Bid Calculators

New bid calculators are now available.

Please visit www.servicebidcalculators.com
or www.cleanoutlook.com

We have the Building Survey Rate Calculator™ for $130.00- This calculator helps with the bidding process from start to finish. If you have a portable device, laptop computer or mobile phone with mobile office you can use this calculator to automatically figure out the total square footage of a building while also breaking down each room and each floor type. It generates pricing for cleaning services, floor care, carpet cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning. On request it can also include pricing for items such as windows or blinds, etc...

Once the survey process is done you will have a cleaning proposal and special service proposal that has already automatically been completed and is ready for printing. Or you can print out a complete professional proposal package with contract agreement that also has been automatically completed. If you have the proper equipment you can even do all this right at the bid walk. This calculator also has built in rates for reduced frequency cleaning.

All Building Survey Rate calculators are customized for each customer and can even include your logo if provided. This calculator can come with national average rates or can be customized with your own rates and rates can easily be adjusted on the go for specific facility types or sizes.

This calculator is great for those new to the business and veterans a like.

Order your Building Survey Rate Calculator™ today!!!

www.servicebidcalculators.com

Staying in front of potential customers with email marketing

Effective and integrity based email marketing campaigns keep you in front of your customers and potential customers and can be the single most affordable marketing tool you have for recruiting new customers and strengthen your relationship with your existing clients.





In our economy not only is marketing an absolute must it is also something too many cleaning companies are cutting back on in effort to save money.


Now isn't the time to cut back on marketing. It IS time to take advantage of the fact that many of your competitors ARE cutting back and by increasing YOUR marketing you can bring more attention to your service.


There are some great web based email marketing programs available. The biggest problem with that is that with so many cleaning companies suffering the recession the idea of another monthly expense can be a little scary.



Problem solved

Our Email List Manager program is yours.

• It isn't rented, leased or borrowed.


• You host it on your website so there are


• No monthly fees (besides what you are already paying your host of course)


• No fees based on your number of subscribers


• No fees based on the number OR frequency of your emails

You might be saying, that's great but I have absolutely no idea how to manage campaigns, write the emails, get people on my list, what the spam laws are.........


Most of us aren't natural born email marketers. Those who are should sure appreciate the talent they have been given.


Just like with other aspects of your cleaning business, hearing how someone else has successfully managed a situation or system is motivating. If you're lucky enough to have them share recommendations based on their experiences you then feel encouraged. Isn't that why cleaning company owners join peer groups, industry associations and cleaning business forums? Because they get information and ideas based on their type of business not business in general.


So you want to learn about email marketing to maximize the results of your list and to avoid making mistakes. Well you could visit ebay or do a Google search to buy an ebook. A lot of those programs have great information and ideas. There's just one BIG problem---for the most part they are focused at marketing information or products. In other words, they don't really relate to cleaning companies.....continue

How to Enter a Cleaning Business Owner Forum...

How to Enter a Cleaning Business Owner Forum...

That sounds silly doesn't it? Why would I have to learn how to enter a forum? I just sign up and post right?

It would seem on the surface to be that easy, but sometimes you see people have a real hard time getting off on the right foot...

Over time forums create a very tight community. Members learn the rules and looks out for each other...

That's the first thing... Read the rules.

Different forums approach how you display links differently or even what you can talk about...

The other thing is don't come in gang busters!! Don't try to prove yourself and get to excited about proving everyone your knowledge etc....

Get to know the community first.

Hang out for a while.

Introduce yourself politely... Usually there is a separate area set aside for intros...

And then start browsing.

Get to know the other posters...

Remember a lot of these people have known each other for a while. They may even be doing business behind the scenes...

Once you have a feel for it, start helping out.

Helping out... If you have any knowledge to contribute, provide it... Help people with things you know about.

Learn... Read... Learn... Read some more... Ask questions...

Then let it.... (continue)

Start Up Marketing For Cleaning Companies

Start-up Marketing For Cleaning Companies
by Traci Isley

Marketing:
1) The act or process of buying and selling in a market.
2) The commercial functions involved in transferring goods or services from producer to consumer.

By now you probably have your required license/s insurance, bonding supplies and equipment, and you’re ready to get started!

Congratulations!

But how do you get those new clients?

Marketing of course!

I realize this can seem like a very BIG word for a small company, but in reality it’s not.

Marketing can be as simple (and free!!) as telling everyone you know, and meet, who you are and what you do.

It can be done through cold calling; you’re already paying a phone bill…use it to your advantage!

Keep the calls local and there isn’t any additional cost.

There are also sites like this one (www.cleanmyofficenow.com ) that offer a free listing for your company! See, 10 seconds into the article and you have 3 viable marketing campaigns and haven’t spent a dime!

Realistically, however, you will need to have some sort of printed materials available to potential clients.

I suggest your first marketing expenditure be your business cards. The cost for these is minimal if you keep it simple.

There are websites that offer free cards (if you don’t mind having their name or website printed on the back of your card) or you can find reasonable rates at office supply stores using their basic templates.

You can even print your own if you are so inclined. Your business card is the foundation of your marketing; it provides all the vital information in a format that says “professional”.

You will also need some flyers or introduction letters that you can leave with people, or mail to them, for their reference later on.

The Introduction Letter

The introduction letter is just what it sounds like. It is your business’ “Hello”.

You want the letter to reflect who you are, and what your company is about.

It can be formal or informal, but should remain “professional”.

If you are intimidated by the thought of a “professional business letter”, there are many places to find templates for writing them.

The local library is a good source, or a quick search on the web will provide many ideas for wording and professional structure.

The example below is a very basic layout for your letter.

Remember to keep things very simple at this point.

You are saying “Hello” not giving your resume. ;)

Your first paragraph should state briefly who you are and what you do.

Using bullet points draws the eye. They are easy to read, and are better able to hold the readers attention, which is what you need!

Limit yourself to 3 or 4 bullets.

These are the highlights of

your business. In your closing be sure to thank them for their time, and let them know you will follow up at a later time.

Something like this: “A member of our staff will call you during the next week to answer any questions you have. If you prefer, you can call us at 555-5555.”

Bullets

These are the “clinchers” or “attention grabbers” of your letter. These should be brief and to the point.

• We have over 15 years experience in the cleaning industry
• Satisfaction Guaranteed!
• Really unique trait!

Once you’ve written the letter and are happy with it, send it out to the companies you’d like to clean for. Keep an active list of contacts you’ve made and follow up with them.

Whether it’s a notebook you update by hand or a computer contact manager, use the list and keep it current.After the initial contact I suggest calling them.

Set an appointment for a “free estimate.”

Whether they need your services right now or not, offer the estimate for them to keep on file for future reference. Remember, each contact you make, by mail phone or in person builds a connection between you and your target client.



FLYERS
Flyers are an excellent tool for expanding on the selling points of your intro letter. They can be fun too! The biggest consideration in any marketing material is the client’s perception

continue (see examples of cleaning business flyers)

Free Window Cleaning Images Slide Show

You're going to love this. A couple weeks ago I noticed that Andy over at FreeWindowCleaningTips.com had posted a 'Window Cleaning Slide Show'.

So yesterday I got to talk to him (!) and he gave me a graphic show I could show a little preview and link you up to see it as well.


The Window Cleaning Pictures Slideshow is at his site that I know you'll find entertaining and useful.

The slide show consists of 31 of his favorite window cleaning pictures he's taken over the last 14 years in business. Pictures of high rise, mid rise and low rise commercial and residential window cleaning accounts.

You'll find captions at the bottom of each image that provide helpful tips on window cleaning techniques, window cleaning safety and other insider secrets.




Click here now to see the slide show!

I dare you to try to pick one favorite.
Anyway, the point to this post is very simple:
--if you aren't carrying a camera with you to jobs you need to be.
Look at those photos or his window cleaning jobs...no stock photo site can duplicate that.
The same holds true for your cleaning company website...we can pick out stock photos all day long-- but pics from YOUR jobs or of YOUR team will always be the best ones!

Don't forget to check out Andy's slideshow ;) Click here now to see it!

Hate the word 'Maid'? ...yeah I know BUT...

"Christy, I can't stand the word 'maid', please take it off my site right away and change it to cleaning service"

So quite a few residential cleaners are going to read that and say 'oh my gosh, I can't believe Christy put my request on her blog'.

Now what you DIDN'T know is I hear that very statement at least once a week. So I'm not typing this about YOU, I'm typing this FOR the new maid...ooops...Residential Cleaners that will be coming on board.

Here's the deal- WE don't like the word MAID because we come from the business.
- Your customers DON'T come from the business.
- They don't speak the lingo.
- They don't understand the difference.
- They are simply looking for someone to clean their house

...and that is ONE word that a large percentage of them are going to use when they are searching the internet for YOU.

In a time when marketing is more important then ever the last thing you want to do is alienate yourself from a potential customer.

Use THE WORD to your advantage and educate them at the same time. Write a small blurb for your website explaining what your company feels seperates cleaning services from maids. If you are a commercial cleaning company write up something similar explaining why a commercial cleaning service is a lot more than just a janitor.

You have just created an informational piece and at the same time added more of those important keywords that people who do have money to spend are looking for. ;)

Bonuses with 10 page website design packages

Get free proposals or gift card sales information with a 10 page website With the purchase of any 10 page website package during February 2009.

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY - ORDER THIS PACKAGE IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND WE WILL THROW IN YOUR CHOICE OF SELECT BONUS ITEMS.


Choose from
a Proposal Package template (http://cleaningbusinessformsstore.com/cleaning-forms/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2)

OR A....
Debbie Sardone Gift Card Sales CD

OR a...
Residential Cleaning Bid Sheet.
Visit http://www.cleanoutlook.com/website-design-10page.html for more information.

Offer expires 3-1-2009

Visit http://www.cleanoutlook.com/website-design-10page.html for more information.

Offer expires 3-1-2009