Newbie Stuck! Help! this year sucks!

[ezdayman]

I need help i was let go from my job last friday i was/been doing pressure washing on the sides for 4-5 years but this year no one is biting? I put adds on craigslist. and put my cards where ever I go... and not a single call. What is the problem! What do you guys do? im in need of help asap

thank you...

[814jeffw]

Get flyers out, put them as an insert in your local paper. You need " In your face advertising " to get the ball rolling. Do good work and more work will follow.

Jeff

[Beth n Rod]

Please add your signature

And put an ad in your local paper....and make SURE you have insurance!
Beth

[ezdayman]

I HAVE INS IM NOT A FLY BY NIGHT GUY. im just still kinda new to this since i lost my job! thank you for the help.

[jetstream1]

Try out cold calling
in the past when it was slow I pick the phone up and called called
you might get some leads or jobs
and its free

good luck

[PressurePros]

If you have been washing for 5 years you surely have a decent sized database of customers. That is the first place I would tap. Offer your existing clients your service and give them a discount if they can get you some more leads. Explain to them that you are going full time and that you are trying to fill your book. While you are dong that, max out your credit cards, tax your savings, whatever it takes and start advertising via direct mail. I know spending money at this time of hardship may seem crazy but the only way you are going to get the ball rolling is by advertising. If your budget is real low, get a doorhanger made up and start pounding the pavement.

[RPetry]

Originally Posted by PressurePros

... While you are dong that, max out your credit cards, tax your savings, whatever it takes and start advertising via direct mail. I know spending money at this time of hardship may seem crazy but the only way you are going to get the ball rolling is by advertising. If your budget is real low, get a doorhanger made up and start pounding the pavement.

Ouch, that is tough love. Though probably true for a short term revenue stream. Kind of a roll of the dice but building a business is like that.

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by ezdayman

I HAVE INS IM NOT A FLY BY NIGHT GUY. im just still kinda new to this since i lost my job! thank you for the help.

Whoah....calm down. Deep breath.

I don't know what you do or don't have, and I only mentioned it because I felt that if you were part time, you might not have it. If you do, that's great.

If your local newspaper has a Service Directory Guide, or something like that were contractors have small ads ( we are talking 1x1 or 1x2 column inches) I would begin there.

You might also look into your local BNI chapter, see if they have a PWing company or not and if not go network with them, that might be a good source too.


Beth
p.s. Please fill in your signature.

[Adrian]

EZDAYMAN,
Office Depot has business card holders for a buck a piece. Hit the real estateoffices with a box of doughnuts and some cards. Most will allow when bearing gifts. Sounds corney but it is a good cheap way to get the biz coming in. Also, the 3 foot rule comes in real handy in times like these. Anyone within 3 ft. gets a card.

See if your local paper will print your firm as a business spotlight ad. Much more responses than the service directory although that is efficient as well. Call all the PM companies in your phone book. Call all the painters and offer to increase their productivity by letting you do the cleaning. Network with other PW firms and offer your services for their overflow.
Cold call, Craigslist, Green sheet, Barber shops, Parts stores dry cleaners. They all have dirty parking lots. Hand out those business cards like there is no tomorrow. Never stop talking to people about your business.

[Beth n Rod]

Also spend some time reading the marketing threads...

Do you have a logo yet? Do you have a website? (they are easy to build)
Do you have before and afters?

Beth

[FLORIN]

Just be proactive. Dont just advertise in a few spots and sit home and wait for the phone to ring. Get out there and knock on doors if you have to. Offer a free house wash in a neighborhood that looks promising in terms of demographic criteria you are after. Have signs up while ur washing. Hang door hangers at all the neighbors when you are done. Offer a referral fee to any existing customers you do have to get you more biz.

[MMI Enterprises]

Lots of good advice going on. Mine would be going door to door commercially and maybe get creative on what you can clean or service. Things get tuff you may have to grab a broom, blower, or mop
Oh..but please don't max your cards out with advertizing. In doing such you will not only effect your credit score but some creditors will then boost yer rate putting you back even more per month.

[douseahouse]

Originally Posted by FLORIN

Just be proactive. Dont just advertise in a few spots and sit home and wait for the phone to ring. Get out there and knock on doors if you have to. Offer a free house wash in a neighborhood that looks promising in terms of demographic criteria you are after. Have signs up while ur washing. Hang door hangers at all the neighbors when you are done. Offer a referral fee to any existing customers you do have to get you more biz.

this is a good one that has worked for me. it works great if you do it on a saturday when the neighbors are home and can see you. when they ride or walk by be sure to smile, speak and wave to them. show them that you are both professional and courteous. dress professional and have business cards ready to be distributed. in return for your free or discounted house wash work out a deal with the homeowner to place your classy sign in the front yard for a week or two. it's funny how the neighbors try to keep up with each other so this can be a very successful venture.

good luck,

rando

[Beth n Rod]

Great suggestion!

Beth

[CCPC]

I'm going to re-advise on creating a website. It has been the single most cost effective tool for bringing in regular calls for my company. I'm getting 4-5 calls or e-mails a day requesting estimates just from my website alone. I spend about $90 a year for hosting. What a steal!!