Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: proclene on September 21, 2008, 09:46:44 pm

Title: New Leaflet again!
Post by: proclene on September 21, 2008, 09:46:44 pm
Dear All,
Had my creative head on this week and designed a new leaflet, could you please give me any feedback negative or positive. Also changed website, not a definite but still working on it.
I'm a bit of an amatuer when it comes to designing leaflets but this was done on open office and looks good to me.

Cheers
Derek
Masterclene
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Dan Williams on September 21, 2008, 09:55:07 pm
Hey Derek

Leaflet is fine:) When I do my leaflets I get them done by a pro. The results to me where really good. Check this site out, you can get student to design for you for next to nothing and they have all the software to do it with. www.studentgems.com

Dan
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Barry Livingstone on September 22, 2008, 09:27:38 am
Sorry but it wont get you loads of work have you put this one out beore? what was your response?
leaflets work with offers......of they wont get a good response ........fact...

sorry but am just telling you the truth.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: clinton on September 22, 2008, 02:20:02 pm
Have a look on the cheap leaflets/design and print website.

There are a few samples for carpet cleaning leaflets on it.

Some of the samples are the ones a few guys from the forum have used and printed,

Good luck
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: markpowell on September 22, 2008, 03:18:00 pm
Derek,
I agree with james, i have found that a leaflet has to have some type of offer on to work well.
Is there a reason why you dont clean upholstery?
Mark
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garry22 on September 22, 2008, 04:28:20 pm
Derek,

As carpet cleaners, we all might know about allergy treatments etc but the general public doesn't.

This needs to be explained to them. In particular you need to tell them how they will be (adversely) affected  and how you will solve this problem for them. You are not a carpet cleaner.... You are a problem solver (solving a problem that many people don't yet know they have!

You've got two sides to your leaflet, so use both sides to to inform them. The delivery costs the same but you can do twice as much selling with a double sided ad.

As for the offer, that is probably the most important bit apart from the headline (which IMO needs a lot more oomph). You have to give them a really good reason to get off their backsides and pick up the phone.

Garry
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: COLIN BRIGHT on September 22, 2008, 07:06:33 pm
why dont you get 1000 out there and see what responce you get, thats the best way of testing if it will work or not
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Halliday on September 22, 2008, 07:11:17 pm
as bad as the last one, go read the advice given there and take it, it will save you some time.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: proclene on September 22, 2008, 09:38:10 pm
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Mike as bad a reply as last time, try giving good advice instead of putting folk down or don't post at all. It will save YOU time!

Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Halliday on September 22, 2008, 09:53:45 pm
I'm sorry did I hurt your feelings by giving an honest answer?, Ok if you just want someone to tell you how clever you are to design such a fantastic leaflet I can do that as well, but I  just thought you'd prefer honesty.

 I could continue with the sarcasm but I'll admit my last reply was a little curt so as  a peace offering ( if you want them) I can send you 20-30 professionally designed  leaflets so you can see were I think you are going wrong, it might give you some ideas

whats your email address? ( they will be in PDF)

mike
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Barry Livingstone on September 22, 2008, 09:56:22 pm
Derek
did you do your own web site?

And take mike upon the offer........
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: proclene on September 22, 2008, 10:06:53 pm
James, Yes i did the website myself. Pretty new to computers so doing my best.
Mike,
My email is derek@masterclene.co.uk

Just looking for some good inspiration instead of sarcasm. We're all in the same biz at the end of the day. If we can't help each other then why bother.

Cheers

Derek
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garyj on September 22, 2008, 10:18:25 pm
I don't think the leaflet is that bad. It isn't finished or polished but it is half way there.

If you feel you know your customers and what they want they why not give it a go.

Get rid of 'Safer' and try 'Hygienic' and play around with it a bit more, think like your customers and not a carpet cleaner.

Stick with it and don't give up. You don't have to follow the herd.

As Colin said, try a 1000 and see how you get on.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: markpowell on September 22, 2008, 10:59:05 pm
You will never tell if a leaflet is going to work or not by dropping a 1000.
Try 10,000 then you might have a good idea.
I have been doing these drops since i started many years ago.
YOU NEED TO GIVE A SPECIAL OFFER OF SOME KIND, OTHERWISE THEY DONT WORK !!!!!!!!!!!!
These seem to be the customers 3 favourite offers:
1. 3pc suite & lounge carpet for £****
2. 3 carpets for the price of 2 (smallest carpet cleaned free)
3. spend £** get £** off.
Good luck
Mark
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garyj on September 22, 2008, 11:17:24 pm
I didn't do any of those things Mark and mine worked.

You can test the market and test the leaflet with a 1000 run, I admit it is not ideal but again it's a start.

Maybe you guys that are delivering 1000s a month for years have got it wrong.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Halliday on September 23, 2008, 07:14:30 am
Derek how are you going to get these printed? if you are going to do them yourself on your home printer then it might be a little expensive but if you are then the leaflet can be very specifically aimed, eg;

target a small area or village near your home and make the leaflet specific to them  use a headline like;
 
We give all our Sudbury residents a local person discount of £12!!

then explain that you live in Sudbury so it saves you money to work in the local area, so you can pass this saving on to the customer.

the more specific to the reader the leaflet is, the more successful it will be. and when they are home printed they can be very specific (even down to the name of the street).
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: carlton care on September 23, 2008, 07:34:26 am
What Mike just posted is one of the best suggestions on leafleting you will get. Psychologically, if something is adressed to to you personally you are more likely to read it, keep it, act on it, if it's relevent to your current situation.

Carphone warehouse are very good at this!

Robert m
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Osbourne on September 23, 2008, 07:46:29 am
Over the last 100 years or so people have put a lot of thought, effort and testing into the 'science' of direct marketing.

So why re-invent the wheel?

Your title is by far the most important thing in your communication

It should have a prominent call to action.

Offers massively improve response.

Stirring up emotion by highlighting a problem then providing a solution works well.

Testimonials with real names and adde.

etc etc

But at the end of the day you need to test your copy in your market. I think 3-6k is ideal with only one change split between two versions.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Jim_77 on September 23, 2008, 08:52:52 am
I'm curious, which leading carpet manufacturers recommend you?

I've never heard of a company like Axminster or Victoria picking up the yellow pages and finding themselves a random, independent one man band to recommend!  Do you get enquiries from all over the country then?  How does it work?
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: ianharper on September 24, 2008, 08:05:39 am
Hi Guys

with the downturn in credit I think that we can position ourselves for the future now. all prospects are looking for cheap, cheap, cheap. what we need to to is show them its all about value.

Putting in your sales message that all prices are not the same and that you must compare what you are getting for your money.

for example your service might offer from a free bottle of spotter to say free stain protection. or may be a free room?

This way when it all turns around our market will hopefully be more aware that all carpet cleaning services are not the same. and start to look for value.

by doing this we don't have to go on that downward path of lowering prices to get the work. in these times people know that they have the power and look for the cheapest price. we on the other hand can say well that's fine but you will be missing out. and i think that's a big motivator.

respect

ian harper
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: spindle on September 24, 2008, 09:52:18 am
very rarely do i offer free rooms/spotter..............

i work out my price......then give discount about 5-10% at the time of quoting.......

then i tell customer to ring around and  get different quotes and come back to me.........

more often that not i book the job there and then
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: murky on September 24, 2008, 12:07:47 pm
In your first line of text you say you can remove ALL stains etc etc.

Can you really?

Then you are riding for a fall as they say.

Murky
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on September 24, 2008, 09:40:25 pm
Does anyone that uses a TM put this on the flyer?
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: clinton on September 25, 2008, 08:08:42 am
Ians idea to give value for money is a good tip.

Spec witht the winter coming and higher fuel bills in the new year,i dont mean doing lots of discounted work but just little extras when am in the clients home.

Dave
 am not sure but maybe joe hatton or derek has  had some leaflets printed advertising there t mounts ???

Dave did you get your prowler ???
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on September 25, 2008, 08:44:41 am
Next week Clinton  ;D
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Joe H on September 25, 2008, 11:32:50 am
Does anyone that uses a TM put this on the flyer?

I refer to it as a "van mounted cleaning system". "Many times more powerful then hire machines", then simply state "self contained, piping hot water is briught to the job, after cleaning the soiled solution is taken away for safe disposal".
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: clinton on September 26, 2008, 06:22:03 pm
Nice one dave

You will have to let us know how you get on in a week or two mate :)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on September 26, 2008, 07:53:16 pm
Will do, your only a hour away so I may come over?
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: clinton on September 26, 2008, 10:17:55 pm
No probs dave with that be good to meet and see the prowler,am sure roger (doctor carpetr)might want to have a look too :)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: james roffey on October 01, 2008, 09:17:18 pm
Its really good, apart from one thing that struck me strait away. the "why else"
comment
it invites a reply and my reply to that was ,because you want to make a living cleaning carpets, your not doing it for nothing or out of the goodness of your heart, sorry to be negative because apart from that it looks brilliant i just think it patronises the customer, and may p them off.
i am no pro carpet cleaner or marketing expert it just my humble oppinion, if that come through my door thats what i would think.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: will01 on October 02, 2008, 12:16:57 am
Hey I've got an idea... Why not trawl through the various posts on this forum about leaflets, take notes of all decent ideas and numptyise the perfect leaflet!!

In other words... make money from insecure carpet cleaners!!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on October 03, 2008, 09:12:15 pm
Thought I would throw my latest one into the lions den..
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: clinton on October 04, 2008, 02:07:36 pm
Like the leaflet dave its dif :)

Are they for handing out or door to door mate ???
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on October 04, 2008, 03:16:31 pm
I usually get a mate to do a few or I should really do a few myself.  Need motivation!  Are you interested in any Leather training Clinton?  Looking to get a few together to sort something out..
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: suffolkclean on October 04, 2008, 04:09:23 pm
I think the leaflet is Ok but agree with putting a special offer on, everyone likes a good deal. I don't like to say bad things on here (although I enjoy reading everyone elses) I think the website looks really dull, the brown colour should be changed to something a bit brighter (sorry I'm hot on the look of things spent 8 years working in a printers)!
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garyj on October 04, 2008, 05:28:03 pm
My first thought was it will be dry in 7 days, did anyone else read it that way?
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on October 04, 2008, 06:06:04 pm
Put your glasses on Gary!

Will change that me thinks.  Just trying something different.  Will have offers on reverse  :D
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garyj on October 04, 2008, 06:11:56 pm
 ;D

I would pan out on the photo a bit as well, it looks like if you go and clean you might find a small child lurking in the carpet, now that would be a shock  ;D

Can you tell there is nothing on the tele and I'm bored  ;)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on October 04, 2008, 06:21:56 pm
Put her on to make it stand out, better than a dude cleaning the carpet that lots of others use  :o
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: garyj on October 04, 2008, 06:45:14 pm
Yep, I agree, especially the overused Prochem twins.

X Factor is on soon so I will bugger off then  ;D
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 04, 2008, 06:57:53 pm
if we are showing leaflets here's the one I used for years, 1 colour, A5
 
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: mark shannon on October 04, 2008, 07:10:31 pm
Like the leaflet Dave congrats on the Prowler  ;)

Is it the new 13bhp version looks good?

Mark
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: davep on October 04, 2008, 08:04:29 pm
Getting it early next week Mark, you gone off the idea of one now?
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: mark shannon on October 04, 2008, 08:22:37 pm
No Dave still pondering ??? Prowler a great little machine with many benefits good luck ;)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: *david j jones / Paul Moss on October 04, 2008, 08:30:45 pm
Who is Henry Halliday ? or is that just BS.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 04, 2008, 08:34:00 pm
my father is called Henry and it is also my first name, although since being a child I've been known by my middlename....Michael (Mike)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: *david j jones / Paul Moss on October 04, 2008, 08:44:29 pm
So why dont you just print Mike Halliday  ::)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: Jim_77 on October 04, 2008, 08:54:39 pm
Doesn't have the same ring to it does it?

Alliteration  makes a big difference, rolls of the tongue and becomes more memorable :)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: *david j jones / Paul Moss on October 04, 2008, 09:01:16 pm
Thanks why Jim Neil reals off as the tounge the same as OFFENSIVE COMMENT REMOVED ;D
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: carlton care on October 04, 2008, 09:41:08 pm
Amusing   Sad how Saturdays can be interupted due to the contents of a bottle, or maybe a can being consumed.
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: *david j jones / Paul Moss on October 04, 2008, 09:47:20 pm
Oh and here is the old know it all .
Done it got the t shirt. But knows didly squat.
Not really done anything as he is a Jack of all.
And has got got a real clue of anything.

What you doing this week Carlton? Golf,cleaning,resthomes,physio, etc, etc yawn, bullpoop,yawn  ;D
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: carlton care on October 04, 2008, 10:23:55 pm
Being in the company of such an incredibly talented individual as yourself makes me feel very humble.

robert m

Cleaning carpets and upholstery for about 24 years following an interesting life as a golf pro, lecturer, retailer.
Also ran a driving school and trained in complementary therapies while the cleaning business continued and started a domiciliary care business eight years ago.

I still clean carpets, but at a much lower volume
I am still an active partner in the care business
I continue to work very part time in complementary therapy.

At 64 and with a pretty badly wrecked body I reckon I'm doing not too badly. Perhaps in another twenty years you might have broadened your work experience and hopefully your mind, but I doubt that.

Oh.............nearly forgot in spite of my vintage, I have two teenage girls at 4th and 6th year level, both doing very well. Don't know who they take after!

robert m
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: *david j jones / Paul Moss on October 04, 2008, 10:27:11 pm
 ::) ::)

Told you, jack of all and master of none.

Do us a favour and go on the knitting forums and leave this game to the Pro's ;)
Title: Re: New Leaflet again!
Post by: carlton care on October 04, 2008, 10:43:38 pm
Thank you for your amusing observations. I'm very happy with the successes in my life and particularly for the positive changes I've made to other peoples lives.

Had I stuck to one job all of my life I would have been bored silly, I think you might benefit from a change.

How about ?...........................................................................no probably not !

sleep well

hope your headaches not too bad in the morning