07-19-2013, 11:23 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-19-2013, 11:23 AM by JuddBowers.)
IMO, a lot of marketing depends on the size of your company. Stanley, for example, plasters their name EVERYWHERE! Its effective, because its the first thing people think of. They spend all of their dollars on that one aspect, name recognition.
Small guys can do that with a smart referral system. Talk to your customers, become their friend. Talk about them the entire time you're with them. Complement them on everything, the furniture, decorations, etc. The boost in self-esteem is worth more to them than clean carpet. If you do it right, they'll refer you to everyone. Keep a record book, put their name, kid's names, dog's names, as many specific details as you can so when you do talk to them again you mention specifics and they love you for it.
On commercial accounts, you just gotta be professional. I take a similar approach as above with the decision maker at a commercial account. Send them a thank you card a week later with a $25 gift card for a nearby lunch spot. Send them another $25 gift card when they refer you. Office managers talk. When they need a service, they don't go to the YP first, they call another office manager. I've learned that from years of janitorial.
I've learned contentment is key. Contentment is not getting what you want, its wanting what you've got. (Cliche)
Sometimes we can focus on all the jobs that we don't have, and not truly service the ones that we do have. Make the most of what you have. If your goal going to a new job is to make sure that they refer you to at least one job, your business will grow just fine.
Sorry for the "cool story bro" post.
Small guys can do that with a smart referral system. Talk to your customers, become their friend. Talk about them the entire time you're with them. Complement them on everything, the furniture, decorations, etc. The boost in self-esteem is worth more to them than clean carpet. If you do it right, they'll refer you to everyone. Keep a record book, put their name, kid's names, dog's names, as many specific details as you can so when you do talk to them again you mention specifics and they love you for it.
On commercial accounts, you just gotta be professional. I take a similar approach as above with the decision maker at a commercial account. Send them a thank you card a week later with a $25 gift card for a nearby lunch spot. Send them another $25 gift card when they refer you. Office managers talk. When they need a service, they don't go to the YP first, they call another office manager. I've learned that from years of janitorial.
I've learned contentment is key. Contentment is not getting what you want, its wanting what you've got. (Cliche)
Sometimes we can focus on all the jobs that we don't have, and not truly service the ones that we do have. Make the most of what you have. If your goal going to a new job is to make sure that they refer you to at least one job, your business will grow just fine.
Sorry for the "cool story bro" post.