[gordons]

I was wondering what everyone thinks is their special touch for their business that would help a customer choose yourself over another window cleaner for example: phoning them the night before to remind them to open the gate.

[windolene]

Hi,

Looking clean & tidy & of course being polite whilst doing a good job.

Kevin WINDOLENE

p.s...father &  son helps.

[JohnL]

I agree with Kevin above but would add - be personable ie friendly, helpfull, chat to the customer, try and make friends of them without being overbearing - and smile   

I'm sure their will be more

JohnL

[ronaldo]

Couldnt agree with you more Kev. 

[jeff1]

Always talk about the customers favorite  subject, (Themselves)

[julianbiggs]

Be professional, polite, courteous....and i've found, although i've only been window cleaning for a year that cleaning the sills, frames and doors gets you loads of customers!!!!!

[Andrew McCann]

Always talk about the customers favorite  subject, (Themselves)

LOL Jeff.. true!!!! 

Be professional, polite, courteous....and i've found, although i've only been window cleaning for a year that cleaning the sills, frames and doors gets you loads of customers!!!!!

SPOT ON Julian. ... ohhh and if you get "caught short" DONT let the neighbours see you P'ing   

DONT be a local charity.. running little errands.. moving this and that.. doing the little extras for nothin etc.. that erodes your professional image and they will not thank you at all.  Hving said that use your discretion and dont come across as hard hearted.. its a fine line but one you do have to draw.

Andrew

[Ian Rochester]

I must admit that since we stopped collecting on an evening we have lost some of that contact with a lot of the customers and therefore that bond is not there between us and a lot of the customers.

We still to all the things mentioned above and more, but when you have that personal contact people are not likely to drop you at the first opportunity, not that we have ever lost anyone to competition.

We do hand out personnally signed Christmas cards to all our customers, plus all our commercial contacts get "a little something" as a thank you for their custom.

The main things are, do a good job, be regular and reliable, price consistently and be comfortable in being able to quantify the price you are charging if asked.

[jeff1]

Always talk about the customers favorite  subject, (Themselves)

LOL Jeff.. true!!!! 

Hi Andy

It is very true my brother taught that to me, he was a sales rep,
and he said whenever he went into customers homes, he would have a quike look around the room as he was walking in
and if he seen photo's of children/grandchildren or something like medals he would quickly bring the subject up, and talk for about 15 minutes about there favorite subject, this not only pleased a customer, but it puts them at ease, it instantly gets you liked, because you took the time to talk about one of there favourite subjects.
If I do an inside clean I have always done this and it works every time.

[Andrew McCann]

Coudnt agree more jeff.

This is very much a people business. Actually the best salespeple listen far more than they talk. If you put people at ease in a genuine way they will feel that you are on their side and will trust that what you then tell them is genuine.


Andrew

[jeff1]

Coudnt agree more jeff.

This is very much a people business. Actually the best salespeple listen far more than they talk. If you put people at ease in a genuine way they will feel that you are on their side and will trust that what you then tell them is genuine.


Andrew

VeryTrue Andy

If were are all honest with ourselves, when were at home, or in a pub with our mates, we always butt in and talk about what we did, or what happened to us, everyones favorite subject is themselves, this isn't running anyone down, just a true human fact of life. I challenge anyone to say that they never talk about themselves?
and I found in life how true it is, and all our customers love to talk about them selves, anyone who reads this try it out, next time your with a customer, and your having a chat with them, start  to talk about them,   ie if you know something about your customer then bring the subject up, it could be an individual, a member of there family, anything thats important to them,

example
I priced a new customer the other day, and we were stood outside talking about her windows, and on top of her TV,   I could see from outside she had a certificate, So I asked her about the certificate, I had a full run down on her daughters dancing competition, now I have got no interest in Dancing, but I showed great interest (boaring or what) but the customer was very interested in it, I walked away with the Job, and today had a phone call from her asking if I could do another two of her  neighbors. of course I can was my reply, and  quickly jumped in and asked how her daughter was doing in her new Job? another 10 minutes of boaring coversation (good job she was paying the phone call) but we finished the conversation with one very happy customer, and when I do her two  neighbors, I'll do the same to them.
Now have you all noticed what this topic is doing???
I'm talking about what I have done?? Now tell me its not true. Give it a go, and come back and tell us your results.
Increase your business, Get your customers to talk about themselves.

[pjulk]

Since i have had some embroidered clothing done i have found my conversion rate go up and have had quite a few comment about it.
Saying that it makes me stand out from all the other window cleaners.

I think what really makes me stand out is i the only one apart from 1 other who waves a big stick with a brush in the air.

I also comment on peoples gardens i find they love that and if i notice anything differant from the last time i was around i will say how nice it looks even if it doesn't.

I get quite a bit of work from referals and i think its because i talk to people where as a lot of window cleaners in my area don't really say much to anyone.

Paul

[Paul Coleman]

Have to be a bit careful with this chatting about a customer's favourite subject.  Too much of that and my income would plummet.  I've shifted a bit in the other direction now anbd tend to be a bit more businesslike about it.  If they do want to bend my ear, I usually continue working.  I can work and listen at the same time.  This is another advantage of WFP.  They don't go on as much in case they cop some spray 

[Moderator David@stives]

Lets not kid ourselves , customers usually employ the first window cleaner they find and as long as you dont mess up the job is yours for life

Dave

[windows_chepstow]

I nice touch is to 'praise' your customer.

Thank them for sending you the cheque or leaving the money hidden under their doormat, or dropping it in person through your letter box; etc.

Praise and encourage the good behavior; and you'll get more of it.

People are like dogs really, and I don't mean that in a derogatory sense; I think more of my dog than I do Wor Lass!

[brett walker]

Lets not kid ourselves , customers usually employ the first window cleaner they find and as long as you dont mess up the job is yours for life

Dave

Your exactly right but a special touch and a bit of creeping sometimes gets you a cuppa
Ive heard the saying,  the customers always right the saying the saying should be,  the customers always out for that extra bit

Brett

[busydaffodil]

I think more of my dog than I do Wor Lass!

I take it Wor Lass doesnt use the computer? 

Or are you doing it cos you love the hammer your gonna get when she sees that!

Dont allow her to cook Meat pie anytime soon either, even though you are heart broken at your dog running away!