Moenarch D. Miller posted a new question on 11/20/2009
I am trying to relaunch a commercial cleaning business. I have tried advertising in newspapers, cold calls, former clients etc, to no avail. It seems that the industry has changed since I left in 2003. I know the economy is bad but business carries on. My business specialties are general cleaning and carpet cleaning. I am willing to service the Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn areas for now. I can start immediately.
|
|
|
Alice Nadin Responded on 11/21/2009
Hi Moenarch,
The SBA has a good guide with 100 local marketing ideas that may have some new approaches for you. See:
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/SERV_100MIDEAS.html
Also be certain you have used all the online free resource available now. Most local newspapers, radio stations, yellow pages, white pages, aol local, Yahoo local all offer the ability to list your business and enhance that listing with more details including clear contact information. More and more people when they need a service simply click on a local ONLINE source to fill their needs. So dig out all the local free listing site.
Also look to the local business networking sources and consider joining. The Chamber of Commerce offers networking opportunities as well as groups like BNI.com and I am certain in your geographic areas there must be a ton of business networking groups. the idea of Business Networking is every one in the group learns about each others business and then as you go about yours, you look for qualified leads for each others. It opens doors and give you a solid qualified way to make that call. Business Networking Works.
Lastly, check out the Guerrilla Marketing line of books -- they are are most libraries or a gmarketing.com . They are down to earth, get it done marketing strategies.
Good luck
Alice, SCORE Pittsburgh
Steve Nielsen Responded on 11/21/2009
I would look for commercial real estate property management companies and contact them directly. Start with companies that manage many buildings, and see if you can bring them out to lunch, or go to their offices for a brief 15-30 minute sales presentation.
Taking a one-to-many approach might be a great way for you to get a number of building contracts while only having to build a relationship with one property mangement company.
