[Ricky Borg]

Hi All

Have just started up an oven cleaning business, wondered if anyone has any advice re advertising

I've spent £110 for 1 month advertising in my local rag and as yet (2nd week) have not had 1 phone call from this ad, am waiting for my yell.com advert to go live, my 5000 postcards (for letterbox dropping) will be ready this week!! what are your experiences of advertising and what works and what doesnt ??

also does anyone know where  can get a spare element for my electric dip tank (want to keep a spare just incase !)?

cheers

www.sparklecleanovens.com

[davep]

Yell is a waste of money and leaflet response has dipped as people get so many from pizza shops etc so dont spend too much on them. Best getting a website ranked well.

[SteveAllan]

I agree yell waste of time you won't get many calls, leaflets just as bad, website will get you some calls, best for me is the colour A5 mags that come through ya door. However I hope you have another string to your bow, I couldn't survive just cleaning ovens despite the bull they tell you on the course
If its early days for you then you will need a bigger monthly budget for ads than 110, good luck anyway 

[davep]

Ps if you have a cool off period with yell then get rid now!

[Ricky Borg]

cheers All, at the mo I'm on a rolling monthly contract with Yell, so can get rid any time, just wanted to give it a go and see how it went.  Have a website set up already, I'm looking into getting a search engine optimiser to look at it though to get it rated well. 

To be honest I have another string in my bow, and was looking at oven cleaning for an addition to my regular income, was never looking to become a millionaire, just keep beer in my pint glass would be a good start !! (and maybe some squash in my babies little beaker lol)

Anyone any ideas on the heatier element for my electric tank ??

cheers again

[Adam P]

ring up or email local companies that offer complimentary cleaning services e.g. carpet cleaners or even domestic cleaners. just an idea but you could offer the companies a free oven clean to one of their customers. gets you some more practice, possibly a repeat customer from the persons oven you clean for free, and also hopefully the important bit is the cleaning company will then start recommending you to their other customers and sending work your way.

[Bill1903]

Advertsing in local paper is also a waste of time

Leafleting then word of mouth is the way to go.

Approach beauty salons and hairdressers and ask them to have your business cards on display-this has got me a lot of work in the past