[maxcarpets]

Afternoon all,

For the last few months I have been keeping a record of where jobs come, ( I know you should always do this but not always possible ) Anyway here is my top 5, just wondered if its pretty much the same for us all,

1/ Repeat business
2/ Recommendations
3/ Internet
4/ Local monthly mag
5/ YP

I'm not shy when it comes to advertising, I advertise in any different ways, but this is my top 5.

Cheers

Justin

[Mike Halliday]

Justin, how long have you been in bussiness?

1)leaflets
2)existing customers
3)yp

Mike

[David_Annable]

Hi

1 Repeats
2 Recommends
3 Leaflets
4 YP

Dave

[maxcarpets]

I starting in 1988, but I did leave it for a few years. I kept all my old customer list which helped when I returned. I must admit I was suprised at how it worked out. I'm going to keep a monthly record to see how it works out. Very interesting me thinks.

Cheers

Justin

[maxcarpets]

I don't really do that many leaflets, but I am increasing that now.

[maxcarpets]

Actually Mike I was talking to Mark at DP the other day about doing an A4 leaflet, he said he didnt think it makes much difference, but he said to ask you about your thoughts on it.

Cheers

Justin

[Mike Halliday]

I switched to an a4 4 months ago, it doesn't make any difference so is not worth the double in price they cost, I use them because my leaflet gets put out with a A5 booklet so if I used a A5 leaflet it would be put inside and not seen unless they open the booklet, a A4 is twice as big so sticks out of the booklet.

also I put pressure washing on the back with 'before & after' photos, so you need A4 to show the pictures good and clear.

I also don't pay full price for my leaflets so can use A4.  if I did I would use single colour or 2 colour A5

Mike

[maxcarpets]

Thanks Mike, thats pretty much what mark said, its so tempting though I printed out my leaflet onto A4 and it looks fantastic! but possibly only to me?

Cheers

Justin

[John Gregory]

carrying on from this   ,  When do you decide when a leaflet is not working , Ive had about 8000 put out in the last couple of weeks about 10 calls upto now. What I notiched is that when Im out working on a job. I get people asking me for quotes I go into the house I see my leaflet on the side, why do they wait to see me working why dont they phone?     

[Mike Halliday]

its called positive reinforcement!

they see your van,

then they see your leaflet,

then they see you working down the street,

then they see your van again

then a month later they get another leaflet

then they see your van in the supermarket carpark

then they see you while taking the kids to school

then they get another leaflet

then you are working next door

then!!! finally.............................................

























they call Chemdry

[Len Gribble]

Mike

Nice one, but only with the ones with a TM I’ve got some new competition going by YP.

Len

[John Gregory]

So Mike the leaflet is working, I just need to keep ploughing them out. When does positive reinforcement start getting on peoples nerves, ie how often should I get them delivered in the same area?

PS, Thanks Mike your last post made a lot of sence. I have just found my self a leaflet distributer that I can trust what is a fair price to give her per thounsand



Thanks  John     PS its cash in her hand , she already does it for a distibuter

[colin thomas]

i cannot for the life of me understand why people feel the need to shove out several thousand leaflets a month  to generate work, you do a good job at a customers house, leave a couple of business cards and they pass them on thereby generating more work, so it goes on, sorry, but if your not getting repeat/referal work your doing something wrong, most customer will re-use you because of YOU, you are your best advert, be polite, be well dressed, don't cuss or smoke and they will have you back because they like YOU. i have cleaned carpets that to be honest i  have thought could have come up better but the customer has had me back because they like ME! it's not the leaflet, it's you that generates the work. i
f you employ numpteys to do the work for you then that is why you need to pump out the leaflets!!

colin

[Andy Foster]

An interesting point 'cbt'.  Do you do ANY advertising at all?
If so, what works best for you?

Andy

[John Gregory]

Your bang on there cbt , but to get referals you need that first job in a particuler area / family. I did a £ 240 job on Thursday for a really nice older gentleman He was delighted , Monday Im quoting for his daugher. The £240 job came from a leaflet.

[colin thomas]

yes i advertise, local free paper, village mags etc, never done leaflets, i'll get slated for this but i think leaflets are  the bottom line, can't get work, put out a leaflet, drag in what  you can by offering special offers etc. my price is what what i charge, take it or  leave it and i am always busy, be bold but mostly do a great job and the customer will come back and refer you.

colin

[John Gregory]

proberly just as well you dont do leaflets , cbt When Will finds with youre have no Knee Kaps

[Shaun_Ashmore]

What happens if you do your very best work all of the time but for Trappist Monks!

How do you get word of mouth referals?

I think leaflets are a good way of generating work from a community where you want to work.

Shaun

[David_Annable]

Shaun

I do a lot of work for Harry Chrishnas & they are the best refferers in the world, dont know about the Trappist monks to be honest.

Dave

PS Richard Gere is the man to advise you on that!

[Prestige1]

I think you need to promote your business with a view to where you want to be in 5 or 10 years time, if your happy making 30,000 grand a year or so then wait for referrals, but if you are trying to create a brand and a future business to pass on, then this is very different. Your brand and the way you promote it is vital to your success, whether its leaflets, referrals, yp, local mag will all go to re-enforcing your brand and securing your businesses future security and success. Phil