OK, to all those who hire a cleaning service/cleaning person...I need some advice. I want to offer a holiday special for my cleaning services to help get my name out there & also to help others, but, since I'm so new to this, I just don't know what to offer and which special would be successful.
What would you moms who use cleaning ladies want to be offered the most in regards to a holiday special???
Money off? Extra services? B1G1?
Thanks in advance!
Money off....or extra services such as details - baseboards, windows, clean inside or fridge. I'm actually in the market for a new cleaning person - do you work in the Pembroke Pines area??
I think BOGO could put you out of business. Don't do that one. Offer weekend cleaning hours and/or a 20% off first time, 10% off second time deal.
Can you offer fast clean up after parties? I have a gal who comes in and helps me clean once a month. I think it would be odd to have her offer a lower price, at a time I most likely will tip her more or give her a bonus as a gift. It almost seems like shed come out "even" and might not feel like she got a gift. I dont know if I want to pay less for what I normally get, or have the option to have an extra shot at her help if needed. But then, I know how full her schedule is and bet theres not an extra hour for her to come over. If you arent booked solid, maybe just offering quick clean ups, and set up for parties and such.
Most people do a 10% off.
I think weekend hours would be great - even if it were just Saturday. Check out meetup.com and look for business networking groups in your area. If your looking for new people to promote to, you may find some great groups. Good luck!
Money off. I hate anything that saves NEXT time or requires me to spend more money in order to save.
Joanne,
The biggest obstacle you have just starting out is getting people to know who you are and what you offer. You should have a list of your services and prices printed up with a friendly greeting introducing yourself (put your picture on it...people want to know who is going to come to clean their house). Take a look at your local community newspaper and community bulletin boards for guidance...what are others doing in your area. Post your business card on any bulletin board in the neighborhood that you can find....the local banks, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Church groups, mom and parent groups, singles groups, and start social media...facebook, linked in, etc. where people can SEE what you are doing. You don't have to post anything big everyday, just some general cleaning tips then post a link to your cleaning service ____@____.com, etc.... I know you are interested in making money right away but whatever you do, do not offer a discount except for the first cleaning and if they sign up, schedule, and PAY for more than 3 sessions...you want people to pay you your worth and changing the prices later will cause you more trouble. Start at a competitive price and give whoever gives you a referral a voucher for 10% off a cleaning service...you will drive yourself crazy trying to keep track of BOGO's. You haven't said if you are going to be continuing the service beyond the holidays or if you are testing this as a full time form of employment. Give your business cards to the teachers at the local schools, grocery stores (my friend got a huge commercial account that way!), home remodeling stores, etc... If you have any other questions, please message me....Good luck! B.
A referral program would be good.
You give one forth off the price to someone that refers you a new client and a bonus 1/4 off for the referee. Ex: alice uses your services and tells her friend Jess. Jess tries you out once and tells you Alice recommended you. You give Alice a forth off her next cleaning and Jess gets a forth off too that one time.
You can also have her have to sign up for 4 cleaning sessions to get the 1/4 off deal or something like that.
