$$$what's up with pricing$$$

And just who are you blaming? Are you a sole proprietor or do you have a payroll? If you are a sole proprietor you might be asking too much in your area.

I operate solo and make a 64% profit charging 12.5 cents a square foot (2 cents cleaning supplies / 2.5 cents covers insurance, gas, taxes, misc operating costs / the remaining 8 cents is profit) Of course I am in a rural area. My service area covers about 30 thousand homes and about 700 businesses. Not a wealthy area. Lowering prices in todays economy might bring in more business, if you can do it.

Find ways to cut operating costs. Buy cleaners at bulk discount rates. Do your own accounting.

Make a good impression on the customer. Invest in uniforms and business cards.   Set an image when visiting businesses to obtain contracts. Commercial businesses are 95% of my job market.

Create a business model. Start one from scratch. Find contracts! good luck... but it works!

Edited by MBCC - 29/May/2008 at 11:48pm

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Edited by FuzzSucker - 06/January/2009 at 11:48pm

cmaster wrote: Phone book is for price shoppers. Unfortunately most of us need to be in there

And for those annoying telephone solicitors out to sell us on THEIR "sure to get you more business, can you handle more business?" ego building and capital shrinking song and dance.  If I have never heard of them, I figure my potential customer hasn't either. 

Here in my area, TV ads (purchased from the local station itself and not the cable company) go for about $7/per view.  Radio ads are more expensive for some reason at upwards to $70/per play.  The local newspaper is the most expensive at $600 for a decent small ad, single run. 

Put them together with the yellow page ad so they have the can find the number they can't remember and that should be enough but fliers really kick it up. 

It is not where they heard of you but where they found the number they just called that explains where the yellow pages comes into play.  They kinda remember the name but the phone number (no matter how many times they hear it or see it as is the case with television) evades them.  They know where to look for the information.

It may be that asking "where did you hear about us?" should be followed with "where did you find the phone number when you called?  Was it on an ad, flier or in the phone book?"  The answer will be print ad, flier, yellow pages or white pages I suspect and in that order.

I'm just saying that the purpose of the yellow page ad is to help the prospect find the number they don't have in front of them (as is the case with someone driving and hearing your radio ad) or committed to memory and that the larger the ad, the easier you are to spot (rather than them finding the competitors ad and thinking bigger ad, bigger company, better service).

This moment of stupidity has been brought to you by Scamly Skeemer, setting low standards, making local pros shine.  Scamly Skeemer, yellow mean caution.  Scamly Skeemer, we only look like carpet cleaners. 



Edited by duckcountry - 13/March/2008 at 1:15pm

Phone book is better for flood restoration. 

Edited by FuzzSucker - 06/January/2009 at 11:50pm

Superglide Ken wrote: Nope. I wouldn't even steal from YOUR mother, Hammy. I am toohonest a person for that.

Read Winning Through Intimidation by Robert J Ringer.  You will find Kenny in there.

1000-2000 a month seems like a bit much for a one man starter operation. especially if you are advertising by knocking on doors, but I guess it depends what you consider to be company expenses.

Edited by FuzzSucker - 06/January/2009 at 11:56pm

Nope. I wouldn't even steal from YOUR mother, Hammy. I am toohonest a person for that.