tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60256070086410557012024-03-05T18:23:21.290-08:00The Window CleanerA blog about running a sucessful small (window cleaning) business. And my experiences running one.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-77888009416467219172012-02-23T20:29:00.000-08:002012-02-24T11:13:34.040-08:00Social Networking
I have been busy the last couple days getting knee deep in social networking. I have been working hard on my LinkedIn page creating a company page, creating a group for Canadian Window Cleaners, and trying to connect with other window cleaners and current and former customers, friends and colleagues. I am also learning how to use Twitter properly and the etiquette that they expect.
I certainly Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com46Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-13060802100240487492012-02-21T16:36:00.000-08:002012-02-21T16:36:00.153-08:00Google Adwords
I have used Google AdWords to help draw more people to my site, and hopefully get more phone calls and sales.
My initial experience has been one of disappointment. It's challenging to create an ad that will get many people to "click-thru". As well as creating a good ad you must use correct adwords that match what people enter when wanting to find your company.
I'm committed to Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com8Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-83306584360751313852012-02-17T20:27:00.000-08:002012-02-24T11:15:18.808-08:00Updated Working As A Subcontractor
Working as a subcontractor
Working As A Subcontractor
I wanted to speak about something that could really add a nice income
stream to your business. Subcontracting. Many janitorial companies in
particular, don't want or don't know how to properly clean windows. Many
are very eager to work with a window cleaning company to clean windows
for their clients. They may be happy because Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-72104136491387822062012-02-16T06:22:00.000-08:002012-02-16T06:24:41.957-08:00What every window cleaner hates
Yesterday I pulled up to a gas station to clean their convenience store windows. When we parked we saw that there was a bucket and a pole and clean windows. My heart dropped. I went inside and stood in line to see that a tall man in his forties with brown long hair, a scruffy unkempt beard and eyes that looked like he was sleep deprived or a drinker or drug user was awaiting payment. I asked forMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com15Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-82423914846864908002012-02-15T04:08:00.000-08:002012-02-15T04:09:41.271-08:00Fly by Night
Yesterday I was cleaning windows at a customer of mine that I have had for some time. He said your competition has been around. He has been getting a lot of people asking him would he like his windows done.
I charge $20+tax to clean his windows. It's a pretty quick job with maybe 6 or 8 small windows that I clean. It might take me 5 minutes to clean his windows.
The "competition" was Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com5Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-21220951554706173972012-02-14T13:00:00.000-08:002012-02-14T13:00:01.242-08:00Marketing with Other Service Professionals
Today I had the privlege of doing cold and warm calling with Victor a printer and toner salesman. He sells printers and cartridges and also services them when needed. He is well liked and has two hundred and fifty accounts.
I moved out to Bowmanville where Victor has lived for many years. We both attend the same place of worship so he graciously offered to help me find accounts in Bowmanville Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com5Bowmanville, ON, Canada43.913043 -78.68961743.901604 -78.709358 43.924482000000005 -78.669876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-4578417099672948122012-02-13T10:23:00.000-08:002012-02-13T10:23:00.963-08:00Useful Window Cleaning Sites
Useful Window Cleaning Sites
Are you looking for worthwhile sites to improve your marketing, your expertise and to improve your business?
If you are a window cleaner you are in luck. There are many valuable Facebook groups, websites and mailing lists that will help you take your business to the next level.
But remember, the real problem is whether or not you will Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-25946134058499503252012-02-12T19:30:00.000-08:002012-02-12T19:30:00.412-08:00Classic Repost: Are you getting paid?
Are You Getting Paid
One of the most pressing problems in running a small business is
getting paid promptly. In a business like Window Cleaning there are a
number of customers that pay immediately. And when your focus is on
cleaning houses, you might get paid right away nearly all the time.
How
do you get your customers to pay in a reasonable amount of time? Many
business suffer, Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-91998134520389693882012-02-10T19:24:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:03:19.375-08:00What do customers say about you?
What are your customers saying about you?
Have you ever asked your customers why they use you? It's a simple question, and the answer only takes a couple minutes. It can be asked casually in conversation, or you can put it in writing too.
I have been guilty myself of not asking that simple question. It reveals a lot about how you can sell your services to new clients, what customers care Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-83945914790956476442012-02-10T19:16:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:04:39.754-08:00The Window Cleaner: Money, Money, Money? Are you getting yours? How to get paid quickly.
The Window Cleaner: Money, Money, Money? Are you getting yours? How to get paid quickly.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-8779839135582328402012-02-06T22:02:00.000-08:002012-02-10T19:31:26.332-08:00Training Employees
Do you like being a teacher? When we are teaching someone to window clean or perform any skills for us in our small business, we are the teacher. So, how can you go about teaching someone to clean a window, or do any other mechanical skill?
Well, I find that teaching someone in a very slow motion is good. Window Cleaners use an "S" technique or a swirl technique. And it is very hard to do if Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-21100937974759525762012-02-05T21:56:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:05:06.306-08:00Money, Money, Money? Are you getting yours? How to get paid quickly.
Are you sitting on a mountain of unpaid invoices?
I wrote before on the importance of getting paid. I make sure that after just 2 weeks the majority of my customers that haven't paid an invoice that is aged 14 days get a friendly reminder letter.
I have found that this has sped up payment for me and enabled me to have more cash flow and less uncollected invoices.
Another important thing Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-6821938682753895842012-02-04T19:42:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:06:46.933-08:00Get More Homestars Reviews
Get More HomeStar Reviews
My last post spoke about using HomeStars to find a reliable contractor. And as I said I used HomeStars to find a good duct cleaning company. Canaduct had hundreds of 10 star homestar reviews. So with that info and checking their website I was sold.
I hired them in large part due to HomeStar reviews. I wondered how they were able to get hundreds of reviews. A Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com4Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-73188573675746882802012-02-03T13:05:00.000-08:002012-02-11T21:39:58.936-08:00Using Homestars
Using HomeStars
A few months ago we bought our first house. We are very excited, but as with any new house purchase there are many unexpected and unwanted surprises.
We want to get our ducts cleaned. It turned out that even though this house is 10 years old, and even was renovated the ducts were never cleaned. Imagine the disgusting air that we have been breathing in.
We have never hired a Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com2Bowmanville, ON, Canada43.913043 -78.68961743.901604 -78.709358 43.924482000000005 -78.669876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-10896615803287378622012-02-01T21:54:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:10:02.361-08:00Hiring an employee or using a subcontractor
Hiring An Employee or Using a Subcontrator
The time comes in every small business where you don't handle every part of your operation.
Sure, at one point it might seem thrilling to where many hats. But over time, it gets exhausting. Some people choose to do the technician work of their business, and I respect them.
However, I want to focus more on my business and less on the actual Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Bowmanville, ON, Canada43.913043 -78.68961743.901604 -78.709358 43.924482000000005 -78.669876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-79794176275475519302012-01-31T19:15:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:11:08.185-08:00Keep your competition close
There is a saying to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Although a few of your competitors can be your enemy, not all of your competition is, in fact many are not.
My Toronto window cleaning competitors include some good friends and acquaintances, We respect each other, although we do get jealous of each
others successes. Especially when they are ahead of us on Google.
Some we Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Bowmanville, ON, Canada43.913043 -78.68961743.901604 -78.709358 43.924482000000005 -78.669876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-39941814452952157932009-05-01T04:50:00.000-07:002012-02-11T19:12:30.659-08:00Working as a subcontractor
Working As A Subcontractor
I haven't posted for quite a while. So I apologize.
I wanted to speak about something that could really add a nice income stream to your business. Subcontracting. Many janitorial companies in particular, don't want or don't know how to properly clean windows. Many are very eager to work with a window cleaning company to clean windows for their clients. They Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-37755633912536185952009-03-22T21:04:00.000-07:002012-02-11T19:17:53.078-08:00Improving SEO
A couple weeks ago, I spent many hours working on my website. Why? I've been disappointed with it's search engine ranking. Although I'm quite pleased with the layout of my site, the company that helped me create wasn't able to help me when it came to ranking high on search engines.
Althouhgh I have always had a very high ranking on Yahoo for certain keywords. I have never been high up on Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-48595963502117930352009-02-18T19:35:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:17:04.690-08:00Karl Robinson's Extraordinary Blog
http://robinson-solutions.blogspot.com
As most of you who read this blog knows, Karl has a great blog of all the world of window cleaning. He is able to pull up so much articles, that even Google can't match.
By checking his blog out daily, you will be fully informed of window cleaner safety, the latest videos available on the internet that are internet related, window cleaner news, and muchMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-42836044290437310712009-02-18T15:21:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:20:21.234-08:00Paul's great marketing blog
Paul McQuillan, a lively,passionate, and great contributing forum member, of Window Cleaning Resource and National Window Cleaning Directory, has turned his passion and ability in marketing into a book:
Onslaught Marketing "How You Can Survive the Economic Crisis and Emerge 10x Stronger Than Your Competition"
His website address is: http://onslaughtmarketing.com
And he authours a very Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com6Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-89607384293736397882009-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:002012-02-01T21:43:38.178-08:00Overcoming Barriers to getting customers
As the month of February progress I'm thinking more and more of spring. Not that in Toronto spring ever comes early, but soon warm weather will be here and people will be thinking of getting their houses cleaned.
Our company, while our focus is on commercial, I enjoy getting some residential clients and would like to grow that part of the business more this year.
So I've thought of ways to Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Brampton, ON, Canada43.685271 -79.75992443.593412 -79.9178525 43.77713 -79.6019955tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-74320852459707395712009-02-11T10:53:00.000-08:002012-02-01T21:43:21.555-08:00What Is an Independant Operator? And dealing with WSIB
Many small companies subcontract work. They do this without much thought. They might have the same guy do all their work, for many hours each week, using your tools, getting explicit direction and this person earns all their income from you.
In your eyes he his your hardworking subcontractor. Unfortunately in the eyes of many Government Insurance boards, this person is your employee. As such Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com2Pickering, ON, Canada43.837977 -79.08373343.654728500000004 -79.399589999999989 44.0212255 -78.767876tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-89442252308141126992009-01-30T21:11:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:20:31.443-08:00Warm Hands
I just watched Mr Squeegee's video. Pretty good stuff on staying warm in the winter.
I wanted to show you what gloves (mitts actually) I use to stay warm in the winter. These mitts are much warmer than the typical mitts window cleaners use, they are cheap too. In Canada I can get these mitts for just $17 + TAX at LeBaron at Dundas and Hurontario in Mississauga.
99% of the time your hands Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com6Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-2714985499706803912009-01-30T18:08:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:21:11.226-08:00The High Cost of a Low Price
I just got off the phone with my phone company feeling anxious, frazzled and like I wasted half an hour of my life.
You see, in November I was threatened to be cut off by my phone company, which was actually a cable, cell phone and media company: Rogers Cable. Now that's not because I wasn't paying, but they wanted me to switch to their way of offering telephone service, through the cable Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6025607008641055701.post-63625883923813901692009-01-29T17:14:00.003-08:002012-02-11T19:23:28.180-08:00Dress for Sucess!
Today I met with a mid size janitorial company based in the Greater Toronto area. I had spoke about subcontracting window cleaning jobs from him, since many of his customers need window cleaning done.
His client list included a who's-who of Toronto, an impressive client list which they showed me when I met with them.
Originally I was going to meet the marketing director in a coffee shop, Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047056958329230650noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273