[Fintan_Coll]

Jonny, how much emphasis do you ,or American cleaners in general place on marketing?. Do you concentrate entirely on high end residential clients and ignore low income renters or do you market to all types of clients. I am a disciple of Joe Polish as are a lot of succesful cleaners over here, but my marketing is kept low key as I can only work so many hours in the day.

[Jonny F]

Fintan,
       I can not speak for all the cleaners over here, but I myself only go after high end clientel. The reason for this is because in the area I'm in there are many very large expensive homes and lots of disposable income. But If I was in a smaller rural setting, I would not limit myself to only the high end.
    Yes, Joe Polish has some good ideas....but my personality would not lend well to some of his marketing ideas. I'm a pretty simple guy, and do not have a very large company. My Friend Howad Partridge, in Houston Texas creates more marketing Items I can use. I can get you some more info on Howard if you like, just email me at jon@ultracolorcare.com. I have spent alot of time with Howard and he knows his stuff.  Howard runs a business with many vans..like 15?, all very new and white and uniform.......he started out of the trunk (boot) of his car. If you contact him let him know we talked, he always seems to have a deal for my friends when they call. His business is called Clean As A Whistle, Im sure he has a web site you could check out his marketing business is call Phenomenal Products , cawhp@msn.com  or 1-877-354-7960.

[Ian Gourlay]

How do you get trained in the states.

Do you attend courses or can they be done by DVD internet etc
as US is a big place

[Jonny F]

   Ian,

     There are some companies starting to offer internet training, but it is very limited. Most of the major cities have a carpet cleaners supply that is affiliated with the IICRC, and have IICRC instructors come in and teach a class once a month. Check out the IICRC web site ,it lists all the upcoming classes and there locations through out the US and Canada. www.iicrc.org    Nice to meet you, If you plan a trip to the US let me know, I will help you find the best locations.  Jon