Getting customers

[Steven Johnson]

I started 12 years ago, highest price in the market place and have never discounted my price.

Once you discount a price it is extremely difficult to reset to your normal price; instead use an added value mechanic, for instance a Half Price Extractor clean with every oven cleaned during November, then full price for December, and straight in with a £5 Hob clean with every oven cleaned in January.

Mix and match, interspersed with a month or two without promotions to build a profitable business initially. I haven’t given any promotions for the past 8 years and I’m always fully booked at least three months in advance.

Booked up 3 months in advance? How many do you do a day? Surely redos will not wait 3 months I wouldn't.

 

[David Askham]

Around 60% of my clients now prebook their next appointment, whether it be every 3, 6 or 12 months. Other regular customers get a reminder text when their oven is due…I’ve just sent out my February reminders, which encourages them to book early.

Alot of new enquiries are prepared to wait, especially if I’ve been recommended to them, and if folk can’t wait, there’s always a cheaper outfit looking for business.

 

[David Askham]

How did you first start getting customers? And how long did it take you to get them

I used the free Advertising Publications, and when I was working in an area hand delivered leaflets… I hand delivered 24,000 leaflets in my first 18 months. As others have said, your diary doesn’t fill up overnight, you need a plan to make your business work and be prepared to put 100% effort into it.

 

[Steven Johnson]

Around 60% of my clients now prebook their next appointment, whether it be every 3, 6 or 12 months. Other regular customers get a reminder text when their oven is due…I’ve just sent out my February reminders, which encourages them to book early.

Alot of new enquiries are prepared to wait, especially if I’ve been recommended to them, and if folk can’t wait, there’s always a cheaper outfit looking for business.

You do 3 or 4 a day 5 days a week then

 

[David Askham]

3 x appointment slots, 5 x days a week

 

[Steven Johnson]

3 x appointment slots, 5 x days a week

Nice one