Small Business Articles
10 Tips For The Perfect Cleaning Franchise Business
October 11, 2008
Many professionals say that the cleaning industry is one of the easiest in which to start a new small business. Of course, the fact that it’s easier than other industries doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park, because starting any new business, franchise or not, always comes with a fair degree of hard work. In the interest of helping prospective franchisees navigate the world of starting a cleaning franchise, here are 10 tips to make that business initiation go over just a little bit more smoothly.
1. More Services Means More Money
Many new cleaning businesses make the subtle mistake of performing only one kind of cleaning work, unintentionally pigeonholing themselves and limiting their client base. Whatever business you start, follow the lead of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning and make it a point to expand your operation. Though carpet cleaning is Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning’s bread and butter, they also provide clients with upholstery services and tile & grout cleaning, which gives them a much wider client base.
2. Think Outside The Box As You Look For Clients
Of course, when starting a work from home cleaning business, the first thought is to clean clients’ homes. Maybe offices come to mind too, but neither of those are enough. If you really want to turn a profit, think about out-of-the-ordinary clients, like apartment buildings, theaters, retail stores, and retirement centers.
3. Have Your Clients Sign A Contract
Though it’s always nice to trust people to give you repeat business when they say they will, it can often help to get a commitment from them in writing. No matter how happy a client may seem to be with your work as a Sparkle Wash franchisee, they may simply forget to call and schedule another visit from you and your power wash equipment, which would result in a loss of cash flow for you. But with a signed contract in hand, you can freely return and keep up that income stream.
4. Use All The Marketing Tools You’re Given, And Then Some
Franchises generally come with a developed marketing plan and a full range of tools, something that every franchisee should fully take advantage of, because good marketing is essential to business success. Don’t stop there though; be ready to extend your personal network everywhere you go by shaking hands and passing out business cards.
5. Seek Customer Feedback
The only way to really know if you and your employees are doing everything possible to service the client is to ask, so do so. Especially in a business like Fish Window Cleaning, in which employees do a lot of the work independently, be sure to call clients and ask how things went or send a survey to make sure the work was done the way the client wanted.
6. Customize For Clients
Not every client needs exactly the same service, if for no other reason than the fact that no two houses are the same. Be ready to adapt your services slightly to address the specific needs of each client, and they are far more likely to continue using your services.
7. Don’t Slack Off
Business opportunities should never be squandered, especially by simply failing to take the work of cleaning seriously. Though many systems, like N-Hance cabinet and hardwood floor restoration, have simplified and accelerated methods of accomplishing the cleaning work, don’t ever believe that a good tool or method is any replacement for elbow grease. N-Hance’s tools already beautifully refinish wood in only 24 hours, a fraction of the time others take, so don’t abuse that gift by only working at half intensity.
8. Don’t Cut Corners
Whether cutting a corner is conveniently overlooking a bit of work or using a less impressive cleaning solution because it’s cheaper, don’t do it. It’s easy to pick out sloppy work, and when clients find that their money and their homes are disrespected, they’ll go with someone else.
9. Respond To Client Calls Quickly
There’s always that time that you can’t reach for your phone quickly enough, and you miss the call. That’s fine, as long as you reply to your client’s message as soon as possible. Whatever a client is calling you about is important to them, and they want to be reassured that it is important to you as well. Your home based business depends on cash flow, and cash flow depends on clients who feel that you respect their time and their requests, and one of the simplest ways of making them feel so is by keeping in communication with them.
10. Say "Thank You" To Your Clients In Creative Ways
Everyone likes it when others think about them, and clients are no different. A great way to thank your clients is by sending them a holiday greeting card and perhaps a small gift. When you let them know that you remember them, they will inevitably remember you.
Of course, the list of business advice could go on for pages and volumes. As you speak with your franchisor, go through the training process, and begin to interact with other franchisees as well, more and more wisdom will be contributed to your business tool box, because everyone who has been in your shoes before has something to offer in terms of wisdom. Some of it will immediately apply to you, and some won’t, but keep it all banked away somewhere, regardless of current relevance, and your franchise opportunity will profit from it someday.
Many professionals say that the cleaning industry is one of the easiest in which to start a new small business. Of course, the fact that it’s easier than other industries doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park, because starting any new business, franchise or not, always comes with a fair degree of hard work. In the interest of helping prospective franchisees navigate the world of starting a cleaning franchise, here are 10 tips to make that business initiation go over just a little bit more smoothly.
1. More Services Means More Money
Many new cleaning businesses make the subtle mistake of performing only one kind of cleaning work, unintentionally pigeonholing themselves and limiting their client base. Whatever business you start, follow the lead of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning and make it a point to expand your operation. Though carpet cleaning is Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning’s bread and butter, they also provide clients with upholstery services and tile & grout cleaning, which gives them a much wider client base.
2. Think Outside The Box As You Look For Clients
Of course, when starting a work from home cleaning business, the first thought is to clean clients’ homes. Maybe offices come to mind too, but neither of those are enough. If you really want to turn a profit, think about out-of-the-ordinary clients, like apartment buildings, theaters, retail stores, and retirement centers.
3. Have Your Clients Sign A Contract
Though it’s always nice to trust people to give you repeat business when they say they will, it can often help to get a commitment from them in writing. No matter how happy a client may seem to be with your work as a Sparkle Wash franchisee, they may simply forget to call and schedule another visit from you and your power wash equipment, which would result in a loss of cash flow for you. But with a signed contract in hand, you can freely return and keep up that income stream.
4. Use All The Marketing Tools You’re Given, And Then Some
Franchises generally come with a developed marketing plan and a full range of tools, something that every franchisee should fully take advantage of, because good marketing is essential to business success. Don’t stop there though; be ready to extend your personal network everywhere you go by shaking hands and passing out business cards.
5. Seek Customer Feedback
The only way to really know if you and your employees are doing everything possible to service the client is to ask, so do so. Especially in a business like Fish Window Cleaning, in which employees do a lot of the work independently, be sure to call clients and ask how things went or send a survey to make sure the work was done the way the client wanted.
6. Customize For Clients
Not every client needs exactly the same service, if for no other reason than the fact that no two houses are the same. Be ready to adapt your services slightly to address the specific needs of each client, and they are far more likely to continue using your services.
7. Don’t Slack Off
Business opportunities should never be squandered, especially by simply failing to take the work of cleaning seriously. Though many systems, like N-Hance cabinet and hardwood floor restoration, have simplified and accelerated methods of accomplishing the cleaning work, don’t ever believe that a good tool or method is any replacement for elbow grease. N-Hance’s tools already beautifully refinish wood in only 24 hours, a fraction of the time others take, so don’t abuse that gift by only working at half intensity.
8. Don’t Cut Corners
Whether cutting a corner is conveniently overlooking a bit of work or using a less impressive cleaning solution because it’s cheaper, don’t do it. It’s easy to pick out sloppy work, and when clients find that their money and their homes are disrespected, they’ll go with someone else.
9. Respond To Client Calls Quickly
There’s always that time that you can’t reach for your phone quickly enough, and you miss the call. That’s fine, as long as you reply to your client’s message as soon as possible. Whatever a client is calling you about is important to them, and they want to be reassured that it is important to you as well. Your home based business depends on cash flow, and cash flow depends on clients who feel that you respect their time and their requests, and one of the simplest ways of making them feel so is by keeping in communication with them.
10. Say "Thank You" To Your Clients In Creative Ways
Everyone likes it when others think about them, and clients are no different. A great way to thank your clients is by sending them a holiday greeting card and perhaps a small gift. When you let them know that you remember them, they will inevitably remember you.
Of course, the list of business advice could go on for pages and volumes. As you speak with your franchisor, go through the training process, and begin to interact with other franchisees as well, more and more wisdom will be contributed to your business tool box, because everyone who has been in your shoes before has something to offer in terms of wisdom. Some of it will immediately apply to you, and some won’t, but keep it all banked away somewhere, regardless of current relevance, and your franchise opportunity will profit from it someday.
