I’ve been doing some reading on this forum, over the last couple of days, and have learned a great deal. As someone who has just started an exterior cleaning company, I would like to thank you all for the great wealth of ideas and information.
After reading several posts on marketing, I would like to give something back and share a few of my own insights with those who seem to be struggling in this area.
Knocking on doors, passing out cards, and advertising on social media may drum up a few jobs…But building relationships with people, who can help open doors for you, is the real key to success in any business.
The most productive marketing strategy is to stop beating your head against the concrete, trying to market your business…And start marketing yourself better as a person.
Go to church, become a member of your local chamber of commerce, join other clubs/organizations, take part in the local Facebook groups and interact with some of the more prominent folks…ect…
Think “Social Networking” and not just “advertising”. The more connected you can become, the more doors will open for you…
That is great advice , Just start my own business in pressure washer , And what you point out meet other people , you have more succes in your business.
Thanks for that info
Great words! I feel like it could work both ways. I am new as well not even a full month doing this. Heavily marketing is just as important as social networking in my opinion. The customer interaction that comes with you doing the work, or scheduling the service plays a huge part in building the relationships and planting the seeds for any new company. More time marketing = more jobs = more chance to social network = future success. Nothing is more rewarding than a customer telling you he is a customer for life after completing a job or the ones that say they are going to reach out to their friends and family. Welcome!
Find a referral group that has real estate agents and property management in it and join. When I did this before I got a lot work from it. Just be sure to refer customers to them in return
Good post. This topic has been on my mind for a few weeks, since I recently received a call from a nice guy form the mid-West. He’s in his 2nd or 3rd year and was calling for some input on chemicals.
He has 4 employees, I have one (my wife). Last year his business and my business both grossed nearly the same amount. One big difference is, last year he spent $30k+ on Home Advisor leads, while I spent a total of $420 on “advertising,” which is to say that was the cost of my BNI membership at my local chapter. It’s a business networking group, helps you meet other business owners in the area so you can learn about and refer each other’s businesses.
Seems that most folks I speak with want a “magic” and “instant” path to big contracts and easy money. Tell me if you find that but in the meantime, people who have been in the business a while are making it by meeting people and networking one by one by one. It takes time, but it’s nearly free.
There’s plenty of guys who know how to power wash. Making this your living isn’t just about that.
Door hangers? Mailers? 1% callback rates? Good grief. It’s WHO you know.
Well said. My father has always preached that same message to me. I now too believe that is the best way to do business.
I am one year in the business and through a personal contact I landed a property management company that has 60 buildings that need the common areas cleaned every other month.
I am looking to join a local business network to bring in more clients.
I just joined a BNI group. Like the inks not even dry on the application. (Application is online, but you know what I mean.) There’s a painting company in it and they just sent me a list of 11 houses at my regular flat rates and it’s all paint prep. So if I mess up a little bit doesn’t really matter. This company has another 180 already on the calendar and they’re only giving me them two weeks at a time.
I was in a BNI group when I was in finance and it was a gold mine. I don’t know what took me so long to join one. Because now my residential calendar is full and I pretty much have to stop taking requests.
@Innocentbystander is old school. He got schooled in a game of 1-on-1 pick up basketball by Napoleon despite being able touch the rim with those arms while standing flat footed on the ground.
I love the guy, but he’s a tough nut to crack when it comes to trying to get him to do much on the internet. He uses Bing. That’s 100% fact.
In 2018, if you don’t have a web presence no matter how you’re getting business you may as well be out of business if your other sources of business go away IMO.
Also, IBS has been doing this such a long time he can call an HOA president and book 78 houses within a couple days. Also a fact.
