[paulben]

I started in January 10 years ago. I know this sounds stupid but can you clean windows if not practice and practice on your own windows I didn't and made myself look a right muppet . Don't expect to earn good money straight away takes time most of my work came from word of mouth . Think this is the best time of year to start as you wont be classed as a summer time and disappear cleaner .

[scott james]

Wow - Did not expect that response, thank you so very much everyone for your time to reply and some great info from pro's like yourselves, this is the motivation I need and the advice.

I have really given it all serious thought and this is deffo the kind of job role suited to me, its outdoors, I am not bothered about weather and cold or the hot, I am in it for the long haul and really liek this work and what I have done so far cleaning some windows.  I been going about a month and I have flyerd and door knocked and hit FB and have 14 customers now as of today and some hopefulls. All pretty good priced down the middle.

I love the WFP system and am deffo going down this route, where my work is not much I will get a trolly system and practice and learn an move on up in time.

I am going to start fresh in New year simple fact I think people are switched off now and also I can prepare a better flier with new ideas on it I have come up with.and get more out as well as the door knocking and FB along with paper ads and parish mags etc...

Great advice and I will be looking into things metioned and thanks to you all again.....

I really need the trolly advice and where to get some 2nd hand ones that are cheap, I spent all my money on equipment and promotions already.  I have the trad stuff as I will do bungalows and some houses trad downstairs and save pure and I get to practice my trad skills. Where I am new and dont have the work loads its no real panic.

Thanks.

[Jakey boy]

What town are you in scott?

[Gerald Ash]

Get out there now, the number of times I`ve left an estate to canvass for a few days and found another windy has beaten me to it.
  You can take details and book the job for the new year but trust me get out and knock doors. Best times are between 5 and seven evenings. Do sundays as well but dont start til 3pm. Also don`t forget the smile and the "good afternoon/evening sorry to trouble you." If you are friendly and polite you won`t get a negative reaction.
GET OUT THERE NOW. You could pick up £100 plus of work before new year or even more. When I started I`d canvass the whole day for tomorrow but whatever works for you.

[daz rhino]

Hi Scott I bought a round November last year, I keep it regular and to a high standard I've never done leaflets or websites as of yet because I pick up plenty of work through word of mouth, but I'm thinking of getting a website soon as I feel it's expected and looks more professional , so good luck with it just keep plugin away, what's your website so I can have a look

[scott james]

Hi, Jakeyboy, I am based near southend on sea.

Cheers again everyone.

[SeanK]

Hi Scott I bought a round November last year, I keep it regular and to a high standard I've never done leaflets or websites as of yet because I pick up plenty of work through word of mouth, but I'm thinking of getting a website soon as I feel it's expected and looks more professional , so good luck with it just keep plugin away, what's your website so I can have a look

A website is only another way to advertise your services its not a must have by any means, personally I don't think its
needed for domestic work as there are better ways to spend your money when it comes to advertising.
Like Gerald ash said its the guys who get out there and chase the work that make it in this business not the guys who sit at
home making excuses why they shouldn't start today or tomorrow.
A fancy van and a fancy website guarantee nothing in this business, infect I would say these are the types who more often than
not fail.
Scott stop looking into things and get out there and start cleaning its not rocket science.
Liked your comment on not bothered about the weather, lets see if you feel the same after a few years of being baked soaked
frozen and shot blasted in the wind.
Best of luck.

[Perfect Windows]

Scott,

Good on you.

Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs.  If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it.  Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.

Leaflet and canvass together.  Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them.  Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).

Get a notebook.  Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense.  Go back into the past to find good posters.  Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now.  Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot.  Note what they do and take the best of their ideas.  However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition.  Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge.  (Not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)

Surround yourself with optimists.

Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.  It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop.  Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.

Finally, the simple bit.  If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.

Vin

[p1w1]

Good post vin , that about sums it up

[Ian Lancaster]

Hi Scott,

If you want to send me an email, (click on my web address at the bottom of this post) I can send you some info on canvassing techniques.  Been in this business for 45 yrs + so got a bit of experience

[scott james]

Scott,

Good on you.

Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs.  If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it.  Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.

Leaflet and canvass together.  Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them.  Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).

Get a notebook.  Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense.  Go back into the past to find good posters.  Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now.  Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot.  Note what they do and take the best of their ideas.  However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition.  Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge.  (Not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)

Surround yourself with optimists.

Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.  It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop.  Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.

Finally, the simple bit.  If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.

Vin

Really kool post vin, as are the posts form everyone else, every post is inspiring.  The eating and drinking is no problem I will do well there, lol.

The work hardness is fine, I am not scared of working hard at all, the winter is no problem, I love it and I want this job role so so much, I am just determind to get on with it and do it, as it suits me so much, I wanted to do it years and years ago and I regret not doing it and sticking in my comfy office job that nearly finished me off as a person, feeling so miserable, so I have jumped ship after another life changing event and said sod it I want to be a window cleaner.  I did have the family and friends saying "you want to be a window cleaner why" and slag it off, but hey it can be good money on a full round or near full round and a nice life style being on your own and running it, It is so much better than an offie job.

I have come on to here as people said there are some good people about that will give you good and experienced advice.  Just need to pick up some tips and guidence.

I plan to put out another bunch of flyers in the new year now and then follow up with door knocking 2-3 days after the flyer and work each area until I drop. Also hit some papers and locla shops with cards and the FB thing.  Just push these as hard as possible.

I have had Yell.com contact me, are they any good?

Thank you so very much, Scott.

Thanks Ian L.  I will give you a shout. 

[dazmond]

Forget yell.just keep knocking on doors a few days a
 Week for 2 or 3 hours at a time for 6 months.by then you should have enough work to just about pay the bills.then crack on from there.working hard.upsell every job u can with f/s/g cleans/conny roofs and price these well.

[PoleKing]

Hi Scott I bought a round November last year, I keep it regular and to a high standard I've never done leaflets or websites as of yet because I pick up plenty of work through word of mouth, but I'm thinking of getting a website soon as I feel it's expected and looks more professional , so good luck with it just keep plugin away, what's your website so I can have a look

A website is only another way to advertise your services its not a must have by any means, personally I don't think its
needed for domestic work as there are better ways to spend your money when it comes to advertising.
Like Gerald ash said its the guys who get out there and chase the work that make it in this business not the guys who sit at
home making excuses why they shouldn't start today or tomorrow.
A fancy van and a fancy website guarantee nothing in this business, infect I would say these are the types who more often than
not fail.
Scott stop looking into things and get out there and start cleaning its not rocket science.
Liked your comment on not bothered about the weather, lets see if you feel the same after a few years of being baked soaked
frozen and shot blasted in the wind.
Best of luck.

I don't think there are mate.
Less than £400 will get a good 'un from Nat.
You're perhaps thinking of the cost of printing leaflets. Which is minimal.
The time to deliver them, is where the 'money' goes.
X hours at x£p/h you'd hope to achieve cleaning and the £400 you'd spend on a site would soon be swallowed up.
And your site is there long after a lot of leaflets have been binned.

I'm not looking to argue with you, just an alternative viewpoint. 

[SeanK]

Hi Scott I bought a round November last year, I keep it regular and to a high standard I've never done leaflets or websites as of yet because I pick up plenty of work through word of mouth, but I'm thinking of getting a website soon as I feel it's expected and looks more professional , so good luck with it just keep plugin away, what's your website so I can have a look

A website is only another way to advertise your services its not a must have by any means, personally I don't think its
needed for domestic work as there are better ways to spend your money when it comes to advertising.
Like Gerald ash said its the guys who get out there and chase the work that make it in this business not the guys who sit at
home making excuses why they shouldn't start today or tomorrow.
A fancy van and a fancy website guarantee nothing in this business, infect I would say these are the types who more often than
not fail.
Scott stop looking into things and get out there and start cleaning its not rocket science.
Liked your comment on not bothered about the weather, lets see if you feel the same after a few years of being baked soaked
frozen and shot blasted in the wind.
Best of luck.

I don't think there are mate.
Less than £400 will get a good 'un from Nat.
You're perhaps thinking of the cost of printing leaflets. Which is minimal.
The time to deliver them, is where the 'money' goes.
X hours at x£p/h you'd hope to achieve cleaning and the £400 you'd spend on a site would soon be swallowed up.
And your site is there long after a lot of leaflets have been binned.

I'm not looking to argue with you, just an alternative viewpoint. 

Wasn't really directing him towards leaflets as leaflets didn't work for me, but I know they work for others.
What I was trying to say ( maybe badly) is if your starting out on a budget then a website would be the last thing I would invest
in, or if your already doing well without one then why invest in one just to make you look more successful.
I'm only saying that on the fact that all of the most successful window cleaning firms in my area and within a fairly large radius
don't have websites.
But again I know they work for some.

[SeanK]

Very good post from Vin, just to add you will get all the messers that every other window cleaner who
has come before you has dumped its a rite of passage in this game.
This and other things can also sap your moral when starting out so don't ignore all the whining on here, its nice
to know when things aren't going as nice as you thought they would that everybody else has been in the same boat
and that its not just something that's happening to you.

[SeanK]

Scott I think a lot of guys go into window cleaning for the same reason as yourself, I was working in a factory
in the machining department this went to China and I was put onto an assembly line, in other words I just became a
robot adding a part to an item as it rolled along a conveyor belt while praying for a happy death.
It was one of the scariest things I ever did walking away from a wage and my area was totally saturated by window
cleaners so got the same negative comments from friends and family, your mad there's no longer any money in it and
so on.
I'm not saying there aren't times when I wish id stayed where I was but on the whole its the best thing I ever did
Good luck with your new venture.

[Smudger]

Good thread with excellent advise all round

I would add, canvassing is going to be the way forward, it WILL get you to a good place very quickly, but you have to be dedicated and get out there, you have to be thick skinned as you will get lots of no thank you's (possibly worse) be clear and confident on the knocker.

Having said that this week is not ideal, but from the 28th go for it !!!

Before you buy a van, flashy pole,website r anything over £30. Stop, think, discuss with partner why you need the item, what will it bring to the biz, is it a MUST  have or just a WOULD LIKE to have...

I'd leave the web site for now, if your happy and still going in six months time then look at it, first priority is equipment ! Esp. WFP - other than a really good pole, you can get a cheap tidy van for 1k ( even less ) get magnetic signs for it and build a DIY system

Just keep your spends to what is essential

Darran

[Johnny B]

Great thread and some really encouraging suggestions made.

My experience is this: When I relocated to Ireland (my hand was forced by family circumstances), very few people gave me any chance of succeeding as the country was in a royal pickle economically, and we moved to one of the hardest hit areas! Add this to the fact that many people had never heard of window cleaning being a serious business!

That was in July 2011. I canvassed and cleaned as I went along. In total I knocked around 5000 houses in the first year, and had around 280 customers. It has been a case of shifting sands, as many of these turned out to be messers, but most of these are gone now. I currently have 377, and am picking new ones up every week.

I tried leaflets, but mine weren't very successful, so I relied on door knocking, which I am more comfortable with anyway. Recommending myself was one thing, and it's certainly a good way to get started, but being recommended by others, once people realize that you do a good job and are serious, creates the snowball effect, and once that starts, you will soon find the work flooding in. Allow 2-3 years to get established, and once you get through this period of time, you'll have made it.

Best wishes,
John   

[scott james]

Thanks everyone for your comments, really great and inspiring stuff!

I no there seem to be alot of people float in and out of window cleaning, but this is so me and somthing I am going to give my all to do well in.  I been trapped in a office job hating every day for 8 years and just turned in to a robot and a miserable person working with people whom care for you not one but and would poop on you and did at any chance. Plus I was in an accident which shock my life and I been recovering the last year mentally form it, so this is a decision thats huge for me.   

Its really good to hear form expeirenced window cleanrs and get information and not bullsh%t. 

I have done flyers and they seem not to work well, but I am chaning them slightly and will get a revised one out shortly and post a 1000 in an area, BUT my main thing will be DOOR KNOCKING. I plan in the new year to get out each day flyering and then 2-3 hours a day door knocking.  Plus the FB thing and push that as its very good, its landed me 12 customers now for the new year.  I have made the decision to go WFP and its right for me, so just need to find a trolly system cheap to start and build on that as I grow and do it right.

I have a website but its a free one and done well, its just the SEO on it is now amazing, so need to make that better where I can. All other promotional routes I will be activating too, like cards in shops, stores and papers and local mags, parish mags etc. 

I will let you no how it goes, I just wonder with all that I hope to get in 50 customers by end jan, is that possible? I have a smart logo, flyer and site and also business cards, good work ethic, complete work well, just worry worry worry its going to progress.

Next step find a trolley system thats under 300 used or new, its proving very hard, somthing that can give me wfp cleaning where I make the pure or have it all and buy the pure...

Thanks again everyone for the input, really nice of you to give it some time. Thanks

[Smudger]

50 if your dedicated then yes should be able to get nearer 100 by feb 1st.

Forget dropping leaflets alone, knock, knock, knock leave a leaflet if no answer

Parish mags are good, so is local newspaper BUT DO NOT expect any of these to bring in hundreds of calls enquiries, they are all steady, slow burn advertising options

Darran