What is most important to benefit your business?

**Richard Baldwin** · 05-07-2009, 07:01 PM

Its easy to say "All of the above" but I posted this as a poll to see which you REALLY center your business around.

**Classicboss** · 05-07-2009, 07:38 PM

I went with image, I give my customers a guarantee, I don't do much if any advertising, I guess most of the time if you portray a good image... Clean, uniformed, nice clean equipment, lettered clean looking trucks... It sends a professional image to the public and your customers. I have a story behind my thinking here, (by the way, I always have a story)

Quite a few years ago I purchased a new van and equipment but my finances ran out so I hadn't enough funds for lettering right away I have a customer I'll call her Mrs. Smith she has her carpets cleaned at least 4 times per year for as long as she's been doing business with me, she called I went and cleaned she paid I left, 4months go by and no call from Mrs. Smith... so I called her to make sure she was ok and asked if she wanted to schedule her carpet cleaning that it was 1 month over due for her regular cleaning, she said she wasn't sure if she wanted me to come as I took all the lettering off my van the last time I was there... anyhow I asked if she was happy with the last cleaning and she told me she didn't want anyone else that she loved the job I do, she said Dan I live in an neighborhood most people would love to live I have a pool man, a gardener/landscaper, maid service I only hire the best and most professional services.... she said when I have work done at my home I want my neighbors to know that I can afford to hire the best companies around to do the work, when my neighbors see a work truck sitting in my driveway with no signs on it, it portrays my image as hiring second rate companies and that I cannot afford to hire the best. I told her that I just purchased the van and had not had the lettering on it at that time and at the time of our conversation it was professionally lettered.... She said when can you come clean my carpets! Go figure? Image is everything in some peoples eyes and minds... no matter how good you clean, bad visual image means less $$$. OK, now that I just written a book here I would like $19.95 per copy.

**scott rogers** · 05-07-2009, 07:42 PM

none of the above. Referrals are the most important part of any business IMO

**Richard Baldwin** · 05-07-2009, 08:20 PM

All of those things generate referrals! The question is, which generates the most?

**Jason Whaley** · 05-07-2009, 09:38 PM

Image and friendly service here.

**Matt Strader** · 05-07-2009, 09:56 PM

Of these choices I chose image. I believe it is a combo deal though. Also, I keep all my stuff clean and washed. How can a customer trust i am going to do a good job cleaning their carpet if I look like a slob and my equipment is dirty?

**jcdsog** · 05-07-2009, 10:21 PM

i went with image too. the way you present yourself is priceless.

**Richard Baldwin** · 05-07-2009, 10:57 PM

This is why investing in newer Van and equipment will pay off more than buying an old rustbucket system. Image brings consumer confidence, which means more jobs and referals, with higher pricing justified.

**leofry** · 05-11-2009, 03:10 PM

Marketing is the most important thing you will do in my opion. You can be great but if no one knows it then you don't make any money... word of mouth is greattt but if you are new and need work then its not enough not even close to enough. you have to market. McDonalds does not make the best hamburger but they sure sell a lot of them..... why is that.... Marketing thats way.. well its not the only reason but its a big part of it...if cheep is your thing you market that.. if image is y our thing market that.... what ever it is you market, make peopel think man thats who we need to get....

**RC Eden Carpet Cleaning** · 05-11-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Baldwin

This is why investing in newer Van and equipment will pay off more than buying an old rustbucket system. Image brings consumer confidence, which means more jobs and referals, with higher pricing justified.

Bingo, I chose image because well it is how your company is seen by current and perspective customers.

**Art Kelley** · 05-11-2009, 09:12 PM

scott rogers
"none of the above. Referrals are the most important part of any business IMO "

Richard Baldwin
"All of those things generate referrals! The question is, which generates the most?"

I'm with Scott on this one. The most important thing in my business is the quality of work I do consistantly and the referrals I receive from them. This beats advertising, promotions, low ball pricing, fancy uniforms and pretty graphics on your van, none of which I use. The customers call me, pre-sold by their friends and family members who tell them not to call anyone else.

**ECOPRO** · 05-11-2009, 09:35 PM

#1 Key is Advertising, How will they know you even exist? #2 Would be Image if your ragged you probably wont be rembered. Well not rembered in a positive way. I charge a fair price. Not the cheapest. But not a rip off either. A honest wage for a honest days work.