[Amazin]

I received a phone call few months ago from local papers and got a quote of £245 for Can't remember for how long now. Is it worth? Maybe I should just stick to leaflets.

[Smurf]

Local parish type mags (the type you get posted through your door) seems to work well  for some and seems cheap to advertise in. Even though I've never bothered myself it might be worth considering giving one a shot.  Consistency is the key I suppose as many trades place ads in them on a regular basis so readers don't think they are fly-by-night types.

[Spruce]

The trouble is with adverts is that they draw customers from all over the area.

The best method to gain customers is to knock on doors. Its also more cost effective.

Have you started to clean windows yet? If so then canvass the neighbours of each house you clean. If they aren't in then leave a leaflet, but door knock those in the evening a few days later.

Ask your existing customers for referrals of friends close by that would benefit from your services.

[Smudger]

Depends really, if it's £245 for a one off ad (quarter page or whatever) then no, the reason I say this is, ads in the paper work best week in week out, ie a box in the classifieds - these bring in a steady stream of work, not so much for windows but larger stuff like conservatory roofs etc..

Last year we looked at signing up for a 1/4 page ad, we won a free full page ad at the "marketing meeting" this pulled us in zero work, so we decided that a 1/4 page costing £90+ pw was not worth it, when a £25 classified ad is working reasonably well, bigger may not be better unless doing it every week for at least 6 months

Darran

[Smurf]

In this day and age  a web presence is a must for any type of business so if you don't already have a website and/or free adds on the likes of google + etc you maybe should focus on that first.

I can't remember when I brought a local paper as must have been years ago...However free local parish mags I do tend to read through when they are posted through my door.

[Smurf]

If you're after building a really compact round then door knocking and/or leaflet dropping whilst working in a street is the best way. The most power form of advertising that don’t cost a penny is through recommendation. Happy customers will be willing to help you find more work if you ask them for help.

You may find the work will snowball once you start working in an area when others see you about regular too.

I suppose the trick is to not sell yourself short (sell on price alone)  as is easy to be very busy but not make any real money by being too cheap. You will also hate doing those jobs and will be only a matter of time you give up doing them.

Sorry if I seem to be rambling but if you know this already just ignore my posts 

[SeanK]

Personally for domestic window cleaning I believe canvassing and leaflet drops are the only way to go, for a start this lets you decide what areas you want to build a round in.
Any other methods including websites are just too slow, you want to chasing window cleaning work not sitting by your
computer or phone waiting on a customer coming to you.
Put the money towards a van wrap as a lot of work also comes from people seeing you clean in their areas.

[Cookie]

Personally for domestic window cleaning I believe canvassing and leaflet drops are the only way to go, for a start this lets you decide what areas you want to build a round in.
Any other methods including websites are just too slow, you want to chasing window cleaning work not sitting by your
computer or phone waiting on a customer coming to you.
Put the money towards a van wrap as a lot of work also comes from people seeing you clean in their areas.

I totally agree with the above. I managed to pick up a pair of magnetic signs for the van for £38 (didn't see the point of investing in a van wrap for an 11 year old van).

[Smurf]

Depends what type of work you are after I suppose but agree with what you are saying regarding building a compact domestic window cleaning round fast.

Personally for domestic window cleaning I believe canvassing and leaflet drops are the only way to go, for a start this lets you decide what areas you want to build a round in.
Any other methods including websites are just too slow, you want to chasing window cleaning work not sitting by your
computer or phone waiting on a customer coming to you.
Put the money towards a van wrap as a lot of work also comes from people seeing you clean in their areas.

[robbo333]

I received a phone call few months ago from local papers and got a quote of £245 for Can't remember for how long now. Is it worth? Maybe I should just stick to leaflets.

Advertising is all about getting the best return for your money. Do you think you'll get your £245 back? Or more?
Sometimes, if you're not sure and you can afford to lose the investment, then give it a try.
Personally I would consider:
The area the local paper covers - you may get calls from far away (no thank you).
The frequency - if it's a 'one off' then probably not. People become comfortable with repetition (I think someone mentioned a smaller ad but more frequently).  I would recommend a small lineage ad every other issue (maybe over a year).
However, £245 would buy a lot of printed leaflets, a lot of google ad words, some signwriting for your van, £120 worth of canvassed work a month etc etc.
The list is endless and the choice is yours, but I'd go knocking on doors whilst i'm cleaning and take the missus away for the weekend. 

[Walter Mitty]

I agree with others that canvassing a leafletting is better.  That way, you can decide which properties to NOT call at.  I avoid access problems.