Marketing IDEAS for Cleaning Business
A strong marketing strategy will help your cleaning business succeed.
top of the chart image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
Once you’ve launched your cleaning business, you will need to focus your efforts on finding customers. There are a number of ways to do this. Some will require more of your marketing budget than others. Most will require an investment of your time, but once your reputation has been established, your business should continue to grow due to referrals from satisfied customers and you will need to spend less time and money on marketing.
Decide on Target Market
Cleaning services vary greatly. Some cleaning companies focus on residential customers while others prefer to clean commercial buildings. Other niches in the cleaning industry include carpet, upholstery, rug and window cleaning. In the startup stage of your business it helps to narrow your focus and build your expertise in one area. As your business grows, you can diversify and capture a wider range of customers.
Begin With Professional Image
Jim Cavanaugh, founder of Jani-King International, says that your professional image is composed of several factors, starting with the appearance of your cleaning crew. They should always wear clean and neat clothing, perhaps even a uniform with your company logo. Your vehicles, cleaning equipment, marketing materials and invoices should likewise be in excellent condition and carry the company logo and phone number or website where possible. All of these things will contribute to a professional image.
Yellow Pages And Classifieds
Advertise in the Yellow Pages and in the classified section of your local newspaper. You can begin with a small advertisement in the Yellow Pages or a simple classified consisting of two or three lines. Decide on one or two selling points that you believe will be most important to your potential customers and create a concise ad highlighting those benefits. Include a call to action inviting readers to call you for a free estimate. Offer a discount to first-time customers who mention your ad. In addition, claim free listings in online yellow pages and business directories. Invite your satisfied customers to post a review your services.
Distribute Fliers
Design an appealing flier or door-hanger advertising your services. Keep your message clear and simple, highlighting your company's strengths and how your services will benefit your customers. Consider ways in which your business stands out among your competitors and use this as your unique selling point. Include testimonials from satisfied customers. Mail or personally distribute your flier and business cards to homes or offices in your target area.
