[andy east sussex]

I tried leaflets last month no price on it no calls and now gone back to prices and yet still no work getting bit worried of what to do next

[Richard Cole]

Google Adwords?

If you spent the cost of the leaflets on adwords, done correctly it should bring you more work for less trouble all from the comfort of your computer

[andy east sussex]

ive tried Google ad words but didn't bring in the work possibly didn't do it right but don't really want to be paying a company to do ad words as cots loads which I don't have

[andy east sussex]

think maybe also half my trouble as well is dad died in my arms few months ago and dunno feel like I lost abit of the spark as he worked so hard all his life and never had chance to realx sorry guys

[david@zap-clean]

Sorry to hear that Andy, that's a difficult life event to get over!

Work can help by giving you a 'diversion' while you come to terms with your loss.  But, of course, you need to see some point in it.

I'm not sure why you're not seeing the returns on your marketing.  Maybe you could look at doing some marketing training? Or just trying a different tactic.

This time of year is traditionally a busy time in our industry - so when you're ready you need to review why you're having a tougher time that you expect.

Best wishes anyway...

[Simon Gerrard]

Andy,
Feel for you on the death of your dad, tough one that to deal with.

Marketing wise I'd say that leaflets are only part of the answer. If you think of marketing as a wheel with spokes which are the different forms of advertising you do which go to the hub in the centre, which are sales. If you only have one spoke you aren't going to generate many sales. So add more spokes to the wheel. Website, leaflets, Thomson Local, Yellow Pages, door knocking, emails, Adwords, Facebook and the most important of all, repeats and recommendations etc etc.

Simon

[andy east sussex]

I think for the last 2 years recommendation's have gone abit more quiet 4 years ago we use to get plenty of recommendation's but here in Eastbourne now is overwhelmed with cleaners and maybe their offering services cheaper im really not sure we always ensure job and completed to high standards. and with advertising its all self taught up until now but maybe I need training now for all this new advertising internet area as not confident with it

[Richard Cole]

Andy, really sorry to here about your Dad, must have been tough for you.

Simon has hit it on the head, marketing is a bit like fishing and the more rod's in the river the better chance you have of catching fish (or customers )

[homenclean]

I know it's not much consolation but we are probably having the worst run up to Xmas in 23 years domestic work just isn't happening. I normally have a good conversion rate but been missing jobs on price, we live and operate around North Yorkshire quite a well of area but people just aren't spending thank god we have a good commercial base and it is that work that has us nearly booked to Xmas a reasonable start to 2014. We are about 70/30 commercial to domestic these days the regular work we do for letting agents etc does help ease the pressure.

Hope things pan out and turn around sounds like things have Been rough but I am sure you'll turn the corner.

John

[Simon Gerrard]

Andy,
Don't get involved in trying to compete with other cc'ers on price. Professional carpet cleaning is not about price, it is about quality. There are lots of people in Eastbourne that are very willing to pay really good money for a quality job and those people should become the focus of your entire marketing effort.
It is entirely possible that the reason you are finding sales difficult to come by is that you may be too cheap, offering prices that believe it or not most people would not consider paying because they have learned, often through bitter experience, that low prices often mean poor quality and a waste of money.
So maybe you need to re-model yourself and look for a new type of customer.

Simon

[Craigp]

Andy get out for a day with someone charging more.

[Carpet Dawg]

Andy get out for a day with someone charging more.

how will that make his phone ring?

[Craigp]

You don't need it to ring so much.

If you can't get quantity go for higher job tickets, and make money out of what you do get.

[Carpet Dawg]

IMO You need it to ring even more though as the conversion rate will be less.

Of course it helps if your good at selling, which ever price range you aim at.

Sorry to hear about your father Andy.

[neil 47]

Andy

I looked for you on google place can't find you
Register if you haven't .

Start a blog on your website write as much good info you can.
Go out and network tell everyone what u do .
Get rid of all the stickers that arnt carpet cleaning on your van
Delete all the photos on your FB page that say acs and get rid of the prices
Put your email address every where u can offering free advice
Register your services with every free directory that is relevant
Print leaflets for 10 doors either side where you work delivery before you start
Do add words but put a small amount on it will improve your ranking
Txt all your past customers now
Cut and paste your recommendations onto your web site and bump them to the top of FB
Last of all join the gym and swim and go every other day my mate has just don £200 of work from people there and he is happier and fitter

If post more but I've school run good lucky Andy

[david@zap-clean]

<snip>
Last of all join the gym and swim and go every other day my mate has just don £200 of work from people there and he is happier and fitter

...That's an interesting one I've not heard mentioned before. 

I'm a member of a cycling club, and that's brought me about 12 jobs over the past year 
Networking works.

[Mike Halliday]

Over the years I've been on CIU I've realised its Impossible to give an answer to Andy's problem, people are different, what works for a me won't work for someone else.

I'm a bald 50yr old who goes and quotes every job, I have a background in direct sales and I'm the most well known carpet cleaner in my town! my knowledge of carpet cleaning means I can answer any question posed ,  I get 90% of the jobs I quote at high prices

Andy might be nothing like me so me saying "do what I do "  is not going to work.

He needs to find out what his strengths are and capitalise on them

[Simon Gerrard]

Yes, but he is getting exposed to other ideas of how to approach building a successful business, and that's kind of the point.

Simon

[heritagecleaning]

Mike - I'm 40 with hair. Is this a disadvantage? 

[david@zap-clean]

Mike - I'm 40 with hair. Is this a disadvantage?  

 It might be useful for agitating delicate fabrics, but then you'll end up bald, like the rest of us