Suze's Cleaning Business Blog

Add Foreclosure Cleaning Into The Mix

Foreclosure cleanup is a fast-growing trend due to the economic downturn and the fallout from historic loose-lending procedures that resulted in a spread of home ownership that was ultimately unsustainable. An astounding 1 out of every 5 homes is in danger of foreclosing. As a result, a new cleaning business niche has emerged very quickly and on a very large scale.

Foreclosure cleanouts can be lucrative and are at present extremely abundant. There is simply more work available than can be handled.

Foreclosure cleaning opportunities have never been so easy to land and keep, but will this historic opportunity last? Read the article by clicking on the permalink below.

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Smelly molds having a party? Clean up with orange essential oil!

Being outside these days is like cruising through an enormous terrarium. The trees are gardens are growing like crazy in the heat and humidity, and inside the A/C feels heavenly.

Wherever there is humidity, you can bet that molds and bacteria are having a party. They love this summertime weather. So, what's a cleaning pro to do?

One surefire way to torch the nasty bacteria and instantly freshen up the environment is to upgrade your cleaning routine with a touch of orange essential oil. Lemon is also clean and delicious-smelling. (In fact, I love lemon so much that I always dab a little on my arms and neck whenever I'm using it in my cleaning routines.)

Essential oils aren't simply fru-fru fragrances. These potent natural oils can kill mold and bacteria on contact. Combine a few drops with white vinegar and baking soda, and use this homemade (and inexpensive) concoction to wipe out entire colonies of bacteria -- wherever it's hiding.

Where to track down mold and bacteria?

* the bottom edge of the shower curtain liner

* counter-top behind the kitchen or bathroom sink

* inside the fridge, in the rubber door seal

* inside drain holes in sinks and bathtubs

* jacuzzi tub jets (bacteria LOVES a good hot tub party)

The Bundle Discount

The Suze & Ev Bundle Discount. Save a bundle of money on all present and future Suze & Ev resources. Get your free business website.

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Do you have these 2 traits for business success?

The path to success, respect, status, and happiness is more straight-forward than you might think. It begins when you take the first step, which is making the decision to achieve your small business goals.

Once you decide on that, you call in two very important allies: self-discipline and determination. Don't worry if you feel a little lacking in these areas. You can develop these two traits. Here's how:

* Set clear priorities. Working from home can be the answer to many peoples' dreams. There's no question that it can benefit you greatly, but there are challenges as well. For example, you might have days when your spouse is home sick, your car gets a flat, or your kids are out of school unexpectedly. Set your priorities and stick to your plan. Have a backup plan that includes arranging for help, or call in a sitter. That way when your day takes a surprising turn, you will still reach your goals.

* Get your most important tasks completed quickly. Don't even ponder them. Drink your coffee (or in my case, your tea) and simply jump in and tackle them. I've gotten to where I sometimes forget to eat breakfast because I sit down at the computer and start answering emails first. Don't skip breakfast! But do wake up at the same time each day, and keep a regular schedule. Just because you are the boss of yourself, that doesn't mean you can take it easy every day. Treat yourself like an executive. Get the job done, and you'll reap the rewards.

* Keep clear boundaries for your work. This means both time and space-boundaries. If you have a small space in the garage or carport where you keep your cleaning supplies, make sure that only cleaning supplies are located there. Don't toss in your surfboard, your skis, or your antique junk collection too. Same goes for time and your schedule. Once you determine the time you begin and end a workday, for example 8 am to 3 pm, only vary it when you must, or in case of emergency. Friends and family members will figure out quickly not to bug you during your workday.

* Be accountable. Nobody else (except us and your spouse) really cares if your new business gets off the ground. That's the harsh truth, but it's a healthy thing to recognize. That means it's totally up to you, and you alone, to make your cleaning business fly. Being accountable means following through on your promises to yourself, to your assistants, and most importantly, to your customers. Go over the top to deliver excellent customer service and your business will grow quickly through the very best advertising: word of mouth.

How to offer gift certificates

Gift certificates are an easy way to help your fledgling business grow wings and fly. So how do you offer them? One way is to place gift certificates on your flyer where new customers will be tempted. Create a simple hand-drawn one, make one on the computer, or go to Giftango.com to make a gift certificate that can be emailed. Thinking of expanding your housecleaning business to include office-cleaning? Create a campaign to spread the word to your clientele, offer them a gift certificate worth a certain amount, say $20, for every new office-cleaning client they refer.

More ideas for using gift certificates:

Just starting up?

Grow your cleaning business through offering gift certificates. People appreciate getting them as well as giving them to others. You know yourself, how welcome a gift certificate is, when it's for something you really want or need. Also, a certain percentage of your new customers will be more willing to try out your service if they are convinced they're getting a bargain.

Already established?

Good job! But hey, it's always a good idea to have a backlog of people interested in your service. Offer gift certificates to your existing customers to enlist their help. For example, you might offer $15 off their next cleaning whenever they refer a person who becomes a customer. This is a variation on the trustworthy 'word-of-mouth' ad campaign. You're just sweetening the pot for them.

Got PayPal?

If you have a business or premier PayPal account, use their system to create a customized 'Merchant Gift Certificate' button which you can add to your website in minutes. For further info, see PayPal.

Gift certificates can help your business become more financially secure. They encourage new customers to give your service a try, and can also help to maintain the friendly bond between you and your existing customers, by giving them a way to help you grow your business.

Cleaning Business Contracts

Cleaning business contracts allow you to handle your business smoothly from the start. A contract's purpose is to detail the expectations of both parties.

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Cleaning Business Plan

Writing a cleaning business plan does more than help you define your objectives. A well-written plan can provide you with a structure to follow while you get your cleaning business off the ground.

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How to be funny on your flyer

In our Method ebook we recommend using a sense of humor in your advertising material. People will remember your flyer if it appeals to their funnybone or makes them grin. Also, by portraying yourself as a real person with a sense of humor, you will attract clients who are better suited to you. Like attracts like. This isn't a scientific approach, just something we learned over the years.

However, as one person wrote us to ask, "How do you be funny?"

It's a good question. Humor is one of those elusive qualities. Some people are just born funny. (But looks aren't everything, right?) However, if you are one of the many humor-challenged people out there, there are a few tricks you can learn to improve. It's completely possible to tickle a funnybone or two without being a professional comic.

We're not saying you have to make someone double over with laughter, either. You simply want to catch your customers' eye, maybe even make them stop and go "ha!" for a split second.

Don't be afraid to try. As it turns out, even Richard Nixon had a sense of humor, who knew?

Think about it this way. People are incredibly busy. Most of the advertising they are bombarded with over the course of their day will strike them as dismal and creatively bankrupt. It's really not that difficult to beat those odds! Be the exception to the rule and you'll win their heart.

4 ways to use humor on your flyers:

1. Use a cartoon portrait of yourself. So maybe you're not Johnny Weir or Jennifer Aniston. You're a real person, and other real people can relate to that. You can do this yourself. A lot of websites are ready to help you get funny. Go online.

2. This is one area in life where I condone stealing. Okay, borrowing, if you prefer. Grab a quote from a funny writer or a comedian. Place it at the top or bottom of your flyer. It should be somewhat relevant to your cleaning business. Nothing long or difficult. Just cut to the chase with a quip.

3. Somewhere on your flyer, refer to yourself in 3rd person. For example, our flyers say "Suze & Ev often reflect that to be happy is to make others so." You come across as relaxed and willing to discover something nice about life, the world and everyone in it.

4. Change the fonts. You've noticed that fonts can have a serious, romantic, comical or whimsical effect. Match the font with your text in theme. The result isn't going to make someone roar with laughter, but it will appear amusing.

So. Go ahead and be funny. Most of all, be yourself. People respond to sincerity, and we're all suckers for something that makes us smile.

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Cleaning Business Forms

Cleaning business forms can help get your business off to a good start. All aspects of your cleaning business can be better organized with the right business forms.

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Compare Suze & Ev Method products

Compare the benefits between different Suze and Ev Method products and services.

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Get out of debt fast!

Pay down that holiday credit card debt fast with a part time office cleaning job.

This is a great time to start a part time office cleaning business, for these simple reasons:

1- Pay down your holiday debt. and avoid accumulated interest.

2- Start your cleaning business on the weekends and evenings during the winter months.

3- Have your cleaning business ready for the spring cleaning season.

We have made it easy for you to start a cleaning business with the Bundle Discount, new for for 2010!

Read more about the Bundle Discount.

Get a free business website with the Bundle!

4 easy ways to make your goals come true

Be specific about your cleaning business goals. Be confident. Be realisitc. Be accountable. Know when to say when.

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Harsh storm brings unexpected holiday cheer

Winter is here!

After a blizzard that snowed us in and knocked out our electricity for the entire weekend, I can tell you Ev and I were elated when the power came back on this morning. But what did we do for three frigid, dark days? We joined our neighbors and made lemonade out of lemons.

We made new friends, played Scrabble, chess, and simply socialized. We laughed about our circumstances -- what else was there to do? A table appeared and a generous amount of food kept coming. Someone had tuna, someone else had bread. A Tai Chi teacher amongst us even taught a spontaneous class.

Looking back over the long cold weekend, I think it's safe to say that everybody had a great time, even though we weren't happy about eating cold meals.

The spirit of giving is alive and well. May you and your loved ones enjoy the richness of shared experiences. Even unexpected ones!

Here's to a very merry holiday season.

Cheers,Suze & Ev

Be an elf this season - and expand your business

It's that time of year again. All over the world, cleaning business pros are asking themselves, What would Santa do?

I had a feeling you'd want to know. I jumped on Air Alaska and flew up to the North Pole to ask the Big Guy himself. As you know, he and the missus are themselves a couple of highly enterprising characters, entrepreneurs who run a well-established home business. The locals who work for them seem happy too. There was a lot of whistling while they worked.

So what was Santa's advice for you?

After giving me two thumbs up when I asked if adding chimney sweeping to your cleaning service was a good idea, he said to keep it simple. The holidays are for giving. He had a wonderful idea in keeping with the holiday spirit, no matter where you live or how you celebrate.

While flyering or otherwise marketing (say, offers on your cleaning business Web site) for new customers, offer them a special deal. The holidays are an especially good time to attract new clients. People are running around finishing last minute shopping, cooking and prepping for out-of-town family and parties with friends. They will welcome your offer for cleaning help. It's the last thing they want to do, according to Santa.

With their hectic schedule, he and Mrs. Claus always hire extra elves during the holidays.

Offer new customers coupons for 50% off your regular price. Generosity is a virtue. Your customers will appreciate your gesture and be way more likely to hire you again, after the holidays. In fact, this is the way that all of Santa's regular elves got their day-jobs. That's right, they started as holiday helpers.

Remember, this coupon idea is only for new customers. Attracting new clients is easy this time of year, when everyone needs an extra elf on the job.

Compare our products and services

Use Google maps to get jobs fast

Show your customers the way with Google maps.

Most people searching online for local businesses use Google (they suggest 82%). Listing your business on Google maps will raise your page rank for your locale. That means people in your area are more likely to find you fast. Many times, simply listing your business on G-maps will put at the top of the search results. This is especially true for businesses in smaller towns.

Those clever G-people have recently added features that allow you to customize your business listing right on the map. Aside from the usual contact and address info, you can also add key information, such as your business hours and specialties (green cleaning, for example).

You can offer special coupons available only to those who find you on Google maps. Distinguish yourself from the competition.

Another useful recent feature on Google maps is a graph that shows where you're customers are coming from, and how they found you. You can see which part of town is responding best to your service, and use that information to help get more customers.

Signing up for Google maps is free. So is your professional cleaning business website, when you purchase the Bundle Discount. Even the hosting is free. Let us help you start up a cleaning business quickly and painlessly. And take advantage of Google's free business tools, to help show your customers where you are and what you do.

5 Top Reasons a Cleaning Business Is Not For You

5. Your dog will be lonely at home

You can't stand to leave Skippy home alone. She gives you those big, brown eyes when you return, which makes you feel so guilty. But Skippy likes to eat, and so do you, right? What about turning that compassion you have for your dog into motivation to go out and flyer a hundred houses? You'll be a better companion when you come home. And landing a few new customers will help enable you to bring home the bacon.

4. You can't bear to miss an episode of General Hospital

You've been a loyal fan for years. You just couldn't face yourself in the mirror if you slipped up and missed the 479-thousandth episode. Think of it this way: That quality of determination indicates that you've got what it takes to succeed. Now, figure out what you'd rather be successful at! Is it more important to be independent, build your own business and create your own financial security for years to come? Or do you really need to know if Laura is pregnant with Luke's best friend's brother's baby?

3. Your Uncle Don is leaving you stacks of money someday

He's always loved you best. Just because he's only 45, doesn't drink or smoke, works out daily and eats a healthy diet, you're counting on him to leave you a golden egg in his will. Guess what? Uncle Don might even outlive you. He's wealthy because he found a need and filled it with a business that became successful. You're holding the key to starting a successful cleaning business right here. You know you'd rather enjoy your uncle now than wait until he goes to enjoy your inheritance, anyway.

2. You'll miss the daytime rates at the gym

You started a workout a program and promised yourself you would stick with it this time. The fitness place runs a special that fits your budget. Plus, nobody's there during the day and you love having the Track-master to yourself. However, when your cleaning business gets rockin, you'll be able to afford the regular rate no problem. Big-time cleaning business bonus? You have to get physical. If you enjoy working out, you're going to love getting paid well to do it!

1. You'd really rather get rich quick

Get-rich-quick schemes are more than likely scams. True, people do fall into a pile of good fortune every now and then. It's also true that by practicing, you can greatly increase your odds of finding good luck. There's no better way to practice than to start your own business, especially if you are an independent person with the motivation, desire and drive to make your business work. Starting a cleaning business with the Suze & Ev Method will help by taking the guess-work out of those first steps. Get-paid-now always seems to work out better than get-rich-quick!

Get found on local search

What does it matter whether your cleaning business website ranks high in the search engines?

It matters a lot.

A high-ranking website could mean the difference between bringing home a paycheck in six weeks or six months. Start now, and your website could quickly draw local customers to you. Start now and benefit from the upcoming holiday vacation weeks. I know from experience that during the holidays, customers will often hire their cleaning service for additional work.

More people now turn to the internet when they need a cleaning service. When they search for businesses nearby, your website should show up at or near the top of the list on page one. Internet search studies show that people rarely click past the first page of search results.

The Web isn't merely an online version of the Yellow Pages. It has really helped level the playing field for businesses like yours and mine. In the old days, you'd have to pay an arm and leg to take an ad out. Many people starting a cleaning service aren't able to fork out that kind of money.

Make it easy for customers to find you. Get serious about marketing your cleaning business and invest in your own professional website. We love helping people like you, because we were once standing in your very shoes. We didn't have the guidance you get with the Suze & Ev Methods, and we sure didn't have a professional cleaning business website. Back then, it didn't matter like it does these days.

Don't be left in the dust. Get your own professional cleaning business website, watch your URL shoot up in the ranks, and start fielding questions from new customers who found you on the Web.

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Window Cleaning Business

A window cleaning business is a necessary service and a great little business to run. Window cleaning holds up well even in a recession. It is one of the fastest businesses to start.

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Cleaning Business Names

A list of cleaning business names including a tutorial on how to pick the best name for your cleaning business.

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Cleaning business website design: No up front costs- optimized for search.

Ev will build your business website for you! Receive a fully optimized beautifully designed cleaning business website with no up front costs.

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Passion for disaster cleanup?

Responding to emergency calls might not be your cup of tea. However, if you feel a passion for serving on the front lines when people are in need, you might consider taking your cleaning business in the direction of disaster cleanup.

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Top 5 things your website must do

Your website can help you grow your business quickly and naturally, but it won't be affective at all unless it does these five things.

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Do you have this ingredient needed for success?

What is the main ingredient you need to succeed in your cleaning business?

(a) Positive attitude (b) Website promoting your business 24/7 (c) Goal for earnings

If your answer is:

(a) You're on the right track. People are always attracted to someone with an upbeat approach. Having a positive outlook also helps you get through rough spots and eases the way to solving problems.

(b) Do you need a business website? These days, yes, you do. A well-designed website helps promote your business and allows customers the luxury of getting to know you even before they contact you. When you run a service-oriented business, your website is like your virtual store-front. It is your image. And increasingly, people turn to the internet first when they're looking for a local service, such as a cleaning business.

(c) Setting a goal for your first year of earnings is crucial to your success. You must have a target to aim for! And you need to include it in your business plan. However, what is going to make you achieve that goal?

What must you have more than any of those things?

You must have a driving need.

Yes, it's true that a positive attitude and a professional business website are very important. So is having a clear-cut goal. But without a driving need, your goals and aspirations won't be enough to kindle the flame necessary for business success.

When I first started housecleaning for a living, I had recently moved to another state. Thinking I could easily land a job in my field, teaching English, I wasn't prepared for the state's sudden cutbacks in education. By the time I decided to make a go of cleaning with my partner, Ev, I had been out of work for many weeks. Did I have a driving need? Oh, you betcha. I like to eat!

Hopefully you aren't out of work, as I was back then. But I have to tell you, having that burning need to make money - good money - quickly, supplied me with enough motivation to keep me going for a long time. How long? Until I reached my financial goals and then flew past them. I haven't stopped to look back since.

So. What is your driving need? It might not be financial. You may simply be ready to be your own boss, and take on the challenge of running your own small business.

Figure it out right now. What is motivating you?

Define it in one short sentence.

Only you can answer these questions:

-- What do you need in order to meet your financial needs every month? -- How much money over that amount do you want to earn?

Your answers will help you define your driving need - the hot ingredient in your recipe for success.

Should you & your friend work together?

Yesterday, a friend confided over coffee that her job, selling advertisement space for a regional magazine, is drying up.

She isn't too bummed out, she says. She hated that job anyway. Constant stress. Deadlines. Sitting in snarling traffic at peak hours. "I have a plan," she added confidently, taking a sip.

"I've decided to work with George."

I blinked. She her boyfriend, George, are not in what you might call a stable relationship. Bless their hearts, these people are my friends. But they're always on the verge of breaking up, making up, and wringing every little thrill out of the emotional roller-coaster they call 'love.'

"Can you and George work together?" I asked.

She smiled and shrugged. "Oh," she said. "Can we WORK together?"

I don't have to tell you how the rest of the conversation went. You can probably guess. My friend hadn't put any energy into imagining how their work-load would be divided. She's a smart lady. Yet she had no plan (and no clue) about how to work with George.

It can be motivating and very comforting to start a business with a friend. However, it can also cause problems, not only for the relationship, but for your growing business, too. Working styles vary, and the speed it takes to complete each task varies. Usually, you don't know where the problems between you will pop up until you're confronted with a challenge at work.

Ev and I work well together. However, prior to meeting me, he had tried to work with a friend, and that was a disaster. They disagreed about every little thing, including how to clean and what to charge. They even sometimes argued right in front of their customers about all of it. Of course, those customers never called them back. Ev and his former partner soon saw the error of their ways, and divided up their house-cleaning jobs so they didn't have to clean together.

Should you and your friend work together? It depends on a lot of factors. Sometimes you need to take a leap at it and simply try. Here's something to try: Before you quit your day-job, choose one of your own houses, and clean it together as if you were doing a job.

3 Top Reasons to Sharpen Your Social Networking Skills

You've created marketing materials, handed out business cards and sent out a group e-mail to announce your new cleaning business to your circle of acquaintances and buddies.

You're even launching your spruce new website, and it's looking good.

But something's missing.

I know! A little bird told me (tweet-tweet).

Social networking is exploding online. Being in business in the 21st century, so far, means you've got to get a handle on the new marketing tools. Don't worry, though. You haven't missed the boat. In fact if you get on board now, you'll be one step ahead of your competition.

So, what are the 3 top reasons to use social networking and bookmarking to market your cleaning business?

1. Get high search results. Nothing beats high quality links for quickly and easily working your way up in the search engines. Nowadays, when looking for a particular service such as cleaning, fewer people turn to the Yellow Pages, and more people click on Craigslist, Facebook, and their own social network for a reputable referral. As an example, get your business on Google maps, and you'll rise quickly for local searches.

2. Inform clients. Open a window into your daily routine for potential clients. Let them see how you turned a problem into a winning situation. People like to do business with people they know. I know I do, don't you?

3. Spread the word. Frequent updates about your cleaning service keep you uppermost in your potential clients' minds. They'll tell friends, and the links will all lead back to your cleaning business. Having a daily influx of relevant links tells the search engines that your cleaning business should rank highly in your region. There's just no faster way to build links than social bookmarking.

You get a free cleaning business website with your Pro Membership.

As a pro member you will learn how to use Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to launch your cleaning business.

5 ways to use your business website

1. Show it off. Your cleaning business website is waiting in cyberspace. It longs to be clicked on and understood. Don't leave it there all alone - invite people to look at it. Print your website address on your business cards, flyers and all your other marketing materials. Next, distribute them like dandelion seeds, and watch your website traffic grow.

2. Put it on the map. Take advantage of the cool (and did I mention "free") tools available through Google. Google maps are revolutionizing local searches. This is the new Yellow Pages, sans the high cost. How to do it? Go to Google maps, look at the left-hand column at the top. Look for the words: Put your business on Google Maps. Follow directions. Voila.

3. Spread the word. Write a press release announcing your new cleaning business and include your website address. Distribute it specifically to the locale where you want to drum up business. Press releases increase your visibility, lead to more traffic, and more customers who know what you do and where to find you. Try these: prwebdirect.com i-newswire.com prleap.com

4. Get paid. Your clients can make payments directly to you through your website using PayPal. This way, you don't need to open a merchant account.

5. Go mobile. Put your website address on your car. A magnet ad is inexpensive, easy to order online from a service such as overnightprints.com, and you'll be promoting your business even when you're just idling in traffic.

Want to get started? If your answer is yes, yet you don't have a cleaning business website, I want to remind you to check out the new, cost-effective Suze & Ev Bundle Discount. Within 48 hours you can have a cleaning business website and all the resources you need to start your cleaning business immediately.

Learn more about our cleaning business website service.

Should you steam clean hardwood floors?

The answer is, like so much in life: It depends.

Anything other than a damp mop could spell trouble, and for routine maintenance cleanings, that's all you should use. Never steam clean an unsealed wood floor, and remember the cardinal rule of floor washing in general: Never let water sit on a wood or marble floor.

That said, hot steam cleaning may sometimes be alright for sanitizing a well-sealed wood floor.

Say your client has kids or pets who regularly make a mess out of the sealed wood floor. Sticky substances or mysterious stains on the kitchen or dining area floor must be cleaned up as soon after discovery as possible. Hot steam used wisely can quickly kill bacteria and cut down on cleaning time as well. A stain on a hardwood floor may require rubbing with a piece of super fine steel wool, in order to get down to the substance itself.

So, never say never. But consider your options first. Professional cleaning is both a science and a fine art.

Top 3 Steps to Take if You Don't Want to Succeed

...And why you shouldn't take them!

#3 - Avoid telling anyone you're starting a small business.

Wrong. People who know and love you are the very folks who can help you get started. This doesn't mean that you must corner your friends every time you see them at the local coffee hangout, and yak about your business until their coffee goes cold. However, your friends each know people you don't know, and one of the fastest ways to get a good referral is through a mutual friend. So go ahead and say hi while you're waiting in line for your morning brew. Give out your business card generously. Don't worry that you're going to wear out your welcome if you just mention your business once, smile and hand your buddy a card. This is the original face book - meeting face-to-face.

#2 - Ignore the Web.

Nah-ah! Don't assume that because you choose not to be on FaceBook, your customers don't think it's important either. Having a web presence is crucial for small business owners these days. You can achieve this in any number of ways. First, you should have your own business website. Return emails quickly and courteously, and be sure to exchange links with other local (but not competing) businesses.

#1 - Don't return customer calls.

Only follow this rule if you have recently inherited a million dollars or won the lotto. The customer who picks up your flyer, scans it and pins it to her fridge is taking a gamble that you will be as trustworthy and integral as you claim to be. When she leaves you a message asking how much you charge, she's crossing her fingers that you'll return her call quickly and give her a reasonable figure. It's like a chess game. You made the first move by putting your flyer out there. She made the second move by picking it up and having an interest in your service -- enough of one to pick up her phone and punch in your number. Now it's your move. In order to win this game, you gotta play.

7 things to do in order to succeed

While other people head to the beach or settle into their poolside loungers, here you slouch, staring into the warm light of your computer.

You could choose to fritter away the rest of the day schmoozing on Facebook or Twitter, IM'ing and texting. After all, no one but you cares much if your small business stumbles on its nose or takes off into the clear blue sky of opportunity.

But are those addictive social networking websites helping you gain the independence you're after? I don't mean eventually, when your business is rockin' and everyone and their cat wants to friend you. I mean now, at this moment.

I thought so.

So somebody around here's got to play the heavy, and suggest that you get your priorities straight.

I'll do it. You wanna know why?

Because what I said a second ago isn't actually true. I care as much as you do, even more, if your business takes off and soars. I'll be the one who opts out from the beach party to stay behind and nudge you about taking a baby step.

Try this. Instead of spending the next hour Facebooking, figure out one thing you can do toward building your business. Then only spend one hour on it - no more, no less.

What should you do? What's one thing you can do for the next hour that you normally put off?

We're all different in that we have our personal preferences. However, we're all the same in that we usually shove to the back of the desk the things we know we should do, but just don't feel like doing at the moment. The fine art of procrastination.

What one thing do you wish was already done?

Here are 7 things to help jump start your mind:

*Write the first draft of a press release for your new company

*Get outside and flyer for new customers

*Devise your spending plan (budget) for the month ahead

*Make call-backs to customers

*Create a special deal for repeat customers

*Order refills of materials

*Order your business website

Let the other guys and gals slather on the sunscreen and stoke up their BBQs. Why not use one hour of your time to take you closer to the financial independence you want?

Then when you jump into the lake, you won't be all washed up.

The fastest way to screw up with a new customer (and how not to!)

Try this little thought experiment:

It's 7 am. You've finished breakfast. You grab a cup of coffee and head to work.

* Unfortunately - your truck brakes go out.

* Fortunately - you haven't left the driveway yet.

* Unfortunately - you promised your client you'd come by first thing to finish the job.

* Fortunately - the mechanic can squeeze you in.

* Unfortunately - it's Friday. There's a line of cars ahead of you.

In this scenario, what's the first thing you should do?

a) Panic, curse and pound the dash. b) Call your client. c) Borrow your buddy's truck and go finish the job.

Did you answer "b," call your client? I hope so. That's the right thing to do (but only if you're going to be late. If you can borrow your friend's truck or solve this problem without letting them know, then that's the right thing to do. The point is, don't bother them with your problems).

Your customer is checking the clock and glancing out the window, waiting for you. Even if you're stressing about your troubles, there's no reason to stress out your customer too.

Try to bear in mind that your client's got to go to work too. He' or she's got calls to make, bills to pay -- just like you. So, it doesn't matter if you've got twelve little fires to put out simultaneously. If an unplanned event changes your schedule, you should call your client. Take no chances on losing your credibility by breaking a promise.

Giving good service sometimes means preventing panic (your own and your clients). Although you are fully aware of your own goodness and integrity, your customers have yet to be convinced. Telling them you're accountable isn't good enough. You must be accountable instead. The reason for this is that unfortunately, they've been disappointed in the past. They still have an oil stain on their driveway from the other service person's truck. Yeah, the guy they didn't call back because he showed up late and didn't bother to call.

That other guy is not your responsibility. The only person you can take responsibility for is yourself. As you forge new professional relationships with your clients, it's totally up to you to prove your integrity and worthiness. There's no faster way to screw that up than to not communicate.

The good news is, this is the information age. It's easy to be communicative. Phone, text, Twitter, whatever works.

Learn more about establishing healthy client relationships that can translate into better earnings, by purchasing a Suze & Ev method.

What can you do by tomorrow?

Say you've set a goal to start your own cleaning business, and you want to make $40,000 in the first twelve months. You might even start daydreaming about working for yourself. ("I'm gonna be my own boss!") That's great. But what's your next step?

Staying focused only on your goals can propel you into the la-la land of wishful thinking. Instead, focus on taking action toward your goals.

Once you've written down your big goal, divide it into smaller ones. Where would you like to be in six months? What about three months, or even one month from now? I'm talking about taking incremental steps.

What can you accomplish by tomorrow toward reaching your goal?

A friend who works out at the gym where I go wants to lose 20 pounds. She told me it doesn't help to picture how much weight that is. She's picked up plenty of bags of sugar at the store to know how heavy even five pounds feels. Focusing on losing twenty pounds is too much. It's overwhelming, and when she first set out to reach her goal, she had a hard time motivating because it just didn't seem possible. Then, her coach taught her a little trick - don't focus on the twenty pounds. Instead, take action toward losing that weight.

So now my friend shows up, steps onto the Track master and puts one foot in front of the other. Is it working? I'll say. She's starting to look fantastic, and she's even lost the compulsion to weigh herself after every single workout. Tracking or measuring your progress is necessary. However, it's more important to focus on taking action toward your goal - even one small step - before you have anything significant to track.

House cleaning business tips- business website

Looking for fresh house cleaning business tips? Here's one that'll really make you shine: Use your business website to help people find you quickly. Make sure your website is creating a sparkling good first impression. Clicking onto your homepage is like establishing eye contact with a stranger. Think about it. When you click onto a website for the first time, you immediately begin formulating an opinion of the person or company behind it. Put yourself in your customer's shoes. Is your website a place that offers what they're looking for? Does it invite communication? Your goal is to rank on popular search engines. Getting in front of new customers is the idea here. The website can't do all the work - you must drive customers to it first. Use its potential to turn web surfers into your new clients. Make it work every day, 24/7, even while you're out sunning yourself on the deck, sipping a tall cool one. We've got oodles of ways to help you get your website ranking. For example, put it on Google Maps. When you do, your business website will come up at the top of the page for your area. A lot of cleaning businesses might not think to do that, reasoning that it's not important that people know where their company is located. While it may indeed not be important, the real reason you should use this strategy is that your business website will rank higher. Check this out: You qualify for a free business website when you order the Insane Discount. But only this week. This offer ends on Sunday, July 5 at 12 midnight ET.

Free Google tools for you

As you've no doubt figured out, the phrase 'working for yourself' can be a tad misleading. You may work alone or with a partner in a small operation, but in reality you work for your clients. They're your boss. When they need you, it's your duty to respond.

Imagine for a second that you've got a desk job (if you're still at your desk job this won't be a big leap).

The boss rings for you. You probably wouldn't ignore the call, right? Not if you value your job.

Now imagine this - you're in business for yourself. Suddenly, the phone rings. What do you hear? You should hear the sound of cash drawer popping open - Cha-Ching!

Every phone call, each email, and virtually all communication between you and your customers is an opportunity to grow your business. Want to know the fastest way to blow it? Don't return calls. Ignore their emails. Act as if they're concerns are less riveting than a TV rerun of Alf. Fortunately, unless you live in the wilderness or you're sailing the Atlantic, it's fairly easy to remain accessible to the folks who need you. Between cell phones, email and social networking online, your people should be able to reach out and touch you, so to speak, without wasting time. Yours or theirs.

Want to save some money immediately? Take advantage of Google's free tools, beginning with basic email.

Gmail, which stands for Google-mail, is the preferred Suze & Ev email program. Why? Because 1) it's free, 2) it cheerfully manages spam and 3) it allows you to organize your emails conveniently in several different ways. For example, gmail has a function that lets you keeps a running thread of conversations bundled together. It wisely offers the option to change the subject line whenever you need to. You need this because in a pack of back-and-forth emails, you may change subjects more than once. But you won't lose the overall thread, and important contact info won't be buried in a blizzard of

Working for your customer gets easier when you keep the communication lines open.

Google tools can open those lines, and in addition, help you get and stay organized. Watch this column for more Google tool helpful hints.

Flyers drive new customers to you

Funneling money into projects gets people working. Working people can afford to buy goods and services, which keeps people working. Can you stimulate your cleaning business using the same principle? Yes. Do it with flyers.

Why bother? Because it's hands-down the fastest, most direct and inexpensive way to a paycheck we've ever found. When flyering is a central part of your overall marketing approach, it can be the ticket to your very own small business stimulus package.

However, lately we've noticed a problem. Many first-time entrepreneurs invest in a business web site, then sit back and expect the web site to do their work for them. The good news is that a well-designed web presence will help lend your business legitimacy in your customers' view. It offers them a place where they can check out your business and decide whether they want to hire you. A good web site will definitely bring you business in the long-term, but it's a slower way to get results.

The bad news? A web site can't replace flyering. It's not supposed to. Your best marketing strategy is a strong one-two punch: A flyer with your web site address on it. (Actually, this is only "bad news" for lazy entrepreneurs, and that's not you, if you've bothered to read this far!)

A flyer is like a handshake. A web site is like a conversation. Introduce your cleaning business with a flyer that directs your potential customer to your web site. Then encourage them to start the conversation through an easy-to-access contact form.

Make a good first impression. It will only happen once. Whenever a potential customer picks up your flyer, goes to your web site or shakes your hand, they're formulating an opinion of you. It takes only a few seconds. Remember, we're continually creating an impression on the people around us. Take the time to craft your company image. Follow through with this overall image when designing your web site, business cards and flyers.

The government stimulus package is designed to revive the slacking economy. Funnel a portion of your marketing budget into a well-designed flyer and watch your cleaning business snap to life.

Planners and Firefighters

The other night as we were casually hanging out with visiting family, I glanced over to see what Ev was up to. He was quietly studying a pad of paper on the table in front of him, thoughtfully tapping a finger to his chin. Uh-oh, I said to my brother. Whenever Ev buys a new pad of grid paper, I know my life is about to change.

Ev is a planner. He's a master at creating efficient systems. At first, though, they look like hieroglyphics. His pages of doodles are impressive - he draws late into the night highlighting with yellow, blue and pink.

I take the firefighter approach, dousing flames wherever they happen to flare up. When we go out, I'm usually dashing around trying to find my keys, purse, sunglasses, whereas Ev can be found waiting by the front door.

Sometimes I try his method, which feels virtuous though foreign. I secretly crave more organization and order in my life and business. No one but me is going to achieve it, so whenever I spend a morning (or even ten minutes) filing a stack of receipts or updating my books, I swear I feel inner peace and tranquility. In our cleaning business methods we include a truckload of tools for helping organize, so you can feel the love too.

Sometimes Ev takes my approach and loses track of his wallet. I can't say I really enjoy seeing him frantically running around searching everywhere till he finds it (nope, it's not in the fridge!). However, there's a certain satisfaction at watching him handle an unexpected twist on the fly.

Are you a planner or a firefighter? Integrating both methods seems like a sane idea. I plan to work on it, as soon as I can find my notebook. It's around here somewhere.

Vacation, not recession, for Jenny's clients

A friend of mine, Jenny, wanted to put herself through chef school. She needed to make some good money to cover tuition. She loves gardening and thought about doing landscaping, but needed a truck. She had asked me a ton of questions about house cleaning for a living, and I think she was intrigued because of the free time I always seem to have. She decided to give a whirl. Since she started cleaning houses, she has targeted only wealthy neighborhoods and has always had steady work. She recently received her chef's certificate, and while she decides what her next move will be, she's still dependent on her cleaning biz to pay the rent.

Last week, two different clients left messages requesting that she return their calls a.s.a.p. Worried that the recession had finally trickled up to both of them, she tried to prepare herself to lose two good jobs at once.

Instead, her fear turned to relief when she discovered that the reason they were both calling was to tell her that they were going to Europe on vacation -- two different clients at the same time. Apparently these people aren't being affected by the recession. They wanted to know they could count on her to clean while they were away in Italy and France -- and one of them offered her the job of house-sitting for ten days. Here she was freaking out that she'd be losing income while she's in transition, and in reality, her clients are worried about losing her!

Although for the past year-and-a-half, the U.S. has been mired in the worst recession in fifty years, cleaning businesses run by people who target the right market are still going strong. In our books and on our website, we claim that cleaning is a recession-proof small business. I loved hearing Jenny's story because it's definite proof of that.

The trick is in knowing just how to land those steady clients, and how to gain access to the upper-crust communities where the steady flow of work is. Jenny followed our advice, and now she's wishing that I would write an eBook about how to start a restaurant.

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Best Carpet Cleaning Method

Learn about the best carpet cleaning method for your situation.

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Great summer job for students

House cleaning is a great summer job for students. Start a cleaning business full-time in the summer and then work part time during school. It is fast and easy to start. It does not take much money, just some leg work in the first few weeks. You could be making $20 per hour within a couple of weeks cleaning houses, offices and windows. You can set your own schedule while in school. It's a great summer job for students and even a better student job during the school year.

The most affordable way to get started with a cleaning business is with the pro membership. Click on the link to learn more.

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Is the economy on the mend?

It looks promising! March and April have been much stronger, April was the strongest month in 9 years! But here's the thing, you want to get your cleaning business ready now, not after everyone agrees the recession is over.

People argued whether there was a recession happening at all for over one year. Now, in hindsight, it is clear that it started in October of 2007. Will it be clear in April of 2010 that this was the beginning of the recovery?

When the momentum starts to build (and I believe it will) you want to have all of the business requirements and your first jobs in the can, so you can focus on taking advantage of the up swing in the economy.

Become a Pro Member or take advantage of the Insane Discount and learn how to take advantage of the coming boom cycle.

The Inital Freak Out

The initial freak out happens to the best of us. The last time we launched a new cleaning business in California, we had disaster after disaster for about 2 weeks and then it just started to flow. I had a similar thing happen in New Mexico as well. In Colorado, it went smooth after the first job, so go figure!

Basically, in the first month, there are going to be a lot of challenges, but then you will settle into a set clientele and a system for running your operation. The last time we launched in Cali. it was rough at first, but after we had a set group a clientele it went smooth for the next few years, very smoothly.

The worst thing you can do is over re-act to the initial challenges and assume it will always be that challenging, it will not, once you are in the flow and once you gain confidence.

Anything worth doing is going to be a challenge!

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Q & A with Ev

Hi Charles,

I had the same concern when I started, it seemed like there were cleaning companies all over the place. I quickly realized that was a trick of perceived scale, you only need a dozen accounts as a solo cleaner and a few dozen as a full blown cleaning service with crews to make a good living. Also keep in mind, the demand is increasing far more than the supply. This will continue to be as the boomer generation gets older. The other thing I learned is, most cleaners are not very good or professional, so I quickly landed clients switching over to me from already established cleaners.

In fact in this economy, there is a shortage of cleaners for the wealthy and that is who you should be targeting if you want to have security and a nice profit. There was a boom in the middle class cleaning market starting in the late 90s, but that is returning to pre-boom levels. You want to target those that make over 75K a year.

Our Suze and Ev Method comes with state of the art marketing materials to get you out in front of the competition.

Be sure to take advantage of the Insane Discount!

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Suze and Ev Method Testimonials

Suze and Ev Method testimonials. Read what people have said about our cleaning business start up method. The best selling cleaning business method.

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Perfect time to start a window cleaning business

This is the perfect economic climate to start a window cleaning business.

Businesses need to keep their windows clean. Cleaning is a maintenance necessity that does not get cut simply due to a periodic economic correction.

In addition, many businesses and homes are for sale right now. They need every advantage in creating a sparkling image to help them make the sale. Why not design special window cleaning services and specials just for real- estate situations?

You can undercut the price of older, bloated and financially-stressed window cleaning businesses by being lean, efficient and flexible. By having an upgraded version 2.0 cleaning business system, you will outsmart the competition, win new contracts and thrive.

In certain markets you may want to target auction services that are striving to move properties fast. These properties must be spruced up and made to look their sharpest in order to sell. Package window cleaning along with office cleaning and carpet cleaning by taking advantage of our Insane Discount.

You have a historic opportunity to launch a cleaning business right now during this time of cultural change. You need to have a contemporary approach to professional cleaning so you can outshine the tired and outmoded competition.

The Suze & Ev Method is the only truly contemporary approach to starting a cleaning business.

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Yes, we supply all the forms you need

The most common question we get is, "Do you supply the business forms"? The answer is yes, we supply a couple dozen different types of forms, contracts, bid sheets, worksheets and legal documents. We can provide any additional forms you want. However, I'm baffled as to why the question of forms would be anyone's first concern as they're starting a cleaning business. Forms are the easiest aspect of starting a cleaning business! There are a hundred other things that need to be addressed that are not so easily solved with a form or contract. Those issues require someone with experience and a proven method. That is what makes our method ten times better than other "books". Our method is not just a list of things to do with some forms tacked on at the end. Each Suze & Ev Cleaning Business method is 100 pages of experience and tested methods for getting your business started fast with as little risk as possible.

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Suze & Ev method now on Squidoo

The Suze & Ev Cleaning Business Method can now be found on Squidoo. Tell all your squids!

Click for more info

The Suze & Ev Methods are now on twitter

Twitter feed for starting a cleaning business. Tell all your tweets!

Click for more info

Happy New Year!

Let's get crazy! Last chance for the Insane Discount free website special!

Celebrate the new year with all the tools you need to start a cleaning business and get 75% off too!

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The Suze and Ev cleaning business start up method

The Suze and Ev cleaning business start up method teaches you how to start a cleaning business the smart way.

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What forms and contracts are included?

The most common question we get is "what forms and contracts are included?"

Included with your the Suze and Ev Pro Membership are the following cleaning business contracts and forms.

House Cleaning Services Agreement
Ovewrnight Business Cards and Prints
Monthly Budget
Start Up Costs Worksheet
Yearly Expense Report
Business Name Brainstorming
Home Office Work Sheet
Mission Statement Worksheet
Balance Sheet
Expense Report
Financial Plan Worksheet
Personal Goals and Objectives Worksheet
Self-Assesment Worksheet
Annual Profit and Loss Statement
Auto-Expense Travel Report

That pretty much covers what you need for cleaning business forms and contracts. These forms online would total over $100. They are included free with the Suze and Ev Pro Membership!

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