Читать книгу Start & Run a Home Cleaning Business - Susan Bewsey - Страница 8

Target homes with disposable income. Two-income families are best because they generally have a high acceptance for home help. Working couples are busy people for whom the idea of paying someone else to clean up is attractive and affordable.

There are probably families and couples in your locality who would welcome a quality cleaning service that also offers extras such as garage and attic cleaning, pet sitting, and window cleaning. Also note that there is a growing market of people who are “downsizing” their homes — retirees who are moving into smaller quarters and need help with the cleanup. Baby boomers are aging, and so are their parents. See Chapter 14 for more information.

Who is your ideal customer and where does he or she live? Consider these factors as you draw up the ideal profile:

(a) Is your ideal customer male or female?

(b) Between what age range does your ideal customer fall?

(c) What is his or her occupation?

(d) Does your ideal customer own or rent his or her home?

(e) What range of income does your ideal customer have?

(f) What hobbies does your ideal customer have?

(g) What type of service does your customer seek or need?

Scout your prime areas in the evenings. Are there any homes with two vehicles parked in the driveway? Are driveways empty during the day? This generally indicates people are at work.

New home buyers generally allocate their money first to purchasing the home, then landscaping, decorating, and furnishing. Therefore, newly developed neighborhoods may not be your best bet for clients because these people can’t afford to spend any extra income on cleaning services. After a few years, however, people in these neighborhoods may have disposable income and the potential need for your service. Keep them in mind for the future. Over time you can see how people’s priorities change. Are the new owners starting to landscape their yards? Are there drapes in the windows? Check out condominium developments in your area as well.

Targeting older, wealthier neighborhoods is a greater challenge. People in these neighborhoods generally employ a personal domestic. However, at least once a year there are heavy tasks that a personal domestic may not be able to perform, such as window washing, wall and ceiling washing, and drapery removal. Consider reaching these clients by offering services that go beyond basic housecleaning.