Struggling to make end meet

[Minty]

I reckon the words you’d use would still finish with “end”

Belle?

 

[spruce]

Hi, is this the same teesside window you are on about?

Yes, it gives someone the impression that they are making an enquiry with a progressive, innovative business. This is what marketing your business is all about.
I am not saying that this is the model to completely follow as it's not maintained properly, but being interactive is good.

Its as though you are talking to anyone who visits your site, keeping them informed of your offerings, where you are and at the same time prompting new business. Look at guttervacuumingsystems on Instagram. They regularly update their page with new stuff, gutter clearing jobs, new product etc.

20 years ago we didn't have social media, so we used the old method of knocking on doors and speaking to as many people as possible face to face. Social media allows to do the same if you use it properly. I spent hours and hours door knocking and asking my customers for referrals. You need to do the same as I did if you choose the social media advertising and promoting route.
I knew from my motor trade days that the cost of pamphlet/mailer drops had a very poor return on investment, so never did that.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Yes, it gives someone the impression that they are making an enquiry with a progressive, innovative business. This is what marketing your business is all about.
I am not saying that this is the model to completely follow as it's not maintained properly, but being interactive is good.

Its as though you are talking to anyone who visits your site, keeping them informed of your offerings, where you are and at the same time prompting new business. Look at guttervacuumingsystems on Instagram. They regularly update their page with new stuff, gutter clearing jobs, new product etc.

20 years ago we didn't have social media, so we used the old method of knocking on doors and speaking to as many people as possible face to face. Social media allows to do the same if you use it properly. I spent hours and hours door knocking and asking my customers for referrals. You need to do the same as I did if you choose the social media advertising and promoting route.
I knew from my motor trade days that the cost of pamphlet/mailer drops had a very poor return on investment, so never did that.

I did a leaflet run on a street near me and got two good cleans. Now I have 7 customers on the street. Only me and another windy cover the area. I'm expecting the other windy to drop out because he cleans for a guy who has the run. They don't seem to be reliable so I pick up a new customer each month in that area but I am also dearer. I don't chase the work, if they decide to change them I'm happy to take them on. I have always started with one customer in a street even traveling 8 miles to do it which wasn't worth it but now I have 6 great customers there so its well worth the travelling. If you are not out cleaning then no one can see you and ask to take them on, that's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it.

 

[spruce]

I did a leaflet run on a street near me and got two good cleans. Now I have 7 customers on the street. Only me and another windy cover the area. I'm expecting the other windy to drop out because he cleans for a guy who has the run. They don't seem to be reliable so I pick up a new customer each month in that area but I am also dearer. I don't chase the work, if they decide to change them I'm happy to take them on. I have always started with one customer in a street even traveling 8 miles to do it which wasn't worth it but now I have 6 great customers there so its well worth the travelling. If you are not out cleaning then no one can see you and ask to take them on, that's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it.

The success of leaflet runs will depend much on the area. Another windie did a major one locally and hardly got any response.

 

[johnny bravo]

you have to follow up with door knocking. Your face and personality can work in your favour also. Let them see you .Charge prices which are reaseonable for your area

 

[scottish cleaning service]

The success of leaflet runs will depend much on the area. Another windie did a major one locally and hardly got any response.

You don't generally get many but the thing that everyone forgets is that you can target a specific street. No other advertisings has this effect.

 

[johnny bravo]

you will be surprised . a windie might have stopped for some reason and you can boost your round easilly .

 

[Mcsandlaly]

Where are you in the North East? I am looking to sell and sub work as caring for sick parents if thats of any help. Though I am Derbyshire way.

 

[dazmond]

I’m currently struggling with work and feel like giving up as I’m not making anything from windows and I may have to get another job to pay bills until I get more clients

Had quite a few cancel due to current climate.


Hopeing things will get better

When your backs up against the wall then you need to take action...

Personally I would canvass every day and clean any new jobs the following day...I would also try and upsell and get the f/s/g,conny roof,gutter clearing jobs and maybe even solar panels.

When I started in 1993 I even did a few odd jobs like fence painting for a few customers to make extra money....

I'd do anything than going back to working a proper job!

I even knew a window cleaner who let me work with him a few days a week while I was building up my round....good luck....

 

[JEM]

Unless there's new houses going up then there's usually a window cleaner in that street. I know some on here say its fair game but I wouldn't chap anyone's doors. If I get a call from someone to go do there's I don't knock it back but I'd never actively go into a street where I know someone else does the majority in there. We both know the only reason we will go into a street for one or 2 is on the off chance we might pick up more.

The people who say it's fair game would be the first moaning about it if people was going round there work.

People say if he was doing the windows right they wouldn't have lost the customer. If anyone genually believes that every customer is happy with the job they do then there in cloud cuckoo land. Like I said if they call me then I've no problem taking the house but I won't chap doors initiating it. People who do that are wrong uns imho.

I don't see it being an issue knocking on doors asking if they have a window cleaner, How would I know if they do? I've knocked on a few doors recently and picked up new customers that didn't have a windy, anyone that says I have one already I say Ok thanks I don't try and find out how much and undercut I move on to the next house.

 

[Yogi1872]

I don't see it being an issue knocking on doors asking if they have a window cleaner, How would I know if they do? I've knocked on a few doors recently and picked up new customers that didn't have a windy, anyone that says I have one already I say Ok thanks I don't try and find out how much and undercut I move on to the next house.

You know just by looking at the windows if they get cleaned regular or not, or atleast before you have chapped the door when you get closer to them. Unless the houses aren't long up then I've never been in a street that hasn't already got a window cleaner there.

When I get one somewhere and it's the only one am going in the street for I tell the person il come in 3 or 4 times but if I've not picked up anything else by then shel have to get someone else as I'm not going in for one. They usually say there is someone who comes in the street but for whatever reason they don't use them. And such and such isn't happy with him either so if you chap them youl get them too. I tell them if they come out then il do them or if they ask for my number give them it but I'm not willing to go and chap someone's work regardless if the persons not happy with him.

Every few months il end up in the same street as one of the other window cleaners and usually have a quick 5 min chat, a few years ago one mentioned he was selling up and asked if I would want to buy. Told me he'd give me first option before advertising it. Ended up buying it from him. That wouldn't have happened if we were on bad terms with each other. Makes no sense making enemies of fellow ppl in the trade.

 

[Dave B]

You know just by looking at the windows if they get cleaned regular or not, or atleast before you have chapped the door when you get closer to them. Unless the houses aren't long up then I've never been in a street that hasn't already got a window cleaner there.

When I get one somewhere and it's the only one am going in the street for I tell the person il come in 3 or 4 times but if I've not picked up anything else by then shel have to get someone else as I'm not going in for one. They usually say there is someone who comes in the street but for whatever reason they don't use them. And such and such isn't happy with him either so if you chap them youl get them too. I tell them if they come out then il do them or if they ask for my number give them it but I'm not willing to go and chap someone's work regardless if the persons not happy with him.

Every few months il end up in the same street as one of the other window cleaners and usually have a quick 5 min chat, a few years ago one mentioned he was selling up and asked if I would want to buy. Told me he'd give me first option before advertising it. Ended up buying it from him. That wouldn't have happened if we were on bad terms with each other. Makes no sense making enemies of fellow ppl in the trade.

You actually say if you don’t pick up anymore then I’m off??????
How professional
How big is your area when you can’t stop for 1 job
I stop in loads of roads for 1 job but never am more than 3.5 miles from home

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I picked up 3 new customers today from Checkatrade. The other one came from next door a customer I do which I received from Checkatrade and now do 3 houses which brings in near £40 a month. This game is hard because if you don't have money to advertise then you won't get good customers. I usually only get one customer and its not worth my while driving to that one customer. Its kinda like a shop's lost leader because you are hoping other folk will see you and ask for a clean. Spent a few years up at that one customer but now they are recommending me to their neighbours because the old ladder guy is ready to retire. In August I sign on for another year and I said I don't need it but now I'm having second thoughts and will probably sign up again. All my new work has come through advertising and I'm finding it hard to argue against it. An old woman called me today to say most of her street dumped the well known window cleaning company so they never came back and she didn't have a cleaner. This is what they did :- They raised their prices and never told their customers till after they collected the money so the customers didn't have a choice to cancel them. They never told them before they cleaned their windows. Needless to say most of the customers cancelled because the trust had totally broken down. ?

 

[Bart90]

I never buy work
How much work you have is determined by how much shoe leather you use
Also how much you are willing to bash doors no matter how uncomfortable it feels
It soon becomes water off a ducks back
Simple “alright sweetheart do you need a window cleaner?”
Yes = great
No = no worries see ya

You won't pick up many feminists with that approach

 

[JEM]

You know just by looking at the windows if they get cleaned regular or not, or atleast before you have chapped the door when you get closer to them. Unless the houses aren't long up then I've never been in a street that hasn't already got a window cleaner there.

When I get one somewhere and it's the only one am going in the street for I tell the person il come in 3 or 4 times but if I've not picked up anything else by then shel have to get someone else as I'm not going in for one. They usually say there is someone who comes in the street but for whatever reason they don't use them. And such and such isn't happy with him either so if you chap them youl get them too. I tell them if they come out then il do them or if they ask for my number give them it but I'm not willing to go and chap someone's work regardless if the persons not happy with him.

Every few months il end up in the same street as one of the other window cleaners and usually have a quick 5 min chat, a few years ago one mentioned he was selling up and asked if I would want to buy. Told me he'd give me first option before advertising it. Ended up buying it from him. That wouldn't have happened if we were on bad terms with each other. Makes no sense making enemies of fellow ppl in the trade.

I've had a few new customers that have done the windows themselves so seeing if they are clean or not doesn't always work out that they have one.
It's a non-issue if they do just move on to the next house.

I've also had two companies knock on my door and I do mine myself, my van wasn't sign written then but they still knocked even though the windows had been done. I don't see it as an issue.

 

[Yogi1872]

You actually say if you don’t pick up anymore then I’m off??????
How professional
How big is your area when you can’t stop for 1 job
I stop in loads of roads for 1 job but never am more than 3.5 miles from home

My area isn't to big, I just wouldn't continue taking the time going into a street to only do one house. They become a hinderence alot of the time when working to a schedule as there more time consuming. Loose a few days with the rain and they type of jobs eat into time trying to catch up.

 

[AndyD]

I don't see it being an issue knocking on doors asking if they have a window cleaner, How would I know if they do? I've knocked on a few doors recently and picked up new customers that didn't have a windy, anyone that says I have one already I say Ok thanks I don't try and find out how much and undercut I move on to the next house.

Depends where abouts you live, round by me it’s a big no no, anyone seen knocking doors it goes straight up on Facebook warning all local residents to avoid them. And to be honest if anyone was to knock my door I probably wouldn’t even answer even though I haven’t a clue what they are selling. I did do some door knocking down the road from me and it was plain from their reaction they wasn’t happy with a stranger knocking their door, a lot had warning signs on their doors too. It’s just not the done thing these days round by me, seems to be ok in some places around the U.K. though.

 

[JEM]

Depends where abouts you live, round by me it’s a big no no, anyone seen knocking doors it goes straight up on Facebook warning all local residents to avoid them. And to be honest if anyone was to knock my door I probably wouldn’t even answer even though I haven’t a clue what they are selling. I did do some door knocking down the road from me and it was plain from their reaction they wasn’t happy with a stranger knocking their door, a lot had warning signs on their doors too. It’s just not the done thing these days round by me, seems to be ok in some places around the U.K. though.

I don't think it matters where you live. Who told you it was a big no no? I've just read your other post on quotes I thought you had been going years in your area but you are only just starting out, So I think it's bad advice to say no door knocking.

Then you say you go on Facebook warning people about someone because they knock on doors, you sound like a right Karen tbh why would what other people do concern you? again did a seasoned windie in your area tell you this

How many doors did you knock on? because my reactions have been very positive and that can't just be the area I live in. Do you live in South Korea Maybe your approach was all wrong, Do you have a friendly face or one that looks like they are about to be robbed

 

[JEM]

Every few months il end up in the same street as one of the other window cleaners and usually have a quick 5 min chat, a few years ago one mentioned he was selling up and asked if I would want to buy. Told me he'd give me first option before advertising it. Ended up buying it from him. That wouldn't have happened if we were on bad terms with each other. Makes no sense making enemies of fellow ppl in the trade.

I've chatted to a couple of windies in my area, what was funny I knocked on one door and the lady said I'll open the back gate and I said I was seeing if you need a window cleaner she said, oh I thought you were here to clean them! the windie turned up and I spoke to him he thought it was funny, and said good luck with building your round etc. No bad feelings I didn't ask her now much he charges I wasn't trying to steal the job.

I think some people are so paranoid about it

 

[Jaygti]

I don't think it matters where you live. Who told you it was a big no no? I've just read your other post on quotes I thought you had been going years in your area but you are only just starting out, So I think it's bad advice to say no door knocking.

Then you say you go on Facebook warning people about someone because they knock on doors, you sound like a right Karen tbh why would what other people do concern you? again did a seasoned windie in your area tell you this

How many doors did you knock on? because my reactions have been very positive and that can't just be the area I live in. Do you live in South Korea Maybe your approach was all wrong, Do you have a friendly face or one that looks like they are about to be robbed

This^

I’ve knocked on hundreds, and I can’t think of one who was upset. The odd one was very quick to the point, but no one was rude.
Its not just an excuse because your scared perhaps???

 

[AndyD]

I don't think it matters where you live. Who told you it was a big no no? I've just read your other post on quotes I thought you had been going years in your area but you are only just starting out, So I think it's bad advice to say no door knocking.

Then you say you go on Facebook warning people about someone because they knock on doors, you sound like a right Karen tbh why would what other people do concern you? again did a seasoned windie in your area tell you this

How many doors did you knock on? because my reactions have been very positive and that can't just be the area I live in. Do you live in South Korea Maybe your approach was all wrong, Do you have a friendly face or one that looks like they are about to be robbed

At what point did I say I go on FB and warn people about people knocking doors?

I don't think it matters where you live. Who told you it was a big no no? I've just read your other post on quotes I thought you had been going years in your area but you are only just starting out, So I think it's bad advice to say no door knocking.

Then you say you go on Facebook warning people about someone because they knock on doors, you sound like a right Karen tbh why would what other people do concern you? again did a seasoned windie in your area tell you this

How many doors did you knock on? because my reactions have been very positive and that can't just be the area I live in. Do you live in South Korea Maybe your approach was all wrong, Do you have a friendly face or one that looks like they are about to be robbed

at what point did I say I warn people on FB that there’s people in the area knocking doors?
Obviously it does matter where you live or you wouldn’t get local residents posting on Facebook warning others about people knocking doors.