Post by Kevin on Jul 17, 2014 17:48:40 GMT -5
Dear Kevin,
I am having a hard time with my new business, actually can`t find any work at all. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,
I think what many new providers overlook when starting out in this business is, that rarely is the new service owner given the keys to the castle. They are so excited about starting their business up. Getting promotional items, equipment, website....etc. That they overlook one important question that they will be asked "How long have you been in the cleaning business?"
Now my office was valued at 1/2 million dollars when the market was fair, (probably around 300k now) Your not getting the keys if your a contractor and the answer is: started up last week without some very good references, and supplying background checks in the proposal that your offering.
So to you the new service provider here is how you do it. In your proposal you turn in a reference sheet, now first don`t put all the places in the World you clean for, I have seen proposals from other cleaning contractors laying around the desks of places we clean with 40 to 50 references or all the places they clean. It would be terrible if that got into the wrong hands.
5 to 6 references will be fine, and if you have no references go clean some of your friends houses for free to get training, and put them on the list. Some other good examples; Call a real estate agent and offer them a free or low cost cleaning to demonstrate your services, might land you some further work on the houses they are trying to sell.
Your chuch, offer a free cleaning to demonstrate your service, your bank, give them a free inside window washing, The library, Salvation Army or a local charity in your area. How ever you do it, get 5 to 6 strong references.
Note: Most people aren`t like me, half the time people won`t even call on them, just looks good in a proposal folder. Along with this as mentioned, Background check or police clearance yourself and employees and place this in proposal folder also. Priceless handouts! By doing this you just gave the possible client experience and trust.
Best of luck,
I am having a hard time with my new business, actually can`t find any work at all. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,
I think what many new providers overlook when starting out in this business is, that rarely is the new service owner given the keys to the castle. They are so excited about starting their business up. Getting promotional items, equipment, website....etc. That they overlook one important question that they will be asked "How long have you been in the cleaning business?"
Now my office was valued at 1/2 million dollars when the market was fair, (probably around 300k now) Your not getting the keys if your a contractor and the answer is: started up last week without some very good references, and supplying background checks in the proposal that your offering.
So to you the new service provider here is how you do it. In your proposal you turn in a reference sheet, now first don`t put all the places in the World you clean for, I have seen proposals from other cleaning contractors laying around the desks of places we clean with 40 to 50 references or all the places they clean. It would be terrible if that got into the wrong hands.
5 to 6 references will be fine, and if you have no references go clean some of your friends houses for free to get training, and put them on the list. Some other good examples; Call a real estate agent and offer them a free or low cost cleaning to demonstrate your services, might land you some further work on the houses they are trying to sell.
Your chuch, offer a free cleaning to demonstrate your service, your bank, give them a free inside window washing, The library, Salvation Army or a local charity in your area. How ever you do it, get 5 to 6 strong references.
Note: Most people aren`t like me, half the time people won`t even call on them, just looks good in a proposal folder. Along with this as mentioned, Background check or police clearance yourself and employees and place this in proposal folder also. Priceless handouts! By doing this you just gave the possible client experience and trust.
Best of luck,