Hello John
As a supplier we get a good feel for what is going on in the business. At the moment we have customers who are quiet and others who are the busiest they have ever been. What you need to understand about carpet cleaning is that it is a marketing excercise as much as a cleaning operation. The succesfull cleaners are the ones who understand this.
In my opinion the best method of obtaining work is via a planned leaflet campaign. Its no good just getting some leaflets printed and putting them through doors willy nilly. You have to plan where they are going and continue putting them through the same doors for months and years.
Carpet cleaning is not an impulse buy.
Marry this to a good optimised website and some directory adverts and you have the basis of a good campaign. Be aware that it takes between 3-5 years before you can expect to build up a good customer base. You can make a living in the meantime. Once you have a customer you must keep in regular contact or you will eventually loose them.
AVOID, menus, people ringing about police, fire brigade, school books etc. They don't exist and they are con men. Also avoid tvs in doctors surgeries, on buses etc. Local magazines and church newsletters can work well and also a neglected one, adverts in shop windows, costs pennies and you can pick some very good work from them.
