[Sir Squeaky]

I've been offered the opportunity to have an advert in a free local services guide which goes out monthly to over 6000 houses.

I am the only one offered it, and would be the only window cleaner in there, which is nice.

Drawback is it's going to cost nearly £20 a month, and I'm snowed under with bills and debts at the moment. 
I can do a month to start with, but I think she'd like to think I'd carry on.

Obviously 1 or two jobs each month would pay for it.

Worth spending even more money on...?
   

[Clive McDonald]

As someone always calling you names because you are so exasperating.... yes, yes, yes and yes.

This is the first sensible thing you've mentioned since you bought the van.Now is your van signwritten?
If so you want a picture of you and it in the ad.

[Sir Squeaky]

As someone always calling you names because you are so exasperating.... yes, yes, yes and yes.

This is the first sensible thing you've mentioned since you bought the van.Now is your van signwritten?
If so you want a picture of you and it in the ad.

Yes, the van is.

Actually she said that if I do 12 months (at over £200!) she'd do a full page write up about me and my business with pictures.

[DaveG]

Go for it ...you would only need 2 or 3 good jobs per month  to cover the £200.

I asked the same question ( about community mags) a little while ago and ive had a few calls already from just 2 issues.

Cheers Dave

[Craig - CW Window Cleaning]

Please beware of a scam !!!!
I had someone cold call me saying they were from Cornwall Fire service and producing a magazine to go out to all the houses in the area the guy had a scouse accent and told me I would be the only window cleaner in the magazine.
Prices started from £250 for a beer mat size advert I said I would think about it, so while off the phone I checked up on this so called magazine with the Cornwall fire brigade and they had no magazine due to come out needless to say I contacted trading standards.
The guy called me back I told him the information I had and he gave me abuse down the phone.
please be careful on this type of advertising !!!!

[Sir Squeaky]

Please beware of a scam !!!!

It's not a scam!

She left me a copy of the mag under my wipers.
I've spoken to her.
She's e-mailed me.

I know where she lives too.

[Craig - CW Window Cleaning]

 Im glad to hear that !  best of luck !!!!

[DASERVICES]

Offer to clean her windows for free, another option

[Sir Squeaky]

Offer to clean her windows for free, another option

I'm guessing she's already got one.
Surely she would have asked me...?

[DaveG]

Offer to clean her windows for free, another option

I'm guessing she's already got one.
Surely she would have asked me...?

What she like?

[Sir Squeaky]

Offer to clean her windows for free, another option

I'm guessing she's already got one.
Surely she would have asked me...?

What she like?

Haven't met her, but she sounds like totty.

[TVCS]

If she has a w/c why isnt he advertising in it instead of you?

[Sir Squeaky]

If she has a w/c why isnt he advertising in it instead of you?

I don't know!

Perhaps he advertises elsewhere.
Perhaps he doesn't want to advertise.
Perhaps he's packed it in.
Perhaps he's moved.
Perhaps she doesn't have a window cleaner...

What sort of question was that?

[davids3511]

Squeaky, if she is offering a full page write up and monthly advertising for 200 you should take her hand off. It would be like building a brand name if you had a writeup

[Sir Squeaky]

Squeaky, if she is offering a full page write up and monthly advertising for 200 you should take her hand off. It would be like building a brand name if you had a writeup

You're right.
It's too good to miss isn't it?

See if the bank will lend me more then...

[mark dew]

i would personally avoid these calls, but i think it could be a good thing how you have described it.
What are the payment terms?
The reason i ask is if you pay by credit card, the card companies insure all transactions over £100 i think it is?
So you are covered if there is a dispute.   

[AuRavelling79]

What area and what type of people does the mag go to? What type of people will read it?

[Sir Squeaky]

What area and what type of people does the mag go to? What type of people will read it?

Virtually every area 10 miles around Chepstow.

New estates, cottages, allsorts.

Not every house, but getting more each month.
6,000 bi-monthly at last count apparently.
3,000 one month, 3,000 the next.

Also in shops and post offices.

I'm doing the first month, and if I can get the funds I'll carry on.
Worth getting the full page write-up on my business.
I reckon that's invaluable.

[kenaltobelli]

i have done that much in advertising i have got sick last year spent £400 on a booklet going out
to schools not got 1 call yellow pages this year has been crap yell.com just as bad not going to
make £30k at this rate

[Ian Lancaster]

Why not go for the month first, see if there's any response and if there is, go for the £200+write up afterwards?

Do beware, though, there are dozens of so-called "local guides", some are genuine, some only get distributed to the people who advertise in them