[Jamie Lindsay]

just want to see peoples views on there best return on investment... ie flyers, ads etc ??

[jasonl]

For me , in this order
Word of mouth inc repeat/referral
Mailshots
Websites
Shop window leaflets
Leaflets
Mags/papers

It is a bit like saying what is the best food for you , protein,fat, carbs, , you need them all really

[derek west]

best form of advertising is bloomin obvious.

2 rooms cleaned for £8.99 then up sell ya fckin ass off.

[Jamie Lindsay]

dont think I would have the heart to do that   

[richy27]

the best form of advertising is to do the best job you can to produce decent refers. all advertising works to what success is something you will have to try out for yourself . I suggest you set a monthly budget and try all manner of dif things and monitor your responses. adjust swop and change try to think outside the box and do not get suckred into any long term commitments keep the power to market firmly in your hands.

I feel your question is going to confuse yourself as what works for some does not for others.  good luck

[Jamie Lindsay]

think I will take the canvassing route... put a face behing the business

[Matt Seymour]

Referrals

Leaflets

Website (a good one)

Local/parish magazines

Word of mouth

If you have a website Jamie, I guarantee you will be inundated with phonecalls from Yell.com, Thomson and countless web marketing companies who claim they can get you page on Google for £50 a month.

Give them all a wide berth!

[Jim_77]

Getting doors slammed in your face is OK i f you like that sort of thing I suppose!  Lots of time for very little contact with potential customers.

Best form of advertising is a satisfied customer, as rich says you get almost 100% conversion rate from good recommendations.  Although it is one of the least prolific in getting volumes of new customers.  But the more customers you have the more referrals....

Highest volume of enquiries would come from either leaflets, directories or internet, depending on your location, but the high volume of enquiries gained means a much lower quality of enquirers.... so you need to learn how to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I'd say you really should look at a marketing mix with wide  ranging methods.  Direct mail is good, your own list is a goldmine.  Renting lists more expensive but can strike gold if done properly.

[ianharper]

Jamie

its not the media that you need to worry about its the message on it. no good talking about clean carpets to asthma suffers you would be better talking about the safe products. or say talking about the quality of your service to movers when they want value for money.

Top end customers will do there buying by recommendation and the bottom end by price. there is an old saying that "birds of a feather flock together" this rings true in marketing.

In my view you need to be looking at SELLING and not marketing. with respect marketing is when you sell to people with a need. this one is easy. selling is harder but can be more rewarding as many prospects end up spending more than they wanted on something that they really did not need.

Respect

Ian Harper

[MAX Carpets]

Dont worry Jamie, after all "Its only carpet cleaning"

[jasonl]

If you value your time , canvassing is not cheap at all .

[Jamie Lindsay]

thanks for the advice,

totally understand what you are say about the referrals.. but to get them you need costumers so have to build this first thats why I am thinking of handing my leaflet into some ones hand at the door rather than putting it through the letter box with no connection

lets be honest 99% of the market are woman... woman don't like letting people into there house they don't trust so would be nice to put a on the flyer to put there mind att rest   

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

To be honest I would ignore all advice above and get yourself one of these and the cash will just roll in!!!!!! 

http://www.skypower.co.uk/Default.aspx?pagename=Helium-Blimp-Advertising&gclid=CNT7t-TfxaUCFYIe4QodPzmn_Q

[Jamie Lindsay]

haha the 21st century flyer 

[Hilton]

Jamie

its not the media that you need to worry about its the message on it. no good talking about clean carpets to asthma suffers you would be better talking about the safe products. or say talking about the quality of your service to movers when they want value for money.

Top end customers will do there buying by recommendation and the bottom end by price. there is an old saying that "birds of a feather flock together" this rings true in marketing.

In my view you need to be looking at SELLING and not marketing. with respect marketing is when you sell to people with a need. this one is easy. selling is harder but can be more rewarding as many prospects end up spending more than they wanted on something that they really did not need.

Respect

Ian Harper

Couldn't disagree more,

With out marketing how can you sell ?

Marketing is building the demand for your service, once the interest has been created by the marketing then you can sell the service, not the other way round.

[Jamie Lindsay]

good point 

[david hutchieson]

I agree that diversification is the key.
Try a bit of everything to find out what works for you as and when you have the spare cash.
In our area an average days work can bring in a lot of cash but you need more than just carpet cleaning as there are lots of people chasing the same work and the work is mainly seasonal. Plus we have the usual numpties who want to work for nothing.
We do dry cleaning uplift and delivery to boats and rug cleaning for the dry cleaners to cover our slack times.
We are not only in the carpet cleaning business but, hopefully, the money making business too.
Cheers.

[derek west]

plenty of carpet cleaning work out there.

as jim royle would say, "not enough work my ar5e"

i prematurely diversified and had to back track. lesson learned.

[Jamie Lindsay]

not saying its the be all end all... buts its another arrow for my bow

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

By far the best form of advertising is word of mouth. Do a good job, give good customer service & the repeat & referal business should come in. But for any new business it does take time & carpet cleaning alone IMO cannot support a family. Need to diversify as much as possible.

Cheers,

Derek
CTS

Got to agree with the above, be patient and dont be greedy with prices - little and often