Jean Hanson

Marketing your cleaning business can feel overwhelming sometimes. Many people just take a stab at whatever marketing method sounds good and then wonder why their phone isn't ringing off the hook.

Would you like to create a "marketing machine"? Here are 6 steps that you need to dedicate yourself to when marketing your cleaning business.

Step 1 - Set aside time to devote to marketing. You should be doing at least one or two marketing activities every day. Marketing doesn't happen by itself and if you are out there cleaning all day and doing the bookkeeping at night, you won't have time to market the business.

Step 2 - Identify a need or solve a problem. In order to market your business, you need to identify what your customers need and what their problems are. People don't want you to sell to them, but they will buy your services if you can figure out how to solve their problems (too tired to clean, not enough time for play, etc).

Step 3 - Write a marketing plan. Setting aside time to work on marketing won't pay off unless you know what to do and how to do it. Start by brainstorming your marketing activities and then schedule them out on a marketing calendar. That way, you'll see exactly what activities you need to do each week. (If you're a member of MyHouseCleaningBiz.com, visit the Download Library for a marketing plan template).

Step 4 - Demonstrate your expertise. Show value to prospects by positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Write articles for local publications or online publications
• Give presentations at local events and networking events
  
• Give a presentation to employees of local employers
  
• Teach a class
  
• Generate newsworthy publicity about your business

Step 5 - Reach your target market. Through your marketing plan, identify your target market and strategize ways to reach them. Once you know your target market, make a stay-in-touch plan so you can "touch" your prospects over and over again.

Step 6 - Take action. This is the most important step because nothing will happen if you don't take consistent action.

Marketing isn't easy, but with a good strategy and a good action plan, you can create momentum for your cleaning business, which will result in a well-oiled "marketing machine."

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Copyright © MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. All Rights Reserved.
Jean Hanson helps owners of residential cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through her online community at MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for House Cleaning Profit Tips at http://www.MyHouseCleaningBiz.com.