[Mike Osbourne]

For those of us who aren't going to the Bahamas New year, what's the best ideas for getting business in january?

Is it a waste of effort leafleting, sending out mailshots etc, or should I hit it even harder?

I was thinking of a special offer for current custies.

[David_Annable]

Hi

I think for general marketing you get better results Easter to Christmas.

But a leaflet with  Special Winter offer should give results, but they will want the same offer next year.

Dave

[maxcarpets]

I always mailshot my custy's to offer A MASSIVE 25% DISCOUNT JAN SALE! sounds crazy, but Jan is my 2nd best month, but! and it is a big but I have to work bloody hard!

Cheers

Justin

[COLIN BRIGHT]

yes it is a waste of time if you cant be bothered to send any or you dont want any work
personally i dont need the work as i am already very rich

[Neil Grainger]

Hi

I am going to try a 50% discount sale, People will look at it as possible splash and dash, but for Jan Feb I am going to take this drastic approach just to get as much volume in as possible.

I dont mind working twice as hard for the same money as long as I can get the work in. I dont mind being a busy fool for these months, I need and want the3 work.

Just going to try a different approach to this time of year.

[turneylogan]

This being my first proper CCing January, do you get much post-Christmas party trashed carpet business?

[Macarthur]

I included various vouchers in with my customer XMas cards, one which was for 25% off for Jan & Feb.

Nigel.

[maxcarpets]

That's the spirit Neil! It works for me, in fact many of my regulars wait for this time of year.

Cheers

Justin

[The Great One]

Hi

I am going to try a 50% discount sale, People will look at it as possible splash and dash, but for Jan Feb I am going to take this drastic approach just to get as much volume in as possible.

I dont mind working twice as hard for the same money as long as I can get the work in. I dont mind being a busy fool for these months, I need and want the3 work.

Just going to try a different approach to this time of year.

Why not!

Those customers you get can then be turned into regular customers, when you do the clean maybe give them a 10% off next clean or next referal clean.

Regards

Martin

[Ian Gourlay]

The problem with offers is some Carpet Cleaners might be 50p a square foot so a  3rd room cleaned Free  means customer paying more than a quality carpet cleaner charging less

It comes down to how much a customer is prepared to pay.

[John Kelly]

It seems as though that post Xmas lull isn't as marked as it used to be. At one time it was dead between January and March. Last year most people were very busy at this time.

[nick p]

for the last 2 years i have been busy in jan and feb i find it quiter in march then picks up again in april

[stevegunn]

January was busy this year I put Mike Hallidays January offers leaflet out November/December last year and that kept me busy.Unfortunatly did not put them out this year put ad going in papers already got some work booked for January.

[Mike Osbourne]

So on the whole keep on marketing and do some great offers then.

I think I might as well go the whole hog and do the free room clean to get into some high end homes.

This would mean a 3 stager letter through January and will build up the database even if the bank account doesn't immediately.

Have beem looking at buying lists with surnames and specific criteria.

.

[David_Annable]

Hi

How about 1st January prices increased by 30%.

Also 1st January start bonkas/crazy 25% OFF Sale Jan/Feb.

Come March your prices are still 30% higher.

Dave

[mark_roberts]

50% off is way too much.  Youll not be making anything may as well stay at home.

Also the better end customers will perceive this to be cheaper quality which I assume your not after.

Also and most importantly in six months time when they ring to rebook they WILL expect the same 50% off price no matter what you say.  Been there done it.

Rather try commercial work door knocking works well this time of year. 

Offer free protector or a bulk discount so you maintain your core profit for residential customers.

Mark

[psg]

You guys need to find some quality customers or you will all become busy fools 50% discounts wise up. If you cant find decent quality work buy a lawnmower go cut grass you may make more.

Jim

[Neil Grainger]

JIm

As i said earlier I am going to try something different, I dont mind being a busy fool during Jan Feb to keep the volume up, If I can turn £1500 a week by doing volume work thats not a busy fool. Thats money is not normally their for Jan and Feb for me.

Its a different slant on marketing but if it works and gets £6000 in a month during the slower times I will be happy. The service and quality will be the same, its better than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

May June July and August look after themselves very easily with quality work. I dont mind being a busy fool if I can keep that level of income coming in throughout the year using a different marketing stratergy.

All I say to you Jim is dont listen to everything Robert Saunders tells you.

Marketing is all about change and not doing the same thing all the time.

[Neil Grainger]

Sorry these customers that dont go for this love a discount, saying that your to cheap is not right, Tesco and Marks and Spencer do this all the time during Jan Feb, why because volume keeps things ticking over.

Anyway if it improves the database that can only be a good thing.

Prices go up in January anyway so the discount is only really an attention grabber, like any form of discount should be.

[maxcarpets]

I have given 25% discount for many years in Jan, and as I said it is second only to August for me. O have three vans out daily. A busy fool becomes a wealthy fool!

Cheers

Justin