Marketing 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 and Oshawa.

Today for the first time I canvassed with another salesman. It was quite the fun experience. It was far more encouraging and easier.

He introduced me to his clients who were very friendly and took my card. That is what I call warmcalling. Victor simply said this is a friend of his who has moved to the area from Toronto proper and is looking for some clients. It worked well. WE only visited about 5 or 6 places and of those I have two serious prospects. That is quite something, often when I cold call I have to make several dozen visits or calls before I get a serious inquiry.

We are going to plan to do this again. Speaking in person to existing customers is very valuable since the clients are warmer and they trust you more quickly. I am likely to get jobs that I wouldn't normally get since they may only choose a window cleaner who is recommended by their friends.

On an encouraging note a pizzeria owner called me. I had left a quote and card a couple months ago, and she wanted me to come biweekly to clean the windows. She was happy with our work and is now a new client. It restored my faith that leaving business cards works at times, I was starting to think that it was pretty useless since I seemed to get little response from even serious people that took my card but for one reason or another never called me back

Are you looking for a reliable Toronto Window Cleaner. Call Mike, 647-409-8144

mike@mmwindowcleaners.com
http://mmwindowcleaners.com

A shout out to Sean!

A Shout Out To Sean
 
Sean is the Salesman for Window Cleaning Resource - of which my blog is posted on the forum. Thanks Chris and Alex.

Sean is a very successful businessman, and has helped WCR to acquire much of their commercial work.

I watched Sean's video today about his new approach to pricing. I must say I'm impressed. He's not going to lowball his prices anymore to win accounts - and he will charge what is good for him - working on commision, and high enough for the guys who work at WCR and Chris and Alex.

I too don't believe in charging lower than I want for an account simply to match local competition or get a client.

My belief in pricing is too charge at a rate/hour that you want, and a rate that you know the majority of your desired clients will accept.

I would rather charge too high and not get a business, than charge too low, and kick myself later, and find myself over time with a lot of underpriced work.

My pricing philosophy is always changing, based on what I think I can charge, what high prices others have charged, and when I find out that I'm not charging what others do.

The most current change I have made to my pricing is to not treat all glass the same.

Before, even when cleaning a large piece of glass, I would charge what a small piece of glass would cost. Most customers understand that they will pay more if they have a store with big glass than if their store had small windows.

If I need to just clean windows with one method, cleaning with just a squeegee and applicator I will charge a basic rate per window. If I have to use a pole (I'm tall - 6 feet 2) than I will charge up to double that rate.

I would advise all of you to not treat all glass the same. Let's say you charge $1/per outside pane) for a regular pane that requires no polling. For one that requires polling, or is much larger charge $2/per pane.

Your pricing philosophy can change, be willing to accept new ideas and make adjustments where necesary.

Are you in the Toronto area and want a quote for window cleaning? Call the Toronto Window Cleaner at 647-409-8144 or visit my webiste at http://mmwindowcleaners.com