This article's focus is on adding special touches to distinguish your cleaning company in the eyes of your customer.
As the economy has declined significantly in the past couple of years, so has the demand for housecleaning services from middle-income individuals and families. Thus, the demand for housecleaning services today mainly comes from the more affluent segment of society.
These more affluent clients often expect a greater degree of professionalism and competence which makes gaining their trust and business more demanding than ever. More affluent customers, however, are also value conscious which is to the small cleaner's advantage because the larger cleaning franchises simply do not offer the same kind of quality and value that the sole proprietorship cleaner can.
The emphasis then, is on being lean, nimble, and skillful. I believe that the small one-person cleaner can, if they are thoughtful and hardworking, compete successfully in a world that is increasingly moving towards large franchised cleaning companies.
Step one: Be lean and professional. Invest in a high quality website and work on it weekly. I'm here to tell you that it is within your reach to design your own website (I had no computer experience before I designed my own.) Designing your own website will save you $$$ and will give you the ability to update it whenever you may need to. Your website should be your #1 selling tool for potential customers (aside from referrals). Ditch the phone book. A one-person cleaning company cannot afford to spend $300-$800 a month for a business card size ad in these books.
Step two: Know how to professionally clean every conceivable surface. You can order books on professional cleaning techniques. I'm here to tell you that you need to be familiar with effectively cleaning everything. You don't want to use the wrong kind of cleaner on expensive Italian marble and end up destroying the surface (it happens believe me).
Step three: Become invaluable to your clients. Find the best landscapers, carpenters, roofers, pool cleaners and so forth in your area and get several of their business cards. Put these businesses cards in a business card album and be prepared to refer them to your clients. I often am asked who cleans upholstery, or trims hedges etc. Giving a good referral saves your clients time and money which, which will make them trust you.
Step four: Exude professionalism in your demeanor and appearance. Be calm and thoughtful. Work on your communication skills if necessary. You don't need to be bubbly when working with the financially well off. Be more like the waiters of high-end restaurants (calm and courteous) and less like the hyper and eager-to-please middle-class restaurant servers (i.e. Applebee's, TGI Fridays). Upper-middle class clients are often very busy and many times stressed out- they want someone who is relaxed yet can get things done. Dress in comfortable but professional looking clothes (i.e. polo shirt instead of t-shirt, slacks instead of jeans). Remember that You don't need to be servile: you are just as important as a person as they are, you just happen to occupy a different social strata. Keep your chin up and know what you are worth.
Step five: Utilize referral marketing. Utilizing your existing network will be much cheaper and effective than handing out a thousand flyers. Give 10% off of a month's cleaning for steering a client your way. Many wealthy people are money conscious and will take advantage of offers such as this.
Jesse Green owns and operates Sparkle King Window Cleaning and Janitorial Services from his home town of Bremerton, Washington. For more information visit his website, [
http://www.sparkle-king.com]http://www.sparkle-king.com.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Boost-Your-House-Cleaning-Companys-Reputatio...] How to Boost Your House Cleaning Company's Reputation
