I started April 2011 and went all out canvassing. I really had to commit, so spent 3/4 hrs a day canvassing. Some have been rubbish and so I'm gradually dropping them.
What I found worked is identifying any 3/4 storey town houses and emphasise the point of reaching the top windows. Really worked well an manage to charge a premium. Printed up leaflets-post at all those not in. Highlight any other services like conny roofs and gutter cleaning.
It's a case of treating it as a business and not poking at it and hope it grows into a profitable business. Thats not a dig at anyone, but shapes the way things grow. Your mindset will affect the round you end up with. I'm not planning to expand, so once I hit 400 I'll be full.
Pick the figure you need and plan to work towards it. If you set yourself a target of 10 custys a week at an average of £12. By the end if March you'll have getting on for £1500 extra business before the summer brigade start(I know that was me last year).
Set a figure, commit and go for it, and treat yourself at the end when you achieve it.
Most of all enjoy it and dont stress yourself
)
Steve