[Clive McDonald]

We don't know who these Fish people are. I assume they're the coco cola of window cleaning, and an American institution. Except that from his remarks they are also resented and much critisized.

I go along along with what you all say. Carl was being sarcastic, but I found his post instructional. As for reading books, wouldn't it be helpfull for some people to do a bookkeeping course at least.

When people post about lifestyle and working three days a week, and the zen aspects of the job, I find this bigger bull than what the yank is being accussed of. Zen? I always think of the Karate Kid, shine on, shine off!

What made the Yank a hippocite though, was that he was extoling the virtues of the perfect business he could biuld, and yet also saying that he didn't want his children to do any of this mindless crap (his words).

[Pat Purcell]

Fish window cleaning are a franchise based on low price high output
It works for them but has served to keep prices down since they came into existance
Powerclene, the forum I think is the national window cleaners directory not sure as the post was e-mailed to me

[EasyClean]

I window clean to earn a wage to live comfortably after paying for all my bills, NOT marketing, sleeping, working, marketing, sleeping, working. That chap who started this topic shouldn't preach MARKETING to us because: 1. It bores the pants off us Brits and 2. us UK window cleaners have a social life outside of work!!!!

[texas girl]

Thought you guys would like to know that I have taken a lot of accounts away from "Fish". Their prices are the same as mine and their reputation is not what you might think.

As in all businesses, once you get to be a certain size you lose control over the grass roots unless you have great managers.

And to have great managers you have to pay them pretty well. And to pay them well everything has to  be going pretty smooth.

As we all know, this business is unique in service and you have to be involved to be successful.

Just thought you might like to know from one across the pond that competes with the "Fish".

Love you guys and what you(we) stand for.

Texas Girl

[C.F.P]

I heard this post was causing a stink across the world, I had to see it to believe it.

I wrote it...and it was just some thoughts. It was not about money, it was about business and running a business mindset.

As Americans tend to do, we easily offend. Sorry about that. The real offending took place in the reply war we had. Somehow more people liked it rather than hated it, a first for me 

I hope you all "across the pond" are having a great day and it was nice to visit your forum. Looks like a very interesting community.

Success!

p.s this post is out of context to what has been happening on our forum, so it even sounds worse. We have a lot of people with motivational problems, so I thought I would motivate them, it worked...too well. 

[C.F.P]

originally posted on

www.nationalwindowcleaningdirectory.com

cheers!

[Clive McDonald]

Sorry for calling you a yank csp, but you didn't have a name. We disscused what you said and the poll vote suggests you had some points that we could learn from. I would like to ask:

Have you been a window cleaner long? Have your methods lead to success?Show us a leaflet (Flyer)?

[C.F.P]

No offense taken, if you want to learn to be more offensive, I could tutor you 

I have been doing windows for almost 12 years, started my business a little over 4 years ago and started running a business very recently. I spent 3 of those years floating in the abyss.

My post was meant to shake people up, not to make them like me. Believe in the post or not, people are thinking....thinking I am a dink, but thinking 

I love the accents on here! You betcha I do 

[DaveWilkinson]

Welcome to the forum, I think you will find this forum very similar, i look forward to reading your posts. 

[C.F.P]

Thank you...however, I probably will not post much. I may have my visa yanked 

This forum gets A LOT more traffic than ours. It is nice to see its so lively.

[Clive McDonald]

Go on show us a flyer?
Something outrageous.

[JohnL]

I think a few good points were made in the original post.

One of the problems is, we all have to realise that sales and marketing are not the same thing and thats not being patronising its just a fact that selling your service is not the same as marketing it!

Take MacDonalds, they market the name, the experience, the need for the product - then once in the building they sell you the product.

As the famous saying goes - dont sell the sausage, sell the sizzle!

 

[C.F.P]

Nice point John, however there is not one without the other. Even a roadside vegetable stand  advertises "fresh corn" "fresh strawberries"... a lure.

They are twins, one male, one female. Not identical, but close.

Sales is nothing if someone is not asking for it, and if we can't make the sale all the advertising in the world will not help.

That is the point of my post, that this is where most of our industry's people are having problems....both making the sale and getting the sale.

Both are a must

[Clive McDonald]

Okay. Lets see what you can do. Assume I have a smart van and all the equipment. I want to sell the experience. So on the side of my van I have a great graphic and the words - Mr Tickle Window Cleaning.
Now what? How should I proceed? What's so different about your approach?
Have I misunderstood?

[C.F.P]

Mr Tickle window cleaning is your name. Do you have "FREE Quotes" anywhere on there? If I am going along and see your van and I need window cleaning, I had better see something I can instantly grasp.

We all get a little wrapped up in our names and forget to give any incentive for the prospect to call. Huge name, small number and maybe a silly graphic is what I see mostly.

Instead of the name I would have put

Want Clean Windows?

FREE Quote

Call 333-334-4343 today!

Not a bunch of "been in business since 1985", or some stupid slogan. Most people will have only a moment to read your ad. They see an average of 2500 ads per day, they will not remember our name and at very best, they will now enter a book full of window cleaners to get quotes. All because we reminded them they needed to be done.

but wait....what do I care? Do whatever feels right.

[JohnL]

Curious

Make a list of all the things a customer requires from a window cleaner - in no particular order - window cleaning, regular and reliable, domestic and commercial, windows and frames cleaned, free quotes,  conservatory cleans, gutter and facia cleaning, fully insured etc etc then tailor your van signage to suit the business and your area.

Emphasise the services not necessarily yourself, ie be big on services not your name, be big on the contact phone number and be recognisable.

  .  .  .  just thinking out loud