Its a personal choice, but i would avoid putting cards in windows of shops and post offices as i've seen the sort adverts from people who WANT cleaners and you can see the type of person it will attract - ie you wont get the 'going rate' for sure.
I started my business with a friend, i couldnt drive at that time and my friend didnt like the idea of cleaning houses, so that left me stuck with a handful of clients and no car! Everyone rallied round and helped me with lifts etc, so whilst i learnt to drive i managed to get about (how i dont know...!), i'm just saying that i can SO empathise with your situation.
A tip on flyers: make them A4 (cos there is nothing worse than a badly cut small flyer), use colour, dont use 'cheese' in slogans cathphrases or names (i will NEVER forget seeing a leaflet from an outfit called 'the three dustkaters'
), never ever ever ever advertise prices, if you are insured then say so, if you take equipment and supplies (people are willing to pay more for this kind of service) then say so, in fact say as much as you can about what you DO do, as briefly as you can. The times i've replied (by email) to flyers just to see what they do and dont do and found that in fact they are offering a full all-in-one service, just that they omitted to say so in the leaflet...oh and NEVER use the word 'maid' as you will be confused with other companies.
I have also been reluctant to suggest in any way at all that clients will have 'more time to themselves' by having help with cleaning, i see this as quite patronising to people who already have too many things to do or those who would love to do their own housework but are now physically unable to do so. I never make any reference to the advantages of having a cleaner, i am there to sell myself NOT the service, in otherwords folk have already decieded they need a cleaner BEFORE they ask you to quote them, its just a case of which cleaner they use and not whether they have a cleaner or not.
Belive me, if you have the patience of a saint for your client, if you dont come across as 'to' wierd (i am borderline most days
), and you are good then you will get the work.
There is only one thing better than someone ringing you up and saying "I need a cleaner and Mrs X reccomended you" and thats Mrs X saying "Yes, i gave her your number but dont you DARE drop me when you get too busy, i need you".
Christmas i get loads of tips and presents off clients, i alos get odd tips throughout the year, and in one year no less than FOUR people told me that they were increasing the fee i was charging as they felt it was time they paid me more.
Bertie
