Hi again Enviro,
Today, I got a phone call for a large job! Now the weather here today is snowing, were are on our way to maybe 5", and this is normally not the type weather or time of year for that type of call.
I did the estimate on this one back in mid Nov 2010, over 2 months ago and have not heard a word. It is a modern facility, with a well groomed landscape, a high dollar impressive look, used for training and motivating local business owners and their management staff. This building has 587 windows, some about 30 ft high over a reflecting pool. I bid $3,800 for in & out cleaning. They are now sending out paperwork for me to fill out, as they do a background check for all venders. The man saw our van (lettering) about 50 miles from this facility clear over on the other side of where I service regularly, he googled up my web site and then called.
I thought my price may have been to high since he did not call for over 60 days. Enviro, I thought this may encourage you to hear the “WINDOW BUSINESS” is alive and well!
By the way this company is considering quarterly cleanings! That makes the math pretty good! Also he said that they would be letting all the local Dayton ohio business owners know that the clean windows they are looking through are done by Perry Window Cleaning a local family business! (can you say, goldmine?!)
Very nice. You go boy gooooooooooooooooooooo…
I admire you. What kind of attitude or charm do you have around these business owners.? How do you get single out to get these bids? Do you claim it in your mind or pray. Just want to know the holistic picture.
Since window cleaning is so seasonal. I have started doing office cleaning and janitorial work to supplement my income. Sometimes when times are tough you need to be flexible. Janitorial work is more meat and potatoes than window cleaning. Plus, if you do an office’s cleaning, when the time comes to do their windows, you will already have a foot in the door.
I’ve always done the same. Having as much year-round work when you live in Northern areas is priceless.
I only type at a 14wpm rate, and they have to be small words, so let me refer you to my web site. What a person will see there, is what you get with me and my crew in person. I had some one critisize and say, it needs to be more polished or boastful, like a commercial on TV. But I pay $16 a year for this site, and with the help of tutorials, I was able to build it myself (FREE). What you see is what you get in person, and this site has brought me in around $3,000 to $4,000 in new business so far and it has only been up for 14 months!
I have quit keeping accurate track of what it is bringing in as my $16 investment has already paid for itself for years ahead!
As far as your name it claim it in prayer quote. In Matthew chapter 6 we are told in verse 8 that God knows what we need (not want) before we even ask, verse 9 says to give praise to and honor the name of the Almighty God (Ps 83:18) and verse 10 said that we should seek the kingdom both in heaven and earth as God’s son Jesus talked about. So we are not promised, all our heart desires by just asking, the Father, like he is some kind of unlimited bank account. But if we put the interest of his kingdom first then we will not go naked or hungry. (the rest of Capter 6)
This may not have givin you the answer you wanted to hear yet, but as you look at my web site, pay attention to a few things throughout the whole site.
One …I am my own commercial, other than a worship meeting or a funeral, you will likely find me any time in public with my company name on my hat , my shirt, my jacket, my van, my privacy fence at my house, and a sign in the front window at my house! Yes everyone knows what I do.
Two… I’m approachable, I try to smile and be polite and easy to talk to in public, I laugh or smile, when another person walking by says “you missed a spot…ha…ha…ha” even though you may get tired of hearing it, but use it to advantage, come up with a quick come back like “Oh I was saving it for next time…it’s job security”
Three…I also send a personal thank you card out to new residential and commercial accounts even if it is a small 10 or $15 dollar account. This PR and your friendly service, may keep the new WC’s from getting your business from you even at a lower price. Also the thank you may say if I can be of further help to you or if you would like a quote on your house windows, or rain gutters, just let me know. Thanks again for supporting my family business!
So Enviro, I can’t point to any one thing, it is a way of life, I know that putting God’s Kingdom first guarantees, that I will eat maybe not steak, and I will have clothes, maybe from Goodwill or a friend who grew out of my size and gave the old ones to me.
With the basic needs out of the issue, now I can work showing others a confident smile, and a good attitude. That can draw business like kids to candy.
Oh, (ps) I also send a card to any estimates who do not say yes immediately. If I hear that they are getting other bids I send it out quickly others like the big job I may wait a day or two as they need more time to clear the decision with their superiors.
The card does not ask for their business, and I do not call unless they asked me to, as this would come accross as being despirate for business.(even though you may be despirate)
The card is worded like this…“Thank You for considering Perry Window Cleaning, for your window cleaning needs. I enjoyed meeting with you, and if I can be any further help, please let me know.”
I do not get all the bids, if you do then you may be too low priced.
But like the parable of the sower, that God,s son Jesus talked about, You just keep planting seeds. The more you plant the greater amount will grow into business. Then take extra good care of the ones you service and soon they will plant seeds for you as well.
The ones they planted are called referrals, they are better than your original harvest, because you are the only quote they want and they already trust you, because you spoiled their friend, who they love and trust!
Be nice every where you go leave your card and let them know that you are not trying to steal business from their current window cleaner, but keep my card just in case something changes down the road.
I have had calls from over two years past, where I gave someone a card. (plant seeds)
Hope this helps you Enviro!
WOW…
I read the title and thought “what a waste of time, I’m not reading that thread.” I’m glad I did. You guys are all so inspiring. Made my day and helped me get refocused.
Chris, Panelessperfection, Paul McQuillan and IIaczko. This thread from Perry Window Cleaning is gold mine for all Window Cleaning Professionals. What is your response? My response is copy it and make it a daily devotion
Well, Enviro, what are you doing now?
You started this thread almost 4 weeks ago. You have gotten NUMEROUS positive responses. What are you doing to bring in more business and make yourself more money?
enviro…I also live in Missouri (north of Kansas City) and started my window cleaning company in August 2010. My town is small and 30 miles from any city of decent size. Our population in Cameron is approximately 10,000 people…half of them are housed in 2 state prisons. A quarter of them are families of these inmates. That leaves very little margin to run a sucessful window cleaning company. I got business cards and made up some flyers and planted these in doors in both of our nice neighborhoods. There are approximatley 60 houses total as they are the higher income areas. I have grown in 2 months (September and October) to 10 residential customers who claim to have me back in the spring. They did give me glowing reveiws (100% customer satisfation as of right now) and you can see them on my little boring website that grabbed me a customer from another small town close by. I have a couple of commercial storefronts that I do on a monthly basis. My average residential customer is $300. I am very pleased with the results and plan on expanding into some bigger areas come spring. Granted I will have to drive 30 miles in any direction…but…
This leads me to ask…what kind of marketing have you put into place or are using at the moment to grab customers in your area?
Hi Ray, welcome to the forum, and I see this is your first post, congrats.
What is your URL (web Site Address) I would love to check it out, if you don’t mind.
Thanks!
Devotion? Sorry, I only chant at Primus concerts…
Sure thing Matt, Professional Window Washing in Cameron Missouri
Thank you…I am glad we have such a place to hang out. I would’nt be here if it were not for youtube.
A simple site and it has pulled in business, that would work for me!
Thanks Ray
YouTube - Perry Window Cleaning Advanced skills lesson 1
Thank you Matt for the link, just when I thought I have seen all of your videos…you surprise me. I have been eyeballing that video for purchase. Would you recommend it?
I highly recommend it, I will not even loan it out as I use it for training of my help and review it often, to keep my skills sharp and it seems that after you utilize a technique, found on the DVD that you can go back and tweak your learning curve by reviewing it again!
I would have made faster progress in my business had I found this sooner.
Here is a 3 minute preview, teaser. This is what helped me part with my $ to get it, as I am tight with my $ unless I see a good return or benefit.
YouTube - Advanced Window Cleaning Skills DVD
Thank you.
Your welcome, Good night.
I could not stop laughing.
Seriously, though, enviro. I feel very fortunate that my business continues to grow during good times and bad despite my best efforts at being a crappy marketing person.
Window cleaning is very much alive, in residential and commercial environments.
Find out what your target market wants, and provide it without fail.
