Welcome to 2010. With one decade almost behind us already we have a lot to improve upon to end this first ten years in the positive and not the negative.
By now if you have been following along with us since 2008 we have informed you to get or upgrade your web site, improve your SEO, have great business cards, know how and where to advertise, and have introduced you to some of our great products.
This year we would like to hear from you to know what more you would like to learn? We will also explore some of our products in more detail each month, as well, depending on the time of year and when they are most often used.
For example, although we still have outside exterior maintenance cleaning going on in the Southeast and out in the Southwest, most of our customers are in the deep freeze of winter and either not working or have moved inside to other work such as commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning. Now for some this is an all year business but not for everyone. So my next blog will cover our Hood Cleaning products.
Others move to things like increased home carpet, air duct and window cleaning or inside car detailing. So in February and March we will cover products for that.
Once the spring starts to get here and we get back from Louisville KY and the Mid America Truck Show we will move into truck fleet wash products and then exterior home products for April and May.
Come June & July we will be in full swing of the outdoor cleaning season and will explore our car wash and deck products.
I plan in August to cover our new large laundry product line since by then we sould have many of the older Orenda customers on board by then.
September will bring us to heavy duty equipment products for the commercial contruction industry. By October we will discuss our aircraft cleaner Top Gun as well as 'Green Products' that we have or products we are converting over to being 'Green'.
November we will discuss our degreasers and how they differ as much as they seem they are the same. By December we will be running out of product lines so it will be on what ever we have missed or what will be new for 2011.
I hope these product line blogs will help you understand and choose the product that will work best for your own business applications and you will enjoy them along with the other informational blogs we will be posting.
Talk with you soon.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
5 Smart Things you can still do in 2009!
This list will be short and sweet with a few reasons to do them.
1. Make a list of items, supplies and equipment you need to buy or replace for next year.
Why, because some may be small enough (a new roll of hose) that you can buy them now before year end and be able to write it off on this years taxes. Second you can see if any item might be on sale now to save you money next year. Third give you ideas and costs to plan and budget for during 2010.
2. Reconnect with friends and collegues that are in the business.
Why, because they might have something you need that they want to sell or get rid of (again saving you money). You might have something they need that you want to get rid of (making you money). Discuss what worked or did not work for them this past year, might clue you in on changes for yourself next year. Make sure you share your sucesses and failures as well so they will be more apt to help or send you business.
3. Look for places to find free or nearly free information for your business, like blogs and product websites.
Why, because these places can give you ideas on how to do your buiness better without having to leave your house (or where ever your computer is). Information is always changing and being in the know can sometimes make or break your business. Even go to look at sites of products you do not currently use, say a stain brand you know of but costs too much for your normal clients. These site's information could still be worth while no matter what brand of stain you use.
4. Add content to your website. Why, because adding content will improve customer loyalty, impress new customers, and move your site up in searchablity ranking so new customers can find you. And if for some reason you still do not have a website. GET ONE NOW! Many you can start are free for the asking.
5. Create a list of CRAZY goals for 2010. Why, because if you write down goals you would like to happen in the next year, say get 20 contracts over $10,000 each, have 5 crews working for me, etc... rewrite and revist this list once every three months, you might be supprised how many of those crazy goals you closed in on in 2010. Create your own reality for a great 2010 now before 2009 ends.
Happy New Year.
1. Make a list of items, supplies and equipment you need to buy or replace for next year.
Why, because some may be small enough (a new roll of hose) that you can buy them now before year end and be able to write it off on this years taxes. Second you can see if any item might be on sale now to save you money next year. Third give you ideas and costs to plan and budget for during 2010.
2. Reconnect with friends and collegues that are in the business.
Why, because they might have something you need that they want to sell or get rid of (again saving you money). You might have something they need that you want to get rid of (making you money). Discuss what worked or did not work for them this past year, might clue you in on changes for yourself next year. Make sure you share your sucesses and failures as well so they will be more apt to help or send you business.
3. Look for places to find free or nearly free information for your business, like blogs and product websites.
Why, because these places can give you ideas on how to do your buiness better without having to leave your house (or where ever your computer is). Information is always changing and being in the know can sometimes make or break your business. Even go to look at sites of products you do not currently use, say a stain brand you know of but costs too much for your normal clients. These site's information could still be worth while no matter what brand of stain you use.
4. Add content to your website. Why, because adding content will improve customer loyalty, impress new customers, and move your site up in searchablity ranking so new customers can find you. And if for some reason you still do not have a website. GET ONE NOW! Many you can start are free for the asking.
5. Create a list of CRAZY goals for 2010. Why, because if you write down goals you would like to happen in the next year, say get 20 contracts over $10,000 each, have 5 crews working for me, etc... rewrite and revist this list once every three months, you might be supprised how many of those crazy goals you closed in on in 2010. Create your own reality for a great 2010 now before 2009 ends.
Happy New Year.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Changing advertising trends for 2010!
To continue on the topic of our last few posts; I follow a number of advertising gurus and web marketing folks and here is what I have been hearing about the trends that will be going into 2010.
1. The Internet, especially Google will still hold the highest return of homeowners and businesses that search for cleaning services. The numbers of these searches far exceeds any other service including those by phone book companies such as yellowpages.com, and does not come close to the hard print phone books. So you need to not only be on the internet with a well equipped web site but keep up with SEO to improve your placement and search ability for customers to find you. Affiliate sales opportunities may also be worth looking into for your buiness.
2. Social Media will continue to increase significantly throughout 2010 and companies that can incorporate things like Twitter, Facebook, MerchantCircle, YouTube, Hot Frog, LinkedIn and others will bring you new clients at little cost. Like I have mentioned before try to spend at least a few hours per week blogging, linking and changing content on your site to drive search engines and new customers to your business.
3. Direct Mail, is not dead, this media will be abandoned or greatly curtailed by many which will make it more profitable for those that continue to use it. Your message will start to stand out instead of being buried by similar companies. Especially to existing customers, postcards, newsletters and sales special flyers may be the most important thing you do in 2010 to keep your repeat business. Also printers and marketers may run more deals and specials as so many other companies cut spending in these areas.
4. E-mail offers, will start to lose its luster next year. With the expansion of many businesses that have finally heard the word that e-mailing is fast, inexpensive, and labor reducing especially through third party facilitators, e-mails will start to get lost or buried in the in box. This does not mean you should stop using them but try to cut back to only really important messages that your customer will want to open and do not depend on them to bring you the bulk of your new customers.
5. Yellow page phone books, as stated above they will continue to lose a large part of the market share and you should not be spending large amounts here. If you have an ad, think about downsizing, moving those dollars to the internet, yet keeping yourself visible to the older, over 50, customer that still tends to rely on phone books and print ads. You may have to keep what you have only if you are in a very competive market where you are still getting a large number of your leads and new customers from using them.
6. Newspapers and other print ads, although the numbers for these have declined somewhat over the past few years there is still use and value to be found in them. Again older customers tend to be the ones that are reading the newspaper and print ads like in local publications and direct mailers like Valpak will continue to work. You just need to gauge your past success with current ones and make changes accordingly.
7. Billboards, Radio and Television are all big ticket items that may be marketing opportunities this year. Check your area for special deals they may be giving to small business to make up for the losses they are feeling from big business cut backs. Look for a company that has a presence in all three medias in your market to find the best deals. This may only work for those in large city markets but keep your options open. One month of well combined media advertising can win big, especially if right at the beginning of your target season.
Now is the time to make sure you do not lock your business into spending money that will not give you enough of a return or chance to make you money in 2010. Happy New Year.
1. The Internet, especially Google will still hold the highest return of homeowners and businesses that search for cleaning services. The numbers of these searches far exceeds any other service including those by phone book companies such as yellowpages.com, and does not come close to the hard print phone books. So you need to not only be on the internet with a well equipped web site but keep up with SEO to improve your placement and search ability for customers to find you. Affiliate sales opportunities may also be worth looking into for your buiness.
2. Social Media will continue to increase significantly throughout 2010 and companies that can incorporate things like Twitter, Facebook, MerchantCircle, YouTube, Hot Frog, LinkedIn and others will bring you new clients at little cost. Like I have mentioned before try to spend at least a few hours per week blogging, linking and changing content on your site to drive search engines and new customers to your business.
3. Direct Mail, is not dead, this media will be abandoned or greatly curtailed by many which will make it more profitable for those that continue to use it. Your message will start to stand out instead of being buried by similar companies. Especially to existing customers, postcards, newsletters and sales special flyers may be the most important thing you do in 2010 to keep your repeat business. Also printers and marketers may run more deals and specials as so many other companies cut spending in these areas.
4. E-mail offers, will start to lose its luster next year. With the expansion of many businesses that have finally heard the word that e-mailing is fast, inexpensive, and labor reducing especially through third party facilitators, e-mails will start to get lost or buried in the in box. This does not mean you should stop using them but try to cut back to only really important messages that your customer will want to open and do not depend on them to bring you the bulk of your new customers.
5. Yellow page phone books, as stated above they will continue to lose a large part of the market share and you should not be spending large amounts here. If you have an ad, think about downsizing, moving those dollars to the internet, yet keeping yourself visible to the older, over 50, customer that still tends to rely on phone books and print ads. You may have to keep what you have only if you are in a very competive market where you are still getting a large number of your leads and new customers from using them.
6. Newspapers and other print ads, although the numbers for these have declined somewhat over the past few years there is still use and value to be found in them. Again older customers tend to be the ones that are reading the newspaper and print ads like in local publications and direct mailers like Valpak will continue to work. You just need to gauge your past success with current ones and make changes accordingly.
7. Billboards, Radio and Television are all big ticket items that may be marketing opportunities this year. Check your area for special deals they may be giving to small business to make up for the losses they are feeling from big business cut backs. Look for a company that has a presence in all three medias in your market to find the best deals. This may only work for those in large city markets but keep your options open. One month of well combined media advertising can win big, especially if right at the beginning of your target season.
Now is the time to make sure you do not lock your business into spending money that will not give you enough of a return or chance to make you money in 2010. Happy New Year.
Friday, December 11, 2009
The 5 reasons why it is important to advertise your service business during a down turn in the economy.
1. Advertising lets customers that have never needed you before know you are here and available.
Many people do not seek out services until they need them. All funeral directors know this and your business has to be advertising so when these new customers need arise, you are on their mind. Most people gravitate to the company whose name they have heard about or seen more often, no matter what their performance record is. It is your quality of service that will make a repeat customer and makes your next word of mouth advertiser.
2. Advertising shows customers that your services are needed and stand the test of time.
When people see that you are advertising and can identify with the services you provide, they are more likely to remember you when that service need comes up for them. If no one owned a car then no one would need an auto repair shop, but most people do, so knowing that a repair shop is in their neighborhood will at sometime come in handy for that business in the future.
3. Advertising lets your previous customers know you are still in business.
Repeat business is a large part of every bottom line and if your previous customers are unsure that you are still around, because they have not heard from you in a while, they might go to someone else they have seen advertising that they know are available and use them instead. People are lazy and many times will take what they currently know instead of taking the time to find out for them selves, like looking up your number and placing a call.
4. Advertising lets new customers know you have been around and will continue to be here.
New customers that can see by your advertising that you have been in this business for a period of time will feel better knowing you are not a fly by night operator, that you must have a level of quality associated with your service, and that you should still be around to stand behind your service in the future. That is why testimonials are very important in service advertising.
5. Advertising keeps you working while others are not.
Businesses that are sitting back waiting for an old or new customer to come to them because they do not want to spend the money for advertising during a down turn time, may just be waiting until they close their doors for good. If you are not out there looking for new business, contacting past customers to ask for their work and competing for the few available dollars customers have, you will be holding an empty money bag at the end of the day, week, month or year.
Here is to hoping you had a good 2009 and that you will have a very prosperous New Year in 2010.
Many people do not seek out services until they need them. All funeral directors know this and your business has to be advertising so when these new customers need arise, you are on their mind. Most people gravitate to the company whose name they have heard about or seen more often, no matter what their performance record is. It is your quality of service that will make a repeat customer and makes your next word of mouth advertiser.
2. Advertising shows customers that your services are needed and stand the test of time.
When people see that you are advertising and can identify with the services you provide, they are more likely to remember you when that service need comes up for them. If no one owned a car then no one would need an auto repair shop, but most people do, so knowing that a repair shop is in their neighborhood will at sometime come in handy for that business in the future.
3. Advertising lets your previous customers know you are still in business.
Repeat business is a large part of every bottom line and if your previous customers are unsure that you are still around, because they have not heard from you in a while, they might go to someone else they have seen advertising that they know are available and use them instead. People are lazy and many times will take what they currently know instead of taking the time to find out for them selves, like looking up your number and placing a call.
4. Advertising lets new customers know you have been around and will continue to be here.
New customers that can see by your advertising that you have been in this business for a period of time will feel better knowing you are not a fly by night operator, that you must have a level of quality associated with your service, and that you should still be around to stand behind your service in the future. That is why testimonials are very important in service advertising.
5. Advertising keeps you working while others are not.
Businesses that are sitting back waiting for an old or new customer to come to them because they do not want to spend the money for advertising during a down turn time, may just be waiting until they close their doors for good. If you are not out there looking for new business, contacting past customers to ask for their work and competing for the few available dollars customers have, you will be holding an empty money bag at the end of the day, week, month or year.
Here is to hoping you had a good 2009 and that you will have a very prosperous New Year in 2010.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Are you part of the new digital age?
I hate to text, I even have texting blocked from my phone. I never saw the need to twitter, yet I just got us signed up before going to Texas and have sent out some tweets, but I do have a personal facebook page besides our business one and business listings on Linkedin.com and MerchantCircle.com. But there are some new social networking ideas that I think every business person should atempt even if they are not a big player in this new digital wave.
I spoke before about a company Bookfresh.com, and they just asked me to join their group on MerchantCircle.com. A business to business only site not unlike facebook.com and very close to Linkedin.com. Merchant Circle puts you in touch with other local business that might use your service or that could help you network to find new customers. Bookfresh is doing something like what I had mentioned in a previous blog about getting a virtual office to take calls and make appointments for you and your business.
They also use the social network feature of linking you into facebook that allows new customers to find you and book jobs right from thier facebook page. How cool it that. You do not even have to pay for the marketing to find these new customers, your freinds and their freinds on facebook does it all for you! And if you still have not made yourself a website like I have written about in other blogs, they have a simple single web page for you that you can customize or if you already have a web site (good for you) that you can link to, increasing your exposure for SEO.
Another great new thing that just came out late October is an 'app' to Valpak.com. Here is an article that tells about it. http://blog.kudzu.com/?p=1775. Many of you might already use or know about Valpak, a national company that sends out local coupon sheets in a blue envelope to homeowners in the zip codes you want to market too. Well they have recently added an on line version and are giving out this free app to link phones and hand helds to Valpack on line to instantly get their users coupons. Go here to see it or get it. www.itunes.com/appstore/. What a great way to be on top of the list when a customer deceides that they need their house washed, deck, driveway or roof cleaned, or maybe even help with holiday light instalations (if you offer that) here is how to contact them http://www.valpak.com/advertise/index.jsp.
Also you do not have to be using the local Valpac blue envelope program to use the on line one. You can do them separatly or together.
Here's to you, your business and better marketing the digital way in the new year.
I spoke before about a company Bookfresh.com, and they just asked me to join their group on MerchantCircle.com. A business to business only site not unlike facebook.com and very close to Linkedin.com. Merchant Circle puts you in touch with other local business that might use your service or that could help you network to find new customers. Bookfresh is doing something like what I had mentioned in a previous blog about getting a virtual office to take calls and make appointments for you and your business.
They also use the social network feature of linking you into facebook that allows new customers to find you and book jobs right from thier facebook page. How cool it that. You do not even have to pay for the marketing to find these new customers, your freinds and their freinds on facebook does it all for you! And if you still have not made yourself a website like I have written about in other blogs, they have a simple single web page for you that you can customize or if you already have a web site (good for you) that you can link to, increasing your exposure for SEO.
Another great new thing that just came out late October is an 'app' to Valpak.com. Here is an article that tells about it. http://blog.kudzu.com/?p=1775. Many of you might already use or know about Valpak, a national company that sends out local coupon sheets in a blue envelope to homeowners in the zip codes you want to market too. Well they have recently added an on line version and are giving out this free app to link phones and hand helds to Valpack on line to instantly get their users coupons. Go here to see it or get it. www.itunes.com/appstore/. What a great way to be on top of the list when a customer deceides that they need their house washed, deck, driveway or roof cleaned, or maybe even help with holiday light instalations (if you offer that) here is how to contact them http://www.valpak.com/advertise/index.jsp.
Also you do not have to be using the local Valpac blue envelope program to use the on line one. You can do them separatly or together.
Here's to you, your business and better marketing the digital way in the new year.
Monday, November 9, 2009
How to forcast marketing, Tea leaves, crystal balls, or data?
This problem is one that I am working on here at Soap Warehouse and one that I am sure most of you have to deal with at least a few times a year if not monthly. Where do I spend the money I have on advertising? How to I figure out what is working and what new to try?
I read this short article yesterday that got me to thinking of a plan of action.
BUSINESS MARKETING: Tea leaves, crystal balls, or data?
Maybe it can help you as it hopefully will help us here at Soap Warehouse.
This along with a program I love FreeMind, these I hope will help keep our marketing fluid, impactful and as cost effective as possible.
With the FreeMind application I will enter in all the options we have found this year for marketing. I will put in all the dates (when I have to have work orders in or closing dates) and costs of all the opportunities we might want to try this year. Even if I doubt we will be able to afford a few of them. At least they will be on the radar as ideas to shoot for later.
Then as the year progresses and results are measured with each marketing program I will be able to see if something worked and we need to continue on this path, that will cause us to negate other programs, or if we will stop one method or avenue, leaving open the time and money to try another tack on our marketing course.
This way I can start out this year with a set budget but not a definite place where all the resources will go so that we can make changes during the year or even each month as things change.
I hope these can help you as well.
I read this short article yesterday that got me to thinking of a plan of action.
BUSINESS MARKETING: Tea leaves, crystal balls, or data?
Maybe it can help you as it hopefully will help us here at Soap Warehouse.
This along with a program I love FreeMind, these I hope will help keep our marketing fluid, impactful and as cost effective as possible.
With the FreeMind application I will enter in all the options we have found this year for marketing. I will put in all the dates (when I have to have work orders in or closing dates) and costs of all the opportunities we might want to try this year. Even if I doubt we will be able to afford a few of them. At least they will be on the radar as ideas to shoot for later.
Then as the year progresses and results are measured with each marketing program I will be able to see if something worked and we need to continue on this path, that will cause us to negate other programs, or if we will stop one method or avenue, leaving open the time and money to try another tack on our marketing course.
This way I can start out this year with a set budget but not a definite place where all the resources will go so that we can make changes during the year or even each month as things change.
I hope these can help you as well.
Monday, November 2, 2009
What have you learned this year?
I am one of those people that think you should try to learn something new everyday. And if not everyday at least look to find new information or things to learn 2-3 times a week.
If you are not learning you are not growing as a person or in your business. So take a minute to ask your self "What have I learned this year?" If you don't have an answer, or don't think you learned enough maybe you need to start looking for things to learn and places to learn them.
I hope many of you took advantage of the trade shows and coventions offered this past month or this year.
That you are on at least one forum chat room that puts you in touch with others in your field of business.
That you tried to find new ways to do your jobs more efectively, less costly or faster.
That you learned ways to improve getting you & your business in front of customers with advertising.
Soap Warehouse wants to help you learn and to grow. Because face it, the more you grow, the more product you will need and the more we will grow with you. We only want to give you the best in products and in knowlege. So if there is a topic you would like more information on or resource links to, just let us know and we will be happy to spend the time, you may not have, to find the information you need to learn and make it available to you.
One great site I found this year that I have been letting all my car detailers know about is a site called Book Fresh http://www.bookfresh.com/. Now this site can be used by more than just car detailers and if you have been trying to find other ways to increase your customer base or if you have too many empty days to fill this may be it.
BookFresh is a service that you join and they get a cut for their service. With one system they offer, you fill out a list of your own service information for the jobs you are willing to do and lets you put prices to them. Then potential customers go on line, look at what you offer at the price you list and then deceied if they would like to book your services. It also lets you tell the customer when you are available to do the jobs. So say Tueday and Wednesday is always a slow day for you, you can leave those days as the only ones open for new customers. Each job has a time limit set with it, say roof cleaning under 1500 sqft 3 hours, and you have open three time slots per day. The new customer goes on line, finds the day and time they like, places the order, pays for the service and recieves a coupon. You then get an email notice of this new customers information, order and payment. You know you have already been paid before you even load up to drive to their home. Once there you take the coupon and do the job. Of course you should have already called and spoken to them, made sure the job falls in the specs you put down for the job and may even possibly up sell them for other services that they can pay for once you get there.
Don't want to pre-price your services, Book Fresh has another service to book free consultations for job bids. They place you on search engines like Google & Yahoo locally to find you customers. Take a look http://www.bookfresh.com/resources/handyman-business-marketing-software/.
Book Fresh gives you a website (even if you do not already have one) for customers to see your work, read testamonials, it even lets you link to any other website you already have, and offers many free business services for paying clients.
I think this service is a great idea that can move any business, that is not yet on line, into the computer age and open up new possiblities to gain the newer computer savey customer. More than 70% of new customers go line instead of picking up a phone book these days and you need to be where the customers are looking.
I hope you all keep learning and that this site can help some of our customers businesses.
Please let us know if you use them and how it works for you.
If you are not learning you are not growing as a person or in your business. So take a minute to ask your self "What have I learned this year?" If you don't have an answer, or don't think you learned enough maybe you need to start looking for things to learn and places to learn them.
I hope many of you took advantage of the trade shows and coventions offered this past month or this year.
That you are on at least one forum chat room that puts you in touch with others in your field of business.
That you tried to find new ways to do your jobs more efectively, less costly or faster.
That you learned ways to improve getting you & your business in front of customers with advertising.
Soap Warehouse wants to help you learn and to grow. Because face it, the more you grow, the more product you will need and the more we will grow with you. We only want to give you the best in products and in knowlege. So if there is a topic you would like more information on or resource links to, just let us know and we will be happy to spend the time, you may not have, to find the information you need to learn and make it available to you.
One great site I found this year that I have been letting all my car detailers know about is a site called Book Fresh http://www.bookfresh.com/. Now this site can be used by more than just car detailers and if you have been trying to find other ways to increase your customer base or if you have too many empty days to fill this may be it.
BookFresh is a service that you join and they get a cut for their service. With one system they offer, you fill out a list of your own service information for the jobs you are willing to do and lets you put prices to them. Then potential customers go on line, look at what you offer at the price you list and then deceied if they would like to book your services. It also lets you tell the customer when you are available to do the jobs. So say Tueday and Wednesday is always a slow day for you, you can leave those days as the only ones open for new customers. Each job has a time limit set with it, say roof cleaning under 1500 sqft 3 hours, and you have open three time slots per day. The new customer goes on line, finds the day and time they like, places the order, pays for the service and recieves a coupon. You then get an email notice of this new customers information, order and payment. You know you have already been paid before you even load up to drive to their home. Once there you take the coupon and do the job. Of course you should have already called and spoken to them, made sure the job falls in the specs you put down for the job and may even possibly up sell them for other services that they can pay for once you get there.
Don't want to pre-price your services, Book Fresh has another service to book free consultations for job bids. They place you on search engines like Google & Yahoo locally to find you customers. Take a look http://www.bookfresh.com/resources/handyman-business-marketing-software/.
Book Fresh gives you a website (even if you do not already have one) for customers to see your work, read testamonials, it even lets you link to any other website you already have, and offers many free business services for paying clients.
I think this service is a great idea that can move any business, that is not yet on line, into the computer age and open up new possiblities to gain the newer computer savey customer. More than 70% of new customers go line instead of picking up a phone book these days and you need to be where the customers are looking.
I hope you all keep learning and that this site can help some of our customers businesses.
Please let us know if you use them and how it works for you.
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