[joshem]

Hi all,

I've been going for around seven months and it's going pretty well. There's a new estate which is nearing completion in my area and I was considering writing a formal letter addressed as 'Dear Occupant' to each property asking if they would like a window cleaner. Have any of you ever done anything like this? Do you think it'd be a good idea?

Cheers.

[GB Window Cleaning]

just knock the doors

[Wc Solutions]

flyer and knock!

letter = waste of time

[edward1]

dont bother with the letter.
it will go in the bin .
as sugested go and knock on the doors.

[RO-Sheen]

Definately knocking.

Put yourself in the new homeowners position. They have recently moved in and busy settling in with decorating, furnishing, laying the lawn and dealing with the snagging list.

If you put a letter through the door they will either bin it straight away because they are too busy with the above/not interested in having windows cleaned/Give you a call and book you in for a quote.

By knocking at the door you are taking the 'hassle' out of phoning you and booking you in and they are more likely to say yes to a quote.
It would be a good idea to repeat it again in 6 months time.

I live on a large new estate and found that to be the most effective way.

[AuRavelling79]

Do it the JW way if you are serious. 

Make up a short letter/flyer and take 50 out with you.

Knock all the doors and canvass. Let's say you knock on 50 doors.

Anyone who doesn't show immediate interest - hand them the flyer/letter.

Write down all the "Not Homes" (say 20) and immediately go back round and I guarantee at least a third will answer because they were hiding first time round or have just come back.

You will now be left with about a dozen real not homes. Go again in the next couple of days and you will get a few more in.

Simples - if you can cope with the 45 or so "No thanks" you will get - but hey it's the three yes's and the two "maybe laters" you went for.




Those that aren't

[andyjm1]

Nearing completion?
If your competitors have anything about them they will have been knocking on the doors as the new owners move in.
I'd be amazed if you haven't missed the boat on this one.

[Spruce]

One of the things about new estates is to hit it right.

As Gold says if you get in too early you need to keep in personal contact regularily so they know where to go when they are ready.

We have found that usually most don't want the additional cost of window cleans when there is so much dust around with ongoing building work. They feel it's a waste of money as the windows will be dirty soon after you have left.

The other thing to bear in mind is that most couples have stretched themselves to the financial limit and a few will most probably discontinue your services shortly thereafter as they can't afford the cost. Don't let outstanding money build up either - try to collect money after every clean.

You only may get a couple of cleans to start with, but you need to actively canvass the rest.

[Spruce]

Nearing completion?
If your competitors have anything about them they will have been knocking on the doors as the new owners move in.
I'd be amazed if you haven't missed the boat on this one.

A few years back we canvassed a new estate and hit it perfectly. We got about 60% of homes that evening. There were other window cleaners canvassing earlier, but they got nothing.
We canvassed another new estate and got nothing from it, we hit it too early - building is still ongoing 3 years later. The only house I do is an old customer who I did before she moved there.

Spruce

[Nick Wareham]

go by every day, and get them as they are moving in.

I did that once, and it worked a treat.

Dont bother with a letter.