How do I get more commercial contracts?

[kathyskleening]

Hi, I've been cleaning residential for 25 years now. By my self. I just created a business name and all the other necessary legal stuff and have my first commercial account. I want more commercial accounts, and will then start with an employee or two. Is it a practical idea to just go into a business and say something like this,"Hi, I'm Kathy, with Kathy's Kleening, and I was wondering if you are satisfied with your current cleaning service?" I would then proceed to tell them about my services and offer to give them a quote right then and there. I would have the bid sheets with me, and could leave it with them along with a business card. Then follow up if I needed too. Please let me know what you think, or what other ideas you might have. Thanks

[J4K Cleaning]

You can cold call on businesses and many have success doing this. You will also want to make sure you have a nice looking pamphlet with information about your company that you can leave. If you get the opportunity to give a bid right then great! But as you state make sure you do a follow up phone call within a week.
A few other options to consider are doing mailings targeted at the person who hires the janitorial staff. Call and ask for the name of the person who makes the decision so you can put attention to this person on the envelope. Other wise it may just get thrown out. It is also giving you a name to enter into your outlook or ACT or whatever you use.
Another approach is to call and try to set up appointments to give free estimates. I like this approach the best and it eliminates going into places just to hear "no we are happy but thank you".
Try to network in your community as much as you can and always have a business card handy to give to someone.
Do you have a web site? Is it SEO friendly?
Do you have a yellow page ad?
Your best bet is a combination of all of these things as well as some luck of being in the right place at the right time.
Hope that helps.