[Archer]

I have picked up more customers from recommendations in the last 4 weeks than I virtually did for the past 12 months.

I was wondering if others had noticed an increase in gaining work this year ?

I have never tendered for work, and I have never attempted to canvass others work, which is the way I learnt.

All I make sure is we do a very good job and do it safely, and it does pay off in the long run as long as you are driven and know your limitations.

[Shane O Neill]

Good on u archer....nice to see positive results on here from hard work & good principles (but the new work u are getting must have been someone else's ,but good for u)

[Archer]

Hi Shane,

Like I stated in my post all I do is make sure we do a very good job, taking our time, and carrying out our work in a safe and professional manner.

Yes others would have cleaned it, but obviously not to a very good standard, which is why they won't be cleaning the work anymore.

To many times window cleaning companies demand and demand from their workforce, and expecting too much from them with unrealistic timescales.

All I tell my lads is take your time, do a good job, and take no risks.

Pretty much common sense.


Like I said, never canvassed and never tendered, just do a good job and the work will follow

[Shane O Neill]

Like I said, never canvassed and never tendered, just do a good job and the work will follow

Never canvassed ?? Really,not even advertise ? To grow in any business u need to quote & quote,yes I'm totally with u on no dirty tactics or nicking someone's work such as undercutting or knowing someone inside to get them to change their window cleaner but I think you need to canvass be that on adverts,Facebook ,mags etc

[dazmond]

i agree ARCHER IF your already well established.ive not picked up much in the last month or so but a few months  ago i picked up a fair few good jobs both commercial and larger domestics plus the add on jobs from existing customers.

i also make sure i do a very good job every time,smart,clean and polite and it pays off in the long run.recommendation and word of mouth is the best work to pick up IMO.

best wishes


dazmond

[sunshine windows]

It's pouring in 

Well done!

[home6442]

Totally agree,
I got about 50 customers from canvassing the rest where from recommendations and word of mouth.
Take your time do a good job and the work will come to you.
I don't mind taking work from guys who do sub standard cleans as they have only themselves to blame.

[Ste M]

Im the same, I dont canvass my customers do it for me, since i started i can honestly say ive only ever knocked a handful of houses, Ive built my main round by doing a brilliant job and also being honest. Customers then do my canvassing by recommending me to others

[Archer]

Shane,

How is advertising canvassing ?

Advertising is putting your name out there , canvassing in my opinion is phoning people up or knocking doors, leaflets etc

[Dave Willis]

I've picked up loads, but then I would because I'm brilliant.

[robertphil]

same here,work rolls in like the tide

 websites brought in a tesco and santander to do Fri this week

[AuRavelling79]

I've lost quite a few this summer. A disproportionate number of deaths has lost me about £90, another £60 moving away and £25 dumping.

Lost two to trad guys this summer!  

The one £20 where we got cancelled and a trad guy was taken on (oh the shame  ) mind you that might be partly because a certain party let my gate ladder get blown over onto the wing of her car and left the gate swinging in the wind! Cost a £100 for the repair!  

Another £12 where the woman insisted I blade off her downstairs windows and I said I wouldn't do it anymore and suggested she find a ladder man so she did.

Also had two admitting it's tough financially and could they have a longer frequency between cleans.

However new custies on the domestic side have kept up with these losses and a pair of nice commercials adding up to £160 per clean has taken me ahead.

Plus the extra conny roofs/gutters and the like you tend to get in the summer.

BUT IT'S PRETTY SATURATED ROUND MY WAY AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE STARTING OUT afresh, you'd have to be taking on my dropped PITA custies and other messers to scratch a living!  

(Sorry for caps lock there)  

[Shane O Neill]

Shane,

How is advertising canvassing ?

Advertising is putting your name out there , canvassing in my opinion is phoning people up or knocking doors, leaflets etc

Fair play to you archer...just that u seem successful & I thought u would have used some of these methods to act as levers at some point ....i have cut my teeth starting off by ringing,some door knocking in order to get going !

But I now have a few jobs which I know I'm over priced but even if someone came cheaper dont think customer would change but one thing I've learned in business is to accept & also expect change,1 bad month ie loss of contract & nxt month a better one for less hassle  must be positive I keep saying

[Archer]

Shane,

yes you must keep positive even though at times you can feel down, but that's the time when you have to say to yourself "I need a break and try and forget it".

I have periods like that, and I know I can pick work up when I want to try and get more work in, its finding the happy medium.

I am not talking about houses though, I am talking Commercial work.

[Darranvps]

Archer

I always said there is a lot of work to get up North - well done and keep it up!

We are window cleaning something really big near Harrogate - North Yorkshire - next week!
Can't wait.................

[Archer]

Nice one rhino man,

Sounds like your ploughed out mate