How to Stay Booked Even in the Slow Season

By Hitman | February 5, 2010

Here’s what I do…

I’ve been doing this for years to stay busy in what are usually the slowest months for most cleaners in my city…

It doesn’t have anything to do with the internet, although you could use the internet to leverage it.

It doesn’t cost much money.

In fact, once we do it, it’s money in the bank.

First, my current clients are my #1 priority and gold mine in my business. They’re the people who love my company. They’re the people who keep us in business. We exist solely for them.

So any time business is slow, my first course of action is to send an offer to my current clients. I don’t mean a simple email, but a hardcopy, snail mail letter or postcard. And like magic, the phone starts to ring. Try it! It works!

Now this is assuming you delivered to them a pretty good cleaning job. If you did, they’ll call you back time and again. But you MUST ask them for business when you need it. Otherwise, how will they know you’re in need?

What kind of offers should you use?

Our regular clients get our best offers. And when I saw offer, I don’t mean XX% or $XX off. In fact, we typically don’t give these types of offers. Instead, we give them FREE premiums like FREE car mat cleaning, their favorite recliner cleaned FREE, etc. This way, we’re giving them something of value, but not cutting our bottom line.

Second, we rely on our neighbors. They love us too, but not quite as much as our clients. We precondition them this way by periodically mailing letters, postcards, and flyers with special “Neighbors Only” offers. We offer all our neighbors free spot remover with no obligation to ever buy anything.

Now understand this please…our current clients get the special offers FIRST and more frequently. And many times marketing to our current clients with special “Winter Offers” is enough to keep us busy through the winter. I highly recommend you start mailing to your current clients. If extra budget allows and you have a need for more business, then begin a mail campaign to your “Neighbors.”

Your clients are the real asset in your company. Treat them right and communicate with them regularly. You’ll stay busy enough even in the slow times unless you’ve got 3 feet of snow on the ground all winter. And if this is the case, you may consider moving.

Get a KILLER “Times are Tough” Winter letter in the Ad of the Month Coaching Club. This letter has produced 21-to-1 returns and has by far been the best mail-out used by many members. You get access to this letter and tons more as soon as you sign up. Get in on the action at www.Hitmanadvertising.com/coaching

Topics: Carpet Cleaning Advertising | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “How to Stay Booked Even in the Slow Season”

Brady Gold berg Says:
March 4th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
At Schmukler’s Carpet cleaning Nyc we offer IICRC Certified carpet cleaning services that are designed to both meet and exceed your expectations.
Marcos Rivera Says:
May 27th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I like the neighbor special. I think anyone who is starting should consider this. I consider anyone within a 2 mile radius my neighbor. This could be big, i think i’ll try it out.