How many things can we do to market our pressure washing business?

Bridget

New Member
Yellow Pages are the number one sourse of new customers for us. However, by us joining the Chamber we have gotten to know many of the local businesses. Mingling with them has sparked quite a few referrals, resdiential and commerical.

I just heard of another advertising idea that I am going to consider. The movie theatres allow you to post a ad on the big screen before the previews and the feature movie. In North Caralina it runs about $33.00 per screen. (So the article says)

What a better place to grab the attention than at the movies. Like myself, when the ads come up your reading them in anticipation of the movie and a way to pass the time. One company likes to create his ads to tie in to Movie titles.

Interesting...

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Bridget
United Mobile Power Wash
Our Power Is In Our Performance
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
JR Wood,

Ever had a good meal at a restaurant and you had to go back? Well this is my good meal I give two jobs away every week. They like it so much that they come back and they pay for it for the rest of their life.

Two a week at 200.00 a piece in one year turns into 10,400 a month after one year work at it. That’s monthly revenue. Now we are giving secrets away. Don’t try it, wont work for none believers.


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Ron Marshal Phoenix AZ
1-888-fleetwash
 

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
<FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="DarkGreen">I agree with Mr. Jr woods.

,,,,,,,,,,,Meals and P/W haha

All your doing is hurting the trade for the rest,,as in customer wanting to know where their free wash is at.

WHY,,let me take you back in time alittle if you can remember.

I sold Tobacco for years and you would not believe at the free samples I give out.Everywhere I went peolpe wanted to know where their free samples where at or they wasn't going to buy any.The tobacoo companys thought is was a good ideal when they first started doing it but it got out of hand.I was giveing it out my the cases and I was just one of many.They soon realized it was hurting the trade more then it was ginning sales b/c everybody was doing it.

I think if you had to give that many free washes to get any business..............
I know one thing Ron If I was a business man in your area,I would tell my buddies about you just to get a free wash,yel customers are like that.
Plus if it worked as you say,,why just run one rig or maybe two aweek as you say.Heck man you should have 100's of rigs on the road.,,,crying we need to get the customer educated to get more money and your giving it away,way to go Ron.I don't need that kind of trade secrets b/c I know it will come back to not only haunt you but the rest of the trade.If we all started giving two free washs a week know body would make any money b/c if I was a customer I'd wait on my free wash.</FONT c></FONT f>


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When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.
When In Doubt,,,Think It Out.....triplel@bscn.com
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
Bridget,

Sitting in a movie theater on one occasion, I considered the value of one of those ads.......and I think it is nearly worthless for our type of work.

In a dimly lit theater, they're not going to break out a pen and paper and write down your name.......and they will most likely not remember it either.

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, just my view. I think it works better for businesses that are already known in the community......like car dealers, pizza shops, etc.....



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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
I’m sorry you don’t see the advantages from this form of marketing. It’s a great tool and I’m sorry for claiming it as my inventions because every major manufactures does some form of this marketing. I like to show customers my services. Build a confidence in them that I’m here to stay and that I believe enough in my service that if I show them once that they will be back for more. I don’t have many one-time customers they are mostly weekly & monthly customers.

Your right there are free loader every where, I’m glad we find out who they are that way we don’t need to waist our time on them anymore. We do try to hand pick potential customers. I understand that if you did this too everyone it would not work as well.


As far as them inviting his or her friends to join in, man if that happens I’ve got everyone and now we have succeeded. Business falling in my lap from word of mouth advertising. wow wow wow wow you mean there on the phone to every manager that they graduated with telling them I have great pressure washing company and guess what they believe in their service so much that the first ones free. Man a live, I’m higher than a kite I’m jumping for joy the marketing has worked. I gave one account away and I got ten monthly maintenance agreements at $150.00 per month. That a gross increase of 1500.00 a month, 18,000 a year. wowowowowowowowowwowow


If there where a standard I wouldn’t need to give my services away, customers would know what good pressure washing is.


I am working on the hundred rigs.

By the way I won’t do work at discounted prices, I would rather give it away. You discount your prices then your saying you can do it for less all the time. This will get you in more trouble because this is when customer will expect you can do it cheaper all the time.

bigboy, there still giving away cigarettes. No need to go back in time, they still use this marketing tool. You need some I’m sure I can have a friend pick you up a pack or two.


bigboy in all seriousness , I know you cant be serious ,but if it still hurts I’m sorry. Instead of putting down and idea I’m willing to share, why don’t you be productive and stay on path of the original post. Lets here what your marketing plans are for the next week or two. I already know the answer, don’t tell me. You have more work than you can handle and don’t need any new work. You’re so good that word of mouth marketing does it all. If it did get slow you would just go down to the local pub and drum some up.


To everyone,

When I start these lists its just a guide of ideas, I don’t expect others to use them just ponder them. Of course they are not going to work for guys that do decks. A customer may use you once in their lifetime. I use this on customers that I have made thousands of dollars over the last 17 yr. This for my self has gotten myself into wonderful relationships with people who have told me that they where going to stay with the cheaper guy until they seen the difference in our service. This is and educational tool as well as a marketing tool. I apologize for all the negativity that every time I have and idea that someone disagrees with needs to be taken out of context and pulled so far from the original idea that we are all lost in a bunch of garbage. You’re grabbing for straws on this one. Sure some will disagree and others will agree. Lets put our time into bettering the bb instead of tearing it down. Trying to out right insult other members that might be smarter than you, and the ones that have better ideas than you.



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Ron Marshal Phoenix AZ
1-888-fleetwash
 

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
<FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="DarkGreen">In most cases you have to buy a pack to get a free sample of the same thing,,,your state needs to look at the Law.


I have no need for the pub's although I think a fellow could meet some every important business people in there.

As for as getting the account the business owner told the other business owner about free wash,why should they pick anybody when all they have to do is call someone else and get another free wash,,they know your trade secret and everybody is going to give two free washs a week.

For as tearing down what did I tear down,isn't this what you are talking about is sharing in ideals and learning from others what may happen on any subject.I don't get mad when I read your post just sharing is all.What you see may work then again what I see may not work or do you not want to hear my side?

Just like in a early post you where getting 200.00 and now your getting 150.00 and you use the words WOW WOW,,I don't understand is all.

You think the customer needs educated and I think the customer is educated enough,whats wrong in that?
Do you realize have many salesman are calling on these accounts in a days time.We're not the only trade thats trying to get some of their money and each one is the best.Yes business comes easy to me and I've told how to get it,heck thats nothing to this part of this trade and you don't have to give nothing free.

Don't know why you read my post as an insult,,I agreed with Mr. Jr wood and said what I thought would hurt our trade as to what you where doing.Your working more then 3 months out of the year free,,now say every p/w in your area did that,,as to my q'tion why would they pick you when they can call another p/w so he could give his free washs away also,,,no need to pay.
I share alot on a few bbs but I never see where some members share in the post.Every time I post to one of your post as to disagree you get your panty in your crack but you still stay we should agree and disagree.

Will at least you used the word migth be smarter this time not more.If you don't want me to agree or disagree in your post in the days ahead,just let me know and your wish will done.I don't mind setting in the corner.</FONT c></FONT f>


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When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.
When In Doubt,,,Think It Out.....triplel@bscn.com
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
No I enjoy your post, if you want to disagree that’s fine. But if you can’t handle my panties getting all bunched up then maybe you should sit in the corner. I just thought you could while at least disagreeing share one of your easy to come by marketing strategies. I can respect the disagreeing if I heard someone that disagrees give a better solution to do something that’s all.


I could disagree all darn day, when I disagree I will back it up with substance not my own philosophy. You have never tried what I’m doing so how could you even claim to know what you’re talking about. I guess that’s what urks me so much. Again again someone talking down disagreeing with someone on something they have never done. I really try to stay out of opinions where my personal experience doesn’t exist. I have read things I think I would disagree with that you have written but have never tried so there fore I keep my opinion to myself.

So I’m not misunderstood I will expect you to answer and give your opinions on things that you don’t know anything about. I will get my panties out from my butt crack and straighten them out so you can twist them again.

Why don’t you just add to the post and let’s not get upset, it’s not worth it.

I’m done here its going in one ear and out the other. I have a new policy when someone has no personal experience to the subject or does not add something positive to there solutions I wont reply. Be as negative as you want with me guys because if you don’t back it up your not worth the time. This kind of crap goes no place.


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Ron Marshal Phoenix AZ
1-888-fleetwash

[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited February 09, 2001).]
 

Craig Knight

New Member
Ron,

Coming from a third party in this word exchange, your not taking the disagreement side very well at all.

You area always getting onto us for posting in the wrong areas, under wrong topic, etc, and i know this needs attention, but you are disrupting the board by the bickering. Every time the bickering starts, you in on it somewhere.

I agree with a lot you are saying, but if you don't want to hear the others side of the story, don't start the topic. This really has to stop, for the profession.

Craig

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Craig Knight
www.powerwashunlimited.com
 

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
<FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="DarkGreen">The first secret is I do not get upset over anything not even when I mash my finger,times to short for that and I don't hang out with the type that does.Don't mind disagreeing and agreeing with other people if they don't jumpup and stomp their feet.You can say how dum I am all you want thats ok b/c I will agree with you.

Think what your doing hurts this trade more then the lowerballers ever thought about doing.Setting on the other side of the fence and looking at someone that has over 17 years in business as a pro and still as to give 2 free washs a week doen't say to much about references or do they count anymore.Sure when someone gets in this trade and wants to give free washs as in learning I don't see no reason for them not too.If thats a trade secret and I'm going to have to compete againest you for business as in giving I'll give 3 free washs a week.You say it works but you say you have trouble keeping two rigs going,if eveybody you say you give free washs goes with you as in having the account then you should have more then the 100 rigs now.If thats the only way you can get business then do it but I think it hurts our trade as in being pro's.I'm in this business as you and if I cann't say what I think will hurt our trade as you,then your not listen to me b/c you think your smarter,thats ok too.As a somewhat pro in this trade I think your reference should get you all the busuness you want no matter how any free washs everybody wants to give.If someone give you a reference on a place to eat you'd sure think about as maybe being a good spot to eat but if they came up to you and wanted you to eat this free stuff as getting you to eat it altime,,will I'll stick with the word of mouth or reference before I let someone stick something in my mouth just to see if I'll like it.No I'm not upset just my 1 1/2 cents.

Graig,I understand.

</FONT c></FONT f>


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When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.
When In Doubt,,,Think It Out.....triplel@bscn.com
 

Scott Stone

New Member
Bigboy,
I think that you misunderstood Ron's post. He is running one or two rigs on houses. In the Phoenix area pressure washing residential homes is a dead market. There is no algae, very little siding, and few if any Decks.
I am pretty sure that the main focus of Ron's business is commercial or storefront work.
As for the free washes, I have never tried it. I would thinthat the person would have to be prequalified before any work was given, with a soft close. As in, Would you like me to demonstrate the type of work that we do? If so can I demonstrate witha contrast tonight? That night you go and do half of the parking area so that they can compare a before and after. Then yougo back the next day and get a firm close to finish the job.
Of course, I could be misunderstanding. I have only done one sample wash in the past ten years, and ended up dropping the customer after about two months.

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Any statement that I make about equipment, processes or your hair color is my own personal opinion. I usually base it on personal experience. If you disagree with me you are free to reply on both the BBS and by e-mail. If I am totally off base please explain why on the BBS so that we may all know why;)
Bus. Phone 480-834-3434
Cell Phone 602-509-9741
 

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
<FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="DarkGreen">As in a soft answer,Sure if you want but I think when your a professional and have references to back you up as to why give two free washs a week or as a business man do you think this is a mite to much as a professional.

It doesn't matter if its a fishing professional or a professional crawl dad hunter as pro's they know how and how reference to back it up plus take most anything free as in customers taking avanage of free stuff as the reason for saying Ron's trade secret is hurting our trade.

As you I know how to use the brush and what chemicals will hurt defferent kinds of paint and can talk my way in with references without wasting my time on free time,which does not hurt our trade.I will hold up for the lowballer anyday but I will not on someone thats as 17 years in and still washing free,plus telling me we have to get the price up as in education.

I APOLOGIZE to bbs as of my way of thinking.</FONT c></FONT f>


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When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.
When In Doubt,,,Think It Out.....triplel@bscn.com
 

Clean County

New Member
Hi Ron, You are a pretty interesting guy. You seem to go against the norm which is probably a good thing. Most people are comfortable when certain things are done a certain way. Another words doing things without that much risk and bringing in a steady amount of cash. The problem with this is that you can become complacent after awhile. Unless you are a simpleton or better yet just plane content, running a business like this can become stagnant. You on the other hand seem somewhat like a revolutionary who is not afraid to take an extreme risk. I know people like you who are extremely successful or at worst failing with there businesses so they go to another business untill they get it right. I don't know you obviously but you seem to be pretty successful in this field by what you say. I don't have any commercial accounts at this time but when I do I may try your above strategy or maybe modifying it to guaranteeing customer satisfaction or a complete refund. Not as risky as yours and probably tipical of alot of contractors in the commercial field but it really in a way coats the idea of them getting a free cleaning at your expense. Your Idea is a bit riskier but I can see the tremendous upside to it.

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L

Layman's P/W

Guest
This year I am going to start sending before and after pictures to costumers after each job. You know how you brag on someone if they do good work for you, well I think the customers would show them to all there friends at one point or another while bragging, to prove it was money well spent.How much would this cost?..... a stamp and two pictures.

Daren

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Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
Layman’s have you been posting pictures like this. Just curious if you followed thru----?????


View



Before and after picture are great tools to use anytime.
 
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Andy Wheatley

New Member
Well, I'm new to the board, new to contract cleaning, and not a marketing expert so I don't know where that leaves us, but I will share a few things that I read in an article about marketing.

As you all know, marketing consists of the 4 P's.
PRODUCT (or service)
PRICE
PROMOTION
PLACE (distribution channel)

Although it may appear so, sales and marketing are not the same. The difference is that marketing looks at the overall business mix and the expenses related to it. The "sale(s)" is actually just a process.

Whatever marketing method(s) we use should make our sales easier & more effective. That's where I think we blow it. If our marketing efforts do not make our sales easier and more effective then that particular method should be revised or go away because its probably costing $$$ we don't want to spend. Seems over-simplified but sometimes missed.

Our marketing plan should create and drive our sales plan. A sales plan without a marketing plan will likely drive us out of business.

I know this isn't as pointed a solution as some would like but I think its something we should think about.




:)
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
Andy,

That’s a wonderful example, we need to be reminded of things all the time. I re-read and article a friend sent occasionally about closing, sharpening the pencil as you might say. Your right, I do my marketing to increase my numbers so I have more chance to make sales. They are in-fact a separate thing at times.
:D :D :p :p
 

Beth

New Member
Hi all,
Thought I would share my thoughts too. First of all, there is a DISTINCT difference between marketing and advertising and selling.

Marketing basically gets your name out there, and depending on the type of marketing you are doing, may involve advertising (a marketing vehicle) which helps to generate leads.... for sales. At that point it's up to sales to close the business.

Marketing can be for creating name recognition, promoting a product or service, delivering a message about the company (PR messages are a good example of that) such as the ones used to let consumers know that companies do charitable things. All of these leave impressions in the mind of the consumer.

On am earlier post I saw a long list of advertising vehicles.
I can't stress enough that it is important to use a variety of them, and especially as the company grows and builds a name for itself. Stard off with the most economical ones and expand as the budget allows.

I'll get off my soapbox now.....time to get more coffee.

Beth

p.s. I don't believe in fear based, high pressure sales. Educate the consumer and let them make up their own mind.
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
Two newbee’s with great responses, thanks Beth for adding your impute. I tend to believe what you say about high pressure but have a hard time practicing. also its tough to have your sales staff draw the line because they can become passive. I did loose and account one time because the headcheese said we where too aggressive. When at this time all’s we were doing was presenting the facts and they didn’t really want to hear them. Live and learn is the way and helping with example right hear on the bb.


Beth,

Your right again, that’s a list of tools that you keep in your bag and you pull them out when you need them. Certainly using many is the way to go. I believe I have tried all except TV ads. a good combination is the way to go, and always be consistent with what you do.
 

Beth

New Member
LOL....
We've been in the biz for 3 years, so perhaps we are newbies, or semi newbies.....whatever.

I majored in Marketing in college and am in sales full time, so for me it's something I have been doing for XX years.

I'm always happy to help folks out, and where marketing is concerend, I could talk for hours. I love it!

You are correct about keeping the message consistant. Very crucial. Also, the reason to back off being agressive is that basedon psychology based sales techniques, it actually moves people towards you, when agression moves them away from you. But that's a whole other post.

Have a good day.

Beth:)
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
Beth,

Lets hear your version of pressure sales it would be a delight stimulate our minds girl !!!!!!!!!!

Start another post-just make sure you send me and e-mail. I would love to hear the psychoanalysis of pressured sales. Let’s do it@@@@@@@@



Only meant you’re new to bb, I knew your background was extensive from that one post. Keep them coming we need educated people in this field.
 

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