[lcwalker]

I have some window cleaning jobs scattered around my local villages, went leaflet delivering last friday abit further out got 2 calls 1 im sure is a bunglow and the other just wants upstairs done, as i work with my partner and she does the bottoms and i do the tops 10+ round trip it just aint worth the hassle.

I also did gardening but no work there either,i dont know whether im just useless at advertising but response is terrible i dont like the thought of door knocking  ive been positive untill now but im thinking of giving it up.The thing is i enjoy doing both jobs and the jobs ive done people are very happy with but it seems no one wants to employ me, a £10 job here and there is no good for me.I haven't got much money to advertise either should i concentrate on my local town for w/c and forget the villages any ideas? thanks

[daz1977]

door knocking thats is the only way,  i put out leaflets in a village in the week then knock it on a saturday,  or noe night in week,
 

[lcwalker]

door knocking thats is the only way,  i put out leaflets in a village in the week then knock it on a saturday,  or noe night in week,
 

Well i was thinking of trying the estates in my local town what should i be charging for a bog standard estate 3 bed lets say 10 windows?.

[Ian Mason]

Hi,

I know what you mean about the door knocking, it sounds so simple, but for some reason quite daunting aswell, & I am not looking forward to it, but it does sound like the only way to get the customers in.

[d s windowcleaning]

get as many leaflets out as you can in say a 10 mile radius , then go door knocking afterwards once youve done a few you will get used to it .
do you have a local free paper that you can put a advert in for a few weeks as these are usually cheap to place a advert in , if you cant afford that use ad-mag and place a free advert in there .
leave a pile of flyers in places that are used a lot , i had good response from the local doctors surgery , a parish magazine is allso a cheap way to advertise .
it takes time mate so dont give up the more time you put into it the more you will get out of it .
good luck

[daz1977]

i charge £1 a windows and nothing for the doors, as a lot of the doors where i am are wood,  if some are really small i might not charge for them

i hate door knocking my self but once i have knocked the first house i am ok,  its just a pain, but sadly its on of the bad points of this job

, can you afford to take the next two weeks off over easter, as you should get a lot of women in with there kids whislt they are off school,  get your misses out knocking if you can, as this will help with bordem

[lcwalker]

i charge £1 a windows and nothing for the doors, as a lot of the doors where i am are wood,  if some are really small i might not charge for them

i hate door knocking my self but once i have knocked the first house i am ok,  its just a pain, but sadly its on of the bad points of this job

, can you afford to take the next two weeks off over easter, as you should get a lot of women in with there kids whislt they are off school,  get your misses out knocking if you can, as this will help with bordem

£1 a window is what i have been basing my prices on i that the going rate with most W/C?.

[John Walker]

Same as Daz - £1 window - £1 door if upvc.  Extra if window not straightforward - you need to judge how long it will take and calculate it against what you want to earn per hour.

[daz1977]

thats about the going rate,  but you will always get people doing it cheaper,  but they dont last, as they end up a busy fool,  and try and sell there round and when no one buys it go back working in a warehouse,   

with this businees and any other business, custy have to know that you exist, if they dont then you will not get a phone call,   

ideally u need a sign written van, leaflets every where,  on your days off just go posting every where that you can,   then go knocking on saturdays,

 one of the problems with this business is a lot of people think it it instant profit when you start, but can take months before you start gettting a return on what u have spent (a lot of business do not make money for 2 years as it keeps being reinvested in the business)

i my self go leafleting, door knocking,  just changed vans so waiting to get that signed up,  i even employ a bloke to had out leaflets, in the local villages for me a few days a months,

[stagcleaning]

We've all been there mate! Times are tough, finding business is not easy...it's a competitive industry.

Over time you build up trust and relationships...and in my humble opinion there is nothing more valuable than this as it provides 1. Regular work 2. Increase chance of a recommendation!

Hang in there!

[Murdie window cleaning]

Door knocking is the only way of gaining the work quickly when your on a budget. If you haven't done it before the first time can be a bit nerve wracking, but the worst thing that happens is that you may get a "No Thankyou" or "I've allready got a cleaner". Dont be put off though as the next door could be the one that gives you the job.

Every one on here has probably gone through spells where they think is it realy worth it, but it's all about putting your self out there and getting your name known.

Good luck

[Wizard]

 Door knocking has the fear of rejection and been face to face with a potential  customer. The thing to remember is if they say not they are not saying no to you personally the are just says no to your offer to them. its not personal. They might even like you but have a window cleaner. We all have this fear in us but the more you knock and chat the better you will become, the fear will go away and you will gain more confidence. Good luck with your knowing .

[jonnyald]

i would certainly get out and do that bungalow ,soon as . while there knock on the neighbours doors tell them you are working just along the road and looking for a few more. be sure to mention to the folk at the bungalow you do insides/if you do?/     

eACH new customer is a foot in the door ,
                                                                   best wishes ,plough on

[Johnny B]

Door knocking can be daunting if you are not used to it, but the worst you will get is a 'no thank you'. However, by doing it this way you are meeting your potential customers face to face and giving them the personal touch, which you don't get from leafletting (although I am not knocking the latter). It also makes it easier to knock on their door when, once they have become your customer, you ask for payment. 

Best wishes,
John.

[Moderator David@stives]

I would love to start from scratch again, I can just feel that fire in my belly.

[JasonP]

I know how your feeling lcwalker, i hate door knocking! Only got 18 regular customers in a month since starting up! My problem is i reach an area i want to canvass, notice that the windows seem clean, convince myself they must have a wc, get back in the car and go home without dropping any leaflets or knocking any doors, then am annoyed with myself for wasting a day!!
Guess im scared of stepping on another wc toes in those areas, which near me, thats every area!!  

[Dave Willis]

Work on a Saturday, get yourself seen especially on a sunny day. Guaranteed to pick up work.
Get the Mrs to door knock further up the road whilst you are working - can't fail.

[lcwalker]

I know how your feeling lcwalker, i hate door knocking! Only got 18 regular customers in a month since starting up! My problem is i reach an area i want to canvass, notice that the windows seem clean, convince myself they must have a wc, get back in the car and go home without dropping any leaflets or knocking any doors, then am annoyed with myself for wasting a day!!
Guess im scared of stepping on another wc toes in those areas, which near me, thats every area!!  

I think im very much like you i think i need to stay more positive.As for stepping on someone elses feet doesn't bother me to much because if the custy want me to clean there windows they must have issues with the other w/c, but what i wouldn't do is undercut i have my price and thats what ill quote.

[TLC]

I would love to start from scratch again, I can just feel that fire in my belly.

I feel your zeal man

[geefree]

Think positive, giving up is not an option for you !

You have to weave your way through the minefield of rejections, to arrive at the acceptances.,

They are there... they are just scattered among the rejections, and with desire and determination you will find them and be a success.