Leading Edge Tile Care

Cat, I could not agree more. It sounds like you are being a smart business owner, not just creating a job for yourself.

That is what I have done in the last two businesses I have owned.

By setting it up where I was not my best employee, allowed me to sell it when I wanted for top dollar.

Good Job. I read your last post of how your business was going and am very proud of you for sticking to your plan yet allowing flexibility.

most people never have a plan then wonder why they struggle.

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Eric

Cat

Okay...more reality sets in. Thanks!

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Write the vision and make it plain: http://maidservicecoaching.wordpress.com/

Cat

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

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Write the vision and make it plain: http://maidservicecoaching.wordpress.com/

Leading Edge Tile Care

Cat, hey just wondering what is working for you as far as marketing. What seems to be your #1 way of getting new jobs other then referrals

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Eric

Cat

I was just about to sign off. Happy I looked one more time!

Believe it or not, my website has been a Godsend for me. My clients who found me via Google searches are my most steadfast clients. And all my commercial accounts came via Google. Google leads them to my website.

So.....FREE advertising via marketing my website has been my most lucrative plan. Just make sure that you keep your website updated. I update my website at least once per month. I even update the FAQS section. Google picks up key words and phrases.

I love to write, so my website leads readers to my blog---and the blog establishes me as an expert in my business. New clients often thank me for giving them so much to read. By the time they call me, most of their questions are answered.

In terms of paid advertising, marketing in local papers works well. Just the small, town papers.

Magazines did NOT work for me and I would not advise anyone to advertise in magazines. Local community papers, yes. Magazines, no. I lost a lot of money dealing with magazines. Gained a lot dealing with town papers.

Word of mouth is great. I offer incentives in the form of discounts for referrals that turn to bookings.

Have used postcards. The clients I gained were not sustaining. They sort of flitted in and out. I now just put post cards in public places that allow advertisements, as opposed to using mailing lists.

Oh, and more food for thought for those who insist they can start a business with $100 or less:

1. Check such companies out after a year or two. Do they still exist? Most are probably shut down by now and in a minute I'll tell you why.

2. Check out such companies and look for growth. Are they stagnant? Any new clients? Do they look more professional this year than they did last year?

3. Is the owner of the business able to work himself/herself out of cleaning and using workers instead? Working your way out of personally cleaning houses represents growth.

Now I'll respond to WHY many such businesses end up out of business.

It goes back to the Three Little Pigs.

Starting a clanky business with "straw" has no lasting effects

Starting a sturdy business with the foundation of "bricks" garners lasting effects.

My advice. WAIT and SAVE. Build a solid foundation...or be one of the 50%+ of cleaning businesses that fail within the first 6 months to a year. Remember, it's much easier to fail than it is to succeed in any business.

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Write the vision and make it plain: http://maidservicecoaching.wordpress.com/

Leading Edge Tile Care

Just checked out Cats website. it is very well done. I really like how there are testimonials throughout. Many people could learn from this website. If people are not collecting testimonials from every one of their clients, they are missing out.

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Eric

Cat

Thanks...the address is www.uppercrustmaids.com

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solarscreenman

If you have a business you have a big decision to make is this my business or my job? Your business you manage you job you work.

foreclosure-cleaning

Ditto, Cat, ditto! Good post.

Cassandra

BusyBee

good luck but i think u wanted to say a 1000 insted of a 100 lol ;Pp

Sylvia
http://bbcleaningservice.com/

roadies

What you wrote & described was fantastic and informative, because few people who are planning to open a new cleaning business and see tings like open a cleaning business in less than $100 or so will waste their time and these are the false information which sometime may cause different issues, I have been stuck in these things before and I know how bad if you loose your money hen you really need it. These advertisers just take your money and run away, these are just the traps that' all. Well described Cat, Thank you very much!

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Cleanscape
Cleaning Company Window Cleaning

cutegirl

i think it is not impossible to start a business with less amount like 100$ but if you invest more than 100 $ it will be better to take a good start. and as you invest more in your business it will be more profitable.

tempy

I was reading through this site and stumbled upon this thread. At first I figured that the author was a blindly passionate person. I soon realized that this was all one giant advertisement and I became rather insulted. Her marketing plan is to come across like some cleaning business guru, while half way through the thread she hadn't even started a cleaning business yet. I'm pretty sure that a few of the other people commenting on this thread aren't even real people, just her on another account. This is so creepy, that I had to register and comment on it.

I own several business, one of them a cleaning business that I've ran for several years. I can assure you, that starting a business is easy with limited funds if you're creative. I used one of my other businesses to get PAID to start a cleaning business. So I've never actually paid out anything for my cleaning business. It's just a matter of perspective, find an angle or niche that works for you. It's not all blatantly black and white as the author suggests.

Sorry my first post had to be so catty, but this is worthless and deceptive advice.

Cat

I started my business in 2007. We are now into 2011 and I stand 100% by this article.

You CANNOT start a business with $100.

Someone indicated that I am not a real person. I assure you that not only am I a real person with a real business, but I have a real business address and real success too. I also have a real website and a real blog that folks can check out.

BTW....some of those who argued with me on this thread are long gone. They claimed that a business could be started with $100. And guess what? They are out of business.

This will be my last post on this thread because my points have been beaten into the ground.

If you desire a real business, save money and invest well. $100 won't do it. I know that as a person who was just starting when I wrote this thread but I am now well into the trenches and stand 100% by every word I said here.

Wishing the best to you all and much success!

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schawthorne

Cat, I think you need to let it go. You keep saying the same thing over and over...Not everyone will agree with you. Don't take it personally. Some people can start witha little money, some can't. Legitimate means making money legally. I don't think you wrote the book on that so let up.

cleanitup

I started the cleaning business for less than $200 and my business is based on my work and they refer me to other people, which makes my business very lucrative and successful. All it took was getting the supplies and handing out business cards where ever I go

BusyBee

ummm if somebody would tell me 7 years ago that you can open up a company with a 100$ in your pocket I would save so much money ....
its a lie

http://www.bbcleaningservice.com

MDM Cleaning & Sanitizing

We did back in 2005 Bond $100 per $10000 we start $5000 Bond, $25000 ins. $25 a month owner workers, $25 in supplies construction clean-up. Face to face advertising. We're doing great now. But its hard and you have invest most of it back in biz took 2 yrs to quit normal job.

sprintcar93

We started with less than $1.00. Yes, you read that correct.... not $100... $1.00. Back in 1998 we borrowed cleaning supplies from a friend. 1974 Nova with the rear shocks rusted out and the tires would rub the fenders. We did have our old vacuum even though it didn't work very well. We did that job for $50... first time clean lmao... we took $35 of that first $50 made and put an ad in the paper..... from October 15 1998 - January 18 1999 we made $5200... and kept on and on (when we did get insurance for our first commercial job it was $22)... at one time we were up to a very large company (12-15 employees depending on the day), then started another one in another city and then another in another city... then my girlfriend and I split up and we sold it all. I moved to another state and started over. So, a cleaning business can be started on less $1.00 technically. Yes, I'm still in business and will always be in business. If need be, I could start another business on less than $1.00 and I'm sure others can too. As for insurance and bonding... I let that crap go when we had all the employees. That is what is called stupid tax. Take the insurance money and invest it. IF you ever need to pay for something that was broken take the few dollars out of your own pocket. The thought did cross my mind about a house burning down because of us.... but the odds of that are so small, since I've never heard of it happening anywhere in the world, I figured I'll take the chance. And besides, with all the money you invest instead of letting the insurance companies invest and make their money, you could replace a house anyway. But what do I know.... I've been in business since 1998....

DSCS

I started my cleaning business with $150.00 and put money in it as I got more customers. Sounds like I wont be here to much a bunch of dream killers