Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: geefree on September 06, 2008, 01:09:27 am
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Hi...
is there anyone who emails out there details, to companies... or anyone ..to get work..?
how is this done ? do i need a special programme to send lots out at once.
i think there is something alternative out there... as opposed to trying to do them one by one.
Thanks.
Gary
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Hi...
is there anyone who emails out there details, to companies... or anyone ..to get work..?
how is this done ? do i need a special programme to send lots out at once.
i think there is something alternative out there... as opposed to trying to do them one by one.
Thanks.
Gary
I get on average 300 spam emails a day, none are read, if you are thinking of this for your matser plan IMO I would change it very quickly
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its an idea ian... not a master plan... just another advertising outlet.
and they are ALL worth looking at.
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its an idea ian... not a master plan... just another advertising outlet.
and they are ALL worth looking at.
Dude I am not knocking you at all, but email adverts wold hjave been very good about ten years ago, handwritten letter will work far better.
donht take my reply as a knock but as a helping hand ;)
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i get a dozen leaflets per week.... i look at them ... and bin them.
but we needed a stump grinder, and a tree surgeon early this year.
and a leaflet came through the door at some point... i looked at it, rang the guy for a quote.
so his leaflet worked for him. a chance thing i guess... like email advertising.
websites can be the same, its a chance thing unless you are heading specifically for someones website....
all advertising is good .
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i know you not knocking me... :D.... i just think... well poppong a flyer in local shop...
get one house £15 per month, thats a lot of money in a couple of years, for 20p.
so i just thought if i got one reply it would be worthwhile.
i have thought of hand writing.. or typing letters , to small businesses, and other sectors, does it work better, are there any proven results with you guys on here?
:)
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Ian,
would a general email be classed as spam? i thought an email was an email... or is that what you mean..... by using software or a programme to bulk send,... they would go through as spam.?
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i get a dozen leaflets per week.... i look at them ... and bin them.
but we needed a stump grinder, and a tree surgeon early this year.
and a leaflet came through the door at some point... i looked at it, rang the guy for a quote.
so his leaflet worked for him. a chance thing i guess... like email advertising.
websites can be the same, its a chance thing unless you are heading specifically for someones website....
all advertising is good .
This is a perfect example of numbers....
The more you send the better your chances are at getting a reply. However as we all know spam is a pain in the a**e, however they do work which is why we all receive so much. Bad news for the honest people.
Anyway the biggest difference in direct marketing and email is that you can email for free.
There are a few questions about email marketting:
1) What are you try to achieve from the advertising (other than getting more customers)
2) Where have you got customer email addresses from?
- Ian
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Ian,
would a general email be classed as spam? i thought an email was an email... or is that what you mean..... by using software or a programme to bulk send,... they would go through as spam.?
Spam is classed as email that a customer did not explicitly opt in to.
If you have bought a list of customer that are looking for services then your ok, be careful as there are some pretty strict rules around spamming these days. If you are using your ISP you can even get banned and your domain blacklisted
Ian
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Ian,
would a general email be classed as spam? i thought an email was an email... or is that what you mean..... by using software or a programme to bulk send,... they would go through as spam.?
Spam is what your are talking about but on a very small scale the way you would be doing it.
Find out the correct email address' which is the hardest part. Getting them to read them is another story, you would be better off calling them asking for details for the right person that you are speaking to otherwise you are playing a numbers game and the odds are very very much stacked against you.
Feel free to call me some time and I will help you out.
Ian
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1) What are you try to achieve from the advertising (other than getting more customers)
2) Where have you got customer email addresses from?
- Ian
the first point, i think you answered your own question, and the second point belongs to the fact that research has to be done in order to target the right businesses for you.... hence building your potential email address base up.
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i think lol ;)
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Ian,
would a general email be classed as spam? i thought an email was an email... or is that what you mean..... by using software or a programme to bulk send,... they would go through as spam.?
Spam is classed as email that a customer did not explicitly opt in to.
If you have bought a list of customer that are looking for services then your ok, be careful as there are some pretty strict rules around spamming these days. If you are using your ISP you can even get banned and your domain blacklisted
Ian
What Ian is saying is true, but just because you have bought a list really does not mean to much, My domain names that I own are added to these type of lists and I own a lot, may advice would be to stay away and save your money,
Ian
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window washers... going to open a new topic... only saying that and not posting on here , as its totally different ,as to what i want to ask you.
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window washers... going to open a new topic... only saying that and not posting on here , as its totally different ,as to what i want to ask you.
My number is 01234 870 225 or 07788 732 789
calling me tomorrow would be easier anytime after 9am till 5:30pm I will answer any questions you have there and then Gaz
Ian
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1) What are you try to achieve from the advertising (other than getting more customers)
2) Where have you got customer email addresses from?
- Ian
the first point, i think you answered your own question, and the second point belongs to the fact that research has to be done in order to target the right businesses for you.... hence building your potential email address base up.
You were talking about advertising to customers via email. If you already ahev established relationships with customers then you are ok to email then about new services etc...If you are trying to build your emai list then you have to think about whats in it for potential customers to sign up.
Firstly you need a website that offers quality information...people dont go on the internet to buy, they surf for information. If you answers all their questions they will feel more confident about buying/signing up with you.
I have know a few people to buy a list of homeowners, thinking that if they emailed 5000 they would get a great response, they emailed all 5000 customers and had 2 replies, because they did not answer the fundamental question that the customer is going to ask...whats in it for me.
Email marketting is a fine art and there are 3 main parts to it;
1) Prospecting
2) The actual sales copy used in the mail to target your customers needs.
3) The follow up.
Im not a salesman but I was always taught to sell benefits rather than features. For example its not good saying you are the cheapest in town. You have to give the customer a reason to use your services.
One example that sticks in my head is that you dont buy a car becuase it has air conditioning...you but it becuase it will keep you cool im the summer.
Hope that helps a little
Ian
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i would if i did it... compile my own list. and drop them all a line... it would not cost me anything ... so along with calling people, leaflet drops, shop, parish advertising... i just thought it would be another string to my bow.
thanks for your replies guys. ;)
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window washers... going to open a new topic... only saying that and not posting on here , as its totally different ,as to what i want to ask you.
My number is 01234 870 225 or 07788 732 789
calling me tomorrow would be easier anytime after 9am till 5:30pm I will answer any questions you have there and then Gaz
Ian
Ian where abouts are you based?
Ian
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You were talking about advertising to customers via email. If you already ahev established relationships with customers then you are ok to email then about new services etc...If you are trying to build your emai list then you have to think about whats in it for potential customers to sign up.
Firstly you need a website that offers quality information...people dont go on the internet to buy, they surf for information. If you answers all their questions they will feel more confident about buying/signing up with you.
I have know a few people to buy a list of homeowners, thinking that if they emailed 5000 they would get a great response, they emailed all 5000 customers and had 2 replies, because they did not answer the fundamental question that the customer is going to ask...whats in it for me.
Email marketting is a fine art and there are 3 main parts to it;
1) Prospecting
2) The actual sales copy used in the mail to target your customers needs.
3) The follow up.
Im not a salesman but I was always taught to sell benefits rather than features. For example its not good saying you are the cheapest in town. You have to give the customer a reason to use your services.
One example that sticks in my head is that you dont buy a car becuase it has air conditioning...you but it becuase it will keep you cool im the summer.
Hope that helps a little
Ian
thanks ian... now i understand... its not just a case of hoping someone wants a window cleaner.. like a leaflet.
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thanks window washers .. will do ;)
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Thats why I asked where you were planning to get your list and what you were hoping to achieve!
Ian
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well, i was never going to buy one... was going to scour the net and build one locally,
and if i acheived one result per however many i sent out that evening... then its one i didnt have before.... that was my aim... simply one more outlet , so to speak... but i wasnt hoping for mass reaction.... just another form of getting the odd job.. as with all advertising.
Gary.
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well, i was never going to buy one... was going to scour the net and build one locally,
and if i acheived one result per however many i sent out that evening... then its one i didnt have before.... that was my aim... simply one more outlet , so to speak... but i wasnt hoping for mass reaction.... just another form of getting the odd job.. as with all advertising.
Gary.
From experience I have found the best thing to do is offer customers a reason for receiving your emails. Give them local information, give them relevant and informative emails rather trying to sell them something. For example educate them in how good WFP is compared to tradv (or vice versa!), give them info about how the weather affects the results etc... use your imagination.
People will be more willing to read your emails if they provide something interesting rather than just 'Look at me, Im the cheapest, best Window cleaner in the world' type email.
Ian
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well, i was never going to buy one... was going to scour the net and build one locally,
and if i acheived one result per however many i sent out that evening... then its one i didnt have before.... that was my aim... simply one more outlet , so to speak... but i wasnt hoping for mass reaction.... just another form of getting the odd job.. as with all advertising.
Gary.
From experience I have found the best thing to do is offer customers a reason for receiving your emails. Give them local information, give them relevant and informative emails rather trying to sell them something. For example educate them in how good WFP is compared to tradv (or vice versa!), give them info about how the weather affects the results etc... use your imagination.
People will be more willing to read your emails if they provide something interesting rather than just 'Look at me, Im the cheapest, best Window cleaner in the world' type email.
Ian
Ian can you email your contact muber to design@windowwashres.co.uk
I will give you a call tomorrow.
Ian Wicks
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Ian can you email your contact muber to design@windowwashres.co.uk
I will give you a call tomorrow.
Ian Wicks
Sure, sent via email
Ian
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Gary Gary Gary ! I have offered you my services before mate ;D
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i know you not knocking me... :D.... i just think... well poppong a flyer in local shop...
get one house £15 per month, thats a lot of money in a couple of years, for 20p.
so i just thought if i got one reply it would be worthwhile.
i have thought of hand writing.. or typing letters , to small businesses, and other sectors, does it work better, are there any proven results with you guys on here?
:)
I find that is effective, best way is to ring ahead find out if they use wc, and even if they got one they will want names to quote for when contract etc is up, get facilities manager name then send in portfolio with there name etc...
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i know you not knocking me... :D.... i just think... well poppong a flyer in local shop...
get one house £15 per month, thats a lot of money in a couple of years, for 20p.
so i just thought if i got one reply it would be worthwhile.
i have thought of hand writing.. or typing letters , to small businesses, and other sectors, does it work better, are there any proven results with you guys on here?
:)
I find that is effective, best way is to ring ahead find out if they use wc, and even if they got one they will want names to quote for when contract etc is up, get facilities manager name then send in portfolio with there name etc...
I agree, i get a database and pay a telesales women to ring for me, but i do find trying to get a database a really pain in the bum.
Can any one give me advice on getting a database?