We are running a Carpet Cleaning business. I am looking for "simple, for now" ways that we could get our business off the ground. We dont have a lot of money and we have not worked on our credit. We have put flyers out, door-to-door selling, mail packets, magnets with our business card on them, we have a website www.gordonscarpetcleaning.com. it you want to check it out and let me know if there is anything you (as a customer) would add or take off. We have also done telemarketing.
I dont like to knock door-t- door or telemarketing much because I dont like bothering people, and it does seem to bother them. We do both residential and commercial.
thanks for your input!
2006-12-29 11:36:35 · 7 answers · asked by Angel 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Advertising & Marketing ➔ Search Engine Optimization
maybe you should send out emails to all your friends and family and have them send it forward to all of thier friends and family.
2006-12-29 11:42:27 · answer #1 · answered by dramaticprep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Direct mail is still the hands down winner in economical advertising--mainly because you can target the recipients, such as, in your case I suspect your target customer might be (I'm guessing here) "homeowners of middle to upper income"
Also you can buy lists for various areas or even neighborhoods. Contact a printing company and, or mail house that specializes in direct mail and printing. You could have them do the printing only and you do the labeling and the mailing at this point. Check with your local post office about a "bulk mail" permit where you get reduced postage rates.
Don't forget that gold mine of "repeat business" where you send out reminders to your current customers that "it's time for your 6 month cleaning!"
All in all you're doing the right thing--you can NEVER have too much advertising: Consistency is the key. Look at McDonald's; they're in newspapers, radio, TV, billboards--you name it. It's not a single media that drives their advertising but the combination of all of it that gets people coming back to them..
I think your website is excellent too. Just stay with it. Good Luck!!
2006-12-29 15:26:00 · answer #2 · answered by Hayseedless 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Mr. Chili. A referral program works wonders. Also maybe a cross selling agreement with a few local businesses. Often times many stores will agree to give their employees a flyer advertising you business if you include a discount for their employees.
I have also worked at businesses that work a referral program where another business in the community may agree to display or hand out your flyer or advertisement. If a customer comes into your business saying they saw the flyer at so-and-sos business, they would get a gift certificate to so-and-sos.
Good luck.
2006-12-29 11:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by mcdaid36 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should do direct mailing with coupons in the local advertisements that come out in your area, and a great word-of-mouth can come from your bank. When I managed a banking center, our new customers would give us a discounted "demo" or invite us out to their business, even if just for a visit and nothing financial related ... and by that, we would know the quality of our customers and recommend them between each other. We always had a stack of business cards and coupons from our various clients that were available in the lobby for other customers to view.
2006-12-29 14:37:08 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Word of mouth is the best and it is free (kind of). In order to get it started you need to do a few free sample jobs for some influential folks who will spread the word about how great you do. Tell them you expect them to tell at least 10 people about your service and promise them a discount too. Get them to also write a testimonial for you to use in future print advertising. This will get the ball rolling if you do quality work at a value price. Good Luck.
2006-12-29 11:44:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered joining your local chamber of commerce?? The previous respondants were absolutely correct about referrals & word of mouth.....As a member of the chamber you'll be in contact with influential folks in your community who can promote your business to others.
Most chambers charge annual dues which will probably be around $200 per year, but that is money VERY well spent!! As a 20 year member myself I can tell you it turned my insurance agency from slow to rapid growth.....
2006-12-30 00:20:42 · answer #6 · answered by SantaBud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Google adwords & yahoo overture
2006-12-29 13:33:42 · answer #7 · answered by santhosh k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋