thats how i discovered the show “orange is the new black” I ended up cleaning the same window multiple times. the customer never even noticed.
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Great premise by Malcom Gladwell. However, I disagree that it takes 10,000 hours of window cleaning to learn the trade well enough to satisfy a customer. It did not take me long to see that I was able to do good enough work for customers, and pass along the basics to hard working students looking to work over the summer. I can’t show you my work, but I can tell you that in two years Ottawa Student Windows became the highest and most frequently rated residential window cleaning company in Ottawa on Facebook and Google Plus. We also became the most searched on Google - which brought us to a 2nd search rank on the first page of Google for “Ottawa window cleaning”. It’s hard to make that happen if your customers aren’t satisfied with the work.
Keep in mind as well that we stick to residential work up to two and a half stories - so the learning curve required for doing quality window cleaning in a safe manner is less steep.
I read some of the thread. I wouldn’t say that I deserve to be in the flight class of that idiot.
I assume you say that because you think I hold myself to a higher pedestal than anyone on this forum. And that because I am young, I couldn’t possibly add any value to being here. So when I try to introduce myself and say I believe I have helpful knowledge and experience on the digital marketing side of window cleaning, the immediate response from you is that I am an arrogant kid who thinks he knows it all (queue reference to the greatest thread of all time). I don’t know it all, and I respect everyone who works to make a living - especially those who risk running their own business like most on this forum.
Better get used to me, 'cause I sure won’t be leaving window cleaning for carpet cleaning anytime soon!
I define good enough to be getting paid as a professional window cleaner that the glass be streak, spot and smear free no matter how the sun shines. I do believe (from experience) to achieve this standard it takes longer than 3 months, while under direct supervision, longer if shown a few basics and told to pick it up as you go.
Each to their own
Age should not be a consideration in a results based environment. You should not expect special treatment due to your generations familiarity with digital technology. Conversely, other business owners should not disregard your accomplishments based solely on your age.
It would also help you to realize that there are some forumites who also have developed good techniques and procedures for digital marketing.
A good example of a young business owner who became successful can be found right on this forum. That would be Chris, the owner of WCR.
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I didn’t say that but for some reason it reminded me of it.
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I agree. While not nearly as severe, and probably not the OP’s intention, there is definitely a similar tone of condescension. Crazy how first impressions can really make or break you.
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Deja vu all over again. :-/
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then your web description is very misleading
You’ll find the welcome is much warmer when you take the approach of “I’m here to learn” vs “I’m here to teach.”
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Malcolm, in my short time here reading through the forum threads you always seem to have a reasonable and great opinion in discussions. I want to ask you what it was about my post that suggested I expected to receive special treatment - and what exactly that special treatment would look like.
I know there are many out there with great experience and insights on digital marketing for window cleaners. That’s why I browsed the forum to catch myself up on what’s been discussed, and where there might be some chances to get a good conversation going.
I respect the dedication and contribution of those who have been on this forum for many years. Although, I don’t agree with the attempts to alienate and look-down upon someone who simply states they feel like they have something unique to contribute to the forum. I’ll be the first to admit that I am one of the worst window cleaners on the forum. I am also one of the youngest. But that shouldn’t be a reason for me to be unable to say I have insights to offer in a space where I feel I’ve learned alot - that being digital marketing.
I think a perfect example of the need for a more open community here can be seen below by @Ericehlers comment:
To say that a warm welcome is not warranted just because someone says they have something of value to offer, is the opposite of what a forum community should be doing.
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So what is this new method you have to offer?
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i hate to bring it up but…can you imagine this thread if skipper was still here 
? lol
@MattGraves you haven’t shown anyone any reason to ask your advice. you gain credibility by carefully offering advice when it is asked for. there are many threads here you could revive and add your input to.
and welcome to the forum, it’s a great place to learn about window cleaning and interpersonal relationships in an established online community 
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Perhaps. But the members of this forum have spoken on what’s typical/expected in this community. Maybe some here are overly sensitive, could have a more open outlook, yada yada yada. But, “When in Rome…”
Be the bigger man, make a tiny apology thatyou may have come off wrong, and allow yourself to be “wronged,” if that’s how you choose to see it. I promise you’ll have plenty of opportunities to share your valuable insights, once people are cool with you here and the fur goes back the right way.
Those that try to ‘stick to their guns’ in a situation like this, even if they have a valid point, are never received well. Just a fact of social psychology. Don’t try and change it 
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You chose to use the title of your post to label yourself by your age. Although labels certainly do provide frames of reference, particularly for people that we only meet in a digital environment, they are self limiting by their very nature. I don’t like seeing youngsters (people like you and me) discriminated against (typically due to our unflagging optimism and unwavering belief the we can make a difference) nor do I like seeing older people pigeonholed (typically because they haven’t adapted to rapidly changing technological advances).
I would have preferred to meet you on equal grounds by seeing you introduce yourself as a business owner who is successfully establishing a niche in his residential market by efficiently utilizing digital marketing technologies and as a business owner who is developing a very specific brand that is identified with a self motivated workforce (who are paid a living wage !). Your company’s support for social programs is also noteworthy and would have been appropriate to include in your intro.
Those are commendable accomplishments, well done and keep up the good work!
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I apologize if I may have come across wrong. I think that @HBM said it best in his comment that I chose:
I can see how that could come across wrong. I do still think there can be a bit less hostility to those who say they are open to questions in an area of experience - regardless of whether or not they have made any thread discussions prior to introduction (like me! 
) Anyways I’m here to learn as much as I am here to share. The importance in crafting humble introduction can be my first lesson learned.
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There are a few unique marketing methods I’ve come across. I don’t want to clog this thread any longer so I’ll talk briefly about the best way I’ve found to leverage online reviews to maximize word of mouth online. The way to do this is funneling your clients reviews of your services to your Facebook page. Why Facebook? A couple reasons. In the last 6 months, Facebook has made it so that when a “Facebook friend” reviews a Business Page, all of the reviewers friends will receive a notification that this person left a review. So this not only helps establish credibility to your business, but it’s also free marketing to all of your reviewee’s Facebook friends, when the review is made. Another pro to funneling reviews to Facebook is the potential for “raving” fans to become avid torchbearers for your brand. Naturally, for a client to “review” your Facebook page, this means they have to “like” it first. So now your posts will appear in their News Feed on Facebook, and you will quickly notice that these “reviewees” will have repeated engagement with the content you post (they feel like a part of your business after leaving a review). Their interaction also stimulates a better overall reach on the posts themselves.
That is a mouthful, but maybe that is something useful to consider when choosing where to have your clients leave reviews!
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i used to send a link to customers that would open a facebook review for them but it no longer works, is there a new way?
(look your doing better already!!
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This can go for all of us.
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Perhaps the link is outdated with the URL Facebook requires these days.
The right format is: https://www.facebook.com/pg/username/reviews/
^Replace “username” in the URL with your Business Page’s Facebook username. If you don’t know what it is, you can find it by going to your Facebook page and looking just below its profile picture. I’ve attached a photo example that highlights where you will find the username too
.
