When i started 12 months ago I had only a few custies so they were all 4 weekly cleans coz I needed the money. I use the stay cleaner longer line a lot as I know for a fact that more often than not, they do.
At the begining of spring this year I started taking all new custies at 6 weekly or 8 weekly and started telling the 4 weekly custies that they didn't need 4 weekly as the windows were still fine.
This had a few benefits IMO: I was able to say that this was to save them money in credit crunch times as fewer cleans even though I still get money from the customer each month, this builds up my image positively with the custie, possibly generates some custie loyalty. (My round has been canvassed by other cleaners and custies offered cheaper rates but they have decided to stick with me). Most of my new custies are referrals from existing custies so I don't have to do a big sell when I get there, they have basically decided to take me on before I turn up which allows me to be more in control price wise.
When I do first cleans I make a point of taking the customer around the property and show them what I've done and generate the happiness of how good wfp really is. During this time I'm also handing out business cards and offering discounts on next cleans if they can get me some more regular custies.
I know I'm not the cheapest wcer in the area by some way, but some feedback I've received from some about the other cleaners in the area says they rather pay the extra and have the job done properly.
When I started I wanted to become relational with my custies, again a ploy to build custie loyalty. I try to have a chat with each one and try to remember something about what they said last time (a trick I learnt in call centre job, it shows you listen).
It's monday morning and I don't have any work today...which is cool, the work I do have later this week is for people I like to work for, at a price I'm happy with. My business does not have the pressure of loan repayments and my bills are covered. My business's success does not hinge on one or two clients and is growing each month in a recession. Becoming a wcer....best decision I ever made.
A bit off topic, apologies.
Life is sweet.