[waynebarry]

Hi guys can you tell me what form of advertising works for you?
I was going to do the whole Alltec marketing thing but the support from them has been rubbish so I am looking at other ways.

[Gary Webber]

Hi Wayne,

It will depend on what markets you are targeting, domestic, commercial or both!

You will need to find your unique selling point. What is it that makes you different from the other local companies and market yourself on that strength.

A lot of people will give you different answers. Simply because what works for some may not work for you. If starting off, look to "network" or build contacts. Such things as carpet retailers, who you can get referals from. Local parish magazines and local booklets may also work for you. Then the big outlay of Yellow pages & BT Books. I wouldn't let them talk you into a big ad, use a decent sized ad but worded well. I would definetly get a good looking website built and optimised, as the shift is towards online customers.

You have to build a marketing mix, of trying different things to see what works for you and what doesnt. Dont be afraid to call on premises and talk to people about what you do, the publics perception on carpet cleaning isnt great at times, so educating clients is a must!

Hope is helps

Gary

[ianharper]

Wayne

first before you look at methods decide how you are going to finance it. you will need income or savings that you can use week in week out not matter how much work you have coming in.

Second I agree on what Gary says. just remember that the words or message you use will be different for each market.

With regards to your comments on alltec, yes sometime the service is bad (from what others say) but not everything in life is served to us on a plate. in this case you have to look at the success of some that have got over the hard work of getting though to them. I think if you where spending lots of money with alltec you would get the service you want. times are hard for everyone and we only have a limited amount of time so we need to spend that where to the money is. my advise would be email Robert and tell him about your issues and then if he does not react move on.

perseverance and thick skins are things you need in this business.

Good luck

Respect

Ian Harper

[Colin Day]

From someone who swears I'll never ever use YP again....I'm getting a fair bit of work from it at the moment

[Joe H]

I am as well Colin........

Last week I cleaned the reps house that calls on me!  25 miles away and lots of carpet cleaners in between us. 

He said I had the best equipment so I got it.
Pity the operator lets the equipment down 

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Standards ofv equip must be low in your area Joe lol

Cheers Tony

[MAX Carpets]

YP is working well for us as well?

[Joe H]

Standards ofv equip must be low in your area Joe lol
Cheers Tony

Your dead right Tony.
Only me with any decent gear. 

[cannon]

Funny thing that yellow pages ive had a couple of jobs lately just from my free line. Might even consider getting a small ad now.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Clinton just got myself anothert machine

[John Higgins]

been in yellow pages for past 25 years have watched it decline over the last 5 years - also said I wouldnt go in again
after this year - but have also been getting a fair bit of work from the new book  - maybe its a case of last man standing as the hull book as thinned considerably-

sorry should have said advert is for my print business on not for carpet cleaning - other industry's I do work for  are also experianceing an increase in sales from colour pages  - business overall seems to be improving slightly over quite a few sectors - a lot of business have gone bust in the last year - so maybe the survivours are starting to reap the benefits of less competition.

on a happy note generaly my carpet cleaning customers are also seeing an improvent in work load- still a bit rough for some cleaners upnorth and wales though...

Quick marketing tip mail shot your exisisting customer with regular newsletters you'll be suprised how much work this can generate.

Parish magazines always had good reports from cleaners who do this as a good way to get wok

[Steve_Knight]

Tony
You are far better off and will have more fun on the one in the shed

Cheers

Steve

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Steve winter time fun 

Cheers Tony

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Hi Clinton no that's just how clean it was 51 reg only done 25000 last guy had it 6years Sill got the st1300 and drz400 got to have the toys Had a couple of Blackbirds before and bikes lol. Just forgot how much power they had BRILLIANT. Yours looks sweet only colour for a gsxr last gsxr i had was the 1100 wild machine had it dynoed rolling road and a boss system on it at hobb sports in Keighley.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

ONLY the straights  : : :

[Mike Halliday]

getting back to the topic : : and away from tonys male menopause toy

our new Y/Ps came out last week ands I have an advert in it for the first time in a few years, now I remember why i stopped going in it.

getting lots of poor people ringing me from the wrong side of town, just time waster who cannot afford me

 if I was a low priced company my advert would be a great success

[terrymaloy]

Downsizing my ad in the YP this year.
Took out a big ad, full colour etc last year and hardly a sniff.