Company Branding and Maps

Now that's a weird title, but it's actually two different subjects discussed in two different emails that were sent to me, so I posted 'em both below. Enjoy!

A branding question:

Hi  Steve:     

I read on line somewhere that it is a good idea to brand your bussiness.  Was wondering your thoughts on this and if have any ideas on branding?  Thanks Larry Grant.

My Response:

Hi Larry:

Good to hear from you.  Yes…it is important to brand your company without a doubt.  You'll soon see the brand/image/"look" that I created for my company as you go through my materials when they arrive.  From business cards to letterhead to signage to flyers to postcards, etc etc., it was all the same overall "look".  If you do something similar for your company, it's only a matter of time before you have a big advantage over many of your competitors.  Because while other window cleaners are buying the $12 business cards with the usual clipart on the card, you'll have your own signature look that will be instantly recognizable.  It works.

Take care for now.  Talk soon.

Regards,

Steve
 

A Map Tip

Hi Steve:
 
I just wanted to comment on something. I have been using a Google Earth type of map but through windows which I think to be better, it is called "Live Search Map". At the start of this business I had a really hard time deciding where to drop off flyers. I found it really hard finding the "right" neighborhoods. I had already downloaded this software but did not really take advantage of it. Then a light bulb lit in my head, "why don't I use this software to drive around virtually?".

So I tried it and to my surprise I was driving around virtually checking the neighborhoods looking at the houses deciding if they were the right market without spending any gas, thus saving time and of course money. It took a little getting used to at first but It definitely paid off. I started from my house and just "drove around" this way I did not distribute flyers to neighborhoods that were too far when I could find neighborhoods that were closer. Basically this is how I am running things now, start as close as home as possible and expand from there. By the time I have gone far it will be time to redo the close neighborhoods again. I don't see how I can go wrong. Anyways, I thought maybe your could give this advice to others in your blog that maybe are going through what I went, it might help them.
 
I have to say that I am thankful for all the information I got from your book and are still getting. You're a window cleaning guru.
 
Thanks,
 
Marvin Duran
 
p.s. By the way, the download is free.
 

My Response:

<blushing>. No guru status please. I'm just a dude who wants to see folks build successful window cleaning businesses.

Thanks much for your map tip.  I appreciate it and I'm sure other window cleaners will too.

And don't forget that the "right" neighorhoods also include retirement homes. They're generally smaller type homes, but you can do 'em lickety split and the word spreads like wildfire in these communities. Our wealther, big home type of customers who are out there working, running businesses, etc, are busier than our retired clients. So our retired customers have nothing to do but talk. So do a good job for these folks and you'll be running around all over the place cleaning their windows. 

I think it's an underserved market since many window cleaners are focusing solely on "big" homes.  Again, the retirement type homes will be a bit smaller and many of them are single story, but I thoroughly enjoyed doing them. In and out in 2 hours, the hourly pay is better because you can do a healthy "bump-up" (read chapter 7), and then you move on to the next. There were situations where I literally parked my car in one place, did one customer, moved across the street to do another, and then moved next door to do another. 

One final note: You should always display your yard sign for every job you do because it generates great exposure/activity, but a yard sign placed in customer's yards who  were in retirement communities really seemed to generate outstanding interest. The early morning walkers walk by, see your sign, want an estimate, etc. etc.

Anyway…have a great weekend and thanks again for the map tip.

Steve