[janeth]

Hi all, has anyone got any tips for getting that first contract in? special offers maybe to put on our website.  Been doing all the cold calling which i hate, seems someone always beats us to it.
 Is one allowed to use emails for getting business?
Dont think leaflet drops are a good idea as we are aiming at industrial and commercial companies and not domestic.
Have thought about faxes but could get carried away with the costs.
Thanks
Janet
www.atozeefacility.co.uk

[chosker]

Have you tried getting lists of local businesses that are expanding / just moved in - they can help.
Also get decent advertising going - the more people have heard of you the more likely they are to use you as you seem more reputable (isn't always the case...)

Just had a quick look at the website... I quite like it, however have found that when aiming at the business market, comic style approach is much less effective.

Good luck!

[janeth]

Thanks for that, will have a look at taking some of those pics out then.
p.s where do you get those business lists from, just been trawling the net and couldnt find anything. There are quite a lot of new large offices that have just been built and are for sale or rent in our area, is there a way of finding out whos moving in before they do as they will prob have cleaners in place by that time.
Janet

[chosker]

there's a company called new connections, not get their details but i think they're affiliated with thomson's... not sure how good the information is - I've seen other people mention them on here so perhaps do a post just for that?

Would advise you do a leaflet drop on new builds in your area where people might move in soon, can also be good to personally hand leaflets / business cards to people rather than just dropping them through. You dont have to leaflet domestic, just commercial.

You can use emails for getting business - again there are companies which specialise in lists of company addresses. I ignore most sales emails though so not too sure how much response they get!

[wilclean]

hi

  Try www.qsl-tenders.co.uk or www.tendermatch.co.uk - these 2 websites will get what your after as both send you inside info of firms either moving or getting bigger aswell as tender information.

Hope this helps.


Paul

[cleanimperial]

Hi

I tired Thompsons new connections and it was **** It cost us £850 and nothing.

The way they find out these details is through BT. When a company sets up there new phone line, lines  Bt passes on the information.

All are work has come from posting letters through the companys door or sending them. So in my experince I personaly would try that to start with.

Good luck

Fred

[janeth]

Thanks for that Fred, thats just what im going to do, that and back to cold caling grrr
Janet

[martin19842]

hi there

yes , i would remove the music, personally, looking from commercial work, keep website crisp and professional

just an opininon

regards

martin

[janeth]

Changed website, would appreciate feedback,
thanks for your comments
Janet

[Optima CTC]

Hi Janet,

I'm floating in the same kind of boat as yours. I have been running this Domestic/Office cleanning services in London for almost a year now but no proper contract yet. I got few calls from people for domestic cleaning but they always end up saying "I'll call back later" and they never did. Yet, I spent a lot of money advertising in Yellow pages, BT directory, website, leaflet, magazines, etc.

It is good to have a platform like this one where like minded people (folks and colleagues) meet to share views and ideas. I shall actually follow up some of the suggestions given to you herein and I shall let you know how effective they are here in London.

Just keep up the faith and hopefully we shall get that very firt elusive contract to kickstart the business. Cheers.    (2 smileys: one for you and one for me when we hit it at last).

Shadie.
Optima CTC         www.optimactc.co.uk