I agree with Russ too...but of course to begin with you have to go out and get the customers!
Once established, the sign written van and uniform pays dividends.
If you have the 'front' then a combination of leafleting and knocking on doors is the best way to go, particularly if you are on a tight budget.
Knock on doors, if they are in (get used to being looked at like you area piece of filth
) and offer your services, if they are not in then or have a window cleaner then leave a leaflet.
On those that are not in, pop back another time for a follow up call.
you have to cover as many bases as you can, not everyone can do it, the thicker your skin and the more you can 'ooze' sincerity :
the better you will do.
Most prefer their work to be as compact as possible, but I personally prefer drive betweens...but having said that they also need to be the larger accounts, and even the smaller ones have to be well priced!!
If you are minted then go the roundbuilders or doorknockers way, they'll build you a round very much faster than you could possibly do yourself....
Or go Ross's way and leaflet drop, you
will pick up work, and you won't have the stress of and strain of trying to sell yourself over and over again.
Ian