Last week when I heard that the local hobby shop was going to use the adjacent unit for overflow from their tabletop gaming tournament I cleaned the ext windows pro bono to be supportive of the cause (I owned a hobby store 1997-2002 and the current store owner was my very first customer and his new store has growing pains). While I was onsite another merchant asked for a bid.
Me “$10.”
Merchant “How about $20 cash.”
Me “Cool!”
One Good turn deserves another. I’m still “new” and i think that is just the type of out of the box thinking that does get rewarded and prospers. Keep it up and keep us updated please?
Garry I took your comment as disrespectful. …it’s not how I would address somebody with a first comment. Bottom line it’s about create sone much value that the customer becomes a loyal and long term customer. …I understand some may not see the end game and thats OK. … it’s either 1 + 1 or 1 X 100 thinking… you clearly have some good insights on window cleaning thanks for sharing them. …
I have no control over how you took it. It was by no means what so ever meant as disrespectful.
We all try to nudge each other in a direction of success here. Sometimes that nudge may have a little sting to it, but the folks who whip-snap you with a wet towel are pretty much gone.
Disrespect would have been to ignore you. 
Group hug for Garry everybody…
Have spoken to the principal of the school and they want it done every holiday break so that is four times a year first one would be in 4 weeks I will be going around counting the windows and preparing the quote early next week. This would not have happened if I didn’t do some free windows… he said the cleaners do the inside and not very well so there is an opportunity to pick up the inside as well… most likely he will want to once he sees my work.
And you get a ton of practice. Keep that in mind learn from every job.
I started out by just knocking on doors with leaving a business card behind if no one was home. It paid off. It’s harder for someone at the door to say no to your face. Mention that there’s no obligation, that you can just have a super quick look at the house from outside and can leave the quote in their mailbox if they seem to be in a hurry. Perhaps even mention that your prices may be lower than the competition because you are small and don’t have many expenses. I try not to leave the bus. card in the mailbox as it is hard to grab. Often I will tuck it in their door in the frame, tuck it behind the #'s of their address or even tucked in the frame of the light fixture.
You could offer a retroactive discount to the customer if they refer you and you land the job. Ask those that are super happy to even write a paper referral that you could make copies of and leave with other potential clients when doing quotes. Or even better have them write a review on review sites ( Google, etc ).
Good luck and hang in there.
Update for you … the school ended up being over 700 windows and I am currently talking with about the inside as well … outside will be 9K and if they want inside will add $1.5K each so if done 2 times a year its $3K and he will to put me touch with other schools in the district.
Looks like you found a good marketing technique!
Hey there, update for you… I landed the contract with the school so a mix of exterior cleans and interior clears through the year … really good prices for me to… all thanks to an hour of “marketing”! ! Targeted marketing…
Congrats! That’s big work!
