[Mike_Boxall]

Hi

I recently had a booklet from a supplier as a 'free gift' entitled '101 ways to get anyone to do almost anything!'

Aside from the fact that, despite having the booklet, people still ignore me  : I thought it might be a good idea to come up with something similar for carpet cleaners which we could post here for people to download.

So, has anyone got any simple but effective hints, tips or tricks that would help both new and established carpet cleaners.

I can think of quite a few general ones, as follows, but would welcome any more you could think of.

Regards

Mike

Rule # 1 - If you do the same things you'll get the same results!

Don't undervalue your service. Charge a good price for a good job.

Always keep your vehicles clean. First impressions count.

Send a 'Thankyou for your business' card after a customer uses you for the first time.

Try to sell your services to anyone you buy from.

Make use of free editorial in local press. Often they struggle to find stories to fill it. If you have a high profile new customer, or you take on more staff, or move premises, or celebrate 5 years in business (or 10, 15, 20, 25 for that matter!) or invest in the latest equipment to 'keep up with demand' - you might be surprised how easy it is to get something included, particularly if you have a good picture to go with it.

Consider co-operative advertising. Why not halve the cost of printing and inserting leaflets by partnering with another, non-competing, business such as a plumber or electrician. You print on one side and they print on the other.

If a customer is happy with the job ask them to put it in writing. Testimonials are the best way to install confidence in your abilities.

Make an effort to work with 'competitors'. Often they'll have work they could pass on and vice-versa. There's plenty of business for everyone out there.

Always offer add-on services where possible such as stain protector or upholstery cleaning.

Get trained. Good training will help you do a better job faster.

Join, and participate, in an online forum such as Cleanitup 

Tax evasion is illegal but tax avoidance isn't! Always use a good bookkeeper or accountant. They can often save you more money than they cost.

Over to you lot for now............

[littlejack]

Some good ones there.

You can list in Yell.com & Thompson online free.

Just be prepared for the inevitable telesales calls to upgrade to the paid ads.

[Mike Halliday]

commit to a long term advertising plan and realise that you'll have to spend some money on it.

marketing is a 52/7 thing, not just when you can be bothered.

put a price on your time, and calculate how much your different marketing stratagies cost.

Mike

[Jim_Lynch]

No good deed goes unpunished...


Jim

[David Ware]

Plan your work and work your plan.Thats the only way to find if its right.
David Ware

[Ian Gourlay]

Do not re invent the wheel

Keep it simple

[cheryl new]

I thought there would be more response to this post.  With all the pearls of wisdom passed on each day...

DCS (Data Collection Services)

If you collect and maintain records of clients, even for accounting purposes, you may be liable to register with the Information Commissioner.

You will likely receive an registration form from the DCS Enforcement Department.  They request you complete their form and return it to them together with a check for £95.  THEY ARE TRYING TO RIP YOU OFF.

You can register directly with the Information Commissioner for a cost of £35.  More importantly, if you use the businesslink.gov web site, their questionaire may conclude that you do not even need to register (which I suggest you copy and paste to another file and save for future reference).


Maybe this post should be moved to the FAQ section?  It may get more response if cc's thought they were advising newbies rather than preaching to the converted?

Best regards
Cheryl

[Ian Gourlay]

Spend  at least 15 minutes marketing your bussiness everyday. Do this even if you have enough customers


Take the time to work out why you did not close a sale.

Do not always blame price

Offer a Guarantee with no small print or get outs,