The danger of YouTube for newbs

Let me start by saying that YouTube has been a godsend for learning how to clean windows, run a business, pick up tips and tricks, and gain inspiration. I definitely appreciate all the work people like @luke3636, @K1ttenpantz, and many others have done to help out newcomers.

Today, I realized an important caution, however. It’s by no means a problem with YouTube videos; instead, it’s a potential problem with the viewer, i.e., me, and maybe other newbies. When you watch the experts with all their speed and finesse, window cleaning can seem so easy. As a result, you might end up trying to be as smooth and fast as the people you see on the videos right off the get-go.

I really liked PolzNBlades’ recent video in which he admonished to “slow down to go faster.” That’s something I always used to teach my trainees in building crates when I was in the shipping industry: focus on accuracy first, and speed will come.

Today, I slowed it down quite a bit…and I ended up completing the jobs in record time. Even using the liquidator and the excelerator were a breeze for a change (I also tweaked a few other things). The point is, I finally realized that squeegeeing isn’t just whipping a squeegee back and forth; to do it well actually requires a fair amount of focus and attention to certain nuances that before I had glossed over.

So, maybe it’s just me, but perhaps this idea can help other new guys: definitely watch YouTube experts hard at work and learn from them, just remember that they’ve got lots of practice under their belt and we shouldn’t start off at their pace. Slowly model their techniques and the speed will come.

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Well said. It’s good advice even for vets who might be trying something new.

Also, because I’m a pedant, and I know you can take it, I think “e.g.” is more appropriate than “i.e.”
in that sentence. :+1::grinning:

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I agree with you 100%. I have been guilty of trying to go fast and just finish a job. Then I have more detailing to do, I will miss a few spots on the glass while fanning, etc. I am working on going slower and being more fluid with the squeegee. Similar to getting into a nice smooth rhythm. I did that this week and finished earlier than I normally would.
It just feels weird when I go slower. Like the job will take me a lot longer because I am so focused on what I am doing. In reality, I am able to cut my time down.

@luke3636 Luke is one of the many people on this forum that has helped me realize I need to slow down. When you go too fast, you create more unneccessary work for yourself.

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When learning a technique with any squeegee / scrubber found that you get the basic technique down first.
Take care to get it right if it seems a bit awkward you can add your own certain style to it.
Make easier for yourself.
Speed will come in due time

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lol…funny cause I, likewise, am very particular about i.e. vs. e.g. In this case, I literally meant, “that is”…but I can see how “exempli gratia” could fit well also. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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How did you learn that today?

I believe that in any area you are trying to progress in, often you just need to get back to basics. Especially for physical disciplines, starting slowly is key. I’m always analyzing and as i worked more slowly finally today, it dawned on me that the reason i was working too fast for a beginner was trying to do it as quickly as in all the videos I’ve seen. Dumb, of course, but a trap i think a beginner can easily fall into.

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Good advice there man. Yeah I’m pretty new to the window cleaning game, been going at it for 3 months now, but yeah I tell the guys I have trained and work with remember the tortoise and the hare, lets get it done good and properly.

Also to have fun with a squeegee, we all develop our own way,
and we try to make it interesting with little competitions, like judging the best windows - before we do a double check, before we tell the customer “we’re finished” - gets a free drink(most of the time a beer at the end of a job), and the loser buys 1st round sorta thing, every now and then.

I really enjoys this gig, and have this feeling of accomplishment and pride cleaning windows, making that building or house look more aesthetically pleasing, and give it a general better vibe.

Another thing I think I’m learning, is never underestimate hard water stains! Some can be a B…h to clean.

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I would be more cautious of the YouTube window cleaning guru, who promises you millions if you buy their book or watch their channel. If you go back to my early videos with Luke when I first started I was at snail pace. I was standing right beside Luke and knew very well I couldn’t do what he was doing and at his pace. I think the first time I did the dance studio mirrors I almost passed out haha so I get what you are saying but at the same time I don’t necessarily see the “danger” of watching a fast window cleaner. It should be seen more like a goal to work towards not an example of what you should do right out of the gate. Efficiency is key. Once you become efficient at your job the speed follows and that is how we make money.

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I have my own pace. We clean a lot of storefronts …most weekly and bi weekly accounts. Polzn is always pushing himself to try and not detail, and I respect very much his style and how he works. I’m always pushing to see how fast I can go with still maintaining accuracy and minimizing my detailing with hand tools. I don’t detail my pOle work but I’ve found with wide body channels there will always be a bit to detail. We all have our own style/pace. I respect all styles and speed as long as youre making accurate and reasonably timed movements. I’ve said it a million times …to every man his own

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My point with weekly and bi weekly storefronts is that I can move very fast with the cleans . I slow my pace down considerably for residential.

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Wait, you mean I can’t just drill a hole in an iphone 7 and have a headphone jack?

But I saw it on youtube so it must be true!

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“If you believe, you can achieve”… :slight_smile:

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slow is smooth and smooth is fast

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Deep

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I used to watch King Fu theater as a kid and the old master always emphasized technique over speed. They never questioned whether or not the scroll was click bait.

Like good coffee!

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Charge what the job is worth, and you never have to rush! quality is King. It doesn’t take that much more time to do a quality job. Plus if the client sees you rushing around they may think that you are not giving them your best.

Technique mastered is speed. Same steps for each window, and repeat, you get in a rhythm and it goes smooth.

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Funny you say that.i once done a regular GP’s surgery once so fast that the receiptionist was convinced that i did’nt do the whole job as i was too quick!Haf to do a walk around with her.I’ve had to purposely take my time now with that job.

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A few years ago a storefront customer/manager got angry with me because i finished the job to quickly and made to much money. I replied “it really doesn’t matter how long it takes ME to do the windows. What’s important is how long it would have taken YOU to do the windows.”

Of course he fired me. LOL

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Bet it was worth it, lol!!

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