[jade.l]

How effective is leafletting?
Iv just done door knocking so far as my printer is out of ink, but it does get tiring dont it?!
i only managed to pick up 3 or 4 customers the beginning of the week, going back out tomorrow to finish off the areas i started.
Im also hitting some of suffolk as i have family and friends there and will be doing their windows and more than likely their neighbours windows.
Clacton seems to be full of window cleaners, so im having to branch out further which i dont mind doing so long as it benefits in the long run.

[jeff68]

When I first started I leafleted lots of areas and now my round is big enough I no longer need to leaflet drop.Most of my new custies are friends and family of existing custies.As far as door knocking goes I never did it and don't agree with it as I find it to invasive of peoples right to have a quiet life without cold callers knocking on thier doors every 5 mins.

[jade.l]

I agree Jeff, but i was hoping to get a couple of quick addresses just to get me started, besides, i know that i personally dont even look at leaflets that come through the door, i just bin them.
I dont like cold callers coming to my door either haha.
well hopefully now iv got a couple, their neighbor's snout and ask me to do theirs too.
I know the areas i want to cover, and iv got a couple of 'loud mouths' who said they'l spread the word.
I may just leaflet then and hope for the best.

[cozy]

I also throw most flyers in the bin when I get them, BUT,The way I do it is, I stick a flyer with my company logo on it and a text like this; Dear sir/madam, we have been established since 1989 providing a window cleaning service in nearby areas including such customers as BFBS (well known radio stn over here in Germany) and KRAFT foods.With nearly 20 years of experience, we promise a very good, friendly and reliable service.
We will be expanding our service to your area in the very near future and will be calling on you soon to see if you are interested and answer any questions you may have.
Within 3 days of the flyer being dropped, I call and say: Hello, RPG Service, did you get our flyer? ........ you know the rest.This has pulled me a 30% hit rate.
I don't mind personaly if I interupt someone watching "Corry or Emerdale" I am building a business all the time.
Hope I've helped

[jeff68]

I also throw most flyers in the bin when I get them, BUT,The way I do it is, I stick a flyer with my company logo on it and a text like this; Dear sir/madam, we have been established since 1989 providing a window cleaning service in nearby areas including such customers as BFBS (well known radio stn over here in Germany) and KRAFT foods.With nearly 20 years of experience, we promise a very good, friendly and reliable service.
We will be expanding our service to your area in the very near future and will be calling on you soon to see if you are interested and answer any questions you may have.
Within 3 days of the flyer being dropped, I call and say: Hello, RPG Service, did you get our flyer? ........ you know the rest.This has pulled me a 30% hit rate.
I don't mind personaly if I interupt someone watching "Corry or Emerdale" I am building a business all the time.
Hope I've helped

I get the same thing with guys wanting gold or antiques.They put a flyer through me door and a week later they come around and ask if I got thier flyer and if I have anything to sell.Well I tell them yes I saw thier flyer and if I had anything to sell I would have contacting them before,I then shut the door.
Leafleting is the best way to get work and also place some adds in local newsagents and post offices or chipp shop windows.
Also remember if a potential customer  phones you for a quote after reading your leaflet then you are in a good position to name a good price.IT makes you seem less desperate to get work as cold calling can make you seem like you haven't  much work thats why you have the time to door knock!!!
 

[jade.l]

yes i see what you mean.
i know some of the areas iv got my eyes on have had leaflets delivered coz one come through my father in laws door!
still, i managed to get his neighbor on my books so all's not bad 
i think im going to play with my flyers and reword them to appeal to my potential suffolk customers

[Niall McAllister]

well dressed and polite smile cause very little offence and you have made the important first impression.
perhaps leaflet first , then a couple of days later call and tell them you left the leaflet and would they be interested in your service. there are only two options for them, yes or no.

[geefree]

i throw flyers in the bin... if they mean nothing to me. but i would not throw a window cleaning flyer in the bin.... if i needed a window cleaner...

[jeff68]

i throw flyers in the bin... if they mean nothing to me. but i would not throw a window cleaning flyer in the bin.... if i needed a window cleaner...

Absolutely mate!!!!If I get a flyer through me door advertising a service that I need or might need in the future then I will keep these flyers all the others get recycled not binned

[jade.l]

The thing is, im well known for security and door supervising, so people know im new to the trade so they know im just starting out (although i wouldnt ever admit it).
So far iv blagged it that iv just expanded into the area blah blah blah when questioned.

[jeff68]

The thing is, im well known for security and door supervising, so people know im new to the trade so they know im just starting out (although i wouldnt ever admit it).
So far iv blagged it that iv just expanded into the area blah blah blah when questioned.

Problem is when people know you are new to the trade they are very suspicious because they think you might be a pikey looking for places to rob or a dole dodger just looking for a fast buck then leave,so you need to give the impression as I did when I first started out that you have a big round and years worth of experience and you are expanding to this thier area.Seems like you are doing things right mate and if they know you from your door work then tell them you have been window cleaning by day for the past few years and now have such a big round you are giving up the door work and going full time into window cleaning..
Good luck...

[jade.l]

Thanks jeff, and everyone else.
Yes iv made out that iv been WC part time in my home town or away if convincing anyone from home... which to be fair aint no lie, iv been cleaning my own for years! haha.
Ok will now crack on with new flyers! 

[Rob.Hall]

You never know till you try.

'Nothing ventured nothing gained'.

Hate that saying...If only!

If you are starting out or have not got enough custies just get out there and do it.

Look professional though. People dont take to scruffs much.

Cost me £25 for two polo shirts and a fleece all with my logo on.

[jade.l]

oh i never look scruffy haha. i work fully suited! 

[Niall McAllister]

The thing is, im well known for security and door supervising, so people know im new to the trade so they know im just starting out (although i wouldnt ever admit it).
So far iv blagged it that iv just expanded into the area blah blah blah when questioned.

you have a selling point right there. You are known by people for secutity related work, this will give you a head start in the trust area.
i used to be with the post office, most of my custs are people from my old rounds or recomends from them..
use everything to your advantage