Question

Topic: Strategy

Marketing / Advertising Strategey

Posted by Anonymous on 9/4/2010 at 8:15 PM ET 250 Points
Hi, I would be grateful if you could offer some advice, I am currenly in the process of starting up a commerical cleaning business and I was wondering what be be the most effective way of marketing /advertising the business?

looking forward to hearing your replies!

Catherine
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 9/4/2010 at 8:55 PM Accepted
    My suggestion would be to actually visit the facilities you would like to have as customers, find out who makes the decision on who does the cleaning, and see if you can get an appointment with that person -- face to face.

    When you get the appointment, be prepared to ask some questions ... about who does the cleaning now, whether they're satisfied, or whether they are planning to make some changes. Ask what it would take for you to have a chance to bid on the business, or at least to show them what you can do.

    Don't push too hard. Just ask your questions and see what you can learn. If they're satisfied with their current solution, you can also ask if they know of any other building managers who might be open to a new cleaning service, and whether they might be willing to make an introduction.

    If you do this at a dozen locations, you will either have a number of hot leads or a pretty good idea of what it will take to land some business (or both).

    I'd go this route before I spend a lot of time, energy and money on advertising. This sounds like a situation where personal selling skills are going to win the day.

    The one thing you might want to do is have some nice business cards printed up so you look like a "real" business. You can leave them with each person you interview, and ask them to keep you in mind if things change (assuming they don't hire you right away).
  • Posted on 9/5/2010 at 6:18 PM Author
    All, thanks for all your advice it has been very useful. I think I will initally go down the appointments route, to get a feel for things, and hopefull win contracts by finding out what my competitors are doing wrong.

    With regards incororating a company, it wasn't something I was going to do at this early stage in the game. Phil have you suggested that so that I will come across as being more credible or is it for reasons due to getting liability insurance?

    Once again, thanks for all the advice!
  • Posted by bilalshreif on 9/5/2010 at 6:20 PM Member
    i agree with mgoodman, and i add something if you can go to them offer them a free cleaning for one day and of course make sure your guys clean well and then you can negotiate an offer with them.
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