LeePemberton.com

Have you wondered what your customers are cutting back on during this prolonged economic slump?

Two recent Harris polls are very revealing – here are a few excerpts and also two links with the actual survey results if you want to read more:

Percentage of those packing a lunch ——– up 46%

Percentage of those who have stopped seeing a hair stylist ——– up 43%

Percentage who have switched to generic brands of groceries ——– up 62%

Percentage of those who switched to using refillable water bottles —– up 39%

Percentage of those who reduced or stopped eating out —————– up 28%

Percentage of those who have cut back on grocery purchases ———– up 24%

Read more:
http://tinyurl.com/tip1014
http://tinyurl.com/tip1016

Consistent profit growth in a service business such as in the cleaning services industry absolutely depends on the development of  strong relationships with their customer base.

So, why don’t more professional cleaning services make it a priority to build strong relationships with their customers?

For complete article, please visit…
http://www.ecleanadvisor.com/public/866.cfm

Probably the most common question I hear on a day to day basis is this:

“What can I do to advertise my business that is both affordable and works?”

I discussed this with a very knowledgeable marketing guy recently and he said exactly the same thing! But he went further and put a very helpful video together that I think is really helpful.

If you have had these same thoughts, and are interested in some fresh ideas, I strongly recommend that you take about 11 minutes to listen and watch this video that was developed by John Braun of Hitman Advertising.

John is a really unique guy who is a “hands on” carpet cleaner – and also runs an Advertising Agency that really understands what professional cleaners want!

Follow this link . . .http://tinyurl.com/clntipadv

Here is a marketing idea that capitalizes on the “Groupon” concept and success. It might even be called a referral program on steroids

A number of cleaners have used Groupon with varied success. New opportunities are quickly becoming available and deserve your careful consideration. One that is I find very interesting is a simple but potentially very effective way of promoting your business. It is called Daily Referral, and I recommend that you look it over.

Here’s why I think Daily Referral might work for your business:

The best part is: It costs you nothing, even for the website and location on their site.

For complete article, please visit…
http://www.ecleanadvisor.com/public/863.cfm

Here’s a dose of harsh reality. . .

Nobody really cares about your services (except you)!
People (customers, friends, even relatives) only care about themselves, solving their own problems, being liked, and so on. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This reality simply requires a shift in your thinking from “service pusher” to “trusted resource” – and that shift creates your big opportunities.

This doesn’t mean your services are NEVER mentioned or promoted by you, it just means, in a manner of speaking, that when you shake someone’s hand online or in person, you don’t lead with your service! Your services must come later as a part of the recommended solution to their problem.

By far, the number one mistake that business persons like us make and then repeat over and over when marketing and promoting in person or online is to talk on and on about ourselves … and how amazing our services are.

This is why most business-related blogs or web sites don’t do a very good job. Businesses aren’t sharing information that is focused on the consumer, whether business or residential. Instead, they just dump information that is all about themselves and what they do.

Before you get caught up in this seductive trap of self praise, ask yourself why people consume online content such as the articles, videos, audio, photos, etc as well offline content such as brochures, mailers, seminars, speeches, and workshops? Usually they do it to:

• Solve a problem.
• Be entertained.
• Learn about something they are interested in.
• Get a little inspiration.
• Pass the time. (Hey, we all get bored. You know it’s true.)

It’s time to embrace this reality! This simply requires a shift in your thinking from “service pusher” to “trusted resource” -

Your success in today’s marketplace truly lies in your ability to become a resource for customers, prospects and your very local community on the particular subject about which enables you function as a “Cleaning Professional”.

I recommend that you check out the following article regarding getting your business house in order, and the 10 area’s where we get into trouble. http://leepemberton.com/blog/mistakes/

It’s the new reality!
That means, despite making yourself visible and acting as the face of your business – your message should not indicate that anything is really about you. Your message slant must be all about your customers and your prospects (potential customers).

It’s The Truth! People honestly don’t really care about your services.
People care about themselves, solving their own problems. But that is okay. This isn’t a bad thing. It simply requires a shift in your thinking from “service pusher” to “trusted resource”-which then creates your real opportunities.

I am not saying your service is NEVER mentioned or offered, I just mean, that when you shake someone’s hand online or off, you don’t lead with your service. Your service comes later.

By far, the number one repeated mistake that most cleaning professionals make when marketing and promoting online (and offline) today is to talk excessively about themselves … and how amazing their service or special equipment is.

If these thoughts concern you, make sure that you do not miss this July 20th “Cash Creation Event” at the City Center Marriot in Pittsburgh PA, where you will discover the top strategies that are working today by top cleaners & restorers.

Click here for more information http://www.pembertons.com/promo.html

Piranha Marketing “Cash Creation Event” in Pittsburgh, PA !

On July 20th, Joe Polish, founder of Piranha Marketing is coming to Pittsburgh to share his insights about marketing and how to help your cleaning business to grow exponentially while most of your competitors are falling behind.

Don’t miss this July 20th “Cash Creation Event” in Pittsburgh PA, where you will discover the top strategies working today by top cleaners & restorers.

Take FAST ACTION now and get $50 off the $147 registration price, so you only pay $97!

PLUS - If you are one of the first 25 to register you also get over $325 in additional Quick Action Bonuses so you can make money BEFORE you even get to the CASH CREATION EVENT here in Pittsburgh!

Its no secret that our business climate thus far in 2011 hasn’t been terrific. Most of our cleaners feel like they are doing “OK”, but it’s a testimony to the financial state of affairs in our country that so many are exited to simply be doing – “OK”!

Joe Polish is not one of those people who are satisfied with “OK”. Joe has proven marketing strategies that work in EVERY marketplace, even yours.

And, Joe even backs up his strategies with this incredible promise:

Piranha’s 200% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE!
If you do not feel this event is worth TEN TIMES what you paid to attend, we will not only refund your registration quickly, no questions asked, but we will also donate the same amount to Make-A-wish in your name.

Jim and I have known Joe for many years, and have watched serious, hard working cleaning professionals like you who have adopted his marketing strategies grow and become some of our most successful customers.

Usually you would have to travel to Arizona to attend one of Joe’s “Cash Creation Conferences”, but because of the long relationship that we have with Joe, he has agreed to come east and put on this unique program right here in Pittsburgh.

You can learn more about the conference from Jim Pemberton by going to this link http://www.pembertons.com/promo.html (where you can also register)

Jim and I will both be at the conference as well, and hope to see you there.

I started sharing information that I gathered regarding this incredible cleaning industry that we are a part of during the early 1960’s.

While I have learned much over the years, most of the really important things I have learned have been about people, especially in our industry.

One of the almost unbelievable facts I have learned is that:

Stubborn Beliefs Are More Damaging Than Ignorance!

On the one hand, I found that if I share a new business or technical skill that you hadn’t previously known, you are most likely to adopt and use it.

But on the other hand, if you have already developed a stubborn, steadfast belief that is now absolutely wrong because of advances in today’s technology, or it is simply outdated and wasteful . . .

You are absolutely far less likely to change!
Your mind is closed and tends to remain closed!

It is a fact: No improvement can reasonably be expected by a person who has walled himself off from updated knowledge, logic and reason.

My experience has been that nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a closed-minded person. They seem somehow to be gifted with stubbornness. Of course I am well aware that there are many forces that can cause a person to be closed-minded: It could be pride or arrogance. Or it could be some painful past experience, or even ignorance. But I guarantee that it will be damaging to your business!

So, Let Me Share This Caution With You:

We all have to try carefully not to limit our minds according to our own current understanding. And, we must accept the reality that our knowledge will not always be enough and that we need to open ourselves to trusted resources who have the additional knowledge and understanding that can help us.

On the other hand, finding such trusted resources is not so easy! You must determine who is a trusted resource and who is simply a product pusher. While all industry suppliers have a resposibility to make you aware of the products they carry, you will find that the “trusted resource” goes much, much farther.

There is a big difference. You know the product pushers. They are always trying to get you to buy, buy, buy. On the other hand, some suppliers are key, trusted resources. They are authoritative and influential on certain (or many) subjects. The go-to person. But, they aren’t some “guru” on the mountain. They are approachable, friendly, helpful, and visible. (Oh, and by the way, they still make a decent living as well.)

Jim Pemberton and myself (Lee Pemberton), work hard every day to be considered your trusted resource.

Here are a few of my concerns:

(1) Wasteful job scheduling must stop.

(2) Regular vehicle & equipment maintenance must become a priority.

(3) Hauling large quantities of waste or fresh water now requires careful forethought.

(4) Savings in purchasing supplies & equipment becomes critical.

(5) Building your business locally must become a priority.

More on each of these thoughts to come in later CleanTips …..

Research has established that consumers now increasingly research online for information about purchases they are interested in.

—– But, their purchases are most often made —– Offline!!

…the facts conclusively show that 82% of local searches make purchases!

For complete article, please visit…
http://www.ecleanadvisor.com/public/824.cfm