[Jimmy Jon]

I am just preparing some new post cards for existing customers with some special offers to help try and build up the round and was thinking of writing this:
Recommend us to a friend and get 50% of your window clean

Recommend us to 2 of your friends and get a free window clean

Has anyone else tried anything like this and had results or what do you use? If it brings in new paying regular customers then its got to be worth it? 

[glen parva]

i tried this last  year on 100 custies never got a lot maybe  5  at the most but any is better than none 

[SPE]

I've done the 50% discount since I began 4 years ago
to be honest it hasnt been as fruitful as I'd expected,( I usually get neighbouring houses on my streets by being approached because my van is sign written and I have become a regular face to them ) but that may just be because its a note at the bottom of my "windows cleaned" bill/slip and many dont bother reading it  :
put some kind of terms in though that explain its only for new recommendations that become regulars, e.g. on the second clean maybe ? else you might be getting the run around !

[Smudger]

Hi terry,

i get a steady stream of RAFS - just last month a custy did 2 and was so pleaeed to get a freebie she got me another this month.

you have to keep pushing it ie..  if chatting and they say how well your work is, then drop in the RAFS

we do a newsletter as well with prize draw,   basically rec a freind costs nothing to run, so why not give it a try

Darran

[dazmond]

ive never bothered with this idea.never needed to as i get work mainly by word of mouth or recommendation. it wont do any harm though i suppose.i let  potential custies come to me as ive got plenty of work to plough through most of the time.

good luck with it terry

some guys have been offering free first cleans near me to get work!!madness if you ask me!!i would NEVER do that!and ive NEVER given anybody a free clean unless its family or occasionally a neighbour in 17 years of window cleaning!!



dazmond

[Tom White]

I've heard here that the best way to get recommendations is to ask your customers for them.

That sounds true to me.  I wouldn't offer any discounts though; you may not even like or want the work that gets recommended to you.

[Handyman Window Cleaning Services]

I am just preparing some new post cards for existing customers with some special offers to help try and build up the round and was thinking of writing this:
Recommend us to a friend and get 50% of your window clean

Recommend us to 2 of your friends and get a free window clean

Has anyone else tried anything like this and had results or what do you use? If it brings in new paying regular customers then its got to be worth it? 

50% off  not 50% of

i done it before but i done £5 off.  some £4 job expected a pound change off me    : 

[bobby p]

the trouble is that any offer of discounts tells the customer youre desperate for work -so it  then makes it harder to increase your price as they sense they can dangle you around knowing you wont go. one idea might be to mention u really need more in their road to make it viable as the far side of town is keeping you so busy

.  it definitely pays to give off an air that you are so busy you have no time to waste ,no time for messers,no time for anything more than do their windows ,a few seconds chat and off u go  . then when a customer mentions you to a mate this image is told to the mate

i have also noticed a real relief on the faces this clean as ive been so late (due to that snow etc )and theyre  scared theyve lost me . something else to keep up my sleeve

[Smudger]

Bobby - i think it depends on how you approach it,

there's nothing wrong with rewarding loyalty and spreading the word.


and new custy's have a first clean price 

Darran

[formb]

Recommend us to 2 of your friends and get a free window clean

Don't clean windows for free mate.

We did a similar thing a few years ago, one customer in particular ended up not paying for a window clean for over a year, all the customers she got us are now no longer customers.

[Alex Allen]

I agree with form b
the cost of window cleaning is only an issue at the start
most wont be bothered by saving a few pounds after this
they will be more bothered by paying you less
or have you work for nothing

[Kate2]

Although I agree, yes, it should be straightforward as in any trade, you do the job, you get paid. 

This was an idea I suggested to somebody - whether you look at is a customer retention or for new customers....

If you can strike a little contra deal with a local business, £50 voucher from an independent retailer, in return for a clean, or a clean to whatever the value of a prize they are prepared to give you.  You could also link on your site (if you have one) this months prize is in conjunction with X, your local ........ put a link on for that prize giver.

Anyone new gets automatically entered into the draw, and just a little incentive for current customers

Also if they are prepared to give you physical goods, you can save some things up for a Christmas Hamper.

Maybe a bit different, and good for local business.

Just some thoughts.........

[Taylor & Taylor WC Services]

I have on the bottom of my invoice sheets 'Introduce a friend for £10 off your next clean'

Had them a few months now and only 1 customer has bothered! Not sure how many actually remove the invoice from the envelope though? They probably put the cheque in and post it without even looking!

I used to offer 50% on my adverts but again got nowhere.

[formb]

If you can strike a little contra deal with a local business, £50 voucher from an independent retailer, in return for a clean, or a clean to whatever the value of a prize they are prepared to give you.  You could also link on your site (if you have one) this months prize is in conjunction with X, your local ........ put a link on for that prize giver.

Sorry Kate2 but Eh?

[Kate2]

Sorry Form Eh? to what matey?

[formb]

Perhaps I am being a thicko but, me no understand! 

[Kate2]

Nah not at all

Just like the old bartering really

You go and do a clean at the local, butchers, hair salon, beauticians, local electrical place, independent chemist, local tourist attraction, any independent business at all.  In return you ask them for a prize to the value of your clean.

So your local butcher might for example give you the value in goods of what the clean would have cost you.

You then put that on your website (if you have one)  This months prize is in Conjunction with Will Brown, local supplier of fine meats bla bla......

You put a link to his site if you can.  Alternatively on a leaflet that you have local businesses that supply prizes

He wins he gets a clean, he gets his name on your site, and then you do the next month with somebody different.

Might help new people to join, because its just a wee incentive, and might keep current customers happy?

Just a bit of fun maybe and also a little bit of a puller with new people, community thing etc.

Just a thought.

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

dont do insentive personally but the prices dont change much from yr to yr may just up it a few quid every 2 /3 yrs

[formb]

Duh.

I was right Kate, I was being a thicko.  :

 

[Kate2]

Nope,

I probably didnt explain myself too well