Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Please Help Me Name My Cleaning Business

Posted by miminty2 on 12/8/2012 at 8:18 PM ET 250 Points
I just started my business about 6 months ago. I recently acquired 2 clients in a very proimising community. One of them suggested I have business cards, complete with name and slogan. I am drawing a blank! I would really like to use the word meticulous, it describes me and I just like the sound of it. My name is Melissa, I am very dependable, detail oreiented, and honest. I am just one person trying to live out a dream. I am going to school for business management and hope this takes off for me. Thank You.
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by mgoodman on 12/8/2012 at 8:41 PM Accepted
    Before we can really help you come up with a great name, it would help to know who is in your primary target audience. Where do they live? Are you strictly looking for residential customers? If so, maybe you can define a neighborhood, town or area that they all live in.

    And how do you expect your customers to find out you're in business and available? Do you have a marketing plan? You probably don't need a formal, professional plan, but you still need to think through the approach you're planning to take to land some new customers. Knowing that will also help us understand what you need the name to do for you and to communicate to your target audience.
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 12/9/2012 at 2:26 AM Accepted
    I suggest you reply to mgoodman excellent questions. Also, what do you want your customers (and prospective new customers) to think about your company, what word or word phrase would you most like your customers to remember about you.
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 12/9/2012 at 2:56 AM Member
    ... the word "meticulous" is certainly a possible place to start, but you need to flesh it out in such a way that it clearly states the benefits the customers will receive. Maybe something like "so meticulous, we guarantee to pass your most demanding white glove test".
  • Posted by Moriarty on 12/9/2012 at 4:58 AM Accepted
    Melissa - you have a business. It is running and you have clients. That in itself is not something that everybody can do even with a fully fledged business and marketing plan.

    Well done!

    You have two clients - you will prefer one for some reason. They might not be the highest paying, that is not the point. Focus on the person you would most like to work for and you have advertising that is targeted.

    You are also aiming at quality - that means you have an eye for improving yourself. That also means you will listen to your clients to find out what they want by way of services. That will allow you to fine-tune them and really provide a consistent high standard.

    Following from what Steve said,

    Meticulous Melissa - cleaning exactly as you want it cleaned.

    I would stray away from the white glove - this might encourage unscrupulous people who only find it valuable because you give them the chance to be irksome.

    However - you could offer this as your top-rank service for which you charge 2-4x more than normal ... which means if someone really wants a spotless home, they can have it for a premium price. Since not everyone will want this, and haven't that sort of money, you can negotiate how much they want and how it should be done.

    Meticulous Melissa - your home smells nice when you open the front door.
    - complete cleaning service for you 2x a week (upgrade on basic service)
    - Melissa's white glove test. You put on the white gloves. We put on our yellow ones!

    Hope this helps. Good luck, by the way.

    Moriarty xx

    PS Business cards - make sure you get a QR code on them to your website. Get yourself on the Google places so that people in the locality can find you easily.
  • Posted by miminty2 on 12/9/2012 at 7:00 AM Author
    I do prefer to have just residential customers. Yes, it would be quite nice to have them all in one neighborhood but I am kind of taking what I get right now with hopes it will flourish and I will be able to be more selective. When my name is metioned, I would like people to think of quality and dependability.
    Thank you everyone! These are excellent tips. You don't think Meticulous Melissa is too quirky, or is that what I need? Sounds catchy doesn't it.
    Thank you in advance, I look forward to more responses, this is great!
  • Posted by mgoodman on 12/9/2012 at 12:26 PM Moderator
    Coming up with a great name requires that we tap into an idea that will resonate with your target audience. And it's much easier to tap into the minds of your target audience when you (a) know precisely who they are, and (b) know all about their needs, values, beliefs, habits, practices, and attitudes toward -- in this case -- hiring a maid service.

    We've actually provided marketing services to a maid service in a major metro area, so we know how to do it. It begins with a really deep understanding of the target audience -- not trying to be everything to everyone -- and the willingness/ability to investment spend to get the business off the ground. Neither of these is trivial; they're both critical to a serious business launch and should only be undertaken if you are truly serious about building a successful cleaning service.

    Want to discuss further? Contact me via email (in my profile). No charge or obligation.
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 12/9/2012 at 1:37 PM Member
    Meticulously Cleaned by Melissa
    Cleaning Maid Meticulously
    Melissa Cleaning, Meticulously
    Ridiculously Meticulously Clean

    (probably add a tagline)
  • Posted by Moriarty on 12/9/2012 at 4:43 PM Member
    Melissa
    if someone wants to be thought of as honest and dependable, they should use their real name, state what they do and how.

    Just that.

    Anything else is faux.

    ust be you, that's the best course. You have customers, you have a business. Focus on that!! Your flashy tagline is YOU and WHAT YOU DO. In other words, just tell someone what and who you are. I think if you do contact Mr. Goodman you need to discover the depths of these strengths as he can help you clarify what they are.

    After all, they are employing you. Tell 'em what they are going to get.

    I wish you all the best, and much happiness in fulfilling your clients' needs and wishes. There isn't much better work than that. M xx
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Advertising/PR)