Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on July 16, 2008, 03:35:39 pm
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I've had enough of this. >:(
Supposed to be going on holiday next week, but I'm going to have no money.
Totally out of work once again by 12.00 today, £80-odd done.
About £70 to do tomorrow if I'm lucky.
2 houses on friday.
That'll pay the bills, but sod all left over.
I've only had 2 new jobs in the last 2 or 3 months, and they both wanted 8-weekly, as have lots of my existing ones become.
While others around me boast about these £80 jobs they get and £200+ days.
Either other people are very lucky with the work they get, or they're exaggerating.
To me, this job is crap and getting worse.
I was making more money 5 years ago than I am now, and I've got a van and everything else to pay for.
I've had enough.
There's no job I'm going to walk into that will pay decent, so where to from here?
The bloody Severn Bridge at this rate.
Why did I post this?
God knows...no good bottling it up. :(
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" One " could very rude and ask why you are not out canvassing for new business ?
Please do not take this as a cynically rude reply however after reading your post that is the very first thing that came into my mind. I do know I too am not working but I have not complained about business in general.
Regards and I do hope it picks up for you.
Davie
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Hi Squeaky!, I know you are down but it can't all be that bad! You say that you only have gained 2 customers in the last 3 months but how did you get them? How do you advertise yourself? What about canvassing? When I use to be short of work I would canvass every evening between 6-8 pm Monday to Friday then 10-4 Saturday Yes some nights I would walk away with nothing but others loads. I found that on average I would get two new customers per hour. So thats an average of 28 per week. Even at say £5.00 each thats £140 p.w extra. It might be a bit late to help you for the holiday but I would recommend trying it when you get back.
Pete ;)
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Nobody else needs to canvass, they just get work on a plate all the time.
As it is, I have advertised in a village where I wanted more work with no results.
Then another window cleaner today says he has some new ones to do there, with no advertising at all.
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Nobody else needs to canvass, they just get work on a plate all the time.
Not true you just think they do because your down!
As it is, I have advertised in a village where I wanted more work with no results.
Then another window cleaner today says he has some new ones to do there, with no advertising at all.
And how did he get them? Canvassing? Recommendation? You say you were advertising in the village how exactly? I am not trying to have a dig I just thought that if you gave us some background then maybe we could steer you in the right direction.
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surely people don't get handed work all the time do they?
you need to keep injecting business, the more you put yourself about the more work you'll have coming in.
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Nobody else needs to canvass, they just get work on a plate all the time.
As it is, I have advertised in a village where I wanted more work with no results.
Then another window cleaner today says he has some new ones to do there, with no advertising at all.
You need to sit down and think what your are doing wrong m8, something has to be wrong if others are not having this problem.
I know you do not like people saying you are doing something wrong but you are either the most unlucky bloke in the world or your doing something wrong, I would go for the later IMO it's not a knock at you, just trying to help
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Holiday, i've not been away on holiday for 9yrs :'(
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You sound really down...sorry to hear this.....but you know as well as I do (you've been around long enough)...you just need to get out and leaflet/knock on doors and wear out some boot leather....you're a bright enough guy despite being a bit of a numpty sometimes ;) ....
Just get out an give you're self something to work harder for..perhaps some new camera gear? or just a a nice treat....
I hope you feel better about it all soon
Dave.
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Nobody else needs to canvass, they just get work on a plate all the time.
As it is, I have advertised in a village where I wanted more work with no results.
Then another window cleaner today says he has some new ones to do there, with no advertising at all.
Hi Squeaky
That's not true. I only picked up about 2 or 3 jobs in the last few months by doing nothing other than being in the right place at the right time. The other 30 I picked up was directly from leafletting. I have picked up nearly 240 in the last 11 months and the vast vajority was from a leaflet they needed to put in the window. I get down from time to time but I remind myself the hard work is done, I had months during the winter where nearly everything was a first or second clean. Now they are on 6,7,8 or even 9 and it is getting easier.
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And how did he get them? Canvassing? Recommendation? You say you were advertising in the village how exactly? I am not trying to have a dig I just thought that if you gave us some background then maybe we could steer you in the right direction.
I was advertising in the shop and pub, and put the word out with existing customers.
He just bumped into someone.
surely people don't get handed work all the time do they?
It appears so.
I don't know anyone around here who canvasses.
You sound really down...sorry to hear this.....but you know as well as I do (you've been around long enough)...you just need to get out and leaflet/knock on doors and wear out some boot leather....
Last time I did that I got 1 new one from hundreds of leaflets and door knocks.
..and that was before the credit crunch we have now...
Cheers anyway everyone. :)
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ive only picked up a few in the past few months, they have all been very nice, ( i feel my rate of picking up new customers is slow because i only have a few select area's i work in, the rest i pass on to others )
you need something to aim for, as pingu said, aim for some new camera kit or a holiday
im starting to head down the slope of being cheesed off with this again, nothing wrong with the job, its just so dull
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I've picked up work from other cleaners who have full rounds. One cleaner who's been at it for twenty five years, who a lot of people think is a right miserable sod has given me work too. Always worth keeping in with local cleaners - it won't be the cream but at least it's work.
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I advertise in the local Parish Magazine (good results from that); the local shop, with a nice glossy flyer (crap results) and the van is sign-written (excellent results from that, immediate results too). I have work coming in pretty regularly because of this; do you offer and advertise for gutter cleaning, fascia and soffit cleaning Roger?
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Matt said -
im starting to head down the slope of being cheesed off with this again, nothing wrong with the job, its just so dull
I know the feeling i have been really cheesed off with it the last few weeks but i go through phases like that and next week it will be i think its the best job i have every had and wouldn't change it for the world.
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I advertise in the local Parish Magazine (good results from that); the local shop, with a nice glossy flyer (crap results) and the van is sign-written (excellent results from that, immediate results too). I have work coming in pretty regularly because of this; do you offer and advertise for gutter cleaning, fascia and soffit cleaning Roger?
Yes i do, it's in big letters on the van.
It's only got me 2 or 3 in the last 16 months though.
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if i get any new customers out your way , there all yours !
( how likely is that ? )
i hope it doesnt spoil your holiday in any way .
best wishes , for when you come back
lloyd .
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If all else fails squeaks go poach some of tosh's work ,I'm sure he'll love you for it ;) ;D ;D
then again perhaps not
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Just need to go Canvassing, work is going bad here aswell, even though I still do £200+ days, customers are dropping like flies lol.
Nothing but good old canvassing to get work, there are about 20 window cleaners in a 4 mile radius here, can get me down. Haven't been able to go out canvassing due to depression and emotional stress. Need to go out again.
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I advertise in the local Parish Magazine (good results from that); the local shop, with a nice glossy flyer (crap results) and the van is sign-written (excellent results from that, immediate results too). I have work coming in pretty regularly because of this; do you offer and advertise for gutter cleaning, fascia and soffit cleaning Roger?
Yes i do, it's in big letters on the van.
It's only got me 2 or 3 in the last 16 months though.
do you have a website Squeaky? it may help and no I am not trying to sell you one. Will be easier to remember than a number. What new things have you tried to get more work ?
I see you avoided commenting on my last post, I was only trying to help you ;)
Ian
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hi squeaky
is that your ad in the review, if so i will pass it on to my enquirerys,
and hope that will help you.if not email me your no on mport52@googlemail.com
and i will pass it on
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i put out 2 - 300 leaflets every sunday and more when the weathers been
that bad i cant work i get 1 or 2 quotes from this every week its not masses
but every bit helps :)
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If all else fails squeaks go poach some of tosh's work ,I'm sure he'll love you for it ;) ;D ;D
I don't want council estates anyway. ;D
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Sorry to hear of your news Squeeky :-[
May I make a few suggestions?
Work on Saturday for a while in the areas of your round you would like new business. If people see you they will ask you to do theirs. Have Sunday and Monday off for a while.
We all hate canvasing but go out every other evening for a week or two and you'll be surprised how many new customers pick up.
You do have to speculate to accumulate be that financially or physically to keep you business alive. Ians idea of a website will do you more favors than most other advertising as the web has become a good source for finding services for most people now days. I get five or so new enquiries a week from my website. I have stopped all other advertising as its not that good.
How about you leaflet all your existing customers offering gutter and fascia cleaning at 10% discount. Anything is better than doing nothing.
It might seem hard now but things will pick up as with a little effort they always do. Just remember nothing is for free.
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I don't know anyone around here who canvasses.
You sound really down...sorry to hear this.....but you know as well as I do (you've been around long enough)...you just need to get out and leaflet/knock on doors and wear out some boot leather....
Last time I did that I got 1 new one from hundreds of leaflets and door knocks.
..and that was before the credit crunch we have now...
Chin up, Rog.
But with regards to new work, you've got to get your name out there. For a long time I was the only window cleaner in our Local Pages and Yellow Pages, and it definately brought in some work; slowly; but some corking jobs too.
We'll also spend at least one day per month leafletting, and I will canvass if I get a good response back from a leaflet drop. Sometimes the responses from leaflets are dissapointing; we leafletted the whole of Mathern (a nice posh villaige) and only had one request for a quote; which I stuck in a nice price and got (£13 for 8 windows).
But in other places, Bigstone Meadow for example, I've five new customers from a leaflet drop (one at £25 and four at £10) and they're a doddle.
We also leafletted the posh parts of Tutshill; and only had one response which turned into a £20 a month job.
It's just a numbers game, and you only get out what you put in; and I do re-leaflet the areas I like.
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Sometimes the responses from leaflets are dissapointing; we leafletted the whole of Mathern (a nice posh villaige)
This is where I was advertising and asking around.
I got nothing either.
Spoke to Ian today, and he's got half a dozen big ones to do from people just asking him. ::)
How does he get £50,000 worth of work a day from doing sod all?
ps. Sorry, I took the p*ss, then you posted a nice message... :-[
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hi squeaky
is that your ad in the review, if so i will pass it on to my enquirerys,
and hope that will help you.if not email me your no on mport52@googlemail.com
and i will pass it on
No, isn't me Mike.
I wasn't sure about Lydney direction, as I guessed the prices would be lower than Chepstow area.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm sure it's about £3 a house in Cinderford. ;D
Cheers mate.
I e-mail you in a bit.
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£3 a house , dont make me laugh ;D
used to have a round up there years ago, it was always damn cold
even in the summer ;D ;D ;D
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squeeky.
personally I think you are canvassing the wrong way. Yo should be going out in the evening (6-8pm) armed to the teeth with business cards. Saturday mornings are good too.
you're too fussy with work anyway, council estates can be rough but private small houses can be good payers.
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Either other people are very lucky with the work they get, or they're exaggerating.
Just another thought, why don't you get a sign written uniform?
I've got a handfull of jobs, including one really good one, just because someone has read the back of my shirt.
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squeeky.
personally I think you are canvassing the wrong way. Yo should be going out in the evening (6-8pm) armed to the teeth with business cards. Saturday mornings are good too.
you're too fussy with work anyway, council estates can be rough but private small houses can be good payers.
The point I was making though, is why do I have to canvass for work when others don't?
If you're offering it to them you can't name as good a price as if they come to you.
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Sorry for saying this but it seems to me like you need a kick up the arse and need to get out there and try to get more work ::)
I like you roger and enjoys your posts but you need to look for the work not let the work look for you.
You dont seem very motivated buddy
Bob
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Chin up Squeeky. Failure cannot live with persistency.
I lost a lot from Jan 08 to Apr 08 and was getting a bit cheesed off opening SAE's. Just have to work harder to obtain new customers. I'm back to a full round again, hard work getting new customers at desirable prices though.
My van is signwritten and I park it in town or the local hotspots on week-ends as it's free advertising. I've had quite a few enquiries from it.... perhaps you should do the same.
Trouble with a lack of work is the fact that you're not out working and being seen by others. When you're too busy, everyone notices you. Make a point of going out canvassing and being seen if you have no work certain days.
Kev R made a good point about working Saturdays to catch the domestic customers and have a day off mid week in lieu of it for a change. New customers you've never seen will notice you for a change.
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good point wayne
when you are busy, people see you working, and you get more enquiries.
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Keep the faith Roger,.. it'll come right.
With the economic slowdown it is harder to pick up custies than it was this time last year,.. and the other cleaners near you who pick up work without canvassing probably have a customer base containing more young professionals and family's with kids,.. the kind of custie that networks and recommends a lot more than your older customer base might.
The only thing to do is learn and adapt. Diversify, canvass (Or pay someone to do it for you,.. commission only, and payment after you get paid of course!), maybe a small ad in the local rag. ( B&W text only seems to work well for window cleaning ads!),.. persevere through the hard times,.. even at its worst cleaning windows beats an office job!
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hey rog,
I recanvass all around my work every 12 months - 18 months.
You need to keep doing it to bulk up your work.
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Squeaky,
I remember from other posts from you that you only work in a 0.5 mile radius of your house.
Why don't you go out canvassing? Cast your net a little wider - Perhaps try 1 - 2 miles from your home???
;)
Andy
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You could buy some work or get a firm to canvass a round for you,if you go to the bank and your already in business they will lend you the money it`s a lot easier getting money from the bank if your already trading and not starting from scratch.It might require a small business plan with figures showing future earnings and profits but if you have some sort of assets ie home it would be no problem.Do you have someone that could lend you say 5k for a firm to get you say 2-2.5k worth extra a month,you could pay it back in no time.
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People pick up on positive and negative attitudes, always smile and whistle when you are working - it really does get noticed.
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why not try and fill in the gaps in your round
when you clean a few in the street, pop a card or flyer though the doors of the houses you dont do
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Rog.
Sorry to hear you are feeling down at the moment.
The answer to your question is probably a combination of things all of which have been mentioned already. I have always watched your posts with interest and have noticed a trend. This isn't a dig at you or anything.. just an observation. You do seem to be "Up and down" (OMG Gail has just seen the up and down bit and is laffin at a window cleaner being up and down :) quite a bit in your moods. In these crazy days more and more folk are like that. Stress and depression are at an all time high.
The problem with being in a down period is that the motivation goes, everything seems hard work and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. These feelings are picked up by the customers and it affects them. If you phone a company and you get a cheery "Good morning etc the impression you get is good...phone another and get someone saying the same but in a surly way you get an entirely different impression and it immediately puts you off them.
I know this will seem hard and you will probably think it won't work but try the following.
1/ Buy a decent sign written teeshirt and sweatshirt... they are cheap enough and you will be able to get them locally.
2/ Decide how much new work you want/need.
3/ Decide where you want it (There is ALWAYS some work in any area) Some more than others.
4/ Get some decent A5 leaflets printed one side, one colour. £100 ish for 5000 or 10,000 ..I cant remember but that is around the price.
5/ Go out and CANVASS between 6 ish and 8ish 3 or 4 evenings a week until you have got the work you want. One "hit" leaflet drops are almost a waste of time.. it's the repeat ones that bring in work over a long period of time. Leave your leaflet through the "No answer doors and go back to those a couple of days later.
6/ Come back and tell us how good you feel when you have got your target :)
Now.. you can probably think of many reason this won't work but I promise you it will. Just accept that sometimes it will seem like a hard slog with a lot of no-takers but you will also get evenings when you seem to hit a purple patch. Just remember when you are out there that your next new customer could be living at the next door you knock.
I bet you Ian is always on the lookout for new customers and it is all down to him that he seems to get work walking through the door... It doesnt.. it's down to opening the door first and I bet you Ian does that all the time.
Over and out... and all the best. :)
Andrew
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roger
if you want a web site, let me know, i will knock 1 up for you if you want, though to be honest im not sure thats the answer
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People pick up on positive and negative attitudes, always smile and whistle when you are working - it really does get noticed.
Smile, yes. (which I always do).
Whistle, no.
People who whistle need to be punched. Hard.
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Squeaky,
I remember from other posts from you that you only work in a 0.5 mile radius of your house.
Why don't you go out canvassing? Cast your net a little wider - Perhaps try 1 - 2 miles from your home???
;)
Andy
No, about 7 miles actually. ;D
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Thankyou for that big post Andrew.
I appreciate it.
It's what I've done unsuccessfully before, but I know it works for some.
As far as Ian picking up work by opening doors...no he doesn't, he just gets randoms asking him all the time, where as I don't.
He picked up a local pub at over £60 a week while waiting at the traffic lights outside.
I pull up there many times a day, but he gets asked.
That £240-odd extra a month would get me a new house, hence improving my life.
To him it's just a bit more money he can't spend.
It's so frustrating. >:(
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Squeaky,
There must be some affluent little villages within a 20 / 25 mile radius of where you live? Why not canvass areas like this?
The furthest I travel for a days work is 30 miles away - But the £'s are well worth the travelling!
Andy
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Squeaky,
There must be some affluent little villages within a 20 / 25 mile radius of where you live? Why not canvass areas like this?
I have in the past unsuccessfully.
Trouble is there's dozens of window cleaners around here and in the nice places within that distance.
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Wow you really are feeling down Rog :(
I swear if I were near enough to you I would give you a couple of evenings a week and go out with you to prove it can work for anyone mate.
Come on.. I dare you.. give it a go. You MUST set yourself a target of total value of new work first and MUST stick to the canvassing schedule you set to get it though or it won't work.
As to dozens of window cleaners there are and always have been the same here. ALL seeming to work for peanuts but I always managed to get the new work I wanted. I just stuck at it untilI did.
Andrew
Andrew
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He picked up a local pub at over £60 a week while waiting at the traffic lights outside.
I pull up there many times a day, but he gets asked.
And I used to clean that very same pub at £45 (which was a good price; Ian does a little bit extra; but not enough to justify the extra price; the git (I've also cleaned this pub for Ian too))!
But when the ownership changed and I lost the job, I never bothered my arse going in there to say, 'Hi, do you need a window cleaner?'.
I wish I did, and I've learnt a lesson.
A shy child gets nowt!
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Yea, I say lets see if Rogers little 'on-line' green light goes out, at least it might be some sort of evidence that he's out there putting some footwork in.
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Roger
Do you only clean windows?
What about gutters and pressure washing? Nice earners for those wet days or when you run out of windows to clean.
Bob
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You know Roger I am a bit of a numbers geek and watch my business like a hawk down to how much I earn for every km I drive...(yes it's weird but...so am I ;) ) but doing these types of figures allow me to know exactly how my business is running...
At the start of the year I 'project' how many new customers I want, how much in monetary terms I want to earn..this is then watched on a weekly basis...so I know how we are doing and if things start to look like the 'projection' is deviating too much I make extra effort where required...
So I suppose what I am saying in a long winded..."look at me" kind of way is...
You have to know where you want to be in order to get there and then make steps to reach your objective...
I know you have been in this game for many years and you have seen many things but you have to make those efforts every day, week in, week out...
I wish you well and as Andrew McCaan has said get out there and canvass...
I am sure that those who are genuinly pulling in loads of new customers at decent rates are not sat back and having their doors knocked down by said new customers...they are out there and to get them you need to be out there too.
Good luck Rog
Dave.
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There's only one thing left to do - set fire to Ians van. ;D
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I know this will be a bit controversial but would ever go back to ladders, it seems you have never been truly happy since going over to wfp and all the expense seems to be putting more pressure on.
Gordon.
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I think that at one stage or another we have all been a bit cheessed off with life, work etc etc etc.
At the end of the day, not wanting to sound like a know it all twit, but you get out what you put it. The fact that Ian is getting work even when he is having a dump shouldnt really get to you. I bet when he started he had gaps in his work. LIke others have said, do some door knocking, leaflet drops and get shed loads of business cards printed and give one to everybody you meet. Just because Ian isnt knocking on doors doesnt mean you cant. Offer your existing custies a little discount for recommending you to friends or neighbours.
Or sell your round to ian, work for him and pinch all his custies. ( thats a joke incase anyone doesnt realise.)
Chin up mr sqeaks,
Ant
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Look I am going to be honest here. It seems that you want to be picky with the work you do but you can only do that when you have the work already and you are looking to improve your earnings.
What I did was:
1. Canvass - Between 6-8 weeknights and 10-4 sats. - you say that no one else canvasses in the area so what. Maybe they are the fools who are missing plenty of opportunities, why should you miss out on the same? This will give you the base of custom to work from no offence but you seem to be a bit put out about others work and how they get it - forget em' worrying about how they do won't pay YOUR bills. As an aside IMO you are aiming to be to local (put it this way if I had a nice run of well paid work in Chepstow then I would travel down from Tewkesbury - If I didn't have enough work and I knew that I could make a profit as opposed to nothing then I would travel - whats to lose? If I made a profit vs nothing then how can you lose? Exactly!
2. Website: Even a simple one will do. Mine is rubbish compared to loads i've seen but yet I get loads of work from it - especially commercial - Why Exposure. I am on every free listing poss and I also use google addwords to ensure that I get the exposure I want from keywords.
3. Yellow pages: This one does seem to be hit and miss however, I seem to do well from mine.
4. Customers - Ive said this before but you'd be amazed what your customers do for a living - My 3 biggest commercial contracts came from one residential customer. He is a purchasing manager for a national "services" company who were in need of a window cleaner. If I had never asked him what I did then I would of never of got the job.
5. Fellow window cleaners - Why do think I was acting like Miss Marple in the "Got to get rid customer letter thread" ? Because I saw an opportunity to get more work. Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities. Don't wait for the work to come to you and miss out - get in first!!!
The Total cost of me doing all these things was under £500 per year and it has worked for me!
Finally don't expect to just sit on your backside waiting for it to happen for you because it wont, quite frankly you only gain from what you put into a business. No effort = no gain. it's as simple as that. True you see these guys and they seem to have work coming to them on a plate but I am sure they have put the groundwork in the first place. Because of that effort now they can see the benefit of that effort, So what I am saying is go out canvass, advertise and let people know you are about and available a bit of effort will be worth it, I promise! ;)
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All the advice is good. There have been times in my life when I have had to make a determined effort, usually because my wife left me, or I lost my job.What i'm trying to say is I have done things, the really successfull things, because I have been forced, not because I am clever.
When you are forced to do things there is a certain amount of humiliation, feeling foolish, and a necessary acceptance that you may not have been right about everything.
Did you ever get your van signwritten?
Where do you advertise?
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Buy some tfr & stick a 4 week ad in your most popular local(ish) paper for conservatory roof cleaning.
"From green to clean" or whatever, "pvc cleaning specialist" etc.
Dont mention window cleaning, just this. ;)
Tony
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I have in the past unsuccessfully.
Yes, but things change. Competition give up, move on, die or whatever. You need to be out there regularly looking or it will pass you by.
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I skipped all the posts ( sorry mate ) I do know how you feel ( I am 41 now and have been where you are now several times ) Give me a ring 07892 764 854 ;D If you dont ring , you will always wonder why ;)
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I skipped all the posts ( sorry mate ) I do know how you feel ( I am 41 now and have been where you are now several times ) Give me a ring 07892 764 854 ;D If you dont ring , you will always wonder why ;)
Kleeneaze! Don't ring him, Squeaks, he's just after getting you to flog some rubbish product.
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I skipped all the posts ( sorry mate ) I do know how you feel ( I am 41 now and have been where you are now several times ) Give me a ring 07892 764 854 ;D If you dont ring , you will always wonder why ;)
Kleeneaze! Don't ring him, Squeaks, he's just after getting you to flog some rubbish product.
Yes I admit it ! I tried that as well to earn some cash !
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Oh great Tosh my cover is blown now! I was going to save his life by getting him into betterware! ;D
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AVON - Thats the way to go!!!
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before i had enough work i toyed with the idea of doing a school crossing patrol.they are always short of people 2 45 min stints around 0900 and 1515,good money and half pay for nothing in the hols,and clean windows between
You could maximise the advertising potential on the top of the lollipop ! Instead of " STOP " , you could have your website ad , and your logo in illuminous pink !
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squeky...work does come to some people .... but they have done leaflets advertising in all forms , months even years in advance....iv been doing it 16 years and yet i see new wc dsoind work i have canvassed for years...SO WHAT!... i just get out there and knock , leaflet, and do whatever i can to better my life...we all get down...but we have to make a choice?
work for peanuts...£70- £80 a day like you said in your original post or take controll of your life.
taking controll means hard work, or working smart....the harder you work the easier it will be.
DONT BE PUT OFF BY THE BRAGGERS ON THIS FORUM....
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squeky...work does come to some people .... but they have done leaflets advertising in all forms , months even years in advance....iv been doing it 16 years and yet i see new wc dsoind work i have canvassed for years...SO WHAT!... i just get out there and knock , leaflet, and do whatever i can to better my life...we all get down...but we have to make a choice?
work for peanuts...£70- £80 a day like you said in your original post or take controll of your life.
taking controll means hard work, or working smart....the harder you work the easier it will be.
DONT BE PUT OFF BY THE BRAGGERS ON THIS FORUM....
Good post ;D
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Squeeks.....I have never canvassed my round it is being built by leaflets and word of mouth alone...but imagine if you with a little cheeky type banter were to leaflet and then canvass...I bet you would suprise yourself at what can be achieved inbetween now and crimbo...
Or you could just do sweet bugger all, moan, winge and fall into a hole of your own self pity.
I wonder what you'll do?
Good luck
Dave.
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I agree very much with the sentiments of the last few posts.
You got to go out there and do it.
All business is tough especially at the moment but you can't ever give up. Remember all the old cliches
When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Winners never quit, quitters never win
You can't do business sitting on your ar5e.
etc
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Rog
The work doesnt just fall on anyones lap, this is business , you have to go out and compete.
Ian has been at it a long time and will pick up twice as much as you if he tried just through drawing on his experience.
Sit down and work out much more money you want then go out and get it.
Dave
P.s Toshs saying says it all , A shy child gets nothing
PMA Positive mental attitude
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In a morning , I climb onto a chair amd sing zipeedee doodaa , I find this gives me the right start for the day ! ;D
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Squeaky,
You've been given some great advice!
What are you going to do? Are you going to follow some of it?
Andy
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The first thing that struck me with this post is that you can make 80 odd quid by 12 noon. I know window cleaners that make that in a day! Your business has potential, make no mistake about that.
Everything you need to know is in this thread, its just a matter of if you want it or not.
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In a morning , I climb onto a chair amd sing zipeedee doodaa , I find this gives me the right start for the day ! ;D
your nuts :o :o
but i like it ;D
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Update:
I remembered a new one I was asked to call on today.
I priced it well, and while I was there got the house next door too.
That one had two stunning teenage daughters in it too. :o
While I was doing that a lady walked past and asked me to price her's up, just up the road.
Got a decent price on that, but she wanted 8 weekly. >:(
Oh well, only yesterday I said I didn't get anything, then 3 in one go!
That's me £37 better off.
But the best thing about it...
Those daughters. ;D
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Those daughters.
;D I hear ya. Keeps things interesting doesn't it! I have a few tales from my younger days... ;)
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So roger.
Do you do any other work ie gutters or pressure washing?
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Squeaky, I might have an idea for you, give me a ring and its ok we wont talk football, well ok maybe we will.
Best, Dave.
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Squeeks , I thought you were depressed , but after reading your last post , you are not ;)
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Squeeks , I thought you were depressed , but after reading your last post , you are not ;)
Not in general, just work gets me down when I'm short of it, or not making the money I want to.
Bod, yes I clean the outsides of gutters and facia boards.
In fact, anything I can reach I'll clean.
I even did someone's car a while back. ;D
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Squeaky,
There's always work out there, are you WFP or ladders? And how long have you been established?
Look at other options with the vehicle and equipment you have, other than just window cleaning.
You say you have advertised yourself, but if your advert is cr*p then it can work against you rather than for you. Remember this is a potential clients first impression of you and your work.
If they look at the advert and think: "My 6 year old daughter could have done a better advert than that" then you are on to a none starter and will end up with only the illiterate as clients!
Make it professional, make yourself professional and get out there and canvas every house in your area, best time is in the evening between 6 - 9pm or on a Sunday morning after 10am.
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Sod yer holiday, come and clean my car in Norfolk............then we will go on the lash......maybe a club or 2 ;)
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I know £80 sounds crap, and i know how depressing it is to run out of work BUT how do you fancy earning £6 an hour in the local supermarket? Your doing ok, if it had rained all day instead you probably wouldn't have felt so bad. I've just had a crappy £70 day - ran out of work by eleven thirty and decided not to waste deisel looking for more work so came home. My first customer asked for a handfull of business cards so i must be doing something right. Unless he wanted to start a bonfire! ::)
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Roger , 87 posts in 24 hours says a lot about how much you are liked on this site mate ! Take care bud ;D
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Roger , 87 posts in 24 hours says a lot about how much you are liked on this site mate ! Take care bud ;D
Ain't all bad is it? ;D
Cheers guys. ;)
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It's because he's honest - makes far better reading than someone bragging how they can clean fifty houses a day in pouring rain. :)
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It's because he's honest - makes far better reading than someone bragging how they can clean fifty houses a day in pouring rain. :)
50 in a day would be quite good in the rain then again they most be match box houses
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It's because he's honest - makes far better reading than someone bragging how they can clean fifty houses a day in pouring rain. :)
Now is that wfp or trad ? ;D
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Don't even start down that track again!! >:(
Roger, bugger off on your holidays, have a good time, get p!ssed every night, then come back fully refreshed and ready to hit Chepstows windows with all you've got! 8)
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squeeky if you are still coming to cornwall for your holiday call into portreath for a pint.
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Northumberlands a much nicer place:
www.seashellscottage.co.uk (http://www.seashellscottage.co.uk)
www.pedal-power.co.uk (http://www.pedal-power.co.uk)
Plus I bet it's a cheaper pint............and it'll have a head on it!!
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Squeaky,
i know we have our arguments over football, and you always disagree with my comments, but hopefully you will have picked up some more work since your post started.
I have quite alot of work for me & the lads i employ. However, i DO NOT stop trying to gain more work, and better work than i have, i do not rest.
I advertise over the internet, buy the best quality flyers, buisness cards, posting constantly, walk into business's, phone others up, write into them, ANYTHING i possibly can.
I also NEVER price up cheaply in an attempt to gain the extra work.
I was once told "Always be dearer than your competitor, if you want to deal with the poor = give them money.
I am always looking for that Quality client, as his comments to other major clients will be "My window cleaner is bloody expensive, But he's bloody good"
It takes time & you have to be focused within yourself to hold your ground if they attempt to knock you down.
Keep going, your just having a rough time but it WILL come good, you have to believe in yourself & not let negative thinking take over.
Create your own luck, but constantly keep thinking ahead.
Dont think what others are gaining, just spend your energy thinking about yourself ,
And Remember - you are incharge of your own destiny as to where your business is going.
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Cheers Chris, appreciate it. ;)
Lots of food for thought on here, and I will be putting it all into practice.
To be fair, most of it I knew already, but I just needed to be told it.
Didn't think I should have to do it I guess... ???
Trouble is, the way things are with work and holiday and tax at the end of the month, finding the money to advertise isn't easy.
Still, where there's a will there's a way. :)
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Advertise, even without money is a must.
spread the cost over 12 months, i believe £1000.00 spent in the correct place will bring you in £2000.00 worth of work, just my way of thinking.
your just having a bad time at the moment, but IT WILL come good.
I feel down sometimes, but just got to change my way of thinking.
take a day off sometimes, and chill out & forget work for once, recharge yourself.
Because you feel down, you lose the heart.
Keep going, you'll be fine. :)
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gotta say saville
i read some of the football banter between you and squeeks
i thought you were a nob
but fair play
nice to see you are human after all ;D
chin up squeeks
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Advertising can be free :o Spick and span = free ! Yell.com=free ! I got 5 jobs recently , and one is a whopper . . . . honest ! :o ;D
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Squeaky,
I remember from other posts from you that you only work in a 0.5 mile radius of your house.
Why don't you go out canvassing? Cast your net a little wider - Perhaps try 1 - 2 miles from your home???
;)
Andy
if that is the case sorry to sound cold but you need to buck your ideas up, one of my jobs involves 3 hours travelling in one day, but my god is it worth it and it was priced well so that i dont give a monkeys if i am stuck on a motorway.
you could sell your van and get yourself a hand cart if you are only willing to work within a 0.5 miles of your house
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This site needs more mods ! The amount of bad advice on here is shamefull ! The owners of this site need to have a good hard look at there budget , and think of the missing revenue of people leaving . ::)
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agree
alan i have listened to your window advice and taken on board before
but
saville made a good heartfelt post for squeeks
they have gone hammer and tongs on football before
and i assumed that was all saville did
but his advice was sound
lets not de rail this
fair enough ;D
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Cheers Chris, appreciate it. ;)
Lots of food for thought on here, and I will be putting it all into practice.
To be fair, most of it I knew already, but I just needed to be told it.
Didn't think I should have to do it I guess... ???
Trouble is, the way things are with work and holiday and tax at the end of the month, finding the money to advertise isn't easy.
Still, where there's a will there's a way. :)
I would not beat yourself up about it go on holiday and recharge batteries, you can spread tax over 3/4 payments if your struggling, recharge and come back and put your ideas into practice
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Cheers Chris, appreciate it. ;)
Lots of food for thought on here, and I will be putting it all into practice.
To be fair, most of it I knew already, but I just needed to be told it.
Didn't think I should have to do it I guess... ???
Trouble is, the way things are with work and holiday and tax at the end of the month, finding the money to advertise isn't easy.
Still, where there's a will there's a way. :)
I would not beat yourself up about it go on holiday and recharge batteries, you can spread tax over 3/4 payments if your struggling, recharge and come back and put your ideas into practice
Will do Ian. ;)
I'll manage the tax, that's what business managers and overdrafts are for.
Can't really accuse me of fiddling it if it puts me in the red can they? ;D
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I dunno what you earn squeaky, but remind youself you could be doing a 40 hour week to earn that. Probably less.
Chin up. ;D
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Advertise, even without money is a must.
spread the cost over 12 months, i believe £1000.00 spent in the correct place will bring you in £2000.00 worth of work, just my way of thinking.
your just having a bad time at the moment, but IT WILL come good.
I feel down sometimes, but just got to change my way of thinking.
take a day off sometimes, and chill out & forget work for once, recharge yourself.
Because you feel down, you lose the heart.
Keep going, you'll be fine. :)
Even going out when you have no work and just doing a leaflet drop can be a big help. I reckon that, on average, each leaflet I drop is worth £1 per year on my turnover. It may take a few weeks or months for this to start showing but that's about right I reckon.
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A few replies deleted, as someone said (and I deleted their reply, sorry, there was nothing wrong with it, it was merely removed in context with some of the others) stick to the script!
Roger is often his own worst enemy, the song, "There's a hole in my bucket" is Roger to an absolute tee, no matter what you may feel inside Roger, this is the image you give out.
i Know that sounds like a dig, but it isn't, you exude negativity.
A week or two ago I had some major problems with the water and I had to jump through hoops in a short period of time to rectify it, if it had happened to you, you'd have been throwing your toys out the pram big style.
But I just got on and did what had to be done (including driving down to the 'Window cleaning warehouse' to get things I needed, if I hadn't you wouldn't have had any water yourself)
I don't go out knocking doors, but I do go out believing the work will come in.
I pulled up in Tesco's yesterday, turned off the ignition and a woman was tapping on the door asking for a card, and "Did I go out as far as Itton?" (You betcha!)
I collect off one of my shops and the one woman gives me a number to call, a potential large con roof clean, the woman sat next to her gives me her daughters number too.
I have to price a single account in Caldicot today, it will probably only amount to a £12.00 house, but I'll call on it anyway.
The half dozen accounts I had to price in Mathern came from just being parked up in a secluded area having a break, the woman knocked on the window wondering if I was lost? Then asked if I had a card.
She called after a day or two and I went to price her house up, then she told me to go price the others nearby, which I did, I've picked up two so far, waiting on 4 others to get back to me.
Another woman in an office I clean asked if I went as far as Easton in gordano, I told her I'd go anywhere if the price was right, distance was never a problem (what would you have told her Rog? Baring in mind you have to travel 16 miles and pay a £10.60 bridge toll?
Well I went there and it's turned into a £200 every 3 month job.
Mike the Newsagent gave you an address to call on from a woman who was desperate for a window cleaner...did you bother calling on it?
No you didn't, Mike reminded you and you grumped about it....probably not worth it...will drive past and see if it's worth pricing up...prob only worth a couple of quid...
The woman asked Mike where the window cleaner was he'd told her about, so as you hadn't bothered with it (after 3 or 4 weeks) he gave the address to me...£22.00 per month...nice little job.
I try to follow up on ever lead I get, my entire attitude is positive, I don't just believe the work will keep coming in, I KNOW the work will come in.
When you saw that I'd bought a backpack you almost laughed and said why bother? The van mount is much quicker, when I tell you to give your customers the option of online payments you come up with every reason under the sun why it wouldn't be any good for you.
Mention going for 'George' to organise your round and you find reasons to dismiss that too (I've found it fantastic).
You try to tell me you'd be much quicker doing my shops trad rather than using WFP, but you are wrong....
My sign written van brings me in loads of work, your own van is really eye catching, but never seems to get you any work.
You have to change your attitude, but the problem is you can't see it yourself, but your negativity shows itself on here too, many have picked up on it, even your family think the tune, "There's a hole in my bucket" is you!!
I'll bet that today I will have another request to price some work up...in the last couple of weeks I've picked up over 10 new accounts and I know that is going to continue....
Ian
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A few replies deleted, as someone said (and I deleted their reply, sorry, there was nothing wrong with it, it was merely removed in context with some of the others) stick to the script!
Roger is often his own worst enemy, the song, "There's a hole in my bucket" is Roger to an absolute tee, no matter what you may feel inside Roger, this is the image you give out.
i Know that sounds like a dig, but it isn't, you exude negativity.
A week or two ago I had some major problems with the water and I had to jump through hoops in a short period of time to rectify it, if it had happened to you, you'd have been throwing your toys out the pram big style.
But I just got on and did what had to be done (including driving down to the 'Window cleaning warehouse' to get things I needed, if I hadn't you wouldn't have had any water yourself)
I don't go out knocking doors, but I do go out believing the work will come in.
I pulled up in Tesco's yesterday, turned off the ignition and a woman was tapping on the door asking for a card, and "Did I go out as far as Itton?" (You betcha!)
I collect off one of my shops and the one woman gives me a number to call, a potential large con roof clean, the woman sat next to her gives me her daughters number too.
I have to price a single account in Caldicot today, it will probably only amount to a £12.00 house, but I'll call on it anyway.
The half dozen accounts I had to price in Mathern came from just being parked up in a secluded area having a break, the woman knocked on the window wondering if I was lost? Then asked if I had a card.
She called after a day or two and I went to price her house up, then she told me to go price the others nearby, which I did, I've picked up two so far, waiting on 4 others to get back to me.
Another woman in an office I clean asked if I went as far as Easton in gordano, I told her I'd go anywhere if the price was right, distance was never a problem (what would you have told her Rog? Baring in mind you have to travel 16 miles and pay a £10.60 bridge toll?
Well I went there and it's turned into a £200 every 3 month job.
Mike the Newsagent gave you an address to call on from a woman who was desperate for a window cleaner...did you bother calling on it?
No you didn't, Mike reminded you and you grumped about it....probably not worth it...will drive past and see if it's worth pricing up...prob only worth a couple of quid...
The woman asked Mike where the window cleaner was he'd told her about, so as you hadn't bothered with it (after 3 or 4 weeks) he gave the address to me...£22.00 per month...nice little job.
I try to follow up on ever lead I get, my entire attitude is positive, I don't just believe the work will keep coming in, I KNOW the work will come in.
When you saw that I'd bought a backpack you almost laughed and said why bother? The van mount is much quicker, when I tell you to give your customers the option of online payments you come up with every reason under the sun why it wouldn't be any good for you.
Mention going for 'George' to organise your round and you find reasons to dismiss that too (I've found it fantastic).
You try to tell me you'd be much quicker doing my shops trad rather than using WFP, but you are wrong....
My sign written van brings me in loads of work, your own van is really eye catching, but never seems to get you any work.
You have to change your attitude, but the problem is you can't see it yourself, but your negativity shows itself on here too, many have picked up on it, even your family think the tune, "There's a hole in my bucket" is you!!
I'll bet that today I will have another request to price some work up...in the last couple of weeks I've picked up over 10 new accounts and I know that is going to continue....
Ian
Thats easy for you to say :-* LOL
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Squeaky.
I've only been in this game for three year nows.
But have managed to build a full round, and now starting to see the rewards of my hard work - and it has been and still is REALLY hard work.
But, no matter how tired, or unmotivated I may have felt at times I ALWAYS had a smile, and was completely positive about my buisness of cleaning windows.
I think that is the key.
If you full of enthusiasm about something, it will naturally come across to the customer - in turn making them feel more relaxed around you, and therefore more inclined to give you work.
Always, always chase an enquiry ( I try to see any new enquiry within 24 hours of them contacting me), no matter how small it may be - othen the small accounts lead to bigger accounts.
Sort yourself out Squeaky! There IS work out there - get out there and get it.
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Squeaky,
I remember from other posts from you that you only work in a 0.5 mile radius of your house.
Why don't you go out canvassing? Cast your net a little wider - Perhaps try 1 - 2 miles from your home???
;)
Andy
if that is the case sorry to sound cold but you need to buck your ideas up, one of my jobs involves 3 hours travelling in one day, but my god is it worth it and it was priced well so that i dont give a monkeys if i am stuck on a motorway.
you could sell your van and get yourself a hand cart if you are only willing to work within a 0.5 miles of your house
Why don't you read the reply before commenting?
Andy had some wrong information or was thinking of someone else.
My work is up to 10 miles away but I'll work anywhere.
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I don't go out knocking doors, but I do go out believing the work will come in.
I pulled up in Tesco's yesterday, turned off the ignition and a woman was tapping on the door asking for a card, and "Did I go out as far as Itton?" (You betcha!)
Never happened to me.
Nothing to do with attittude that is it? ::)
The half dozen accounts I had to price in Mathern came from just being parked up in a secluded area having a break, the woman knocked on the window wondering if I was lost? Then asked if I had a card.
There it is again...never happens to me.
Another woman in an office I clean asked if I went as far as Easton in gordano, I told her I'd go anywhere if the price was right, distance was never a problem (what would you have told her Rog? Baring in mind you have to travel 16 miles and pay a £10.60 bridge toll?
I would have included it in the price and enjoyed it.
I'd love to have work in new areas, you know that.
Mike the Newsagent gave you an address to call on from a woman who was desperate for a window cleaner...did you bother calling on it?
No you didn't, Mike reminded you and you grumped about it....probably not worth it...will drive past and see if it's worth pricing up...prob only worth a couple of quid...
The woman asked Mike where the window cleaner was he'd told her about, so as you hadn't bothered with it (after 3 or 4 weeks) he gave the address to me...£22.00 per month...nice little job.
Mike told me it was couple of windows in a granny flat.
Couple of quid job.
I try to follow up on ever lead I get, my entire attitude is positive, I don't just believe the work will keep coming in, I KNOW the work will come in.
Mention going for 'George' to organise your round and you find reasons to dismiss that too (I've found it fantastic).
That's because you tried to tell me it would get me extra work. How?
You try to tell me you'd be much quicker doing my shops trad rather than using WFP, but you are wrong....
No I'm not. Georgians excepted.
My sign written van brings me in loads of work, your own van is really eye catching, but never seems to get you any work.
I'll bet that today I will have another request to price some work up...in the last couple of weeks I've picked up over 10 new accounts and I know that is going to continue....
You would do, because it always does.
Ian
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Just think of your holiday for now Squeaky and make yourself feel good 8)
if any of the posts have helped take note and do them when you get back, fresh start and all that. Positive mind = positive outlook
no point in brow beating you as not nice to kick a man when hes down.
Add a happy thought on my post for today, you never know it might make you smile ;D
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ive only been cleaning a couple of years and its been tough at times
moneys been tight my van got smashed up relationship problems due
to constant stress so i know how easy it is to be disillusioned but ive never
doubted i would succeed work keeps coming in steady now and every week
i leaflet, it does work for example i got a job
yesterday for fifty quid and the guy had my card 6 months before he called
i dont know you as a person and i dont like to judge but in your
posts you do tend to come across as the glass is half empty and the
only way is down rather than the glass is half full and the only way is up
sorry to use an old cliche ::)
hope things work out for you
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squeeky
I know exactly how you feel.Every time a major bill falls on the door mat you can guarantee it'll rain. When the water TDS is perfect the van plays up, and when the van's OK the waters dodgy. You go out from 8 AM till 6 PM and wonder who nicked all your cash from your wallet. Your not the only one that gets these days and I know it feels like your the only one that does.
I run three different businesses and haven't had a day off in four years, exept bank holidays, but this year I'm off to france for a couple of weeks on the bank. Just wake up in the morning, go to work, come home in the afternoon and forget about the rest. Everybody seems to have all the luck exept me, or so it seems, but yu just have to keep plodding on
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I didn't have a lot to do today, but I did get talking to one of my customers who is interested in buying some of my photographs and knows of others who would too!
I'm also going to knock up a portfolio to carry around with me in the van.
Could be the start of something good... :D
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hey squeaky
have a good holiday
hope you have plenty ;D ;D ;D
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Knock a portfollio ::).........get out there and knock doors, get the money you need.
Your photography is a hobby...............windows are your bread and butter.
Bob
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Knock a portfollio ::).........get out there and knock doors, get the money you need.
Your photography is a hobby...............windows are your bread and butter.
Bob
We'll see. ;)
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Have a good hol buddy...............plenty of beers me think :o
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There is nothing like the success of others for dragging down ones self esteem.
I felt the same a few weeks ago, when a young lad working on his own for four years, told me he was having to go VAT registered.
I thought he must be earning 60k a year, where the hell have I GONE WRONG?
When I had time to reflect on it, I realised that this guy had previously worked for a guy who had got into WFP early, and made a killing on hotel and contract work, he had cut his teeth on this kind of work and knew all the ins and outs. It is the fear of screwing up on price or something that has held me back.
Roger mate, we are all different, some of us have put limitations on ourselves even if we are not conscious of it.
There has been some very good and well intentioned posts here, most of what has being said you already knew.
The problem mate is in your head and you know it.
Your a well liked, popular member of C.I.U, the number of post with advice proves it.
Time to stick your nose in the trough mate, if you don't you'll starve.
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Argh!
no time to edit the thread as I have to go out!
But if I don't have too much of a thick head, rather a lot of replies are going to be deleted tomorrow!
Nothing offensive in them, they just need to be on the other section of the forum.
Ian
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i agree ...but if squeaky got his round right and a positive outlook he could earn a very good income on the windows 8am-12am on the windows, and then concentrate on promoting the photoes....if he can gvet the right balance and get moyivated, hes onto a winner
good luck squeaky
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i agree ...but if squeaky got his round right and a positive outlook he could earn a very good income on the windows 8am-12am on the windows, and then concentrate on promoting the photoes....if he can gvet the right balance and get moyivated, hes onto a winner
good luck squeaky
That's exactly what I want to do.
Pay my bills with the windows and do something I enjoy for my spending money.
Thanks to everyone who's posted on this thread.
I couldn't respond to every post, but it doesn't mean there was any that weren't appreciated. ;)
Nice to know people can help, and glad you all liked the photography!
Cheers once again. :)
Rog.
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i agree ...but if squeaky got his round right and a positive outlook he could earn a very good income on the windows 8am-12am on the windows, and then concentrate on promoting the photoes....if he can gvet the right balance and get moyivated, hes onto a winner
good luck squeaky
That's exactly what I want to do.
Pay my bills with the windows and do something I enjoy for my spending money.
Thanks to everyone who's posted on this thread.
I couldn't respond to every post, but it doesn't mean there was any that weren't appreciated. ;)
Nice to know people can help, and glad you all liked the photography!
Cheers once again. :)
Rog.
Glad the sun is shining today roger. :)
You are not the only one who struggles sometimes.
I started window cleaning with the intention of earning bill money + some more for myself. ;)
But i have got a mortgage now and i have found that my little pot of gold no longer exists. :o I have got to the speed where i am part time for what was much better money in my last full time job. But it is no longer enough. I'm in the process of moving out of my comfort zone, but it is taking time.
Window cleaning pays the bill ok though. Using it to finance another passion is what makes this job so perfect. I can't think of another job where you can do this.
Good luck with the pics. They do look fantastic.
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Nice to have some honesty.
Sometimes I have felt like jacking too.
Its great to have the encoragement of others from this site.
I hope you have a good holiday and when you come home work will come in speedly.
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Nice to have some honesty.
Sometimes I have felt like jacking too.
Its great to have the encoragement of others from this site.
I hope you have a good holiday and when you come home work will come in speedly.
Sure thing. I'm sure most of us go through times when we feel like quitting. The customers moan. The customers don't pay. The van keeps playing up. Some idiot rings up at midnight for a quotation. Someone cancels because your nose is too big. Some upper class twit tries to control you too much. I'm sure we've all had variations on this stuff. For me the beauty of it is that I no longer have to work for anyone who I dislike. Before I started W/Cing in '91, an old window cleaner who advised me briefly told me that he only worked for people who he liked. I thought he was nuts. I haven't taken it that far but I certainly don't work for anyone who I dislike (and it takes quite a bit for someone to evoke those feelings in me).
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Squeaky,
i didn't know you wanted to mix your window cleaning with photography otherwise i wouldn't have commented.
I thought you wanted to push & push your window cleaning like i do, and for that reason i was right behind you.
But the impression i am now getting, is that you are one of them window cleaners most of us who put 100% into our work are up against.
Example: If you were asked to do some photogarphy on the day your customers were expecting you, which would you take ?
I put everything into my business and that is how you reap the rewards by committing yourself.
There is no question your photo's are superb.
Nevermind what someone replied with saying something like you need a backstage pass and all that.
I can see you are very good, why dont you offer your services to all window cleaners who come on the forum ?
I use cherry pickers, i use poles, everything & to get that 1 superb picture for my website would be worth paying you.
You could offer your services in each area of the country over a few days in each location and see what happens, could be a great move.
Then you could offer your services to the guys who hire out the access equipment & so on.
Looking at some websites on window cleaners, their pictures are rubbish - if they paid you to take some pictures there business could improve drastically.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words.
But you need to commit 100% whichever option you take, i would pay for your time to get me some pictures of me and my lads at work & anybody else who wouldn't pay for great pictures of them at work for there websites are stupid.
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But you need to commit 100% whichever option you take, i would pay for your time to get me some pictures of me and my lads at work & anybody else who wouldn't pay for great pictures of them at work for there websites are stupid.
Very good post Mark but I would add that Roger could do both.
Some people are 100% into their window cleaning and good luck to them.
Others have other interests that won't pay them a living wage and window cleaning can supplement that.
I WC for about 3 hours a day and the rest of the time I spend on my vintage watches.
Window cleaning can allow you devote time to your other interests if you wish.
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Squeaky,
i didn't know you wanted to mix your window cleaning with photography otherwise i wouldn't have commented.
I thought you wanted to push & push your window cleaning like i do, and for that reason i was right behind you.
But the impression i am now getting, is that you are one of them window cleaners most of us who put 100% into our work are up against.
Example: If you were asked to do some photogarphy on the day your customers were expecting you, which would you take ?
If I'd made a specific appointment, then I'd turn up.
If it was just a normal day, then probably not, as they're not going to care about a day or so, when it can vary each month anyway.
I put everything into my business and that is how you reap the rewards by committing yourself.
There is no question your photo's are superb.
Nevermind what someone replied with saying something like you need a backstage pass and all that.
I can see you are very good, why dont you offer your services to all window cleaners who come on the forum ?
I use cherry pickers, i use poles, everything & to get that 1 superb picture for my website would be worth paying you.
You could offer your services in each area of the country over a few days in each location and see what happens, could be a great move.
Then you could offer your services to the guys who hire out the access equipment & so on.
Looking at some websites on window cleaners, their pictures are rubbish - if they paid you to take some pictures there business could improve drastically.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words.
But you need to commit 100% whichever option you take, i would pay for your time to get me some pictures of me and my lads at work & anybody else who wouldn't pay for great pictures of them at work for there websites are stupid.
No, I'm definately going to turn over a new leaf with the business when I come back.
It's going to get better and I won't let if fester any longer.
Doesn't mean I can't try and do something with the pictures in my spare time.
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Neil271052,
in my opinion you must be 100% focused on the job in hand.
If you want to earn a decent living between 2 jobs thats fine, i dont want a decent wage = i want an exceptional wage.
Thats the reason i stated my comment ;)
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
Early to bed , early to rise , makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise ! ;D
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Was my post deleted beacause i gave the name of an art website ??
I was trying to give some advice for the original poster of this topic.
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Neil271052,
in my opinion you must be 100% focused on the job in hand.
If you want to earn a decent living between 2 jobs thats fine, i dont want a decent wage = i want an exceptional wage.
Thats the reason i stated my comment ;)
I am 100% focused with whatever job is to hand Mark.
When I am window cleaning I am 100% focused, when discussing valuable watches I am 100% focused.
It's just that I find window cleaning mind numbingly boring as in fact I find any cleaning (my wife has an office cleaning firm) It's just a way to earn money.
My watches on the other hand are my passion, rather like Rogs photography.
I can't get passionate about cleaning windows. ::)
Regarding the "exceptional wage".
I hate bragging but........
I own outright my large 4 bedroom detached house in Surrey and can afford to spend £3000 a time on watches so I don't think I am doing too bad. ;)
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
What an insightful and well thought out post TC. :)
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
Good post IMO.
Who are you and what have you done with TennetClean? :)
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
Good post IMO.
Who are you and what have you done with TennetClean? :)
And can you give me the name and ;D number of your therapist please ?
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Squeky.....have a look at this website for your photos..
www.wetcanvas.com
;D
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I have known a few lads in the past who have started window cleaning but its just not worked out for them. Granted, window cleaning is not rocket science, but it does take some specific skills, ie you have to be a people person, have to be self-motivated, able to work on your own and not easily bored.
Sometimes I think for some people it just aint the right job, no matter how wonderful anyone else thinks it is. It takes maturity to admit that the job you're in is not right for you, and courage to then move onto something else.
May sound harsh, but IMO if someone has not made a successful window cleaning business (and by that I mean they're earning a decent wage and have enough work) after a year, then the chances are they are probably not cut out for it. There's nothing wrong with that though, they could be perfectly suited to something else.
But for the meantime, the best advice I can give is, get up early, always start at 9am sharp. That has been a firm rule I have imposed on myself, and it has always served me well. I know of too many lads who lay in bed till ten then dont get started till 11 then wonder why they have no money. IMO an early start is the key to good motivation.
Good post IMO.
Who are you and what have you done with TennetClean? :)
Ive been wondering that myself lately, it really is a pleasant surprise, please dont revert, no-one wants to be a tw@t really ;)
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Hope your ok squeaky ;)
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heh I am not all bad you know
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Argh!
no time to edit the thread as I have to go out!
But if I don't have too much of a thick head, rather a lot of replies are going to be deleted tomorrow!
Nothing offensive in them, they just need to be on the other section of the forum.
Ian
If nobody is being offensive why not let it run even if it strays off topic it gets back on track, & i'm only here this late/early because i'm having a new eye fitted on Tues, where are you going to put that topic?
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Squeky.....have a look at this website for your photos..
www.wetcanvas.com
;D
there was nothing bad about your original post, it was deleted because this is a window cleaning section of the forum, if you wish to offer advice about something other than window cleaning then you have to go onto the any other business section of the forum.
All mention of photography advice deleted from this thread as it was completely hijacking the thread.
Ian
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Hi Squeaky
Never come on this section as I don't WC.
But I was quiet for months with the cleaning & CC, I had to:
Improvise, Adapt & Overcome.
I now do Property maintenance and I am snowed under. Nothing major, just replacing bog seats, bath sealants, window locks, not that good at DIY but you pick it up quickly and it pays very well, will meet my £2500 but the months end thanks to doing this, which is a huge releif as I was getting concerned.
Regards
Martin 8)
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Good post Ian G. I just wish others adherd (is that a word :-\) to your very simple rules.
Bob
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SQUEAKY,
Please can you send me your weblink so i can have alook at your pictures you took with your camera,
Thanks. ;)
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SQUEAKY,
Please can you send me your weblink so i can have alook at your pictures you took with your camera,
Thanks. ;)
I've put it in a post in the football thread.
Better not mention it on here... :-\