For a business owner few things can be as effective as social media for getting your message out quickly to a large group. If you set up you contact or "friends" list right you have an almost instant way to send specials and sell new services. Not to mention that unlike a passive advertising like a website social media can be used to actively seek sales.
While that's great it doesn't come without risks. The contact and information flows both ways with social media. It's just as easy for "communication" you don't want to get out to do so. What do I mean? Think about what many people do when they enter social media. Often they set up a personal page and then a business one. Why? They can use the personal page to talk to friends and family over great distances, exchange photos or videos, join groups they are interested in, and even play games if they so choose. This is where it gets problematic. Even if you only have your customers on your business page odds are they know your name and can search FB for your post. They may even be friends with others you are friends with and know they can see those not so flattering pictures you (or more likely your friends) posted of you that one time you did something you wish you never had. Let's face it everyone has a smartphone with internet access now and in seconds you can become internet infamous.
So if you intend to use social media for your business make sure that you keep your personal page and posts as professional as you want your customers to see you. If you are in groups and they are "open" make sure what you post isn't a rant about that one customer who just drives you up the wall. That is, unless you don't mind losing them when they see it on there newsfeed.
I know it's not fair but right or wrong we as business owners are held to a higher standard because these people are letting us in their homes and around there family. They need a certain sense of security and we need to provide that in order to stay in business.
For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Sunday, March 2, 2014
What makes the best water fed pole?
It's one of those questions where you have manufacturers come out with ratios and numbers. Some just claim to be the best. Others just keep doing what they've always done and let the end user determine the issue.
Are their ways a beginner can make a good choice they won't regret?
Here are some things to think about. How high are you going to work? What is your budget? How often are you likely to use the pole and for how long? Will it be for after a softwashing or will you be doing first cleans on some dirty windows?
After you decide that you can figure out what will work for you.
For soft washers up to 2 stories a hybrid pole (a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass) will be just fine.
For first cleans you may want something stiffer and lighter so a full carbon fiber pole will be great up to 3 stories
If you are doing commercial work up to 4 stories on a regular basis you should look in to a Hi Modulus carbon fiber pole.
In all of this you want to find the lightest, stiffest pole you can afford to make your work as easy as possible.
As far as tests the one I find most compelling is a simple angle test where the poles are put in a rack and extended to see how far they will droop under their own weight. I've posted a video of one such test. While not all poles are in the test the two that others most often compare themselves to are (the Gardiner and Unger nLite series) so you should be able to make a solid determination with this.
Are their ways a beginner can make a good choice they won't regret?
Here are some things to think about. How high are you going to work? What is your budget? How often are you likely to use the pole and for how long? Will it be for after a softwashing or will you be doing first cleans on some dirty windows?
After you decide that you can figure out what will work for you.
For soft washers up to 2 stories a hybrid pole (a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass) will be just fine.
For first cleans you may want something stiffer and lighter so a full carbon fiber pole will be great up to 3 stories
If you are doing commercial work up to 4 stories on a regular basis you should look in to a Hi Modulus carbon fiber pole.
In all of this you want to find the lightest, stiffest pole you can afford to make your work as easy as possible.
As far as tests the one I find most compelling is a simple angle test where the poles are put in a rack and extended to see how far they will droop under their own weight. I've posted a video of one such test. While not all poles are in the test the two that others most often compare themselves to are (the Gardiner and Unger nLite series) so you should be able to make a solid determination with this.
Pretty much speaks for itself!
For more information go to A New View Exterior Cleaning
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Milestone for Unger
In a small industry like window cleaning not many companies last, let alone celebrate 50 years in business. To achieve that you need good people, loyal clientele, and a great product line. Unger has evidently accomplished all three. This year marks Unger's 50th Anniversary. To celebrate they have released a limited edition set of tools as well as a limited edition clothing line. Both can be found here
I've used many products as a window cleaner and at the beginning of my business I didn't use many Unger products. That has changed over the years and I now use mainly Unger products on my tool belt. In fact the Ninja squeegee handle, stripwasher sleeves, T bars, and microfiber cloths have become mainstays in our business.
At many networking events Unger unselfishly donates free product for attendees. Having something to try out in this way can be vital to a business owner just starting out. They often don't have the disposable income to try every new item that comes out. It may seem simple but many times it's the simple things that mean the most.
So a big thanks to Unger for supporting this industry for 50 years. Happy Anniversary!
For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute
I've used many products as a window cleaner and at the beginning of my business I didn't use many Unger products. That has changed over the years and I now use mainly Unger products on my tool belt. In fact the Ninja squeegee handle, stripwasher sleeves, T bars, and microfiber cloths have become mainstays in our business.
At many networking events Unger unselfishly donates free product for attendees. Having something to try out in this way can be vital to a business owner just starting out. They often don't have the disposable income to try every new item that comes out. It may seem simple but many times it's the simple things that mean the most.
So a big thanks to Unger for supporting this industry for 50 years. Happy Anniversary!
For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute
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