Why You Need A Guerrilla Marketing Plan For Your Cleaning Business

If you've read Jay Conrad Levinson's Guerrilla Marketing books, you know he's an advocate for making a marketing plan and working it. At a time when many business owners are backing off on all spending (including marketing), those of us who continue marketing will have a distinct advantage.

Here are some of the reasons Levinson says you SHOULD continue to actively market your business:

1. The market is always changing. If you're not in the game you'll be missing out on new opportunities.
2. People forget quickly. We are bombarded with advertising every day and if you don't stay in front of them, they'll forget all about you.
3. Your competition won't quit. If you're not in front of the customer, they'll go with your competitor, who is.
4. Marketing strenthens your identity. You can't build a brand and reputation without a strong presence.
5. Marketing is essential to survival and growth. You can't rely on word of mouth alone. If you don't get the word out, your business will stagnate and die.
6. Marketing enables you to keep your customers. You are cleaners, after all, so many of your customers don't see you unless you build a relationship with them so you can retain them as loyal customers.
7. Marketing maintains morale. When you see success in your marketing efforts, your morale improves.
8. Your marketing program gives you an advantage over competitors who have ceased to market. Don't be the one NOT marketing!
9. Marketing allows your business to continue operating. Without the results marketing brings, you won't be able to pay your bills.
10. You stand to lose out on the money, time, and effort you've invested. If you stop marketing now, you lose customer awareness and will have to start all over again.

Have YOU stopped or reduced your marketing efforts lately? Or have you increased them? Share your thoughts by clicking on the Comments link below.

Comments

[Monkeyshine1]

We have currently stepped up the marketing with flyers and are very happy with the results. Gives us more freedom to choose better clients.

[Jean Hanson]

I would love to hear more about your flyers. I know a lot of people who don't have good luck with them but what I've found is that their flyers aren't very good - they don't say anything that grabs the prospect's attention and makes them want to pick up the phone.

[Bev Jones]

We took up some advice from a marketing guru - in a recession, advertise EVERYWHERE you can.

We started out dropping our own leaflets, doing notices in post offices, and newspaper ads.

Now we have the best cleaning website , we pay SEO fees, do our own social networking, give talks, network , advertise and most of all, ask clients to refer us.

Be bold, not pushy!

[Jean Hanson]

Bev, it sounds like you're doing a great job and all the things you should be doing to market your business. I like that you mix it up too - you definitely need to get the word out in multiple ways. Good job!

[Housecleaning in Plano]

My business is just starting but I appreciate your advice about marketing and its critical role, especially now. I'm becoming a student of Levinson and one day hope to have a "honed" strategy that's tested and can be depended upon. Until then we're taking our best shots! We've tried a couple of methods that did not produce. What I know for sure is it's vital to know the local market, and the demographic and mindset of your desired client.

[Mike Hogan]

We distributed 250 flyers on a Sat. afternoon,came home and booked 3 estimates.

Marketing on a consistant basis is the only"secret" I know.

[Jean Hanson]

Mike - that's great! Congrats on booking 3 estimates! You're right that consistency in marketing is a huge key to being successful in gaining new customers. Can I ask what your message is on your flyers?

[Matt]

I am not having any good luck in NJ. We have a lot of businesses shutting down and not a lot of people want cleaning people. I need help, is there anyone who can give me any ideas?

[Jean Hanson]

Matt - what is your target market? Maybe you need to think about expanding into another niche or providing additional services. Are you a member of The Janitorial Store? We could give you additional help there. We've also got a new appointment setting service for members and we're getting good feeback on it.