How can I get customers for my house cleaning business?

Ah, I was just talking last night with a friend who's looking for a housecleaner and doesn't want to hire anyone except those she finds through word-of-mouth. The very nature of housecleaning — inviting a stranger into your home when you're not there — makes it the sort of thing where people aren't going to pay attention to flyers on telephone poles. You're going to need connections and people who'll vouch for you.

Word of mouth, because people have to trust you to let you in their house when they're not there. Try: *rental offices (they may hire you to clean cheaper than their existing service between tenants, when there's nothing to steal, and promote you to recommending to renters.) *advertising through churches and other religious organizations (veneer of extra trust, people may be willing to help you bootstrap) Also, yes, I'd want to know the price before I'd bother calling. Maybe $x for 2000 square feet or $x for 3 beds/2 baths or $x/hour or $x for deep cleaning 1 kitchen and 2 baths or SOMETHING so I'd know if you and I are in the same ballpark. Also this: "Maybe, and I know this is hard, but knocking door to door in neighborhoods and just introducing yourself to people might get at least your foot in the door." In the upscale neighborhoods I've lived in, this would NOT have gotten your foot in the door. really the only people who made door-to-door sales were boyscouts, girlscounts, and this guy named pin oak man. (Long story.) Now I live in a middle-class urban neighborhood where we're subjected to a daily onslaught of door-to-door peddling and OMFG I HATE IT. And people around here only hire door-to-door people to do OUTDOOR chores ... you don't want to let them in your house because of crime fears. (I suppose they can case the joint from outside, but they could do that from the sidewalk too.) Here's my goofy value-add: if they provide two cookie sheets, you'll bake them two dozen cookies (with dough you bring from home, so you don't add to the kitchen mess) while you clean. They come home to a clean house THAT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES and then they get to eat them.

Groupon. It's a terrible deal for you at first (the customer gets a half-priced cleaning, and Groupon gets half of what's left over), but you should get repeat business.

Our neighborhood has a local parents' listserv on Yahoo. People ask for stuff, get rid of stuff, and ask for recommendations for cleaners and nannies. If you know anyone who's a parent, ask them to post a recommendation for you on the local listserv.

I have friends who live in hip, urban upscale condos. They find cleaning services through their doorman, usually. Example: they walk into their building, doorman says hi, friend says, "hey, my apartment is messy, do you know any good cleaning services?" and the doorman says, "yeah, most of the people in the building use SuperCleaners, here's their card." So I think you best bet would be to go into the lobbies of buildings like that, make friends with the staff, and leave some flyers. I don't think I know anyone who would call a cleaning service based off a flyer they found on a telephone pole or that was tacked on their door.

I'm a concierge and refer cleaning services to people all of the time. We have two companies that we refer; they've been working in the building for years and years and unless they screw something up it's unlikely we'd ever refer anyone else. A positive track record and word of mouth are so important for this I can imagine that it would be very difficult to get the first handful of clients. (The good news is that this is probably the single most challenging part of going into this business, so once you're past this phase it'll get easier.) Well-designed fliers are a big plus, as they lend a professional / legitimate / trustworthy air to your endeavor. Your design experience is definitely an asset. A simple website also helps, for the same reason. Do you have business cards? Those may be more handy than fliers, as it's easier for people to hold on to them and then look up your info later. I know it's hard when money is tight, but I'd suggest offering a deep discount while you're trying to establish a client base. That's really the only way that you, as an untested cleaning service, could get my attention, as someone who refers cleaning services. This is the chain of events that you want to set in motion: 1. You come in (in person) and say you're starting a housekeeping business. In order to establish a client base and get some positive feedback, you're offering a special deal for the first client referred by me: Not only will you come in and do an amazing job, you'll also charge a scandalously low price. All you ask is that the client let me know if they're happy with your service. 2. The next time someone asks me for a cleaning referral, I say, sure, I have a couple of options for you. There are these companies, they've worked here for years and I can vouch for them. But there's also this other company, they came in the other day with a special deal. And I explain the arrangement: New business, so cheap price the first time in exchange for feedback if you do a good job. If the client is feeling adventurous, they bite. 3. You come in and kick ass. The client is happy, they tip you well and tell me you're awesome. 4. As a reminder for me (and hedge in case the client forgot to sing your praises): A week after the appointment, drop by, smile, say you hope the client got back to me with the feedback and thank me for my help setting it up. Bring business cards or fliers to leave with me. 5. You're now on my list of companies I refer, and with any luck that one deeply discounted job eventually yields a few long-term repeat clients for you. This is how you would break through the barrier with this particular concierge. Are there any newly built condo buildings in your area? They may not have established ties yet with a cleaning company and so could be hungrier for your services (and therefore require a less drastic discount). Leasing agents (who handle the rental of units on behalf of owners) are also a good resource; they use housekeepers every time a unit turns over. I like the ideas upthread, too, about places like senior housing. And of course Craigslist and the occasional flier couldn't hurt. And remember there, too, that word of mouth is the goal. For example, if you clean someone's unit and they're happy, let them know you're working to build a client base, so if they refer a friend to you you'll give both them and the friend 30% off on their next appointment, or something like that. Good luck!

Every time I've hired a housecleaning service, I went with the person/service recommended by my doorman / landlord / apartment manager. My last couple apartments gave me a move-in package with a bunch of fyiers and coupons for local businesses. I'd try to get a flyer or business card in something like that.

I use a house cleaning service, which I heard about from a friend...so, word of mouth worked best for me. If I didn't have anyone to ask, I would have googled. So, maybe consider some google ads... However...have you considered dropping off flyers at real estate offices? When people list their houses, they certainly may need help cleaning. Also, for printing, you could try going to a local print shop instead of kinkos. Often they'll give you a deal. You could even try to barter with them--a free clean of their shop for some prints?

Maybe you should tap People Like Me. That is to say, two employed parents with small children who have no time for cleaning. Where do you contact us? Put flyers in the lobby of the local daycares.