ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

One more question. Would the signs on my van be sufficient? Also have you used signs in front of the homes you were working on to advertise who was performing the work and did that work? I have seen some do that and have been considering that. Carpetman

Put a sign on your van, on your wifes car and how about some of those little signs you can post at street corners?

Thanks. I need to check and see what this city has in the way of regulations regarding signs.
Carpetman

There is another member on the front page here who is in advertising.
Maybe you should see what options they have available.

http://smallbusinessonlinecommunity.bankofamerica.com/thread/2424

CC08

I do commercial as well as residential. My commercial clients are steady like a regular paycheck. But I love the residential because it is like my overtime. One a per job basis I make more doing the residential because most of my commercial client's place of business are much smaller than homes. Plus I find that industrial carpet is easier to clean and maintain while the carpet in some homes seems to take more of a beating and I do charge according not only to size but also condition due to some of the chemicals I may have to use. I do have a good customer base and they do refer people and I have given incentives to do so. The problem I face is that my business is growing just enough that I have had to hire help but not enough to meet the added expenses of doing so and still pay my self enough. I need to find away make it grow faster. I have tried paid ads and mailers with no success. When I talk to people many have told me that when it comes to carpet cleaning they just do not believe or trust those ads and mailers. I am currently trying to spend more time marketing and have my employees do more of the work which increases my payroll which is ok if I can add enough accounts. I just want to know some different ideas I can try and if hiring someone for PR is worth the effort and affordable. I do appreciate all the advise I have been getting so far. Thanks. Carpetman

Carpetman,

In many communities, churches or religious or social organizations are the gateway to more customers. It can be as simple as offering the local congreagations and their members a discount that will be donated back to the youth group or special project. Partner with them in fund raising efforts. Don't forget the schools! Participate in the local PTA silent auctions. Visibility is the key. The more your name is out there the more people when think of you when the need arises.

Have you thought about partnering with home builders to provide regular serivces as part of the new home purchase, much like the appliance stores have done? Or working with local apartment complexes to to offer their reisdents regular cleaning - touting the advantages of your system over the older technology.

Once again, visibilty is the key. You have a lot of great suggestions already but I thought I would put my two cents woth in. Remember flyers and radio are great inexpensive ways to get your meeage out. I think you need more advertisng than PR, there's a difference.

I really hope this helps.

Iwrite

Lighthouse has some great suggestions and I commend your efforts. Many of the examples given follow the principles of "viral marketing". Viral Marketing is a low cost method of gaining publicity by developing creative word of mouth campaigns.

Carpetman, you should considering consulting a marketing or PR professional to see what options are available to you. It's possible to sit down with someone who can map out an effective campaign that you can execute on your own. This is definitely a minimal cost alternative. If you decide to employ a firm, look for one that will guarantee their work. Also, look for someone who shares the same passion for their business as you have for yours. This will reflect in their customer service and outline a plan and cost structure associated with it.

Please check out my "before you hire a firm" page for more tips. My site is http://www.birdcity.net/beforeyoubuy.html.

Kijafa Dickinson
Bird City Communications