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