New business

autumn2012_2

I have just gone self employed and started my own cleaning business. I have had numerous queries and I have had a good start. I have my website, facebook page and yellow pages, I have had some flyers designed and also I advertise regularly chasing up and leads or interest. Is there anything else I can do to kick start the business??

DomRavioli

Have you registered with HMRC? There is no longer a grace period.

Twitter, instagram and other social media. Nobody has the yellow pages anymore, we have google. Perhaps see where your website is on google and get some SEO done there for your area.

Maybe put business cards in local shop windows?

DCFC79

I second ditching yellow pages.

tidds

Also, take a look at the market in your area. Understand the competitors, then understand why you're unique in comparison (your business USP - Unique Selling Point) - then use this within marketing, and push on it with social media. It could be anything; you are experts at windows and use a special technique to get the glass extra clean, or you have huge commercial experience and are security cleared.

Think about what makes you different and why your clients should use you.

autumn2012_2

Thanks for the replies guys,

All registered with HMRC, I have got all my insurances sorted out and in the process of sorting out an office space for my paperwork :eek:

The yellow pages was actually free so I thought why not? I doubt Ill get anything from it tbh. I am only currently on FB as Im abit useless with twitter etc. I will look into sorting out a better media presence as I know not everybody uses FB although I have had alot of queries through my page. I have also had work through recommendation.

I currently dont show up on google when I search so I need to sort that out but Im not that tech savvy... I have basic web knowledge and some knowledge of office.

DomRavioli

autumn2012 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys,

All registered with HMRC, I have got all my insurances sorted out and in the process of sorting out an office space for my paperwork :eek:

The yellow pages was actually free so I thought why not? I doubt Ill get anything from it tbh. I am only currently on FB as Im abit useless with twitter etc. I will look into sorting out a better media presence as I know not everybody uses FB although I have had alot of queries through my page. I have also had work through recommendation.

I currently dont show up on google when I search so I need to sort that out but Im not that tech savvy... I have basic web knowledge and some knowledge of office.

If you go on google and put in SEO optimisation, there's a lot of videos, webpages and articles as to how to do it yourself. You could pay someone, but be careful who it is (there's some horrible people out there).

spadoosh

Grab your yellow pages and start going through page by page. Ring different businesses, asking to speak to MD or decision maker and ask if they need a cleaner. Theres companies you can pay to give you new business details that are close to you and keep an eye out on social media for new places. Shops, offices, warehouse canteens, nurseries etc.

Youll get a lot of declines but should pick up the odd client. Businesses could offer long term contracts and offer you some prestige with advertising, ie we clean for xyz ltd (only if the company is fairly well known of course.) Dont waste time on the huge multinationals, theyll have their own cleaners or contractors.

sdb1

when you say yellow pages, do you mean the actual pages or yell.com ?

my friend has a business and he swears by yell.com that is his number 1 source of customers.

regarding your social medias, make sure they are updated and used. Some businesses do not need to be on every single platform as they simply do not work for the business they are in.

Being on facebook, make sure that you do post regular, and if you cant, just do not have massive gaps, so when a potential new client finds your facebook, the last update was 2 months ago.

Have clients leave reviews for you, maybe a incentive for them to leave reviews and or comments.

before and after pictures (if allowed)

SEO for google to get up in the ranks. It can be done yourself but with not much knowledge you could be better off just paying someone or a company for doing it for you. as someone else mentioned be careful who, there are some messed up people who will just F up your whole thing.

Do you have a car or van you drive to work or around? you could have vinyl decals put on the side or the windows advertising. If you do not want to do that to your personal car, they have magnets that go on the side (like taxis) which will do the same job.

Also t-shirts/uniform. maybe get some t shirts printed with your business information on them (on the back) so when you are out and about not working people will see it. don't think you have to wear it 24/7 but say you are going to the supermarket or something, just pop it on for that trip, on the average shopping trip you must walk past a good amount of people. and it only just takes 1 person to need your services and its a win.

off the top of my head thats about all i have right now. hope something helps

motorguy

autumn2012 wrote: »

in the process of sorting out an office space for my paperwork

When you say "office space" i take it you mean a spare room or cupboard in your house or flat, rather than physically renting office space?

Oh and ditch yellow pages as soon as you can.

phill99

motorguy wrote: »

When you say "office space" i take it you mean a spare room or cupboard in your house or flat, rather than physically renting office space?

Oh and ditch yellow pages as soon as you can.

I think the OP is referring to yell.com. Any business can get a free listing, which isn't the case for the printed yellow pages.


Yell.com works well for me.

robatwork

If you're a "bit useless" at social media and SEO, I would recommend peopleperhour. You can buy someone's time for a few hours to do these things for you, tart up a website, design a logo etc.

I have had some success with people on there and the best bit is it's cheap - less than £100 should get you all those things combined.