1. Ask family and friends
Pros
- They will be happy to let you repair their windows in order to help you get started.
- When you have repaired their windows they will tell everyone about the high quality of your work.
- They have an emotional interest in you helping you to succeed.
- Word of mouth is the most effective, and the cheapest, form of marketing.
Cons
- They will be aware that you are new to this, and may be unsure about your level of skill.
Conclusion
The best windows to begin with are your own. As soon as you have finished the course, examine your own windows and assess what can be done to repair and service them.
2. Double glazing installers/manufactures
Pros
- Installers and manufacturers receive a great deal of enquiries for repairs that they don’t necessarily want to fulfill. It is better for them and their business profiles to refer the work to you rather than simply turning work away.
- Good working relationships can be established with a business that can provide you with sealed units.
Cons
- Some double glazing companies may not immediately realise the benefits of a working relationship such as this, and they may take a little time to convince.
Conclusion
Try to set up connections and alliances with a few companies. You will find that one or two companies will be happy to work with you on this basis, and this should lead to two or three jobs per week.
3. Property maintenance companies
Pros
- They have a steady flow of work for you, quite often two or three jobs at a single location.
- You can work with several of these companies at once.
Cons
- They may expect you to work for a lower rate.
- You may have to wait longer for payment.
Conclusion
These companies don’t want their clients going elsewhere for work, and would rather sub contract it to you than risk the client finding someone else.
4. Business networking
Pros
- A steady flow of referrals.
- You can win some high quality referrals, as there are many networking groups to choose from.
- It builds good relationships with other trades and professions.
Cons
- It takes commitment, time and effort.
Conclusion
Networking can be a very good source of high quality referrals, but its called netWORKing for a reason. The more work you put in, the more you will get back.
5. Door drop leaflet
Pros
- It can offer instant returns, and can be an effective way to build your customer base.
Cons
- The cost-per-job ratio isn’t very high.
Conclusion
You can carry out the leaflet delivery yourself, but this can cost you a great deal of time. This is manageable when your business is new, but soon you won’t have the time and the leaflets will remain boxed and unused. A good idea is to carry the leaflets in your van. If, for example, you have to do some work on a housing estate, as soon as the job is completed you have time to deliver leaflets around the estate.
6. Window cleaners
Pros
- Window cleaners see lots of misted units, and can pass you work.
- You can work with many different window cleaners at once.
Cons
- You will have to pay a commission.
- It can be an unreliable source of referrals.
- You may need to continually remind them about your business.
Conclusion
If a window cleaner cleans the windows in a house that has misted/broken down sealed units, they cannot get that window clean. They can, however, pass your details to the customer. Give the window cleaner a pile of your cards, and ask them to put their name and details on the reverse. When you get a job from one of their cards, you pay the window cleaner a fee. It’s a good idea to keep in regular contact to make sure they are fulfilling their part of this working relationship, but as soon they get some respectable earnings from you this should become easier.
7. Surveyors
Pros
- Surveyors can provide some highly profitable leads. Usually more than one job at a single address.
- You can work with a few surveyors at once.
Cons
- They can recommend you, but it may take time for jobs to come to fruition.
- You may have to pay surveyors a commission.
Conclusion
When compiling a survey for a potential buyer, the surveyor can detail in his report that the windows need repair and therefore recommend you. The client may buy elsewhere, but they will still have your details should they have issues with their windows at the new purchase.
8. Landlords
Pros
- You can build a considerable database of landlords that you can work for.
- As soon as they are aware of the high quality of your work, they tend to remain loyal to you.
Cons
- Landlords can be demanding and are often keen for you to reply to them very quickly.
- They take a little more time than usual time to pay.
- Liaising with tenants can be tricky.
Conclusion
Remember you are offering a unique service, and once a landlord has your details and knows that you offer a high quality service they will keep using you.
Finally …
Just remember these providers will be expect high quality work. As soon as you have gained all the necessary skills and knowledge, this course will be invaluable in bringing you a steady flow of regular work.