9 Window Cleaning Success Points for 2008

Hey guys and gals:

This time of year is a great time to think about your plans and goals for your window cleaning business next year. So with 2008 right around the corner, here are some ways you can ensure you have a very profitable year:

** Desire - This is obvious, but the window cleaners who succeed and create profitable businesses are the ones who want it the most. How bad do you want it? Willing to wake up early and willing to work late? Decide that there is no other option BUT to succeed in 2008.

** Focus - Use single minded focus in your window cleaning business. Offering additional services to your customers is fine, but it's best to focus on one service (window cleaning). Open the door with that and then come in the back door with the other services. If you hit 'em all at once with everything, this causes confusion. And confused people don't buy.

** Service - Make a commitment to provide not only a quality window cleaning service but an outstanding service experience. From the moment you present your estimate to the moment you collect your money, make the customer glad they've done business with you. By giving your customers a great experience from beginning to end, they'll be loyal customers who continue to use your services year after year after year.

** Invest - Be willing to invest if it'll better your company. This includes QUALITY marketing tools, software, uniforms, etc. Some products to invest in:

Work the Referrals - This is an outstanding referral building system. Our goal as window cleaners should be to cultivate as many referrals as possible. This program does that by enhancing and strengthening the relationships you have with customers. Click the link and sign up for a free gift account.

The Customer Factor - Yeah…a shameless plug for my own software. :o) But it's a wise investment. I've seen first hand what it can do for window cleaning businesses. Try it risk free for 30 days.

BNI - Visit their website and see if there is a Chapter in your area. If so, invest in a membership. It's a dynamite organization to be a part of. I was a member of a similar type organization in my area and it provided great company exposure and many, many jobs for my company.

** Planning - Setting a goal is great, but without a detailed, actionable plan to achieve it, it's just a dream. So sit down now, put pen to paper, and write down small, time specific, detailed, and achievable tasks for you to accomplish in 2008. And then…

** Take action - Some people are great at writing down what they want to accomplish, but when it finally comes time to take action on accomplishing it, they find reasons not to. Maybe you had on your schedule for january 21st to distribute 500 flyers, but when you roll out of bed and look out the window, it's raining. Don't roll back into bed. Follow through with your time specific plan that day and TAKE ACTION!

** Consistency - Are there challenges in this business? Sure. Every business has those. Maybe even a few obstacles? Some. But being consistent with your action will allow you to run over obstacles and smooth out any challenges you face. Do something every day. If you have another job, or for whatever reason just can't do something every day, then do something every single week. Just be consistent. An example is distributing 1000 flyers every saturday. At the end of 2008, that's 52000 flyers in the hands of prospects. Go to craigslist.org and invest (remember
the "invest" success point above?) in a couple of flyer delivery people to do it for you if you can't do it.

** Follow up - Don't leave people alone. Follow up until they say "yes" or "no" to your service. Turn your prospects into customers and turn your customers into repeat customers. Read Chapter 7 again in the manual for some good follow-up tips. But make sure you track each prospect you present an estimate to and each customer you perform a window cleaning service for. Then follow up with 'em…Always!

Note: If you're a member of The Customer Factor, ignore all the tracking talk above because the software does it
all for you.

** And have FUN! - Remember that you're supposed to enjoy the journey rather than waiting for the accomplishment of the goal in order to feel satisfied. It took me a few years to figure this one out. But the journey is half the fun.

So those are some success points to apply to your window cleaning business in 2008. And remember that I'm always available for consultation. 

Merry Christmas and wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2008!

Best Wishes,

Steve