[tom2009]

I don't think you should even ask the question until you've knocked at least 1000 doors or put out several thousand leaflets.

[wezzy32]

i started last feb bought a small round and iv built on that with some door knocking my self and my m8 canvassing for me. its hard but iv enjoyed the last 11months

[careless.david@gmail.com]

i am interested to know what you expected. you started in september and are getting new customers with referals. have you been knocking, i am wondering where you thought you would be in 4 months.

When i decided to take the leap, i had researched for around 2yrs & there were (at the time) a serious lack of w/c in my area. I expected to gain around 140 - 200 customers in around 6 months.
I know there probably has not been a worse time (weather & cut backs) to start up, but heyho
- thanks to all for the good advice & encouragement - i will be out tomorrow hunting down the other 100 customers.

[Mark Farrimond]

I'm not a window cleaner so I apologise if this is a stupi idea but when you are knocking if a custy isn't in could you not stick a card through with a quote on it? Do you need to speak to them to give a quote? A fascia board fitter did it for me last me last week, thought it was quite clever.

Or do you do this anyway?

[Steven Shoreditch]

Do it anyway.  Not going to hurt, and saves you going back.  I always drop a card in at any opportunity.

[Richard Neal]

Dont give up, sounds like youve made a good start but you cant start and expect to live off of it immediately, try and do a part time job as well until the round builds up some more, if youve kept going through this winter youre doing ok! A lot of us have been struggling the last few months.

[alanwilson]

I remember when I started up - I canvassed my ahhhsss off, between 50 and 80 hours a week, then as the customers came in I cleaned them and continued to canvass.  It was basically 12 hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week.

As I got busier I had to change direction, I couldn't keep up so I took on my son, still working 60 hrs a week mix of cleaning and canvassing.  As more and more commercial came in I sold off some domestic work as I knew I wanted to employ and prefer commercial for employing.

Allow yourself a year to build a half decent business, and I do mean, Half decent, but only if you work your butt off

[Mark Farrimond]

Not sure if this is any use but these men have just started to follow us on Twitter.  Wondered if they'd be any use to you.

http://windowroundsolutions.blogspot.com/

[sgibsoncleaning]

still a bit shocked by this post. in 4 months he has picked up new customers. i am not sure what other method he is using but he hasnt asked about any other method of marketing on here. the last months of the year i find are not the best for getting new customers, concidring decembers weather
work does not land on your doorstep there is loads out there, but i have found lately that people think the can earn big money straight away and give up before thay can develop a business

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

its crazy to give up now mate the spring is a coming and its the best canvassing months jan and feb go knock those doors and take some leaflets target main roads there will be loads of dirty windows there

[Mark Farrimond]

Again, this may be another stupid idea but when people move house they probably have no idea who does the windows in their new street until they bump into a window cleaner who is canvassing or when you are working, which is more difficult cos the homeowner is probably out at work when you are in their street. 

I know there are fewer people moving house at present but still plenty.  Would it not be worth looking on something like www.houseprices.co.uk and registering to receive updates on a postcode area?  You will find out all new house owners (i think within a month of completion) and then nip round? 

Again, I'm not a window cleaner but when i moved last year I couldnt find a window cleaner for a month with being at work and moving around Christmas I had other things to do first.  He knocked one night and said " i used to clean the windows for the people who lived he before, can I do them for you".  Course he could.

 

[david thomas]

ten years ago I started my round all trad work so much work back then not many wc's to what there is today I've now been wfp fo past 4 years. wfp is easy to do conpairing trad thats why so many more people are starting up

[g newton]

i started in november have built my round purely on knocking and leafleting

picking up on average between 5-8 new customers a week using this method

ive taken on another job as well which helps cover the bills until i get to a point where i have a full round

just keep at but look at some other way at making a few bob whilst your building your round