expanding my buisness

[Diamond geezer]

been a windy for over 35yrs,iam 70 nxt birthday.Trad and wfp. ive got more than enough custys but some are to cheap,thought i,d get a webb site with a vido explaining what i do and what the charges are,so they can ALL see the direction iam goiing.might lose a few but prob gain a few,cause people still ask my availability.i could direct them to my(webb site)with the new terms and conditions.also looking to take some one on,even run the buisness,and just keep an eye ,and do only a few a day,to keep me in the style iam accustomed
I have a friend, who can construct a webb site,but who could do the vidio? Iam in North London,Any suggestions most welcome, Thanks

 

[Deleted member 5762]

been a windy for over 35yrs,iam 70 nxt birthday.Trad and wfp. ive got more than enough custys but some are to cheap,thought i,d get a webb site with a vido explaining what i do and what the charges are,so they can ALL see the direction iam goiing.might lose a few but prob gain a few,cause people still ask my availability.i could direct them to my(webb site)with the new terms and conditions.also looking to take some one on,even run the buisness,and just keep an eye ,and do only a few a day,to keep me in the style iam accustomed
I have a friend, who can construct a webb site,but who could do the vidio? Iam in North London,Any suggestions most welcome, Thanks

@Diamond geezer If you need a promotional video(s) showing the services you offer look up 'Black Frog Videos' on Facebook. The guy who does them is a smashing bloke and they are very reasonably priced. He has demo videos on his Facebook page.

 

[Diamond geezer]

thanks W ive gone on my face book,ihavent been on it for a couple of years,and iam not very cleaver with computors i enterd black frog vidios in search ,it said nothing could be found. could you tell me what to do please?

 

[ched999uk]

To be honest if you have been going 35 years I am surprised that you need to create a web site and have a video.
Surely it would be easier to create a flier/leaflet detailing your new t&c and prices and drop it to each of your existing customers when you are there cleaning the windows. That's got to be much easier and is targeted at each end every customer you have. Putting it all on a web site might not be accessible to everyone as some people don't use the internet! By the time you have said for new t&c visit my website, which is www.zzzzz.co.uk you may as well just hand them a leaflet.

If you have ever created a video you will know it's not as easy as it seems. If you just talk to the camera you might come across as very 'wooden' as you actually need to act to look normal! I can't imagine it's cost effective to pay for hosting (make sure your host allows videos - some don't), create and maintain a website (plus create content and images), and then create a video, not to mention SEO (making it search engine friendly), and marketing the web site. Getting your web site on the front page of Google can take a lot of work and a fair bit of research and learning unless you are willing to pay someone to do that - beware there are lots of scammers out there promising to get you on front page with google but they might use underhanded tactics that Google will spot after a short while and then 'black list' your site.

 

[Deleted member 5762]

thanks W ive gone on my face book,ihavent been on it for a couple of years,and iam not very cleaver with computors i enterd black frog vidios in search ,it said nothing could be found. could you tell me what to do please?

Sorry @Diamond geezer I've only just seen your reply. It's definitely called Black Frog Videos. Enter it into the search bar. I've attached a photo of what the main page looks like ?

 

[Iron Giant]

Be easier to whack the prices up on the low paying jobs and if some drop you but others keep you then you'll be earning more money for less work.

Earlier this year I lost around 30 or so jobs after price increases and some people moving home, even though I was down 30 jobs after the increases I was earning just a bit more money than I was before the increases and job losses

 

[Diamond geezer]

Thanks very much for your responses,i,ll give them careful thought. when people approach for window cleaning it can take a good few minuets explaining,especially if they dont know the benifits of wfp i thought a short vidio showing the equipment and how beneficial the system is would help.iam not interested at the moment of being on the front page of google,as there,s a good steady stream from word of mouth, it just seems like a good centre for every one whoes interested, but the cost apparently might be the problem thank you

 

[Deleted member 12462]

No offence but surely at 70 years old it should be very easy to sort this.

No young family and I'm guessing no mortgage.

Bang them low prices up if you lose them then so be it.

You've got 35 years cleaning behind you probably won't be many on here around that. (I'm 20 years in).

You don't need videos just take 5 minutes speaking to every customer and state to them the perks of wfp ask them to give you 2 or 3 cleans grace to show them its better and safer and then if they want to move on No hard feelings but I don't know about where you live but my area trad cleaners are on their way out.

You don't need videos or online just do the 5 minute chit chat.

 

[ched999uk]

If you are trying to switch all to wfp then just go for it. If anyone asks then explain about the benefits to your safety and a better clean (frames, sills, doors etc).
If you lose the odd few then no problem.
You wouldn't tell a carpenter to use a hand saw when he has a circular saw would you, so why should the customer dictate what tools you use?

 

[Deleted member 5762]

Thanks very much for your responses,i,ll give them careful thought. when people approach for window cleaning it can take a good few minuets explaining,especially if they dont know the benifits of wfp i thought a short vidio showing the equipment and how beneficial the system is would help.iam not interested at the moment of being on the front page of google,as there,s a good steady stream from word of mouth, it just seems like a good centre for every one whoes interested, but the cost apparently might be the problem thank you

You aren't wrong in having a little bit of information to explain water fed pole to people @Diamond geezer . Nothing wrong with that. I do a little mixture of water fed and traditional. I have a few little bungalows that are far quicker to clean traditionally than by wfp because they are over past a little grass green and I'd have to drag about 100 metres of hose to the job. Because I can reach all the windows by hand without a ladder or step it's much easier to grab the bucket and Squeegee and off I go. If it's anything where I'd need to use a ladder I explain that for insurance reasons I use a pole. I don't explain the the exact details of it, but I do say I use a soft window cleaning brush and purified water and I'll be able to clean all the frames and sills to a nice standard for them, and any problems at all please don't hesitate to let me know. I have had one or two cancel when I switched over to wfp, but there the usual know-all type so I just said "no problem, thank you for your previous custom" and that's it. You could do the old trick of wfp the top floor and Squeegee the bottom floor if you wanted while you switch over. It's not for all window cleaners but personally I always Squeegee any patio/conservatory doors, and clean other doors that aren't glass I use a damp cloth, then you get no water in the channels by the door thresholds. Don't let it overwhelm you and try not to overthink it mate, you'll be fine ?

 

[Pjj]

You aren't wrong in having a little bit of information to explain water fed pole to people @Diamond geezer . Nothing wrong with that. I do a little mixture of water fed and traditional. I have a few little bungalows that are far quicker to clean traditionally than by wfp because they are over past a little grass green and I'd have to drag about 100 metres of hose to the job. Because I can reach all the windows by hand without a ladder or step it's much easier to grab the bucket and Squeegee and off I go. If it's anything where I'd need to use a ladder I explain that for insurance reasons I use a pole. I don't explain the the exact details of it, but I do say I use a soft window cleaning brush and purified water and I'll be able to clean all the frames and sills to a nice standard for them, and any problems at all please don't hesitate to let me know. I have had one or two cancel when I switched over to wfp, but there the usual know-all type so I just said "no problem, thank you for your previous custom" and that's it. You could do the old trick of wfp the top floor and Squeegee the bottom floor if you wanted while you switch over. It's not for all window cleaners but personally I always Squeegee any patio/conservatory doors, and clean other doors that aren't glass I use a damp cloth, then you get no water in the channels by the door thresholds. Don't let it overwhelm you and try not to overthink it mate, you'll be fine ?

Years ago I had to explain to one’s how wfp worked now the majority know and you don’t have to explain to most just the odd one now and then

 

[Deleted member 5762]

Years ago I had to explain to one’s how wfp worked now the majority know and you don’t have to explain to most just the odd one now and then

@Pjj Fair enough. I only meant if people ask in the first place. Most people now are familiar with it, but if you get the odd one that asks a short explanation doesn’t hurt. Where I live it’s a population with quite a lot of pensioners so a few ask, but it’s definitely not the new fangled idea it used to be.

 

[Yogi1872]

Youl get away with bumping them right up, most will probably think itl only be for a wee while until a bad cold takes you out, am joking. I'm assuming it's going to be people you have done for years already. You'd be surprised at how much you'd actually get away with putting them up with not alot of cancels if you have done them for years. You might get the odd one or 2. Even the ones who aren't happy with it are more than likely not going to say anything as they will know you quite well.

Although I wouldn't class any of my customers as a mate, or socialise with them outside of work. There is still a working relationship with most of them. They ask how family is etc and ask how there doing by name. I wouldn't call it a friendship but you do end up with a certain bond with most of them.

I always make a point of asking how the son or daughter is getting on if they go to uni etc. If they like playing golf I even ask them if there managing to get to much courses this year. Am really no interested in how there sons doing or if there enjoying the golf this year. I just see it as all part of the job as when it comes to raising prices etc. Its human nature that your going to give someone more lee way when there's some kind of connection there.

I was even telling the old people during covid that if they can't get out shopping not to hesitate giving me a call if there family can't help them. I knew no one would actually phone me to start doing there shopping. All part of the game

 

[Deleted member 12462]

Youl get away with bumping them right up, most will probably think itl only be for a wee while until a bad cold takes you out, am joking. I'm assuming it's going to be people you have done for years already. You'd be surprised at how much you'd actually get away with putting them up with not alot of cancels if you have done them for years. You might get the odd one or 2. Even the ones who aren't happy with it are more than likely not going to say anything as they will know you quite well.

Although I wouldn't class any of my customers as a mate, or socialise with them outside of work. There is still a working relationship with most of them. They ask how family is etc and ask how there doing by name. I wouldn't call it a friendship but you do end up with a certain bond with most of them.

I always make a point of asking how the son or daughter is getting on if they go to uni etc. If they like playing golf I even ask them if there managing to get to much courses this year. Am really no interested in how there sons doing or if there enjoying the golf this year. I just see it as all part of the job as when it comes to raising prices etc. Its human nature that your going to give someone more lee way when there's some kind of connection there.

I was even telling the old people during covid that if they can't get out shopping not to hesitate giving me a call if there family can't help them. I knew no one would actually phone me to start doing there shopping. All part of the game

Reading all that saved me time totally agree with all of the above ???

 

[scottish cleaning service]

My business is expanding without me doing much. I do a gutter clear for a couple in a posh area and they have passed my details on. Got a text to see if I can clearout their gutters but they have not been done in a while. So I'm going to take a look before I commit like I used to do. The other thing I have just found out is the price the council take for clearing out the inside of gutters but they use a cherrypicker and a massive one like a Fire brigades ALP (aerial ladder platform). They charge a grand for a block of 4 ?and I've been charging £30 each making £120. When I told my mum who gets me the work from her friends said I know, you are far too cheap. Just goes to show even relatives will let you work away knowing you should be getting paid double that price.

 

[Deleted member 12462]

My business is expanding without me doing much. I do a gutter clear for a couple in a posh area and they have passed my details on. Got a text to see if I can clearout their gutters but they have not been done in a while. So I'm going to take a look before I commit like I used to do. The other thing I have just found out is the price the council take for clearing out the inside of gutters but they use a cherrypicker and a massive one like a Fire brigades ALP (aerial ladder platform). They charge a grand for a block of 4 ?and I've been charging £30 each making £120. When I told my mum who gets me the work from her friends said I know, you are far too cheap. Just goes to show even relatives will let you work away knowing you should be getting paid double that price.

Charge double then. No point complaining work for yourself don't you?

 

[Deleted member 5762]

Some of these comments getting a bit off topic now ?. If you have a mix of water fed and traditional work @Diamond geezer I genuinely wouldn't worry to much moving more customers over. I am not sure what your terms and conditions are. I've never been able to see how as a window cleaner it really has any that would be enforceable anyway. Just a little explanation when you take on a new customer about how often you offer your services and what payment methods you accept etc. If you are trying to 'modernise' your business a bit then a basic Facebook page, a card payment machine and maybe a work shirt or jacket with your business name on it would suffice to start with. If it's services you're expanding - like gutters or jet washing - then there's obviously the expense of the equipment and any training you might need. I think it's very easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and over complicate it. You're probably aware of 'Squeaky Clean Dave' on YouTube. He's brilliant and has his videos sorted into playlists (so you can watch what's best for you and ignore any that aren't relevant to you).

 

[Yogi1872]

My business is expanding without me doing much. I do a gutter clear for a couple in a posh area and they have passed my details on. Got a text to see if I can clearout their gutters but they have not been done in a while. So I'm going to take a look before I commit like I used to do. The other thing I have just found out is the price the council take for clearing out the inside of gutters but they use a cherrypicker and a massive one like a Fire brigades ALP (aerial ladder platform). They charge a grand for a block of 4 ?and I've been charging £30 each making £120. When I told my mum who gets me the work from her friends said I know, you are far too cheap. Just goes to show even relatives will let you work away knowing you should be getting paid double that price.

You could get round a 4 in a block all together in half an hour. I've kept my gutters between £30 to £40 if they already get there windows cleaned. They have been that price for about 15 years. Give or take its around 70 I do yearly about now. Done some when it was raining the other week. If I get rained off a few days over the next cpl of weeks itl give me something to do. If not il usually work a sat and Sunday one weekend soon and do them all.

 

[Diamond geezer]

Sorry for late reply been away.Thanks for your confidence building remarks and ideas.

 

[mikesolton]

Expanding services like gutters or jet washing indeed involves additional considerations such as equipment and training costs. Your reminder not to overcomplicate things and to focus on what's relevant to one's specific business is valuable advice. Sometimes, simplicity can be key!

 

[mikesolton]

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