[magic moments]

thank you for taking your time to reply to me ,i have read through many posts and honestly cant wait till january to start ,i want to leave my job asap ,but would need around 130 customers for that ,so guess im canvass ,canvass ,canvass,

[paul saunders]

Good on you.

Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs.  If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it.  Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.

Leaflet and canvass together.  Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them.  Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).

Get a notebook.  Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense.  Go back into the past to find good posters.  Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now.  Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot.  Note what they do and take the best of their ideas.  However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition.  Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge.  (not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)

Surround yourself with optimists.  

Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.  It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop.  Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.

Finally, the simple bit.  If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.

Vin

You'll do well to listen to Vince, I think he knows what he's on about.       

[sean84]

Good on you.

Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs.  If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it.  Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.

Leaflet and canvass together.  Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them.  Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).

Get a notebook.  Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense.  Go back into the past to find good posters.  Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now.  Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot.  Note what they do and take the best of their ideas.  However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition.  Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge.  (not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)

Surround yourself with optimists.  

Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.  It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop.  Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.

Finally, the simple bit.  If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.

Vin

Cheers
Im going to knock to get a feel for the area and post leaflets too.
4 and 8 weekly cleans.
Got my ladders and roof bars today.
Leaflets printed.
Trad gear sorted.
Pay for public liability when I start.
Then, brush up on technique.....

[Cliff perkins]

Good on ya,knocking can get ya down when ppl keep slamming the door in ya face.do knocking till you get ped off then drop leaflets its tuff going i find about 3 hours is my limit.dont get upset if you dont get a response ive found that you could get a call 2 moths after you posted.
Good luck to you mate

[Inskip1991]

You're are in the same situation as me magic, I'm also starting up in January but am relying on a loan to get me started up, feels risky and I keep questioning if there is enough work out there to go around as the area I live has quite a few window cleaners already.

[magic moments]

at least i have a job to fall back on but ideally would love to dump it ,i have the usaul commitments ,mortgage,bills etc ,but i know we will find the work as everyone on here is saying just keep at it and thats what i intend to do ,im starting on wfp i know its expensive but if i can help it would prefer to stay off the laddders,have you got any pricing methods in mind ,im going to try the 10 pound min unless its a tiny house/flat