Woody Allen- the next carpet cleaning industry guru?
Woody Allen postulated years ago that “75% of success is just showing up”! Chuck Violand focuses on that other vital 25% which you can control …
How’s Your Elevator Speech?
Do you have an elevator speech that explains your company in less than 30 seconds? The best marketing is always as Chuck Violand calls it “belly to belly.” Learn from marketing gurus Chip & Dan Heath how to create the perfect elevator speech for your cleaning company.
Tweaking a great carpet cleaning marketing tool: “The refrigerator magnet”-Part II
Refrigerator magnets have to be hands down one of the most cost-effective marketing tools for cleaners out there. Steve explains how you can distribute a frig magnet in your target market area effectively…
Should a cleaning professional ever really be done learning?
The opportunity to learn business building advice from a very unique company is a rare opportunity, even for a 75-year-old industry legend. Who is this “legend” and which “unique” company can teach him something?
Tweaking a great carpet cleaning marketing tool: “The door hanger”-Part I
There are a lot of new razzle-dazzle marketing tools out there and many show great promise. We’ll keep you up to date. BUT, Steve Toburen reminds us that for carpet cleaners nothing replaces footwork and getting a physical reminder into the customer’s home. Check out this twist on a standard carpet cleaning marketing tool- the door hanger.
Strategies for Success Seminar- August, 2010 (Jon-Don Seattle, WA)
With a focus on carpet cleaning and restoration businesses, 35 managers and business owners in the Northwest spent five days diving into the basics of finances, marketing, infrastructure and Value Added Service. See what they had to say…
How can I raise my prices without losing clients?
A Little Rock carpet cleaner has FINALLY gathered up his courage to raise prices. But how to do it and when to tell his repeat customers has him stumped. Steve shares his patented 5 step system to raising prices …
The two BIG responsibilities of a good leader …
Most of us entered the carpet cleaning industry by the “back door”- as technicians first. No shame in that. But sooner or later most carpet cleaners must morph into being a “leader” in their company. Being a good leader is both simpler and infinitely more difficult than you may have ever imagined …
So what the %&?$#@* is this thing called “SFS”?
Unsuspecting new carpet cleaners are still wasting time and money attending “sleazy snake-oil seminars”. (Sadly, the old “bait and switch” game doesn’t just happen in people’s homes!) So Steve gets nailed with the totally valid question, “What is SFS?” every day. He unloads right back in this passionate post. Steve also unveils the new “SFS Curriculum” page which supports his claims. See it for yourself in the top menu under “About SFS”.
How to skillfully pitch your commercial carpet cleaning services
Preparation is key to any sales presentation. What tools are required for making the big sale in commercial carpet cleaning? What should be avoided? Bill Yeadon offers his insights to closing the BIG sale.
Create Customer Cheerleaders by making friends with their children …
The health and well-being of the home owner’s family is a huge motivation to have their carpets cleaned. So how should you (and your employees) treat the little ones in the house? Here are some great ways to put the kids (and their parents) at ease while you are cleaning the carpets …
Finally- A sneak preview of the 2011 Strategies for Success schedule!
We only put on eight “Strategies for Success” seminars per year and they all sell out early. But now SFS site readers are getting a sneak preview of next year’s dates. Please use it well and get your 2011 SFS plans made now. (Or you may still be able to sneak into a SFS in Chicago next month or St. Louis this October.)
Browning on a Berber Carpet- now what?
Nothing strikes more terror into the heart of a carpet cleaner than a beautifully cleaned berber turning ugly shades of brown! A Tucson cleaner cries for help to Steve who passes the ball to Big Billy Yeadon, a genuine technical guru.
So how many more “carpet cleaning months” do you have left?
Most of us sort of “stumbled” into carpet cleaning as a way to pay the rent/ buy groceries/ make the car payment, etc. Chuck Violand reminds us that the journey of life should be about much more than “growing old on the wand” …
True leaders are willing to take the hit. Are you?
When there is a problem with a customer do you handle it immediately? Or do you take the low-profile route and let your office staff or technicians face the heat? Big Billy Yeadon tells us how Southwest Airlines handled a stressful situation recently …