Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: James Styles on April 23, 2019, 06:58:34 pm
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Just a few questions about canvassing really.
Do you guys like canvassing? I don’t enjoy it too much tbh, get some rude people, one person today said to me at the door that he has a window cleaner I said ok thank you no worries he then said I’d watch stomping on other people’s work areas (with a serious face) I said well I didn’t know, he then goes yeah there’s a few windows cleaners here they do all the area, I just said ok thanks but carried on and picked up a few customers on them roads, so weren’t all bad. I can’t lie he did bug me a bit as I could tell he was trying to basically say get out of this area.
Have you guys had experiences like this, how do you deal with it and do you just carry canvassing the area or move on?
I don’t want to step on other window cleaners spots but tbh they are everywhere and end of the day the works there for everyone, anytime a person says they have a window cleaner I say ok thanks, I never try to steal work or would I ever want to.
Maybe the more I canvass the more I will become comfortable with it.
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No i hate it
But to answer your question you just get on with it regardless of what people say or think, thick skin needed and crack on.
Canvass where you like and charge what you like.
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Just ignore plonkers like that and carry on....you have to have a quite a thick skin in this game mate :D
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I refuse to canvass. Its like begging for money in this game and attracting messers.
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The only time you can remotely be accused of 'stealing' work is deliberately underpricing - but if you went down that road you'll not last long as you won't make any money.
Canvassing - not my most favourite pastime but its a necessary evil when building a round ( and the quickest ) I used to get really bad stomach cramps to the point of throwing up, but once I got going you can get into the swing of it and there is no better feeling than getting a new customer!!
After a while - anything thats said just rolls off like water on a ducks back - don't take anything personally - always offer them a leaflet :D
I've knocked doors many a time to be told that a windy does ALL the street only to knock next door and get a job and be told there has not been a windy in the street for years !! ;D
Never judge a house - knock them all!!
Darran
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I refuse to canvass. Its like begging for money in this game and attracting messers.
I do get where you’re coming from mate, once I have a big enough round I hopefully won’t need to do it much but I’m just starting out so needs to be done
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I've knocked doors many a time to be told that a windy does ALL the street only to knock next door and get a job and be told there has not been a windy in the street for years
Yes I’ve experienced this too a few times already, “he does all the houses on this street” I carry on then a few doors down the lady says “yes we need a window cleaner there’s none around here”
LOL
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I used to get really bad stomach cramps to the point of throwing up
I know what you mean mate I’ve not felt sick but really nervous and sometimes when they are rude or pretty much telling me I’m not too welcome round here it effects me more than I’d like, I do need to get stronger emotionally I know this, hopefully it will come with more and more canvassing.
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I used to get really bad stomach cramps to the point of throwing up
I know what you mean mate I’ve not felt sick but really nervous and sometimes when they are rude or pretty much telling me I’m not too welcome round here it effects me more than I’d like, I do need to get stronger emotionally I know this, hopefully it will come with more and more canvassing.
Keep at it, it gets easier - and the less nervous you become the more jobs you will get, - confidence (not only at canvassing, but with the quality of your cleaning) will bring rewards
Darran
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I refuse to canvass. Its like begging for money in this game and attracting messers.
Nonsense.
You just have to do it wisely. Canvassing around existing work makes a lot of sense.
I do very little canvassing but if my Mrs or daughter is working with me and they are kicking there heels as I reel in the hose or whatever I say just knock on the two houses either side and leave my card.
They will say "My Dad/Husband is the window cleaner for your neighbours, if you ever need a window cleaner there's his number." And hand over the card or pop it through with the same message on it.
Some of my best work has come from this as it helps keep things compact.
I had one today where I do a countryside road and there is one house among a group of 5 which I have never done in 4 years. I or my daughter dropped in a card every year or so and today the lady collared me and said - we're back from New Zealand and are living here again (it had been rented) and the tenant left your card and now I've got round to asking you.
It's a nice gap filler of £40 every 8 weeks.
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i was relentless at canvassing when i first started out back in 1993....i never got nervous...in fact if anything i came across too cocky and arrogant at times... ;D
id be out canvassing most days,when i picked up a new job id clean it there and then usually or at least the next day....
just keep going,after a few months of this you should have pockets of work you can start organising into some sort of round....
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I refuse to canvass. Its like begging for money in this game and attracting messers.
thats how i started out...if i hadnt got off my arse and knocked them doors (virtually every day for 6 months) i wouldnt have built the foundations of the round i have today 26 years on....
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Agree with most of the above, its also a good way to build your dealing with the public/customer confidence.
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Have any of you guys canvassed w road while the window cleaner is on it? I was canvassing today and the window cleaners was there, didn’t say nothing but kept looking over
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James, just get on with it mate and stop caring what other people think. If your struggling at this stage, then you may want to rethink the career.
Your gonna be cleaning one house a d the next thing a group of loud mouth thugs are gonna turn up and clean the neighbours house. The will either be friendly, or complete idiots, but they may also just put their heads down n crack on!
Just focus on what your doing and press on!
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Yes follow nk’s advice and example he does care what he does and what people say :D
But in answer to your question - yes I have and just missed that house another time stopped for a chat also had people canvass while cleaning - no big deal
One time I went to quote and while there the regular windy turned up! - customer got a bit flustered and disappeared inside - the windy and I had a chat about equipment etc then I said I’ll put my quote in - it’s gonna be £80 that ok ? Yes he said that’s well over the top. Wished him luck and left the quote
Darran
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Have any of you guys canvassed w road while the window cleaner is on it? I was canvassing today and the window cleaners was there, didn’t say nothing but kept looking over
Personally, I wouldn't canvass a few doors either side of where he is actually working - I'd just note the ones I didn't knock and go back and get those few when he'd gone. Not because it's "wrong" but I just wouldn't feel comfortable about it.
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Have any of you guys canvassed w road while the window cleaner is on it? I was canvassing today and the window cleaners was there, didn’t say nothing but kept looking over
Personally, I wouldn't canvass a few doors either side of where he is actually working - I'd just note the ones I didn't knock and go back and get those few when he'd gone. Not because it's "wrong" but I just wouldn't feel comfortable about it.
Yes I didn’t do the road he was on I went there afterwards, seems there are loads of window cleaners around here haha
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I need to build my confidence
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I’m hoping that will come with more canvassing and working, it’s all new at the moment
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Dont beat yourself up mate.
I hated canvassing, ive forced myself to do it numerous times but i still hate it.
I just paid others to do it and concentrated on the cleaning, yes its more expensive but i would rather stick my testicles in molten lead than knock doors.
A combination of paying canvassers and posting on facebook built my round.
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I found canvassing the easiest and quickest way to build a run.
My advice is to keep it very simple. I used to present my pitch by saying something along the lines of "Good morning, my name is John and I am offering a window cleaning service locally. Is that something you may be interested in?"
If the answer was "No" I would simply thank them for their time and move straight on. I would try to treat each door as is was the first, therefore each presentation was given in an enthusiastic and positive manner, keeping in mind of course that every negative response brought me closer to a 'yes'.
HTH.
John
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Have you tried leafleting a street and then canvassing a couple of days later. In this way the householder will at least have gone through the process of thinking "do I want my windows cleaned?" It could make things a bit easier for you.
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
Nope. Just get on with it and stop worrying about other wc's. Over the last few years there has been a mad rush of new startups all over the place so it's now impossible to avoid seeing the competition around.
I dont let it bother me. So many times i have pulled up to my customers house to see another wc next door or opposite working. I just give them a polite wave and smile and get on with it and I am always rewarded with the same respect and courtesy
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
my advice.....ALWAYS carry a concealed weapon for your own protection....
Mod note: Assuming this is spoken in jest.
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
my advice.....ALWAYS carry a concealed weapon for your own protection....
;D ;D ffs get a grip ;D
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
my advice.....ALWAYS carry a concealed weapon for your own protection....
😂😂
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
And how did they respond to this
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Canvassing is great it's money for life and apart from your time it's free.
25 new customers canvassed in a month which is really easy to do at say even a tenner is £3000 turn over a year.
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
And how did they respond to this
Expect it to happen dude. They usually grab you from behind ramming a sack over your head. They then throw you in the back of their van close the doors never to be seen again. Make sure you have life insurance ;D ;D
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
And how did they respond to this
Expect it to happen dude. They usually grab you from behind ramming a sack over your head. They then throw you in the back of their van close the doors never to be seen again. Make sure you have life insurance ;D ;D
now, now, these sort usually travel in a mondeo estate with a big bath towel hanging out the window
Darran
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Canvassing is great it's money for life and apart from your time it's free.
25 new customers canvassed in a month which is really easy to do at say even a tenner is £3000 turn over a year.
Long time Ian. How’s things? You still window cleaning?
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
my advice.....ALWAYS carry a concealed weapon for your own protection....
Mod note: Assuming this is spoken in jest.
no....i always carry a weapon.....
its called a scraper.....its razor sharp....... ;D
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ive twice had phone calls off other window cleaners warning me to stay away from their "patch" years ago....
both times when i bumped into them in person they ran off and ive never seen them again..... ;)
james a word of advice...dont intentionally undercut other window cleaners.....or you will make enemies ...
other than that,crack on....
you have every right to be on this earth just like anybody else and no one "owns" work really......its all customer choice,they can cancel us at any time if they want......
good luck...
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
my advice.....ALWAYS carry a concealed weapon for your own protection....
Mod note: Assuming this is spoken in jest.
no....i always carry a weapon.....
its called a scraper.....its razor sharp....... ;D
Makes no difference. You just make sure you're using a diamond rubber to protect yourself
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''james a word of advice...dont intentionally undercut other window cleaners.....or you will make enemies ...''
There's a window cleaner covers the same area as me. I've lost customers to him that I know he's gone and undercut me. We still chat amiably whenever we see each other. Some of those customers have come back to me, some haven't. It's the customers choice who they go with.
It would be easy to get worked up at the poaching cleaner and the customer for not staying with me, but I don't think it's worth it.
I still have enough work.
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Canvassing is great it's money for life and apart from your time it's free.
25 new customers canvassed in a month which is really easy to do at say even a tenner is £3000 turn over a year.
Long time Ian. How’s things? You still window cleaning?
Hi mate .... not anymore ... sold it all off and went back to motor trade as was bored basically... however I will be back at some point !!
Just like to lurk and post very occasionally :) :)
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
And how did they respond to this
They weren't best pleased but it's my choice where to work, (as is the competition's) and the customers' choice whose services they use.
John
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Have any of you guys had issues with window cleaners on the same area’s and how did you deal with it?
I have had a couple of Neanderthals try to tell me that I'm on their 'patch'. I just tell them that as long as their customers are happy with them, they've got nothing to worry about.
John
And how did they respond to this
They weren't best pleased but it's my choice where to work, (as is the competition's) and the customers' choice whose services they use.
John
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Canvassing is great it's money for life and apart from your time it's free.
25 new customers canvassed in a month which is really easy to do at say even a tenner is £3000 turn over a year.
Long time Ian. How’s things? You still window cleaning?
Hi mate .... not anymore ... sold it all off and went back to motor trade as was bored basically... however I will be back at some point !!
Just like to lurk and post very occasionally :) :)
I remember you Ian......you still cant beat flexible part time hours for full time money even if it's only window cleaning IMO.....
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
Good man! Bet you feel great about that.
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
Good man! Bet you feel great about that.
Yes mate I feel well chuffed, it’s certainly helping my confidence
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
Not sure what you mean, if I do a good job why would I lose them?
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
thats very optimistic of you!!!
my fall out rate for canvassed work has been no more than 2 in 100 customers ( that I canvassed )
when we used a canvasser it was slightly higher at around 3 in 50
do a good job - turn up regularly and they will stick
Darran
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
Not sure what you mean, if I do a good job why would I lose them?
You will always ALWAYS get ‘messers’ - these are people who can’t be arsed paying you until you’ve sent them 10 messages every month asking for payment, you will always get customers who are desperate for their windows to be cleaned regularly then sack you off. Not many but these people exist and the main thing is to just move on , don’t dwell on the fact you’ve done a good job and you can’t understand why they aren’t paying you or they’ve sacked you off. Just move on :)
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had some people asking for quotes but saying they have a window cleaner when canvassing... they are not happy with him, say he does a poor job and isn’t too reliable... not sure I really want these type of customers or nicking work but maybe should take them for now until I get bigger? Not sure... that’s even if I get the call.
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Generally people who have a window cleaner and are asking for a quote are just looking for cheaper - sometimes not, but no harm giving a price - just don't price low on purpose - its always interesting to see their reactions, I had the odd genuine one that has said I was more expensive but still used us because we did a better job and had a regular schedule
remember also if the windows are minging - charge double for the first clean - that also kills off most messers
Darran
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just to add - people will rarely tell you the truth so take nothing to heart...
example...
regular customer for the last 4 years, each year had a gutter clear and s/f/g wash on top of reg windows...
custy rings up,
Him: I'm cancelling the service !
Us: Sorry to here that sir - any problems ?
Him: Yes - the last 2 cleans have been substandard
Us: Sorry to hear that, what's the problem
Him: streaks all over the windows
Us: Thats unusual - you were only cleaned 2 days ago I'll pop round and have a look - if they are bad we'll re-clean for free
Him: (silence for 15 seconds) ummm, err, no its ok actually someone knocked the door and is going to do it cheaper
Us: no problem sir, you know our number if you have any problems
This customer was quite happy to say we did a sh!t clean than be man enough to admit he's a tight f**ker - we could have quite clearly been left thinking we had done a bad job
Darran
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
Not sure what you mean, if I do a good job why would I lose them?
have you much experience of canvassed work?
ive probably had 500 or more customers gained this way, probably more ...and from my experience maybe 30% will go on to be good customers.
Some will want a one off
some will never pay you
some will do a few cleans then drop off
some will change their mind before the first clean
some will just ignore you and hope you go away
Ive always said canvassing produces the most compact work over time, however it produces the biggest amount of messers for the simple fact you are putting them on the spot on the door. Lots say yes just to get rid of you then have second thoughts, some just cant say no etc.
Methods of advertising where they come to you of their own free will (i.e leaflets. online ads) will always produce a better quality of customer than where you go to them putting them on the spot.
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
thats very optimistic of you!!!
my fall out rate for canvassed work has been no more than 2 in 100 customers ( that I canvassed )
when we used a canvasser it was slightly higher at around 3 in 50
do a good job - turn up regularly and they will stick
Darran
sorry mate but that just not how it is
Ive used 5 different canvassing companies including doing it myself and the drop off rate over 6 months is usually around 50%
of course if i had used just one company i could blame them but had enough experience from different sources to know its canvassing in general not the canvasser.
Most of it is nothing to do with doing a good job either, a lot will cancel before the first clean or just not pay you for it.
In contrast to that when i run online ads the drop off rate is very low, maybe 10% after 6 months.
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James
Sounds like you are doing well with the canvassing, nice one!
The more you do, the more you will learn and you will become quicker and more confident. You'll get to a stage where anyone who gives you grief, you'll just reply politely and walk away; It won't even worry you.
My only advice is, when you clean a customer's house and it's filthy, make sure you charge extra (for the extra time involved).
Then if the customer is genuine and uses you again, you are on a winner, but if the customer cancels the next clean, then at least you have covered the cost of the first clean. If a customer doesn't want to pay extra for a first clean then I would be wary and would walk away, rather than clean it.
Good luck...welcome to silly season! ;D
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Picked up 9 customers today in just 4 hours canvassing ;D
great, just wait till you lose half of them over the next couple of cleans.
Canvassing is the fastest way to build work but its the fastest way to lose work also.
thats very optimistic of you!!!
my fall out rate for canvassed work has been no more than 2 in 100 customers ( that I canvassed )
when we used a canvasser it was slightly higher at around 3 in 50
do a good job - turn up regularly and they will stick
Darran
sorry mate but that just not how it is
Ive used 5 different canvassing companies including doing it myself and the drop off rate over 6 months is usually around 50%
of course if i had used just one company i could blame them but had enough experience from different sources to know its canvassing in general not the canvasser.
Most of it is nothing to do with doing a good job either, a lot will cancel before the first clean or just not pay you for it.
In contrast to that when i run online ads the drop off rate is very low, maybe 10% after 6 months.
Just goes to show that different areas produce different results - my experience was as stated very, very few drop outs over nearly 3 years of canvassing but we get very few that drop out overall - our domestic customer base is around 1400 properties and we may lose around 20 a year - some move, some have past away and a few just cancel
Darran
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I actually think facebook groups are the best way to get work.
I used to swear by canvassing but a cleaver worded advert in a group with over 10k members in gets so much interest, i built a full round in a week by using just 2 groups with an add where i said ill be giving the first £3 to a charity of all first clean(which i did to the retired Greyhound trust).
As i did a few of the first cleans they commented on how a great job and how friendly i was then boom...like an avalanche customers snow you under with not enough hours in a day/week to get them all done.
Only prob is they will be spread out and not compact which is where canvassing comes in to fill the gaps,
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I actually think facebook groups are the best way to get work.
I used to swear by canvassing but a cleaver worded advert in a group with over 10k members in gets so much interest, i built a full round in a week by using just 2 groups with an add where i said ill be giving the first £3 to a charity of all first clean(which i did to the retired Greyhound trust).
As i did a few of the first cleans they commented on how a great job and how friendly i was then boom...like an avalanche customers snow you under with not enough hours in a day/week to get them all done.
Only prob is they will be spread out and not compact which is where canvassing comes in to fill the gaps,
Nice touch with the charity hook!
I use Facebook to target new areas where I want to expand into. Once I have a foot in, by way of one or two customers etc, then I canvass several houses either side of property which I'm cleaning and then it's down to word of mouth etc.
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I actually think facebook groups are the best way to get work.
I used to swear by canvassing but a cleaver worded advert in a group with over 10k members in gets so much interest, i built a full round in a week by using just 2 groups with an add where i said ill be giving the first £3 to a charity of all first clean(which i did to the retired Greyhound trust).
As i did a few of the first cleans they commented on how a great job and how friendly i was then boom...like an avalanche customers snow you under with not enough hours in a day/week to get them all done.
Only prob is they will be spread out and not compact which is where canvassing comes in to fill the gaps,
Absolutely bang for buck Facebook produces by far the best return.
Only downside is...and where canvassing excels is as you say getting compact work.
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I actually think facebook groups are the best way to get work.
I used to swear by canvassing but a cleaver worded advert in a group with over 10k members in gets so much interest, i built a full round in a week by using just 2 groups with an add where i said ill be giving the first £3 to a charity of all first clean(which i did to the retired Greyhound trust).
As i did a few of the first cleans they commented on how a great job and how friendly i was then boom...like an avalanche customers snow you under with not enough hours in a day/week to get them all done.
Only prob is they will be spread out and not compact which is where canvassing comes in to fill the gaps,
Absolutely bang for buck Facebook produces by far the best return.
Only downside is...and where canvassing excels is as you say getting compact work.
personally I find Facebook rubbish..one off wonders most of them ;D
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I have gained a lot of customers through Facebook via the local 'do you know' page. It has 15,000 members (approx 60% of the town's population where I live). Most have stuck with me and of course whenever someone posts that they're looking for a window cleaner, my name gets put forward every time. It's good advertising because it is personal recommendation, it's local, and it's free!
John
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James, just get on with it mate and stop caring what other people think. If your struggling at this stage, then you may want to rethink the career.
Your gonna be cleaning one house a d the next thing a group of loud mouth thugs are gonna turn up and clean the neighbours house. The will either be friendly, or complete idiots, but they may also just put their heads down n crack on!
I had this a Couple of months ago.
Nice area, gang(8 ish) on same road as me.
I'd only been cleaning there a few months.
Ignored each other and got on with the work.
I'm over 6 feet tall and alternately look like a bouncer /policeman, depending on what I'm wearing.
So with my complete disdain for their prescence in my workspace, all was well.
Even I couldn't have fought off 8 weedy lads though, ha ha
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I have gained a lot of customers through Facebook via the local 'do you know' page. It has 15,000 members (approx 60% of the town's population where I live). Most have stuck with me and of course whenever someone posts that they're looking for a window cleaner, my name gets put forward every time. It's good advertising because it is personal recommendation, it's local, and it's free!
John
Might work in Co. Kerry (this Facebook lark) but I think it would be disastrous in my locality, too many morons/messers around.
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Bang for buck, the best i ever had was :- £3 ad in shop window producing £150.00 monthly within week of ad going in. That was 28 years ago
Now, my website does well.
(Cheshirewindowcleaner.co.uk)
£30 per month, money well spent, i sit on my backside and let people ring me.