Hi,
I've been cleaning windows for over a year now and have tried various forms of advertising which were:
Leaflets: I had around a 2% success with these. You can push 100 out in an hour and for a five hour day, you'll get around ten phone calls. Now and again you'll hit a good area and get lots, but that is rare. However, customers tend to grab you over the months, since they have a good idea of who you are.
Local Pages: This was a waste of time as the phone calls I've received have all been for areas I don't want to branch out in. I tend to pass these calls out to other window cleaners who do the areas. It was an expensive mistake at £230.00 for my advert.
Canvassing: I tried, but quickly got disheartened after about fifty refusals, because they already had window cleaners.
Grabbed in the street: Look as smart as you can, shave; remove bones through your nose and piercings in eyebrows - I picked up another three customers today. Rather than use your car for short distance drive-betweens - WALK, and be seen. Appear friendly and approachable (unlike my window cleaning missis who avoids potential new customers towards the end of the day when she's knackered - grumpy cow!).
Other Window Cleaners: Every time you see one, say 'ello and have a chat. The decent ones will ask for your number, so they can pass on work they don't want. Do the same for them. Try not to poach their customers - some get upset.
Time: The bigger your operation gets, the more customers come your way. I'm refusing more work than I'm taking on as I don't want to branch out in anymore new areas. Be patient.