A little more than a year ago I posted a question on the swom blog about how to start a carpet cleaning business, I received a lot of great suggestions! I know they didn’t have to help; I know they had a lot on their plates already, but I want to thank them all for taking the time to help me!
The following is a recap of my first year’s journey:
I think I have tried to use every suggestion that came from this group, so if I don’t make specific mention to it, please be assured that I have used it.
Probably the biggest difference making suggestions were; A) Finding Joe Polish and Piranha Marketing, B) Involvement with the local Chamber of Commerce and, C) Referral’s.
We joined Piranha Marketing (Joe Polish) in October 2008. The biggest contribution that this has made to my business is the network of like minded people within the Piranha family, yes, it really is a family! The first month that I was a Piranha member was our best month ever, this month may top it! A very close second would be the amount of contacts that Joe aligns you with; People like Bob Burg, Michael Gerber, Richard Branson, Dan Hollings, etc.
- Bob Burg’s book; The Go-Giver, has had the biggest influence on both my business and my life! The most important value that our business had when we started was being fair! Bob’s lessons were really a revelation for me! My wife and I will be attending a business makeover workshop that Bob is doing in FL in just a few weeks; we are really excited about this.
- Michael Gerber’s book; The E-Myth is outstanding! We’ve taken a lot of ideas from it, but for me; the book is very detailed. I am finding that it is more of a Business How To manual than a once and done read.
- Richard Branson is someone I follow mainly through the internet. I like to play his videos whenever I am confused. I would love to go to Neckar Island with him but it is a pretty penny!
- Dan Hollings has made my tweeting life much easier!
Finding Joe Polish indirectly lead me to finding a man named Howard Partridge. I actually use Howards “Referral reward program” which credits clients with either cash or credits for their referrals. The foundation of the program allows the client to give a friend a free room of cleaning so they can “test drive” our service (Something that Joe Polish preaches). This is a no pressure program, we do not believe in bait & switch. I am not sure what Joe’s & Howard’s relationship is but, what the two offers compliments each other really well.
- I am still struggling with getting clients over the feeling of “Hanging their fiends out to dry
In August 2008, we joined our local Chamber of Commerce and have been regular fixtures at every event. We have built several GREAT relationships with other members and they are just now beginning to lead to work. The chamber awarded us as 2008 Small business of the year! (Even though I wrote very little about the chamber, don’t underestimate its importance).
We are trying to differentiate our selves by adding value to our clients:
- Contrary to the Joe Polish teachings, for carpet and upholstery cleaning we use fixed pricing; by room or piece, versus charging by square or linear foot.We have found that in our neck of the woods, people just don't know how many square feet they have. As we progress, we may convert to square footage.
- We try to schedule only one job a day so we have ample time to spend with our clients just small talking. This has worked well because it reveals a lot of information about them, such as; birthdays, hobbies, friends, etc.
- We send them a gift on their birthdays
- We send them Thank you cards
- We send them coupons for services that they need (that we observed while in their home)
- On the first of this year, we started our client newsletter. Revolving over time it will be focused on “Good” things that people do and home remedies. We are hoping to make this an inspiring read!
- I just replaced my entire truck-mount unit (about $11,000) because the other unit was breaking down too often, leaving our clients with unfinished jobs. Lesson here: Don't make price a top priority!
- We have just added a water softener unit to our truck which leaves the clients carpet really really soft.
- We are in the process of buying a second air mover (fan) to speed up drying times.
- We are in the process of buying a UV-C light to use prior to cleaning for our clients that are allergy sufferers.
- Our web site (www.eco-scrub.com) has been a royal pain for me! My wife is now in charge of this but she needs encouragement! Like most married couples, she only listens to me for so much….I am asking for your help: Please email her at busygamomto3boys@aol.com and help me encourage her!
- We plan on adding client video testimonials and a whole lot of other stuff.
Again, thanks to my fellow SWOMies for their direction and support. Thanks also to Joe Polish and his incredible staff for saving me money and time, and having an incredible support system. Thanks also to Bob Burg for his vision and purpose. And most importantly thanks to our clients, for your friendship and generosity.
Hopefully this update can be copied by someone else starting a business.
JoeP.S. If you need some cleaning done and you live near us, give us a call.
P.S.S. Follow us on Twitter & Linkedin
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