds stu
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well done jay good post its good to see people on here that like to help others good on ya marc
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well done jay good post its good to see people on here that like to help others good on ya marc
thanx marc, that's whats good about this forums
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thanks for this. it seems to be the answer to a few of my posts from not long ago when i started up, and the tips will hopefully help me get more work in the future.
a lot of people on these forums appear to enjoy not helping others, i dont understand why,c os there are a few on here who are hte opposite - and it is nice to see posts saying 'come see me monday and i'll show you' or other things that show forum membrs helping out others - all too many times people on here need help and dont get it, i know cos iv neded help and not had any.
thanks for this and keep up any guides - this should be made a sticky thread..so it doesnt get lost :)
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thanks for this. it seems to be the answer to a few of my posts from not long ago when i started up, and the tips will hopefully help me get more work in the future.
a lot of people on these forums appear to enjoy not helping others, i dont understand why,c os there are a few on here who are hte opposite - and it is nice to see posts saying 'come see me monday and i'll show you' or other things that show forum membrs helping out others - all too many times people on here need help and dont get it, i know cos iv neded help and not had any.
thanks for this and keep up any guides - this should be made a sticky thread..so it doesnt get lost :)
it is tru SparklingWC people that come here sometimes dont help, they are bored maybe, I always help if I can, along with many many members, some will always try and drag things down, same as window cleaning. ignor and they get bored ;)
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If the questions are specific and not vague then it's very rare to come on here for info and not find the answer for it.
If your post disappears without an answer then just bump it up again by clicking on the "modify" button and adding another full stop or something so you don't have to rewrite.
The answers will come in the end. People like helping when they can, so you've been very unlucky if you've had a legitimate question that has gone unanswered.
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failing the above then do a search. There's very little that hasn't been posted about before.
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bump ;)
get a website, thats a good idea for getting more work. ;)
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bump to keep it fresh for newbies :)
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latetest update re canvassing.
had a really good day today workwise, finished about 2pm then went home for a bath and put on clean clothes ready to canvassing for an hour or so.
started to canvass at 3-45pm and finished by 5-00pm
total of 6 new jobs gained, total value £103
averaged out at just over £17-00 per house
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As a newbie, i really appreciate your info. Just one more question, you mentioned canvass companies. Are you able to provide me with details of which served you well in your experience? Once again, many thanks for your information
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it is nice to see posts saying 'come see me monday and i'll show you' or other things that show forum membrs helping out others
I wouldnt mind if anyone would let me tag along with them for a day.
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Well done Jay , the best post i have seen for a long , long, time .
Used to be on here every day , but it got that little same old same old , if you know what i mean ?
My round was going great guns , uprated from E plate Astra van and ladders and work clothes , to signwritten Transporter , fresh signwritten workwear ,WFP, THE WORKS .
But lately i have found myself in a viscous circle , not making any more no matter how hard i try , partly down to bad pricing in the early days , and definately down to letting the image slide , just looked at my work wear , faded , full of holes , in short a mess !
I dont get the time to canvass , im scared to put prices up , i am generally in a bad place to be for a self employed person !
After reading your post , i feel it is time to smarten up the image to how it used to be , get the price rises sorted , and kick myself up the arse a bit !
So although you didnt want to tell the seasoned WC to suck eggs , i feel you have made it clear to me where im losing touch , ive not been in the trade for anything like the length of time as lets say wrinkly old Dave St Ives ;D ,but i should definately know better !
Once again , fantastic post , reckon you have just sorted out my new year resolutions for me !
All the best , Rich P @ F
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Personally being still very much a newb..I have found that knowing what my business is doing each week helps me know where I want to go...
Realistic targets are the key....I use them to know where I am and this in turn guides me to knowing where I want to be...
Persistance is the key whether you canvass&leaflet, or just canvass...I personally just leaflet.....
Personally I have targets set upto 2010...
Cheers to all
Dave.