[JoeMax]

Hi,

I know a few of us are stuck at home so why not have a little think about customer acquisition etc.

I'm not sure people will appreciate people knocking on there door so soon to Xmas? So I was thinking of doing a 'New Years Promotion' style leaflet, dropping it before Xmas and then following it up with door knocking in early January 2011.

Just trying to think of an angle for a 'New Years' 2011 promotion... must be something! Perhaps someone has done something like this? If it's a bad idea I apologise - must be the cold getting to my head!

[TomCrowther]

I think it's vital to try new things all the time. Some will bomb, others will do well. It's getting something together that is simple, different and cost effective. From what I have seen, Spring is the most effective time to do mailings etc but then more people are doing it then, so by doing something in Jan you may get a decent return.

[JoeMax]

I'll think of something this week and give it a try. Need something that's going to get there attention and perhaps calmly pressure them into calling me A.S.A.P!

Maybe something along the lines of "New Years Promotion - fascias done FREE for first 100 people that ring up". Something along those lines!

Perhaps 500 leaflets as a tester 

[Steve CM]

I like your thinking. Its good to have something thats low value to you but high value to your customer. Although I would be inclined to say unfortunately your customer number 101.

[mark blundell]

i was thinking the same sort of thing, free gutter inspection for every customer?  cheap camera off of ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230436088816&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2584wt_905

mount it on a pole wouldn't take 10 mins to inspect the guttering
could even pick up some gutter work whilst expanding your w/c round.

just a thought?

[JoeMax]

That's a brilliant idea I think.

The problem with advertising window cleaning is that there's no huge benefit for the consumer. Nobody is really lying awake at night thinking "I sure hope someone knocks on my door tomorrow to offer to clean my windows."

With gutter cleaning you can have a little bit of info about it on the leaflet stating the long term problems associated with not having your gutters cleaned when full.

Selling with pain kinda thing 

[ant french]

shot in the dark what about pressure washing drives is that hard work or waste of time?

[JoeMax]

I have a feeling that isn't the sort of thing you could offer for free. Perhaps 50% off ? Something along those lines - also you'd have to make sure you only drop those flyers at addresses where they have a drive that needs cleaning

[ant french]

I have a feeling that isn't the sort of thing you could offer for free. Perhaps 50% off ? Something along those lines - also you'd have to make sure you only drop those flyers at addresses where they have a drive that needs cleaning

tell you what some of the streets i clean homes on have green manky drives, hmmm might get sum bookings and hire a pressure washer. i heard stories tho about it lifting concrete etc is that true?

[JoeMax]

I have no idea. Best thing to do is search for pressure washers below and browse through all the threads.
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=search

[Smudger]

So how does this all work then....    free fascia clean... free drive clean ...   when do they get this ?
are you tieing them into a contract to do 12 w/cleans ?

so if i say yes - you come and clean my drive (or whatever) for free then cancel the service.

Never give things away for free,  things for free are not valued.

Give a discount -   Make it timed for every new customer booking a window clean in JAN gets a £10.00 voucher to used against a gutter clear - soffit fascia clean - conservatory clean  ( valid until may 2011 )

Darran

[Steve CM]

Never give things away for free,  things for free are not valued.

Wrong!

Giving things away for free that are high value to your customers but low value to you could be a good way of getting in the door.

I wouldn't give away fascias cleans or driveways as they are to time consuming and would cost us to much in time but i think the cctv inspection could be a good one.

Lets face it you would go round and give someone a gutter quote for free so why not impress them with a quick glance into the gutters. I think its a clever ploy and may have a go myself

Quick Question for you: Who waits till Tuesday to get a but one get one free from dominos? how many people use the vouchers that come through the door every 3 months? how many people would use thier discounted deals they do?

Its all promotions planted there for one reason. to keep you coming back for more.

Free is good but only when it doesn't cost you to much in the process or only if that free thing leads to a lot more profit (loss leader)

One i always use is i can clean your gutters for x, i would normally charge you x for your fascias, sofits and gutters to be cleaned down to. and with this service we always give a 20% discount to have them cleaned together.

Seems to work on 80% of the quotes i do

[JoeMax]

It's definitely worth thinking about. You shouldn't rule 'free' out across the board.

Another example is 'Orange Wednesdays', the cinema is packed and they're making money they wouldn't usually make on a Weds.

[Smudger]

Steve - thats my point !  -  you bye one to get one 'free' - or 50% discount!

i, like you price up a house valet then give 10 or 20% off if they have the lot done - this is not free.

I'll think of something this week and give it a try. Need something that's going to get there attention and perhaps calmly pressure them into calling me A.S.A.P!

Maybe something along the lines of "New Years Promotion - fascias done FREE for first 100 people that ring up". Something along those lines!

Perhaps 500 leaflets as a tester

just giving away your work/time without the customer handing over cash is not the clever move, as they
could cancel before you start earning off them.

all promotions are based on desire - desire for the item and desire to get a bargain.

i cant recall any promotions where you get something 'free'

- gutter survey is a good one, but again i would tie that into being done with a 1st window clean.

Darran

[Steve CM]

Steve - thats my point !  -  you bye one to get one 'free' - or 50% discount!

i, like you price up a house valet then give 10 or 20% off if they have the lot done - this is not free.

I'll think of something this week and give it a try. Need something that's going to get there attention and perhaps calmly pressure them into calling me A.S.A.P!

Maybe something along the lines of "New Years Promotion - fascias done FREE for first 100 people that ring up". Something along those lines!

Perhaps 500 leaflets as a tester

just giving away your work/time without the customer handing over cash is not the clever move, as they
could cancel before you start earning off them.

all promotions are based on desire - desire for the item and desire to get a bargain.

i cant recall any promotions where you get something 'free'

- gutter survey is a good one, but again i would tie that into being done with a 1st window clean.

Darran

Ok Darren i get your point. we are singing from the same song sheet so to speak.

I give a FREE quotation as does everyone else so theres one for a start?

I do like the gutter survey one. it would not add any time at all on the quote process

[Alan McTernan]

I have a feeling that isn't the sort of thing you could offer for free. Perhaps 50% off ? Something along those lines - also you'd have to make sure you only drop those flyers at addresses where they have a drive that needs cleaning

tell you what some of the streets i clean homes on have green manky drives, hmmm might get sum bookings and hire a pressure washer. i heard stories tho about it lifting concrete etc is that true?

I tie in with a local WC, he gets all my WC enquires, i get all his PW enquires that way you stick to what you are good at and build on it

Regards
Alan

[mark blundell]

- gutter survey is a good one, but again i would tie that into being done with a 1st window clean.

that was what i was thinking tie it in to every new customer it wont take you long and wont cost you anything.

also i've carried out the survey mrs smith and unfortunately your guttering needs cleaning out take a look on the screen but i can do that for you for £??

[stephen.b1]

window cleaning January specials
regular price for 1st clean saves 50%
3rd clean free  when you take up my services for a regular window cleaning

[windiewasher]

great post
im thinking i should have a new year leaflet drop!
im thinking for every regular customer i will give them a free clean at xmas 2011,
for first 100 customers.
means your gonna get 12 months cleaning out of them and also most will pay you anyway if there happy with your service!