[Fieldsy]

Well having lost a round, which we intended buying, we started on our own and have been frantically canvassing. Ok, I know its not gonna get me sunning myself in Barbados, but we've picked up 10 customers in about a week.  I'm well pleased that we have picked them up and at least making a go of it.

Thoroughly enjoying the fresh air, meeting people, and working to my time...........I hope it continues 


Just need to pick up some more and spread the word

Fieldsy

[Fieldsy]

Thanks Stan,

It seems a mountainous task to get clients/customers, but everyone started somewhere. We're hoping not to tread on anyones toes, but we picked up 2 today and possibly another all next to each other because their w/c had retired, now if we could just find his other clients.............lol


I'll try to keep updated, to advise how we're getting on.

even at this early stage, we are learning its word of mouth that seems to get the jobs rather than loadsa flyers!!!

cheers

Fieldsy

[bonsey]

should ask cust if they have his number you could offer him something for his books as he has just gave it up

[Fieldsy]

good idea essexwc, thanks for the tip.................sorry to say m8, we are in Essex, so firstly, sorry if we trod/tread on any toes, and secondly, if you have too much m8, a few custs would be handy if you have them. No probs if you haven't tho     doesn't hurt to ask 

[Tosh]

Well having lost a round, which we intended buying, we started on our own and have been frantically canvassing.

well done

Thanks Stan,

Fieldsy

I think Stan is being 'ironic'; he believes in patches, and if you canvassed his 'patch' he wouldn't be happy with you!

[bonsey]

where in essex are you

[Fieldsy]

lol....wherever I can get..lol

seriously, rochford, hullbridge, hadleigh, rayleigh, benfleet, ashingdon................southend would probs be furthest

[bonsey]

thats my PATCH 

good luck with canvassing

if you need help with anything just ask

rich

[Fieldsy]

you serious rich  ??,   whats the bloody chances of that in all of essex...


"need help with anything"..........yh, can I have some punters.........lol  only kidding m8

thanks

Fieldsy

[russ_clark]

hey thats my patch too ---lol
good luck fieldsy
It ain't me thats retiring but I do know someone who is  : :
Russ

[Fieldsy]

oh well, maybe mine will be a very small round     lol

[Jimmy1]

Leaflets dont do harly anything. word of mouth, recomendations and face to face canvessing all geat great results. 10 in a week is really good, if you did that every week - in a year youd have 520 clients. Its all about building - you cant fail - good luck.

[Fieldsy]

thanks for the support fellas, much appreciated 

[Fieldsy]

Just  a bit of an update on this, as I said I would keep it posted. We now have nearly 20 customers in about two weeks. We haven't "nicked" anyones custs, as most are probs happy with who they currently have. We had a mixture of "mines retired", "mines never come back", "mine wouldn't do the top windows" etc.... etc....

So reasonably happy that we have got started. I know its not a great economic climate to be starting, but we are getting custs, so it can be done, and I'm just excited that hopefully it will build. I know and appreciate it will be a long process,  and we are probs getting others cast offs, but we've got to start somewhere and its our "little empire"...lol    It may all go "bosoms" up, but at least I can say I tried 

Fieldsy

[Paul Coleman]

Just  a bit of an update on this, as I said I would keep it posted. We now have nearly 20 customers in about two weeks. We haven't "nicked" anyones custs, as most are probs happy with who they currently have. We had a mixture of "mines retired", "mines never come back", "mine wouldn't do the top windows" etc.... etc....

So reasonably happy that we have got started. I know its not a great economic climate to be starting, but we are getting custs, so it can be done, and I'm just excited that hopefully it will build. I know and appreciate it will be a long process,  and we are probs getting others cast offs, but we've got to start somewhere and its our "little empire"...lol    It may all go "bosoms" up, but at least I can say I tried 

Fieldsy

Of course it's still very doable.  Might have to work a bit harder at getting the customers than previously but they are certainly out there still - and without the need to chase other peoples'.  I've picked up two jobs this week without looking - total average value of £67 per six weekly cycle (one of the jobs has a variable workload each visit).  If I went doorknocking fairly regularly, I would regard ten new customers a week as well within my capabilities.
The trick is what to do when you have a full workload.  That's where I fell down before.

[Mike 108]

Don't forget to ask your customers to mention you to their friends (its amazing how most of them don't think to do this unless you ask them).

Mike

[dai]

Fieldsy, you keep refering to "we". Unless the other half is your Mrs or live in partner, you could well have made your first big mistake in window cleaning, don't get me wrong some guys who start out as mates and business parners do make it, but it's a hell of a lot more difficult to find enough work for two, and some major problems can occur later on.
My advice for anyone thinking of starting in this business is paddle your own canoe, then whatever you build is all yours, and there is only one making the decisions.
Ask any of the guys that have been in this business many years. 90% of them will tell you the same.
Good luck with your round building, dai

[G O A]

yer good luck ive just moved 200 miles and now live in yorkshire picked up 8 custys monday night,3 weds and just had one ring me up today start them all on monday takin my little bro to show him the ropes so might get all 12 done for say friday

[Fieldsy]

thanks G O A, appreciated m8, good luck with yours aswell.

I appreciate we need loadsa work for a partnership, but we are both very conciencious workers, both been in the same trade all our lives and both been pretty much treated in the same way by our respective companies. We are working for each other and trying to make a go of it and helping each other along the way, and as I've said thoroughly enjoying it. The biggest advantage, we have found, NO STRESS!!, no-one on your back, over your shoulder wondering when, how long, why isn't...... a job finished.

We've only been going a couple of weeks, and so far we have spoken to customers who have had nothing but praise for what we have done with regards to cleaning their windows, so we must be doing something right.  Just one drawback !!!, I think we need to speed up, but I'm sure that will come with practice...............oh and more custs hopefully ...

[G O A]

the speed does come once you get a rythem going 
and you decidewhats the best order for the days work
thats one day a month filled only 27 to go