[Mike Halliday]

A lot of good answers there, If you're booked up for 5-6 weeks and you don't advertise then yes I think your 'established'

but I'm still not sure of the definitive answer to what 'established' really means.

I'll have to meditate on it this evening :

Mike

[HolmansUKLTD]

John,

I did have an excellent grounding with Ron Tilley, but i have never been out of the cleaning industry.I was working for independent inspections for 7ys, this also was a good grounding because if you couldn't remove the stain the policy holder got a new carpet !!

But like i have said before i may have a great knowledge of cleaning but i have now knowledge of marketing my cleaning skills, only the refferals i am now getting and the stuff i learn from here. Im still not sure weather to shell out £2000 - £3000  for a marketing programme? i have been going 15 months now and getting a lot of refferals so i suppose its not that bad.

Cheeres John thanks for the vote of confidence  

[Dave_Lee]

I went through a period of 12 - 13 years or so, after an initial 8 years from scratch, when I didnt advertise at all - all repeat and referral work. I was busy all the time and yet I was hardly ever booked uo more than 4-5 days ahead. In fact if ever it was looking like I was getting booked uo a week ahead, I knew I was in trouble because everyone wanted it doing tomorrow. I suppose its all down to how you structure and portray your ongoing marketing even if that means just how you talk to people.
Dave.

[Mark Betts]

I agree with Dave,

At the moment I am now taking bookings for 2 weeks time as I am almost full.

A lady phoned today to book for her own house and also her mothers bungalow.

I could slot her mother in next week between jobs as being retired she was at home most of the time and between us we could find  aspot for her.

However the daughter was a problem as she worked part time and needed the carpets cleaned in the morning.

It got to the point that i couldnt book her in for 3 weeks, she almost gave up and said never mind i will have them done after xmas, but i knew damn well if i had agreed to that I would have lost her, so eventually I persuaded her to have it done in 3 weeks saying it was nearer xmas and the carpets would be fresher for her guests.

So if you are booked up say 3 or 4 weeks ahead regularly ie even during the slower times then maybe thats the time to think about employing some one.

Referral and repeat customers will wait a few weeks but new customers will just look around until they find a cleaner that can do the job ASAP regardless how krappy a job the other guy may do!!


Ta


Mark

[Dave_Lee]

I would say that if anyone is booked up 3-4 weeks ahead on a regular basis, they should put up their prices. This would lead to losing a few clients and wouldnt be booked so far ahead, but would be more profitable.
Dave.

[John_Flynn]

How many clients do you recon you have lost since you put up your prices Dave??

Are you now working less hours for more profit?

Cos you should be at your age!!

[Dave_Lee]

John,
I dont know how many clients Ive lost, because Ive literally been doing twice as many jobs, but nearly three times the turnover since putting up my prices and not quoting over the phone as much. Ive not even started on the Fast track stuff yet so lots of potential for next year. Of course I dont get every job, but if they dont want to pay my prices they can go elsewhere, I dont miss them. You are right though at my age I should be easing off, but Im not going to. After all your as young as you feel, and I still get a kick out of things like walking the Cumbria Way (71 miles) in under 30 hours,
and looking forward to a good Ice Climbing season.
Theres more to life than carpet cleaning as you well know.
Dave.

[Mark Betts]

Dave

What are you on now per sq/yard or sq ft for clean without protector??


I try not to quote over the phone now and find i land more jobs.

If they dont book when i go visit them ie. "well thank you but we are getting a few quotes etc " I follow up the quote with a thank you letter thanking them for their time and pointing out the benefits of clean carpet etc etc. They also go on my "prospect" database so i can mail them newsletters etc etc.

However after the initial letter thanking them for their time they usually book me anyway lol.

But you hav eto send the letter out the day u quoted just in case they are having someone else round to quote.


Mark

[Dave_Lee]

Mark,
Good point, and an idea like lots of others that I ve been meaning to implement, but not had the time. Poor excuse I know, but like I implied I do enjoy a life away from my business. After all isnt your job, profession, business there to support your lifestyle and other interests, I mean isnt that the idea of it all?
Getting back to the point, I'd like to say I charge 45p per sq ft, but that, at the moment is just a target. I actually charge - and this is honest (I hate liars) £3.00 per sq yd which is around 34p per sq ft. I discount at 15% after 30 sq yds. I also discount at 15% for repeat clients and refferals. However I am going to concentrate on getting more maintenance plans next year, as I think this is the way forward (for me anyway).

Dave.

[John_Flynn]

Mark

Instead of trying to pick Daves brains, why don't you do as he did put your hand in your pocket, invest and go on Fast Track yourself??

I have done Fast Track and charge 41p per Sq Ft  £3.69 per Sq Yd!!

Procrastination will get you no where as your good friend Mr Halliday said just the other day.

[John_Flynn]

Sorry about this folks, but did not ask "How much are you charging per Sq Ft Mark, now remember what Dave said, "No lying!!"

[Ian Gourlay]

Mark.

Thats a good tip about the follow up letter after the qoute.

I wrote one during the week as my new sratergy for the week.

Regards

Ian

[Mark Betts]

Isnt what this baord is all about sharing information???

It was a simple question so whats fast track gotta do with it!!!!!!!


I charge between 25 and 30p sq ft with out protector,  Happy!!!!!

Ok next time anyone wants to pick my brains i will suggest they BUY the Big Bang Marketing CD like i have AND i suggest they BUY the Dan Kenedy books LIKE I HAVE and i suggest they BUY the Give to Get Marketing coiurse  LIKE I HAVE (which incidentally i have sent to 2 baird members FREE OF CHARGE. I also suggest the buy the Randy Grosse Estate Agent Kit LIKE I HAVE.

And you dont have to go on afast track programme to know how much to charge.

Oh and John, were you not picking daves brains on this post???  Ermmmmm  ok sorry  no that would be classed as just asking a question would it!!!!

[John_Flynn]

Did you take Daves shoes off to find his brains??

It looks like you haven't bought one of the most importants books that you need yet, Mark!!!

[Mark Betts]

he he

[Paul Davidson]

What is this Fast Track you are talking about?

[Mark Betts]

Well No and i havent listed all the stuff i have either  

[Mike Halliday]

Marks Library must be nearly as big as mine

but like I always say, you can memerise the Karme- Sutra but it won't help you ride a horse .

The Fast track is a market programme ran by Alltec, I think it is based of Joe Polishs material, it cost around £2000ish,

Mike

[Ian Gourlay]

Mark I buy a book a month. What is the tittle of Dan Kenedys book as I could not find him on Amazon.

Also where do you get Big Bang From.

Ps I am at 20p a square foot but I did get 30p yesterday.

I was at 10p when I started on the other board, so I am slowly learning.

[Dave_Lee]

John,
You are spot on there, thats exactly the right place youlle find them, Im sure a lot of the lads at the local running & mountaineering club would agree.
Dave.

"You cheeky old b_gger!