Hi Yall, I’m just starting out, and I haven’t done a paid job yet, but I’ve done this for friends and family. I’m getting better with technique by practicing every day on my own windows, and reading this site. I have my ladder, tools, filed business name with county, business is insured, marketing material (Door hangers and cards), square payment system for credit cards setup, and estimate cards ready to go for door to door selling. I’ve found my target areas to hit. My polo shirt for door to door knocking is being embroidered now, and will be ready next week. I have 4 work shirts with logo on them. My money is getting short since my layoff so I have to do something.
I feel like the reason why I haven’t just gone out and knocked on the first door is fear of succeeding of all things. Also, I’m really trying to cover all of my bases in terms of safety (tracking service/app) since I’m a woman. I’ve figured out what to say when I knock based on what you guys have said on forum: “Hi my name is__________. I’m trying to build my window cleaning business, Affordable Blind Cleaning Etc. (Give them my card and a smile). I was wondering if you would let me give you a free estimate today.”
Is this good enough?
Should I bring a squeegee and belt bucket to do one front window to show results?
Am I over thinking this?
Should I get my free business banking account setup first so they can make payable to my business name?
Should I just go out with my work shirt on and just start or wait til the polo shirts are ready next week? See how I’m making excuses…
Am I over thinking this?
I see a lot of dirty windows, so I know the opportunity is out there. I want to approach realtors too, but I’m not sure how to do that other than walking into their offices and telling them about the business and even offering to show them results on one of their office windows.
Please give any advice you think might be helpful. Please help hold me accountable also, because I’m going to go door knocking next week. I will report back to you guys my results. Thank you!
Is this good enough? Just keep it simple and don’t get overworked thinking about it.
Should I bring a squeegee and belt bucket to do one front window to show results? You could, but not necessary; keep it simple and have a flyer and business card and say what you do, do what you say.
Am I over thinking this? Yes
Should I get my free business banking account setup first so they can make payable to my business name? Yes, you should have your business account set up so you can deposit your first pay. I wouldn’t worry about having a card reader as I have found many folks pay by check, a few in cash, but mostly check. Very few have even asked about credit card, but others find several customers who want to; I just haven’t run into but a few.
Should I just go out with my work shirt on and just start or wait til the polo shirts are ready next week? See how I’m making excuses… If you have your work shirts at the ready then by all means wear them.
Am I over thinking this? Yes.
Try not to ask as much as you should try briefly explaining the service that you provide. “Hi, my name is…I’m offering window cleaning and blind cleaning in your area, if you would like I can give you a free estimate and if it’s something you would like to do we can schedule to get it done.” Maybe not word for word, but you get the idea. It is up to you if you want to tell them up front that you “are trying to build” your window cleaning business or just let loose with the information that you provide a service and it costs nothing to get an estimate.
At any rate, yes have your banking in place; yes door hangers and talk to people; yes you will hear no; yes you will hear yes. Enjoy and good luck!
Garry gave you great advice. Be the Nike logo, JUST DO IT.
You got this, don’t overthink it.
Only bit of advice I can offer is, most people want to shake hands when you first greet someone. A lot of people don’t like shaking hands and it makes them feel uncomfortable even though they will still do it. I know I personally HATE when someone shakes my hand and they act like it’s a test of strength when doing it.
To avoid a possible negative moment, have your business card in your hand and offer it up first thing rather than a handshake. You can still shake hands after if they signal they want to shake hands.
I don’t like the idea of knocking on doors. If you want to gain confidence, go hit some storefront. You’ll get a lot of no’s but you’ll figure out what works within a week.
I’d just like to say that all of us have “failed” at some point since starting this endeavor. Its what you gain from that failure that counts. You don’t really fail unless you quit. Learn something and move on. Your never gonna have all of the bases covered either. That’s part of it, learning to juggle those bases is the key. Get out there and do the best you can everyday. That best WILL get better over time with experience. If you don’t over think it, it’s just as simple as find work, do work, get paid. Congratulations you don’t work for the man anymore. Be glad that it isn’t easy, everyone would be doing it.
Should I bring a squeegee and belt bucket to do one front window to show results? Could be a good selling point, try it out and see if this works for you.
Am I over thinking this? Yes
Should I get my free business banking account setup first so they can make payable to my business name? Yes, makes you look more professional as a business owner
Should I just go out with my work shirt on and just start or wait til the polo shirts are ready next week? honestly, Wearing a business shirt with a logo, compared to not wearing one shows the potential client that you are serious or not serious about your business (maybe?). I’d say do absolutely everything right now before you go out (Set up quickbooks, add up all costs you’ve spent, get an app that tracks business miles, read the 1043 for taxes, make sure once you start getting clients, you are ready!
If you are going door to door, have an ipad with a information form, or a paper copy that looks professional with your logo.
Am I over thinking this? Its okay to overthink this, this is your time and your future that you are building, just take a step back and look at what you need to do before it gets busy.
Today I got a business checking setup at First Citizens. All of your suggestions and thoughts are appreciated. I have the Contractor app on my phone, but I will check out quick books to compare. I’m trying my best not to overthink it.
You are absolutely right, and I know it. I don’t take offence either. The more honest people are to me the better off I’ll be. Thank you for pointing this out. I guess I’ve been making excuses for a while now, but I will make an effort on tonight instead of next week. I’ve been looking at google ads, which seems to be a good move. I’m still working on the Facebook page as we speak. I never heard of nextdoor, but thanks for telling me, I’ll check that out as well as the other suggestions. Tuesday and Thursdays are full with going back to school.
Again, thank you so much for the advice and the honesty!
All of those are great but fliers, door hangers, or simply a business card handed out, gets you exposure right now. Combining all things together gets you up and running quickly.
All of the above advice is super, it really invigorated me to read it.
Realtors don’t make a dime until the listing sells and closes. Realtors are extremely motivated to get the property owners to make their properties more attractive. You can leverage Realtors’ well developed sales ability and preexisting relationships with property owners by telling them that you can make their listings more sale-able. In addition to meet and greets at their offices you can also find realtors hosting open houses. The open house is also a good place to get a free snack while you are on the go .
Realtors absolutely love referrals, so ask for SEVERAL of their business cards so that you can pass them out to people who are considering selling or buying. If you see other trades people (landscapers, painters, etc.) on the job ask for several of their cards too and give them several of yours.
This sounds like a great approach. I’ll look on some listing sites for open houses to go to this weekend. I also had an idea to go to some model homes that have not so clean looking windows (not sure why they are dirty). I figure that I can get those realtors too.
I’ve tried for model homes before and typically the janitorial service that does all of the new build cleaning does them. They may sub contract out the window cleaning, but they won a bid for the business originally and usually can’t afford what good window cleaning costs. Just go get work, Any work for now. You’ll feel way better. All this earning business by networking comes later when you’ve got experience and maybe made a little name for yourself. No one is gonna give you big work on maybe. Prove yourself and work up to the bigger stuff.
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