You're looking to make a little extra cash or you need a job. office cleaning is an easy, low-cost business that will make you more money than you ever dreamed of! In fact, many of the pros I interviewed said they started out intending to remain small, as a one or two person operation, but soon had so much business they were either farming it out or had to hire help! It's up to you what and how you want to build your office cleaning business.

To be successful as an office cleaning business, you need to start out knowing as much as you can about every aspect of running your business. It's not just going out and buying some cleaning supplies, knock on some doors, print up some flyers and away you go! There are some very important steps to take before you ever step foot into your first clients office and the pros are going to guide you through the process.

Tip #1-You need a business license or fictitious name AND be bonded

Getting a business license or fictitious name or DBA-Doing Business As(depends on where you live as to which), is relatively easy and well worth the $25 or $30. First decide on what you want to call your cleaning business, it should be short and memorable, although using your name will do nicely, too. Call either your city or county recorder's office or clerk and ask about how to apply. A lot of cities and counties have websites that will give you this information. Then, follow the procedure, and within a few days you'll have your business license or fictitious name certificate.

Next you'll need to get a bond. What is a bond? Bonding insurance is for protection of the person you clean for just in case you break something or you hire someone they might steel something the insurance will pay the person back. The pros suggest you call around to various insurance agents to find the best deal. You don't need a million dollar bond, but probably a $100,000 will do. Most of the pros have say it should cost you somewhere between $100-$300 a year and if you don't find that kind of rate at first--keep calling insurance companies! Later, as you hire workers, you will, also, need liability and worker's compensation insurance. But for now, a bond will do.

By being bonded and having a certificate that shows that to potential clients, it eliminates an objection in the clients' mind. Afterall, you are going to be in the clients' business office after hours and he/she needs to feel confident you are trustworthy.
Additionally, now you can set up a business account using your business licence, fictitious name or DBA certificate. This is important for taxes and makes you more viable.

Tip #2-Getting Your Cleaning Supplies

Most of the pros recommend you purchase your cleaning supplies at a big discount store and don't forget to check the dollar stores, too! You'll need things like:
glass cleaner
furniture polish
general all purpose cleaner
trash bags-in various sizes
rags
dust cloth and/or broom
toilet bowl cleaner and brush
paper towels
vaccum-preferably a little weight or easy to carry one
and anything else you can think of.

One pro suggested that you buy several plain spray bottles to transfer your cleaning supplies so your clients won't know what products you are using. Another made a point of saying some good, solid durable cleaning equipment is a must.

Tip #3-Where and How to Find Customers

Here's what some of the pros do:

* "I have a cleaning business and i have found that profits are better to clean smaller businesses and new home construction."

* "I stopped into real estate offices with business cards, put an ad in the Yellow pages, and put flyers around. After that, all I tried to do was be as professional as possible. I think it's very important to look the part. Get a nice clean truck, get it tastfully lettered with a nice logo, and also get some shirts. When you're going around to the few accounts you get in the beginning, you'll be noticed along the way. "

* "Also, advertising is relatively inexpensive. Flyers and word of mouth seemed to be my best marketing tool. Offer a discount or free clean for new customers or as a referral bonus for your clients who refer new business. But the most important piece of advice I can give you is to get bonded/insured. It doesn't cost that much and it gives clients piece of mind."

* "no, don't hire a telemarketer. make a flyer on your computer, make a bunch of copies and post on store bulletin boards, on car windshields, doors, etc. also, you could send a business card and flyer to real estate agents in your area that could suggest your services to clients moving or for their own rental properties for move-ins/outs. another method is to browse the rentals section of the newspaper and either call or mail a flyer/card to landlords. placing a classified ad in the services section of the newspaper is good too. make sure you always carry your biz cards w/ you and hand them out at every opportunity...with tips at restaurants, when paying bills, leave them on a table in a store or bathroom."

This should give you a good start on the right foot! If you need all the information, contract forms, proposal forms, additional ways to get clients and more visit The Cleaning Business Book! or Start an Office Cleaning Business .

TABLE of CONTENTS

Copyright Notice and Disclaimer
Introduction
Getting Started
How to Begin with Little or no Money
Build Your Business with Small Offices
Who are The Clients
What About References
License and Insurance Information
The Best Part-Time Employee's
Cleaning Supplies
Basic Equipment List
The Routine Cleaning
How to Correctly Figure the Bill for the Month
The Best Time to Bill the Office
A Sample Bill
Introduction Letter
Professional Service Agreement (the bid)
Bid Follow Up Letter
Reminder Letter
Square Foot Estimating Chart
The Business is "Getting the Business"
The Best Proven Methods for Getting Customers

"4 BONUS REPORTS"
The Most Profitable add on Services,
that All Offices pay for.

Sam Rodman, owner of Edison Office Cleaning in Southwest Florida since 1992 has put together a complete home-based Starter-Kit designed to help you succeed in the Office Cleaning Business .

It contains the documents and information you need in a downloadable format. He's taken the mystery out of how to get the account and how to price it right. No one spells it out for you easier than this or gives you the specific information you must have to succeed. Let me tell you, this Instant Office Cleaning Kit gives you an amazing head start.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL LEARN...
-How to get started fast and easy
-How to get business the smart way without expensive advertising.
-How to organize each job to finish faster, and create more profit.
-How to project a professional image and get top dollar for your service.
-How much to charge. A simple formula that's right on the money.
-What kind of people to hire to do the work.
-A risk-free proven method of getting customers in your area.
-How to get started with little or no money.

LOOK AT WHAT YOU'LL GET:
-The finest professional documents available...Satisfaction Guaranteed!
-Step-by-easy-step instructions: Show you how to get started risk free, totally from scratch or expand and upgrade your existing cleaning business with no additional costs.
-Source of leads: You don't have to hand out 200 business cards and hope for the best. My proven methods of getting leads will help you to obtain more business than if you were running an expensive full-page advertisement in the phone book! Leads obtained using these methods are hot and free for the asking. You'll learn exactly what to do and how to do it.
-Introduction letter: Leave a lasting impression and distinguish yourself from the competition with this outstanding introduction letter. You will grab customer attention and your business will increase. This letter in itself can actually get new business for you without doing any "selling"at all.
-A professional service agreement (the bid): It's a proven job-winning service agreement like none other. It's so effective, it was used by the F.P.L. "Florida Power and Light" company as a standard for cleaning contractors who want to bid on F.P.L. buildings! This service agreement was inspired and developed with feedback from actual office managers themselves.(the decision makers) This is what they want to see! It's been revised, tested and proven for over 10 years. This one document by itself is worth the price of the entire kit. It will give you a professional and competitive edge like nothing else!
Bid follow-up letter: Increase your chances of getting the job! Mail this professional bid-follow-up letter after your proposal or estimate is given.
Reminder letter: Remember your prospective customers and they'll remember you. Mail this powerful reminder letter that shows you mean business. An economical, effective way to keep your company name in front of customers and prospects.

WHO SHOULD GET THIS KIT?
-Anyone who wants a full-time income from a part-time effort.
-Anyone who wants the security of getting several paychecks instead of just one.
-Anyone who is already cleaning offices and wants to boost their income in a professional and economical way.
-Anyone who needs to increase their income.
-Anyone who wants to build a home-based service business at their own pace.
-Anyone who wants a recession-proof business with a guaranteed income every month.
-Anyone who wants a rent-free office in their own home with no inventory involved.
-Anyone who simply wants a running head start in one of the most lucrative service businesses on this planet.
Price: $37.97 - Get the Office Cleaning Business Kit Now!

Have you started your office cleaning business yet? Are you hesitating or frustrated in getting new leads and more business? Don't get stuck in a rut, start thinking like your potential customer does. Customer service and customer care are becoming a dying art in today's marketplace, no matter what companies say.

Let's look at your office cleaning business from your potential customers' point of view. Maybe you have a few clients that can give you testimonials or reference letters...that's great! But a potential customer still might not be convinced. Why not give him something free! I don't mean a magnet, pen or some other type of promotional piece. Offer to clean their office for a week FREE!

Wait a minute, you say, I could be doing a lot of work for nothing! That could be true, if you don't set it up correctly. Yes, you tell the potential client you're so confident in your work, you'll clean his office for free the first week of service. But, you have a contract or agreement already made up that states if the client signs up for a month, the fee is for 3 weeks instead of four. Should he be dissatisfied with your service, you'll refund the two weeks of prepayment. A different approach is to have the contract made for one week, prepaid. When the client likes your service and signs a long-term contract, the one week prepayment is applied to the long-term payments. This way, you gain a customer and the client feels he is getting a good deal.

This method is also good to gain feedback about your service. Since the potential client has nothing to loose-except one week payment of your service-the customer is more likely to give you honest, constructive feedback. Keep in mind, though, there are always people who like to complain--about anything! Do not take everything personally. Analyse and use the feedback to make your service the best it can be and knock out the competition.

After you have acquired a few clients, it's time to seek referrals. Referrals are the life blood of sales. All great salespeople depend on them, as they are so much easier to close than a cold call customer. How do you do it? Again, offer free service to your existing client. Type up a letter that briefly outlines your service and your relationship to your client. Then offer them a free week of service for every referral they give to you that signs a contract with you. You may be out a week of pay, but you gained another long-term customer that you didn't have before!

These are just a few ideas to get your cleaning business going or expanded. Think "outside the box". Think creatively. Think like your potential customer does. Then your business will blossom and grow.

First impressions are always important and a commercial cleaning business is no exception. Many times, when it comes time to visit a potential client, give them a bid or estimate of what you will provide for them and the cost, it will be your first time personally meeting them. It is crucial to your business that this first impression won't be your last with them. Be sure you have professional bid forms and estimate charts before your meeting with the prospect! Then, use these tips from the Pros.

I surveyed a group of professional commercial cleaning business owners and asked them to give me their best answers to the following questions...

What are the do's and don't's when you go to give a potential client a estimate or bid?

What material and things do you take with you... ?

Should you always be dressed up?

Do you go in the company truck or van ?

Can you ask the person what they are already paying for cleaning.?

How hard do you try to sell your company and services?

I will share a few of tips I have come across from Pros in the cleaning business...

1. Do more listening then talking....

2. Point out a cleaning issue that you observe , but not in a direct manner, like a swipe of a area that has a collection of dust... put it in there head that they can do better with who they have cleaning the place...

3. You dress according to the type of account, shirt and tie is usually best.
Should you wear something with your company logo on it , even if its just a shirt.?
If you have a nice company dress shirt, wear it. But if you just have a company t-shirt, I would still go with a dress shirt, even if it isn't branded. You want to look good regardless, the logo on the shirt is just a bonus.
It's an old saying, but first impressions sure do count. I wouldn't dream of doing a quotation/survey without a shirt and tie, no matter how small or whatever the state of the contract is. I think if you've made an effort then you have made the potential client feel important right away, which can only be a bonus.... :

4. You take legal pad, 2 pens, any company brochures and business cards
Legal pad? .... does a legal pad look less professional than the fancy black binders people take with them....?
The key to the pad or binder you take is it must be extremely easy to use, without a lot of fumbling around, or it will make you look unprofessional. You want something either clipboard style or something that flips completely around so you look slick when you open it not like a high school freshman on the 1st day of school with a new 'jumbo organizer'.

5. You arrive in a clean vehicle, company or not
Whatever you drive make sure it is clean and looking good. That's a priority with me anytime I go to a bid or to clean. Pull up front get out like you own the place. Always appear to be successful even if you are not as of yet.

6. You only ask questions about pricing and current cleaner if you FEEL they will talk to you about it. If they come across as pure business and professional, don't ask--you will look unprofessional. If you establish a quick rapport with the person and they are talkative--then go ahead and try to work it in

7. I always wipe off the chair that they point to when they tell me have a seat, it leaves them questioning their current service.

8. Wear dark pants, make a point of wiping your finger on things and then on your pants, by the end of the walk you will look like an old dust rag, which you can then dust off, adding to your point.

9. Keep it simple and be confident in yourself. Doesn't hurt to listen to some "pump up" music on your way to the bid either. Puts you in the ZONE.

10. Be on time. Never show up late. If you go into a restroom and there is a toilet stopped up ... plunge it. Be complimentary of their office (not how clean or dirty it is). Find something in the person's office your meeting with to talk about for a few minutes. They might have a sports team, etc., you can have a few positive comments about even if you do not like them. I always check the tops of pictures when they are walking us around. They will catch a glimpse of you doing this. I have also had timely phone calls come in that I really really had to take. But have the phone on vibrate.

If you aren't already doing the above tips, you could be losing potential clients, business and your reputation. Implementing these time tested strategies will help your cleaning business be successful.