Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Nathanael Jones on August 23, 2009, 04:25:57 pm

Title: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on August 23, 2009, 04:25:57 pm: I often get asked by my customers if I can recommend other tradesmen,.. mostly I'm asked for Painters or Gardeners.

I've been thinking that a letter to some local gardeners and painters with a few of my business cards in, and a basic "I'll recommend you if you recommend me" message might be a good way of networking and gaining new work.

Has anyone tried this before? Does anyone have an example letter that you send out?
I've been trying for days to word a letter, but so far nothing sounds right!
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: andyjm1 on August 23, 2009, 04:30:19 pm: It might backfire on you if you recommend them and they do a bad job.
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on August 23, 2009, 04:36:19 pm: I think you'd have to be careful about your recommendations,... "This guy is local" would be my line rather than "This guy is good",....
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: andyjm1 on August 23, 2009, 04:44:29 pm: Unless you can recommend them they might as well use google or Yellow Pages.
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: Dean Taberner on August 23, 2009, 05:24:45 pm: im currently linked with applemaid cleaning who offer a different servce and my neighbour who is a plasterer.

dean
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: jeff1 on August 23, 2009, 05:34:10 pm: I gave a local guy a page on my w/c website and he repairs Upvc and I know a couple of weeks ago a customer of mine wanted his conservatory roof repaired, he did a good Job and I got a bonus from my custy for recommending him.
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: aiminvestor on August 24, 2009, 09:18:49 am: Quote from: andyjm1 on August 23, 2009, 04:30:19 pm
It might backfire on you if you recommend them and they do a bad job.

I agree, you may lose a customer for someone else's misdemeanour!

And possibly someone knowing ywho your customers are isn't such a good idea either!
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: jeff1 on August 24, 2009, 09:23:23 am: Then your not vetting the guy your teaming up with ::)
Title: Re: Teaming up with other trades?
Post by: simon knight on August 24, 2009, 02:57:06 pm: Don't do it Nathanael. If the painter, plumber etc works out you won't get a thank you and if he doesn't you get aggro because YOU recommended him.

Also because of what we do we are regular visitors to the same houses and for some reason it's automoatically assumed by our customers that we're mates with painters, plumbers, chippies, electricians etc etc.

It'll be a one-way street in that you'll be dishing out other tradesmen's cards (because you've been asked the question) whereas I'll guarantee nobody will ask your plumber "mate": Do you know of a good window cleaner?