New Business Owner Here, can I please get some feedback/motivation?

[JMcClen]

Hi everyone, I’m a new small business owner in the state of Georgia. Recently graduated college with my degree in IT/Business Management and currently working an office job.

I’ve been researching pressure washing for the past couple years or so and have finally bit the bullet this summer. I’ll be starting small with a hitch trailer carrying my 4gpm machine, SC and an X-Jet. Already have my GMB, insurance, a website, logo, yard signs, and business card/flyer designs planned out (Not physically yet, just the designs on my computer).

I’ve familiarized myself with downstreaming, bleach ratios, chems, pretty much everything under the sun when it comes to physically doing the job. Getting some uniforms made too for extra professionalism.

The actual job itself, I can do. My only anxiety right now is that I won’t get any customers when I start marketing, whether that be due to competition or some other reason beyond my control.

I’m looking for feedback from the community on my current marketing plan. I’m trying to focus primarily on commercial clients. My goal is to get reoccurring income through monthly contracts and slowly build up my client base.

As part of my marketing campaign, I’m looking at implementing:

Nextdoor/Google/Facebook ads
(just a simple before/after
timelapse and a 15% off promo code, short blurb explaining benefits of softwashing) Using all 3 in conjunction as well.

Cold Calling
Property Management, Real Estate, HOA’s, local businesses, just introducing myself and my business and asking if they’re in need of pressure washing. Professional and straightforward approach

Going to neighborhoods and leaving my flyers on doors showcasing before/afters and how our services can benefit the property

Yard signs at intersections

Will these avenues together be good enough to achieve clients? If anyone has any critique or useful information, I would greatly appreciate it!

[dcbrock]

How much actual experience do you have PW?

[OhioFloMo]

Do jobs for family and friends at as big of a discount you can afford in exchange for reviews (GMB/Nextdoor), photos, and most importantly working on your efficiency and workflow. It will be slow going at first… but if you stick with it, do quality work, and follow through with clients you will grow.

[JAtkinson]

That all sounds great, although it mostly doesn’t seem to line up with your stated goal of mostly recurring commercial work (which I don’t think is the way to begin anyway, but something to grow into).

Everything works to some degree, and at different levels during different seasons. Try all of them that you can afford to do well and at some statistically significant volume (eg. sending bulk mailers to one neighborhood wouldn’t tell you much). Most importantly, track what you’re doing, when, and what your ROI is for each campaign.

Most of all, if you have the time to invest, get out there and do work, as was suggested before. Get all the reviews you can, and incentivize them sending people your way. Make sure you leave them with something so that they remember your name when someone asks, and follow-up with them as much as time/automation allows.

[ChrisTripleC]

You picked a tough time to start marketing if you’re looking for immediate results.

• The busiest part of the season is over.
• Late summer is notoriously slow.
• Election years suck in general.

I would, however, continue to market. You are more than likely to get work on the schedule, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the spring as well.

[Machit]

Sounds like you touched most all the bases. One suggestion, I started with basically the same equipment, if you are quoting commercial accounts and roll up with a 4 gpm machine and competing with established competitors they may raise an eyebrow. However, if you get the business, roll up with a small machine and do a superior job they don’t care nearly as much if at all. Keep your eyes open for other income ideas while you work your gig, best of luck, stay glued to this site and welcome to the business.

[TheWizard]

I envy your lack of motivation.

[PoorSpendingHabits]

I don’t know if you’re serious or being satirical, but I can’t help but wonder why someone would be envious of a lack of motivation. Genuinely curious though:)

[TheWizard]

When I’m unmotivated, I’m in the recliner. I love my recliner. His 27 minutes of read time will probably save him the hassle and disappointment of figuring out how the YouTube cowboys were just looking for likes and subscribers the whole time. It ain’t easy out here.

[PoorSpendingHabits]

I never thought of it that way. Thank you.

[JMcClen]

I’ve soft washed the siding of my dad’s house a few days ago. Will likely be getting some cleansol bc to clean up the oxidation on the front part of the house. I’ve also washed the driveway and will be softwashing the fence

[JMcClen]

Here’s some pictures of the backyard siding I did for my dad, he asked that I not used bleach

[JMcClen]

I have done some thinking these past few weeks, and have decided I will be going all in. I’ll be saving up 10k for a used van to carry my equipment in December and save up for advertising starting in march. If all else fails. i still have my IT career to rely on. Connected with a marketing colleague who can do SEO so will be using their services as well. Even with only 3 reviews I sometimes show up on google search

[JMcClen]

Here’s the other pics

[Corbin]

I did not realize that election years had such an impact on business revenue. It makes sense, and I am experiencing a downturn myself, so I believe it.

[Narcos]

Yup it’s getting scary out here.