Keep Carpet Cleaning Clients Coming Back With Newsletter Postcards
By Hitman | May 23, 2009
Here’s an article I recently wrote for ICS Magazine. To find more artcicles on internet marketing and advertising, search here or go to www.ICSmag.com and search for “John Braun.”
Who was that carpet cleaner we hired last year? What was his company’s name?
This may come as a shock to you, but most of your clients don’t remember who you are. It doesn’t matter how thrilled they were with the job you did. They just can’t remember you.
A small percentage of your clients may keep your business card or brochure. If you leave a nifty fridge magnet or bottle of spot remover, it aides in helping them remember. But out of the few who remember, many will lose the keepsakes you left.
Sending your clients something in their physical mailbox is the BEST way to keep your clients. Brochures, leave-behind spotters, magnets-they all work. But NOTHING replaces a good old fashioned piece of mail in the mailbox.
But what about email newsletters?
They work great. I’m one of the biggest advocates in the cleaning industry for internet marketing. But I gotta let you know email does NOT replace a physical mailing. You should be doing both. Many of your clients don’t have access to email or don’t check their email regularly.
How often do you receive something in your mailbox from a local company you do business with? Not too often. Personally, I get something in the mail only a few times a year. So just the fact that you take the time to mail your clients something helps you stand out from your competition.
How often should you mail? Mail to your clients at least every other month. But every month would be ideal. Consider mailing clients who haven’t used you in over a year a special mail-out stating you miss cleaning for them.
Personalization of your newsletter is the key.
Even if you use an already done for you newsletter, make sure you add personalization. Your clients want to do business with a real person.
They want to know who you are. They want to know what is going on in your business. Adding personalization in your newsletter will give you customers for life.
Below is a list of things you can include to help your clients get to know you.
- Stories of your employees (certifications, new babies, etc)
- Stories of recent jobs (extraordinary commercial or water damage job)
- Stories of you (vacations, hobbies, etc)
- Stories of your family, kids, dog, etc
- Spot removal tips you personally have found effective
- Spotlight one of your services (tile, grout sealing, fabric protection, etc)
- Spotlight one of the key benefits of your service (fast drying, health, etc)
Your first thought may be that your clients don’t want to read about you. However, the biggest responses I’ve ever received from my newsletter have been when I’ve mentioned personal stuff going on in my life or in my company.
What should you send?
A healthy variation is good. It would be a good idea to send postcards of various sizes. On occasion, mail a tri-folded self mailer. But know the US Postal Service has recently required tabbing on bulk mailed self mailers. The problem with tabbing is it makes it more difficult for your mailer to get opened. Oversized postcards with newsletter content may be a new wise choice.
Whatever you decide, mail something! Include at least a tidbit of personalization in every newsletter you do. You’ll see an increase in customer loyalty and money in your bank account.
To get your newsletter postcards and TONS of advertising ideas go to www.HitmanAdvertising.com/coaching
Topics: Carpet Cleaning Marketing, Carpet Cleaning Newsletters | 7 Comments »
Facebook comments:
May 26th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I agree, I think that an oversized postcard may draw a better response than a trifold because it’s more noticeable.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Why can’t you staple mailers anymore or can that still be done? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the postal service stopped that because the staples could damage the sorting equipment.Stap;es do seem a little easier to open in my opinion.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:11 am
I think stapes have been frowned on by the post office for the reason that you mentioned. It tears up their equipment. I’m pretty sure they’re not allowed at all, but don’t quote me on that. None-the-less, staples tend to be as bad as tape. The pages get torn and people tend to avoid opening anything that is stapled.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I’ve found lately that pooing on carpet can really stain the bloody thing… Any help?????
July 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
IS pooing on a friends carpet exactly the same ??
February 19th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Carpet Cleaning Sydney. Only using safe and friendly products to make our environment and family live in a better world.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Has anyone tried a coupon code on the postcards being sent out?