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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Russell Baillie on February 03, 2009, 12:49:49 pm

Title: Advertising help
Post by: Russell Baillie on February 03, 2009, 12:49:49 pm
Hi guys,

This site has been a great help to me, thanks for all those who contribute.

Can i ask what is peoples main means of getting business?

i have been leaflet dropping for the last year putting out thousands of leaflets, my returns have been quite good generally generating one or two jobs per houndred but i recently put out over 2000 leaflets and havn't had one lousy call :(

so .... what methods and means do you use to advertise, excluding word of mouth and what sort of response do you get?

i'm looking for about 30 jobs a month if that is at all possible?

thanks
russell
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: derek west on February 03, 2009, 01:07:43 pm
russel
i'm new to the business but have quickly realised that no advertisig really works well in january, this is the time where most rely on repeats and referals.
looks like january is a time for marketing your database. i'm hoping mid february and early march will get back to normal and leaflets and other forms of ads will work just as well as usual taking into consideration the down turn though.
just my thoughts.
get ready for a mixed bag of advice.
which is a good thing as it will give you lots of ideas.
derek
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: JandS on February 03, 2009, 01:26:29 pm
Do people really get that many repeats and referrals.
I've had a few butnot the amount some claim on here.
Best scource of work for me last year was local, paid for ads in 5 local papers with approx 70,000 readership.

John

Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Russell Baillie on February 03, 2009, 01:39:54 pm
thanks guys,

when you say readership of 70000 is that the total between the five papers? roughly how many jobs were you pulling in with that?

its something i havn't tried yet as our advertising rates are quite expensive for what you get in return!

but... if i were to be pulling in the jobs i really wouldn't mind!!!

thanks
Russell
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: daysdeepclean on February 03, 2009, 02:10:59 pm
Russel, I cannot commit to give you advice on what you should do, but I can definately say that one thing you shouldn't do, and that is advertise through "Thomsons Directory"! It's just a way of throwing your money in the bin..... Yellow pages is only fractionally better!
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 03, 2009, 02:40:09 pm
Russel

Most of my work is repeats and rec,s and had two new clients this morning from yell.com,think till march and april you will find its slow if your starting off in c cleaning ???
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Russell Baillie on February 03, 2009, 02:51:27 pm
ive been doing this part time for a year and a bit but was looking to go full time this year. ive only ever had word of mouth and leafleting as my form of advertising and was wondering what works for you guys?

i'm looking to do a steady 30 jobs a month and basically wated to know what is most likely to produce this.

i've tried the yelow pages and i know what you mean
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: dave123 on February 03, 2009, 02:56:29 pm
Ha Ha Colin get your penny's worth in .I totally agree with what Colin says I've had just two jobs out of YP since the new book came out ,not had anything from yell.com as yet .Come june/July they will be trying to get me to pay out again ,not anymore ,I'll just tell them where to stick it .Going to stick with leaflets and reminders.Have my fair share of recomondations and regulars though ,which helps .With new customers I  send them a letter after about 2 days to thank them and ask if everything was ok and if so whether they have any new furnishings they wish to be protected or any friends or relatives who may wish to have their furnishings cleaned .It works for me and all it costs is a stamp .
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: derek west on February 03, 2009, 03:27:55 pm
dave
do you put any referal type offers on the letter?
derek
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: neil 47 on February 03, 2009, 03:28:52 pm
Colin  


I had a look on thompsons to see what no you came up and I cant find you on it ,mabye thats why you arnt getting many calls,as most pepole look online first .


I had a ad with a local directory for a couple off years got 2 jobs dropped it to just a free listing and got 5-6 :-\


Neil
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: pete sween on February 03, 2009, 03:52:05 pm
Geographics play a huge part in what works and what Does'nt Russell. Where are you based.

Pete
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: daysdeepclean on February 03, 2009, 04:57:38 pm
Colin  


I had a look on thompsons to see what no you came up and I cant find you on it ,mabye thats why you arnt getting many calls,as most pepole look online first .


I had a ad with a local directory for a couple off years got 2 jobs dropped it to just a free listing and got 5-6 :-\


Neil

It's only in the book Neil, I do have a web site and I use ad words but to be honest I'm biding my time and once YP and TD are no more, I'll plough money into a better web site and hosting.... "Proper job!"
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 03, 2009, 05:21:01 pm
How long does it take to deliver 1,000 leaflets, 4 hours or about?
What if you spent that time going out and personally speak to local businesses?.
I guarantee you I`ll pull much more work and a bigger ticket price.
As Pete says geographics can play its part.
Rab.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 03, 2009, 05:31:30 pm
Hi Colin, Just Googled your location.
The coastline looks very nice. I bet your fuel bill is hefty.
Cheers
Rab.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: derek west on February 03, 2009, 05:36:02 pm
rabby
8 hours in cheshire for 1k leaflets.
not sure i could door knock, even on businesses. need a good opener i suppose.
"is the manager in? could i leave you one of these(business card and leaflet), we do free estimates if you like, i could do one now for you, no obligation of course, if you like the price we could clean a small room so you can see how good we are"
something along these lines maybe????
derek
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: daysdeepclean on February 03, 2009, 05:45:51 pm
Hi Colin, Just Googled your location.
The coastline looks very nice. I bet your fuel bill is hefty.
Cheers
Rab.

Depends on what car I'm driving.... the van's brilliant on fuel.... But then maybe I'm comparing it to the gas guzzling disco...
It's worth it though, the quality of life down here is fantastic....!

Regards, Colin...
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: carpet_care on February 03, 2009, 05:50:57 pm
Jands once you have been going at least 3 years then yes most your business should be coming from repeats and referals and I hate to say it but if this is not the case I am afraid you are doing something wrong.


 For me at the moment If it wasnt for my repeats and referals the job would be garbage .

   As the year goes on I tend to average about 4 jobs a day typically of that 4 jobs , 2 of them would be repeats 1 recomendation and one from advertising



  I would hate to be starting from scratch in the current climate.



   Andy Locke.         Ps Jands that answer is not directed at you personally I dont know your situation or years of experience just answering your question in general ;)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 03, 2009, 06:10:05 pm
Hi Derek, It`s about being in the right place at the right time, call it luck.
But, it`s funny how the harder you work the luckier you get.
You don't have to give a big presentation, just dress smart, big smile and introduce yourself.
You could do much more, get contact name, send letter, follow up call.
The hardest part is getting your ass out there. Don`t make a big deal of it in your head.
Just do it.


Must get down there sometime with my wee boat Colin.

Face the FEAR  ;D
Rab.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Mike Osbourne on February 03, 2009, 06:19:17 pm
Spot on there Rab. Leafleting in the snow is a lot easier than picking up the phone for most. Those that can force themselves to do it are at a distinct advantage.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 03, 2009, 06:26:42 pm
Andy

Do you do the leaflet drops?

Or web site ???

cheers clinton
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: richy27 on February 03, 2009, 06:29:12 pm
I am new too

I have found that all the obvious marketting works but in a limited way at the moment i had a whole page editorial on a local advertising mag and has been great this last few weeks. managed to fill up the diary for couple of weeks.

Carpet cleaning is no dif from any other business takes time to build up a base assuming you do a good job.

I have two dif types of leaflets and redrop areas on a two month rotation and compare the stats

One thing that is important to remember is just because you are not getting calls does not mean to say that your ads are not beng read and a mental note is not being made. Its is bad practice to stop advertising when you dont get calls and has the opposite effect on your wallet no advertising means def no work.

Look at brand names like m&s they ere on ther knees sdvertised in the right way to appeal to the custys they wanted and the past is firmly behind them.

Plus being newbies as long as we are not easily led the advertising market is well and truly in our favour lots more deals to be had.

I feel its important to hedge your bets and try all sorts of advertisin research the results what areas get more calls from ads in papers dirctories and what areas you achieve better % on leaflet drops.

Marketting without a plan gets you no where. Set out a budget everyones is differant ( mine is not huge) and stick to it and get as much coverage from lots of sources.

I am a total geek as far as research on statistics on ads i even have a map of my area and put different colour pins in to show me which areas i am being more successful in.

I am also a great believer in get the ads you want not what some is trying to sell you cold eg we can get you top of google or what they should say is we will get you on the top of google along with everyone else on my list today.

Good luck

Rich
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: carpet_care on February 03, 2009, 06:50:07 pm
Clinton I do have a website that needs updating old van equipment prices etc but it doesnt stop people ringing me as along with Dave Power I come up at the top usually for carpet cleaners merseyside.

 Havnt done leaflets for many years had problems getting someone reliable to deliver them.

   Anway going out for a game of snooker now and a few pints so logging off.


 Regards Andy Locke ;)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: dave123 on February 04, 2009, 09:04:19 am
Derek
What i do give my regular customers is a 10% discount on every clean, which I do after a new customer has used  my services and remind them of this when I send out the reminders .
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 04, 2009, 01:37:48 pm
Andy

Thought it was you that dave mentioned on monday :)

Looks like your both doing well in the rankings,and your doing good even with your old site,as i was saying to dave and joe monday when most of the people are looking for a c cleaner they wont be looking at how much water lift what engine cc hp  etc they just want a good job done ???
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: suffolkclean on February 04, 2009, 07:45:54 pm
I think calling companies, and visiting with information is much better than sticking a leaflet through a letterbox. Personally I think paying £100's on printing and delivering is a waste of money. Companies like to see who their dealing with, hear what you have to say, you don't need to be pushy. If your not overly busy get some cards, smart trousers on and brave it to go into offices, your local industrial estate, letting agents - give them your card - they may even ask for a quote  ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: hotsteam on February 04, 2009, 08:13:45 pm
I think you have a big commercial advantage,you are a young attractive Lady and I'm an old fat bloke !
Regards Hotsteam  ::)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 04, 2009, 08:42:23 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Mike Osbourne on February 04, 2009, 08:56:31 pm
Clinton, get yer stockings out. You can always ask Tosh for a few makeup tips. ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 04, 2009, 09:47:31 pm
Did I say 4hrs per 1,000?
6 is closer.
Rab,
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 04, 2009, 09:57:15 pm
Mike ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Mike Osbourne on February 04, 2009, 10:15:13 pm
Did I say 4hrs per 1,000?
6 is closer.
Rab,

Better get me skates on then. ;D

Been a poor week for me, phones very quiet despite mucho effort. Just started snowing heavy again.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 04, 2009, 10:23:19 pm
Could be right on the 6 hours per thou ???
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: derek west on February 04, 2009, 10:30:06 pm
i'llstick by my 8 hours average.
derek
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 04, 2009, 10:34:58 pm
Derek

Youl have to walk faster ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: derek west on February 04, 2009, 11:14:53 pm
walk?
i roller blade. ;D
derek
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Ricky M on February 05, 2009, 09:45:30 am
Derek sack the roller blades and get ur snow board .
good training for the wii

Ricky
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: JandS on February 05, 2009, 10:52:50 am
120 an hour average for me.

John
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Russell Baillie on February 05, 2009, 03:18:32 pm
thanks guys tis has been most helpful!

here's what i was thinking,

small adverts in local papers
website with seo to my local area search terms.
reorganize my advertising on the bus's wich i used to get alot of work out of, now i'd b lucky to get one or two job a month from
full page advertorial in the bigger local paper wit two or three back up adverts / leaflet insert.

and most importantly a yellow pages advert ..... jk

no, get out there and do some bigger business canvassing, i might to the whole letter of introduction thing saying i will pop in some time and follow it up with a visit then a call etc etc.

anyone got anything to add? further marketing ideas etc?

what about on the job itself the advantages vs disadvantages of the upsell?

special offers that people have ran in the past and your results off of them?

thanks guys
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 07, 2009, 10:17:24 am
Rabby

Like the site you have done for barbara :)

Do you sell them outright as well ???
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 07, 2009, 11:52:17 am
Hi Clinton.
Not my design I`m just optimizing it for Barbara.
Did have to sort out the home page. I don't like the navigation of the site, but because I don`t have the fla file, I cant edit it (Flash)
Google don`t seem to mind though.

"Do you sell them outright as well"
Maybe. But I`v stopped working cheap. I don`t just through them together. SEO ain't a 5 min job.
Let me know your budget  and I`ll let you know.
Cheers
Rab.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: JandS on February 07, 2009, 07:04:45 pm
70,000 is the total readership for all 5 papers.
I only started properly at the beginning of April last year.
Last bill was £250 inc the dreaded for 6 weeks.
So £50 a week.
That alone was pulling in an average of 7 jobs a week.
Until of course January arrived.

John
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: 2cleanright on February 07, 2009, 11:19:14 pm
Local parish mags are the best print ads - £20 to £30 per month max and everyone keeps them till the next issue arrives.

Web site has taken off for us since Xmas, but networking is best value for money by far.
Keep close tabs on where we spend advertising money now, and it is surprising - what you think works often doesn't if you actually ask every custy where they got your details. Without this information, you can't judge what is good and what isn't. Log it and use it!


Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: JandS on February 08, 2009, 11:00:07 am
£42 a week, sorry can't add up.

John
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 08, 2009, 05:22:03 pm
Rabby

Thanks  for that am just waiting to see if this guy who is meant to be doing mine gets on with it soon as been waitin 6 weeks ::)

If not i will chat with you about a site and the seo etc ???
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on February 08, 2009, 05:42:44 pm
Rabby what kind of price are we looking at for design and seo?

shaun_ashmore@ashmore@lineone.net

or may be it may be worth desplaying on the forum for any takers?

but I am definately interested just having a ponder of who's doing what and where to go to and who is offering after care.

Shaun
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 08, 2009, 05:47:53 pm
Shaun

Just the post that i wanted to ut one :)

Its the rankings that i want and the aftercare and a prompt service :)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on February 08, 2009, 05:59:20 pm
Rab or should on Sunday call him Robert ;D is always on here, he once phoned me just to tell me my site (not designed by him) was offset on the home page just out of kindness, he's someone who you can trust.

Shaun

PS Rab please put money in my bank ;D ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: suffolkclean on February 08, 2009, 07:19:17 pm
I had my website designed in the summer by a local guy to me, but had no idea about SEO. I put a post on here asking what I could do and Rabby was very kind to look at my site and tell me SEO side of things was rubbish. He's been working on it and has us on 1st page of google now for carpet cleaning searches in my area. I would highly recommend Rab.  ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: suffolkclean on February 08, 2009, 07:21:50 pm
Oh and Rab - if you get any new work through me recommending you £5 argos voucher - L O V E L Y  ;)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 08, 2009, 07:24:42 pm
Barbra

1st page or number one on google ???

Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: suffolkclean on February 08, 2009, 07:27:59 pm
1st position in 1st page for carpet cleaning kesgrave & 6th position on 1st page carpet cleaning ipswich, also on first page for end of tenancy cleans too.
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 08, 2009, 07:32:23 pm
Right thats the keywords  then if its coming up in e o t cleans???

Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on February 08, 2009, 07:50:16 pm
Come on Rab take your applause.

Shaun
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 08, 2009, 08:01:58 pm
 :)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 08, 2009, 08:19:44 pm
I`m really embarrassed now.
Cheers guys. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.
It will be even more worth worthwhile when I start making money from it.
Rab.  ;)
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on February 08, 2009, 10:02:59 pm
Prices please

Shaun
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: malcom1961 on February 09, 2009, 09:11:45 pm
Hi guys,

This site has been a great help to me, thanks for all those who contribute.

Can i ask what is peoples main means of getting business?
hi i used to put out thousands of leaflets and had very little response i sat for hours and worked out what the customer wants i has took me nearly two years to get it right, but now my new leaflet i have been using gives over three times the return i used to get. And i know it is the leaflet as the amount of customers that have told me they picked my company because of what was stated on the leaflet and printed double sided full colour and on glossy paper only costs £63 for 5000. i also use a neighbor nuder which i put in about twenty doors around the house i have just cleaned at if you send me an email i will send you copies of both to give you some idea  Mal   Ritz cleaners
i have been leaflet dropping for the last year putting out thousands of leaflets, my returns have been quite good generally generating one or two jobs per hundred but i recently put out over 2000 leaflets and haven't had one lousy call :(

so .... what methods and means do you use to advertise, excluding word of mouth and what sort of response do you get?

i'm looking for about 30 jobs a month if that is at all possible?

thanks
russell
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 09, 2009, 09:18:59 pm
Rabby

Wheres the prices ??? ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: craigp on February 10, 2009, 09:54:24 pm
Rab has done a few sites for me and I highly recommend him.

good sites and top seo included.

But dont be tyre kickers, call him and give him an instruction, have your wallet ready ;D
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: DanielWelford on February 12, 2009, 11:00:00 am

Hi Rabby

I could do with my sites looking at. Give me your email address and I will mail details.

Dan
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: Robert Watson on February 12, 2009, 11:30:00 am
Hi Dan it`s info@capitalcarpetcare.co.uk
Rab
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: DanielWelford on February 16, 2009, 05:53:52 pm
Hi

As far as advertising goes, I am still spending exactly the same as I was spending before the great depression started. The only difference now is that I am spending most of it on my existing customers rather than trying to recruit new ones.

Someone recently posted a magazine on here, that included an article about an american multi van outfit that spent 70% of its advertising budget on its existing customers. If it can work for them, then why not me.

So, instead of my existings receiving an annual/6mthly reminder/offer they are getting something a least 3 monthly.

Dan
Title: Re: Advertising help
Post by: clinton on February 16, 2009, 05:58:13 pm
Dan

Thats good sence to me and also like you my regulars are important to me :)