Helping the newbies build there round!!!

[BigFoot]

What would you like to know?

How do you go about getting Buisness with them. Do you email, cold call off the street etc. I think it's a reliable cash flow I'm not tapping into.

 

[monkeyman]

I have just sponsored s local netball team. (one of the wife's aponanats) it's a big league locally, name on the dresses, local rags etc. Might even get them all a hoodies for the winter.

 

[Leeds]

Anymore lads? Keep the thread alive!

 

[CHWS]

Work a Saturday morning and make a good noise with your ladders

 

[Poles Apart]

Is there any chance we can have a "newbie" section? I'm only too pleased to help as I needed help when I started and it's always appreciated but we're getting a lot of repeat posts such as "what is the best backpack", "best pole" "best trolley" blah blah blah?

 

[spruce]

Is there any chance we can have a "newbie" section? I'm only too pleased to help as I needed help when I started and it's always appreciated but we're getting a lot of repeat posts such as "what is the best backpack", "best pole" "best trolley" blah blah blah?

Agree.

Maybe the newbies also need a detailed explanation of how the search button works./emoticons/smile.png

 

[TolishAPurd]

Agree.Maybe the newbies also need a detailed explanation of how the search button works./emoticons/smile.png

This.

People need to help themselves a bit before we spoonfeed them. There is so much info on here just by clicking back a few pages. The other day there was 3 threads on the first page with people asking about Ubik.

 

[spruce]

This.
People need to help themselves a bit before we spoonfeed them. There is so much info on here just by clicking back a few pages. The other day there was 3 threads on the first page with people asking about Ubik.

I'm afraid its also modern society @TolishAPurd. It appears to be the way the system and society works.

The new generation of youngsters has learnt to be reactive as apposed to proactive. They need it to be served up on a plate. As a generation they aren't able to problem solve. They aren't able to think outside the box and look for another way. Is it due to computer games this generation is hooked on?

One of my customers was an engineer in the local chemical works. He had an apprentice who was well into his apprenticeship. They had to fit gauges on a whole lot of control panels which meant using a hole saw and drill to cut the right size hole for the gauge. That was fine until he came to one panel that already had a small hole cut in it. But the hole was too small and needed to be made bigger.

He hadn't any idea how he was going to solve the problem. Two days later that panel still didn't have the right size gauge in it. As far as the apprentice was concerned it wasn't his problem that he couldn't do the job.

About 40 years ago we got a 16 year old apprentice motor mechanic into the garage. First job on his first day in the workshop was a full service and tune-up on a Chevrolet 4100. On his own, without supervision, he drained the oil, removed the oil filter, spark plugs, distributor and air cleaner putting a clean rag into the carburetor to stop any dirt getting in.

He was directed to the part dept where he told us exactly what he wanted. He fitted the points and condenser into the distributor and correctly gaped the points. He refitted the distributor and correctly set the timing up before he correctly gaped the new spark plugs and fitted them. After the engine was filled with oil he then put a timing light on at set the ignition spot on. He knew how to do the job because he had been helping his dad since he was barely able to walk. He had a love for mechanical things. He had to wait another 2 years before he was old enough to get his driver's licence.

30 years on we had an apprentice join us at South Cleveland Garages. He hadn't a clue how to open the bonnet. He lasted 2 weeks. The difference between those 2 lads is a damning pointer to what this world is coming to.

I would love to know the % of how many new ones end up as successful window cleaners.

 

[spruce]

Seems there a few newbies on here of late trying to build rounds and struggling(Adamangler)etc etc so thought some of the more seasoned prosGreen,tenchy,tuffers,jake and everyone else lol and myself of course and lets not forget cheapy!could put some tips up etc of what we've done to gain more work

So I'll start

1.the van!stand out.mine is wrapped in red,alloys,kept mint with matching powder coated ladders on top!always get comments,o them in the red van so it works

2.uniform!look smart but not over dressed,we were modern tops etc vests,with are ocd clean logo bold across the bottom on back and chest.

3.have a theme! Ours is red,red tops,red brodex system with red hoses and brushes red bucket on belts you get the theme.Red red and more red

Right now more about actually getting the work!!things we've used

4.tickets!are windows cleaned today tickets also list the other services we offer,this alone has got us loads of jobs,pressure washing,gutters conservators etc

5.pick up a house in a area use it to knock on the road stating that you've been recommended to clean a house in the area so trying to get a few more to make it worth while traveling,it's a good canvassing line

6.when new housing estates were being built and industrial estates we leave the van outside the show home or on the entrance to the industrial estate with the back doors open pressure washer etc equipment all on show for new homeowners businesses to see.this alone has got us more work and offices then anything!

Il leave the rest to you lot coz me thumbs hurt:thumbsup:

You forgot to mention having a website. /emoticons/biggrin.png

That will get dozens of customers without the newbie even trying provided they have the right Adwords.

Canvassing! That's not what newbies want to hear. Shoving leaflets into letter boxes is about the limit; oh btw, where can I get cheap leaflets?

Knocking on doors and speaking to customers is just so yesterday.

"Please" and "thank you" aren't popular words these days either I've noticed.

 

[Eviestevie]

You forgot to mention having a website. /emoticons/biggrin.pngThat will get dozens of customers without the newbie even trying provided I have the right Adwords.

Canvassing! That's not what newbies want to hear. Shoving leaflets into letter boxes is about the limit; oh btw, where can I get cheap leaflets?

Knocking on doors and speaking to customers is just so yesterday.

"Please" and "thank you" aren't popular words these days either I've noticed.

I def would have website and marketing if starting out in today's climate

But I'm lucky that I got into window cleaning at the right time and work was much easier to come by

I don't really need anymore but any I do pickup I class as bonuses

Work every Monday to Friday on Windows weekends pressure washing

But I'm even thinking off calming that a little

 

[Poles Apart]

it's easy to find something in the search box, always happy to help but same questions answers have been provided are being repeated.

 

[steve garwood]

To many newbies now. Why don't we just give bad information so they mess it all up, bugger off and that's more work for us /emoticons/wink.png/emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[spruce]

To many newbies now. Why don't we just give bad information so they mess it all up, bugger off and that's more work for us /emoticons/wink.png/emoticons/biggrin.png

How many come on here, ask all sorts of questions and then they disappear?

I would love to know what happens to them. I can't say I've seen a new window cleaner in our parts for quite sometime. Of course I might be wrong.

 

[monkeyman]

I'm afraid its also modern society @TolishAPurd. It appears to be the way the system and society works.
The new generation of youngsters has learnt to be reactive as apposed to proactive. They need it to be served up on a plate. As a generation they aren't able to problem solve. They aren't able to think outside the box and look for another way. Is it due to computer games this generation is hooked on?

One of my customers was an engineer in the local chemical works. He had an apprentice who was well into his apprenticeship. They had to fit gauges on a whole lot of control panels which meant using a hole saw and drill to cut the right size hole for the gauge. That was fine until he came to one panel that already had a small hole cut in it. But the hole was too small and needed to be made bigger.

He hadn't any idea how he was going to solve the problem. Two days later that panel still didn't have the right size gauge in it. As far as the apprentice was concerned it wasn't his problem that he couldn't do the job.

About 40 years ago we got a 16 year old apprentice motor mechanic into the garage. First job on his first day in the workshop was a full service and tune-up on a Chevrolet 4100. On his own, without supervision, he drained the oil, removed the oil filter, spark plugs, distributor and air cleaner putting a clean rag into the carburetor to stop any dirt getting in.

He was directed to the part dept where he told us exactly what he wanted. He fitted the points and condenser into the distributor and correctly gaped the points. He refitted the distributor and correctly set the timing up before he correctly gaped the new spark plugs and fitted them. After the engine was filled with oil he then put a timing light on at set the ignition spot on. He knew how to do the job because he had been helping his dad since he was barely able to walk. He had a love for mechanical things. He had to wait another 2 years before he was old enough to get his driver's licence.

30 years on we had an apprentice join us at South Cleveland Garages. He hadn't a clue how to open the bonnet. He lasted 2 weeks. The difference between those 2 lads is a damning pointer to what this world is coming to.

I would love to know the % of how many new ones end up as successful window cleaners.

There not all the same my uncles son could do a oil and filter change at 7 he's 15 now. There's not a lot you could tell him about an engine.

But he's I minority. There's no schooling for the practical minded anymore, which will be the downfall of our country.

 

[Poles Apart]

Maybe they are imposters from a "darker side":hey:

 

[Tuffers]

How many come on here, ask all sorts of questions and then they disappear?
I would love to know what happens to them. I can't say I've seen a new window cleaner in our parts for quite sometime. Of course I might be wrong.

Probably put off when they know what it's really like. Or got all the info they needed and thought 'see ya losers' and thanks for the tips but I won't bother contributing to the forum, thanks.

 

[monkeyman]

How many come on here, ask all sorts of questions and then they disappear?
I would love to know what happens to them. I can't say I've seen a new window cleaner in our parts for quite sometime. Of course I might be wrong.

Winter comes round. They hide indoors playing there fancy atari.... and forget all about cleaning windows.

 

[spruce]

I was on a Freesat forum a few years back and you got banned each time you asked a question that had already been asked. It started off with a warning, then a ban which got progressively longer each time. If you did it too often (can't recall the figures) then you got banned for life. So using the search button was very important.

I think that it was a little OTT but it stopped the same questions being asked over and over again.

 

[peter rogers]

What ever happened to luc from Cornwall seen a lot of new ones from over here come and go always offerhelp on here

@steve hawing u still here

 

[Haynesy]

I'm a newbie that started in winter, was great loved it.

 

[Tuffers]

I'm a newbie that started in winter, was great loved it.

Don't leave us @Haynesy /emoticons/biggrin.png