How To Market Your Cleaning Service If You Are An Introvert

Marketing our cleaning business was never something that came easy to me because I've been an introvert my whole life. But becoming an entrepreneur has taught me a lot about marketing over the years. I've discovered that changing the way I think about marketing made a huge difference in my feeling that I needed to get out there and "sell" my business. Here are some tips that might help you get over the same fear.

1. Think of your prospects as friends you haven't met yet. I used to think that whenever I went to a networking event, everyone was a prospect and I had to sell them on what I do. I finally realized that networking was a lot more fun when I took that pressure off myself and just started making friends.

Not everyone at networking events is your prospect, but the people that you get to know probably have connections that ARE your prospects. So focus on getting to know people rather than turning them off by selling to them. Once they get to know you, it is YOU they will think of when they get the opportunity to refer a cleaning company.

2. Share your knowledge. There are many different ways to do this. 

• Do short presentations at your networking events that raises awareness of some aspect of your business. For example, color-coding microfiber cloths to avoid cross contamination. I know, that doesn't feel like something an introvert should do, but believe me when I say, your networking friends want you to be successful and if you do a short, 5 or 10 minute presentation on a topic you know well, it is much easier than you think.
• Offer the same kind of information via social networking sites. You can write short tips or you can write longer blog posts and link to the articles from your social networking sites. Your online connections will quickly realize that you are the "go to" person when it comes to cleaning.
• When you have the opportunity to get in front of your ideal client, remember to keep the focus on them, asking questions about what is important to them. When you uncover what is important to them, you can then share how your company can solve their problems. Remember, you are in the problem solving business, so you can become the hero if you can get to this point in the relationship.

Keep in mind that even though you may be an introvert, marketing your cleaning business doesn't have to be painful. There are people who desperately need what you have to offer, so it's up to you to get out there and find them by building connections and sharing your knowledge.

For you introverts out there, how do YOU handle marketing your cleaning service? Share your thoughts by clicking on the Comments link below.

Comments

[Thomas Gillespie]

Times are changing, do I email via their website, call the company I see on the street? Cold call visiting? Many buildings are locked now and require a passcard to enter. It was suggested that I contact Property Management Companies. What is the best way to make contact once you see a Building/Buildings you would like to contract services with?

[Jean Hanson]

Figure out who you want to target, start creating a database, do research on each prospect (on their website, call for the contact person, etc), then start marketing to them.

We have a webinar called "How To's of Prospecting for Commercial Cleaners". It's free for members.
http://www.thejanitorialstore.com/members/WEBINAR_How_Tos_of_Prospecting_Commercial_Cleaners.cfm

You should also check out this book:
http://www.thejanitorialstore.com/products/item472.cfm

[Kayann Saunders]

Hello I am new in the cleaning business. I have years of cleaning experience but can't seem to get any contracts (commercial) how do i go about marketing my company to them. I am afraid that because my company is new in the business that people might be hesitant to buy my services. I am a perfectionist and stress about our quality services what else would aide me in becoming better and gaining commercial contratcs. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

Kay

[Jean Hanson]

Kay - the key is to get out in the business community and really get to know people. You might want to watch this episode of CleaningBiz.tv. We moved to a town where we didn't know a single person. Within 3 months we started picking up new accounts.
http://www.cleaningbiz.tv/2011/09/28-building-relationships-build-cleaning-business/