[jay foden]

hi there guys!!

could anyone please mail me or post a copy of a letter to send to business's or managers to offer my services for contracts etc??

its all new to me and i have not got a clue. i know there are some great business's out there who could help me. please!!!!!!!!!!!

[jay foden]

no one any help with writing a letter to business's or councils?  can you not attach a email for me to read

[Kingfisher-CCS]

Darling Fascist Bullyboy,
We are a contract cleaning company that believes in blah blah blah, our staff are blah blah, we can do this n that.]

We will be in touch within the next few days to come n av a look-see and give you a quote!

Love from jay
Boomshanka! may the seed of your loins be fruitfull in the belly of your woman.

(anyone remember something similar in the young ones?)

Something along those lines should do it, just try to sound professional! It helps if you can address the letter to the exact person who deals with the cleaning, otherwise it goes in the bin IMO

[jay foden]

what a load of trash mate. thanks for your helpfull comments.

i thought this forum was to help people not for tossers to write a load of bollox!!

[seanmcshane]

same thoughts here Jay...his earlier posts have also requested information as have most people on these forums...making a rod for his own back as one day he might need a bit of help that is not in a previous post.

[Paul Kettless]

I think that you will find that the reply post was ment to be funny, if you forget about the context, the layout is exactly what you need to be following.

Tell them a bit about you, your company and your staff.
Tell them about the services that you provide and why they should use you.

Tell them that you will call in a few days to see if you can be of any assistance to them.

Finding out actually who to write to within the company is the key, and this can be obtained by calling or visiting, and asking the recpetionist who deals with procurement/services as you would like to contact them in writing, 8 out 10 times they weill give you a name on a compliment slip.

I hope this helps

Kind regards,
Paul

[shelton]

You can't expect to be spoon fed everything.

One could take the view that if you cannot structure a simple letter, you shouldn't be running a business.

Get off your high horse and put some thought into it yourself.

 

[seanmcshane]

if there was no need for people to seek advice on documentation and how to structure it correctly...why on earth would the forum have a documents to download section.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?board=11.0

The whole idea of such a forum is an exchange of advice and experience to ensure that people like Jay do not fall at the first hurdle by sending out inappropriate letters. If the attitude of all small businesses was to keep all their experience to themselves and let the beginners sink or swim, then there would not be forums such as these.

We can all benefit from other peoples experience...when you find yourself a bit stuck, you can come onto a forum and request advice which may help your business move in the right direction and someday your experiences may be of help to others and you return the favour.

[shelton]

And that advice has been shared by Kingfisher & then 'unfunnied' by Paul.  To then slag him/her off for not providing the exact wording and the exact layout is ridiculous.

The bones are there to use.

And you seem to forget that forums are in place for people to OFFER their services . . . no-one has a divine right to DEMAND help (and then slag it when it is forthcoming).  You'll find it's called etiquette.

Potentially, some of the longer term members might be getting fed up 'advising' on basic business processes, with those who just can't be bothered to put any thought into anything.  Next up, we'll get a request for a quotation form.  Then T&C's, then Risk Assessment, etc, etc.. . the list goes on.  Tell you what, we'll win the contracts for you and even staff them as well . .. all free of charge, bet that sounds good, doesn't it.

IMO, if you can't write a simple letter, you should have paid more attention at school.  Probably an old fashioned view, but each to their own, eh. 

[jay foden]

well said shaun.  would not want to ask him for advice !!!

i actually wrote a letter out but was simply looking to see what other people had put in there ones if they were successfull in getting work from it.  i have only been in business for two years nearly and am quiet at the moment and was simply using the forum to help me out..  if everyone was as harsh as this fella i would never get any help and would not even bother with this site.

i help others so why cant they help me.??


anyway thankyou for the sensible comments shaun, and if you see me about come over and have a chat. many thanks.

[jay foden]

what a load of trash mate. thanks for your helpfull comments.

i thought this forum was to help people not for tossers to write a load of bollox!!

as im new to this cleaning lark i di not understand your reply, i now do and apologise for not getting what you put,  i have had jokers and nob heads on other sites that have stopped me going on again.  cheers.

[Cinders]

whats the need for all the bad language??

[jay foden]

 

i aplologise sincerely!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wont use it again.

[Kingfisher-CCS]

I was trying to help, but in a humourous way. I think I have given you good advice about finding out the name of the right person, and the basic structure.

It's not that hard to write a letter, that's why I played around with a sketch that was on the young ones when Neil wrote a letter to his bank manager, obviously no-one realised. Nevermind.

I don't feel I should apologise I was the only one who replied to your request for a while.

If you cant think what to put in a letter try thinking about what a good cleaning company has to offer, or write to a few cleaning companies pretending to be somebody needing a cleaner and ask for information of what they have to offer, go on internet sites of all major cleaning companies in the uk.

Think about what a letter is actually going to do. If they dont require a new cleaning contract they'll either throw it or file it, if they are thinking about having a new cleaning company they MAY ring you when they have the time.

The letter, in my opinion, is just like an ice breaker. But, you HAVE to call them back because most companies aren't THAT bothered or are too busy.

So really, all you need to say is LIKE I FIRST SAID,
Dear Mr/Mrs (whatever their name is, which you should already have found out)
We are a new/local/large/small cleaning company operating in the (whatever area you operate in),
mention things like being insured,
our staff are fully trained and where uniforms
our standards are exceptionally high
just re-write stuff that you have RESEARCHED from other cleaning websites and put them in different words.

I have been running my business for about 6 months and try not to ask people for info unless I'm really stuck or if it's something that wont be taking somebody else's hard work away.

Look at my previous posts and I have never asked for somebody to GIVE me anything (risk assessments, tender/quote examples etc) because I always look in the archives first.

I spent 8 months researching stuff off this forum while I was working approx 60 hrs a week cleaning for other cleaning companies MOST info you will find if you do a lot of searching and sifting through.

Hope I have helped now, I don't like to be regarded as a tosser!

[jay foden]

i apologise as i said, im sorry.  i have been on previous forums and they give you a load of bull back so i should have read ir properly. sorry again and thanks for the info..

[Kingfisher-CCS]

Ok, no probs Jay.
all the best.

[jay foden]

thank you!!!

[peter1972]

Here are a few copies of mailshots I bought on ebay for a few pounds. I don't use these exact mailshots myself, as I only manage cleaners and don't do any cleaning personally, but I have had some success with mailshots if enough are sent out to suitable firms.

Letter 1

Does your office need cleaning?

Are you looking for an experienced, reliable person to clean your office around your schedule?
Then look no further!

I can clean your office on weekends or evenings when it is convenient for you.  I can provide references that speak of my neatness and integrity.  Please contact me at the phone number or e-mail address below for a free quote on regular office cleanings.

Sincerely,

( Your Name)

Letter 2

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is                         , and I clean offices in the (name of your city) area. I would like to clean your office and can work around your schedule so that it is convenient for you and your employees.  I own my own cleaning business and hire no employees.  Therefore, I would be the only person to enter your office.  I am able to provide references that speak of my neatness, reliability, and integrity.  Please contact me at the phone number or e-mail address below if I can be of any service to you. 

Sincerely,
(Your Name)

[jay foden]

many thanks for the reply and idea!!!!

[ColinD]

Hey, folks hold on, slow down. Is this not a repition of a posting some months ago?

Here we are, supposedly, all "professionals" and some member ask's how we would write a letter to introduce his business to a client.

Hey ho! What the hell is going on. This just proves the point. If you cannot even write a letter, what the hell are you doing in the most important business in the country. What are doing? Supporting a bunch of amateurs!

It's basic, if you cannot communcate how the bl**dy h**l
will you be able to communicate with staff, write an H & S statements, commincate with clients on every day matters. This just boggles the brain.

This is why this industry is becoming controlled by the big boys, because they know how to do it. The inept will take remove from us, the happy small professionals, that are the real ethos of the business, any credibilty!

If you cannot write a simple letter of introduction, go away and learn! Let's just hope you have a more professional approach to delivering the actual service and product.

ColinD