Hi
are the leaflets double sided?
Reason i ask is (and laugh if you want) if its one sided and lands face down it may not get read or noticed...and thats a fact..
I did a double sided one carpets Upholstery one side and my leather services on the other.... got a leather job went to quote got talking about carpet cleaning and custy asked if i knew anyone!!!..... she fetched the leaflet i showed her the reverse side ..... ske said "well ya bugger i didnt even notice that side"!!!....so got the carpets too

Regarding return rates etc... not sure if there is any magic formula or gauranteed % return... you just gotta keep plugging away within your budget on marketting .....and gauging what works... i dished out 5k leaflets...got one call!!!!.....but it turned into a £700 job.....so if i'f had say 10 calls from the 5k leaflets for say a £45 carpet cleaning that would be £450...more calls .... less return though... i think some of it is pure luck and your leaflet lands on the mat at the right time when the custy wants your services.....thats where i agree regular drops of the same area every 4-6 weeks gets the attention and hopefully the work..
communication ( or marketting).....is key to operational success... as without it you dont get the work...once you get the work thats where building a reputation comes into it in your service delivery and standards....thats then where you get referrals and word of mouth work...(if the work and services is good)..
I'm new to this game too...but everything i turn over a little goes back into marketting whether that be a new batch of leaflets or something else...
You've got to be cost effective though as if you say you plough £500 into whatever marketting means and not covering that investment and more.....you aint going to last long...
If you are starting out and have the time deliver yourself within 1/2 miles of your home do that to build a local customer base....by travelling less for work your overheads will be less ... have your van sign writing and be corporate in your marketting ... so the locals can relate your van / logo etc.. to the leaflet ....thats just landed on their mat..
When you aint using your van on a weekend....go and park it at the local supermarket or shops in the first space so everyone coming and going sees it....maybe chain one of those pavement / sandwich boards to it with a special deal...
Knock a letter up ... and on every job you do target the street where you did the job " today i cleaned the carpets or whatever at no.(just pen the number in).... you may not need me right now blah blah blah explain how you can help them care for their carpets etc.. even though they may not be dirty it gets them thinking...stck the offers on ....... you'll be amazed how many people like to keep up with people in their street..
this marketting costs peanuts and i imagine most on here do or have done this.....with good rate of return for the little outlay..
Good luck .... if anyone else has any other tips please feel free to share
Thanks
Paul