| Every home and office needs to be cleaned, and | | | | professional flyers or business cards that you can post |
| many people would rather pay someone to clean for | | | | free in many supermarkets, car washes, dry cleaners |
| them than take time from what little leisure their hectic | | | | or with other local merchants. Provide a phone number |
| schedules afford to do it themselves. It's an easy sell. | | | | with a voice mail messaging capability, record a |
| But one of the first marketing challenges you face | | | | professional greeting, and return all calls promptly. All of |
| when starting a cleaning business is answering the | | | | these inexpensive things make big impressions. |
| question "Why should someone hire you over your | | | | When you meet your prospective employer, be on |
| competition?" | | | | time, and neatly dressed. If you can't keep yourself in |
| First and foremost, people who would hire you want to | | | | order, what impression do you think they will have of |
| know that you are trustworthy and reliable. Here are | | | | your housecleaning abilities? If you are driving, make |
| some tips that will help you distinguish yourself and get | | | | sure your car is clean and any "cargo" you are |
| your business off the ground. | | | | carrying is neatly organized, preferably in the trunk. |
| Rule number one: If you say you are going to do | | | | Again, it creates an impression for people of how you |
| something, do it. No excuses. Whether it is returning a | | | | will leave their home or office looking. |
| phone call or showing up for a job or interview on time, | | | | When you are successful in securing your first clients, |
| reliability and integrity are key factors when people | | | | be sure to continue operating as a business |
| decide whether to allow you into their home, or leave | | | | professional: be on time, maintain a neat appearance, |
| you unattended in their business space. Your integrity is | | | | and get your work done. Once you've established a |
| even more important to your long-term success than | | | | track record for reliability and quality, you can ask your |
| how well you clean! | | | | client for a referral letter or testimonial that you can |
| How you present yourself is very important in the | | | | add to your flyer. "References available on request" |
| cleaning business, where relationships are built on trust. | | | | signals to other prospective clients that you are |
| You can start making a professional impression before | | | | established and well-thought-of, which gives you a |
| you even meet prospective clients. Start with clean, | | | | competitive edge. |