Starting a carpet cleaning business is a great idea for anyone who would like to be their own boss. The business is attractive because it is relatively easy to startup with little capital.  Your startup costs are relatively small if you research cleaning equipment carefully.  The key to success is following the best carpet cleaning business plan you can find.

The worse thing a new business owner can do is to ask the advice of equipment retailers before buying equipment.  These characters will sell the newbie everything and anything they can to increase their commissions. Unfortunately, it is quite common for new business owners to spend their limited funds on tools and supplies they’ll never need.  A much better way to start is to patiently study the carpet cleaning business and decide what type of carpet cleaning you would like to perform.  When the new business owner targets a specific type of carpet cleaning, he or she can more easily target the exact equipment needed to do the best job.  Following a good carpet cleaning business plan will provide guidance in equipment purchasing as well as business operations.

Over the years, I’ve seen the best carpet cleaners fail when they started their own businesses without proper guidance.  The successful and profitable carpet cleaning business will be known for craftsmen of the trade as well as trusted employees.  This really is one business where you can really be successful if you focus on the trade of cleaning and provide good service.  It has been proven time and again, while most any business owner will teach their employees how to clean, they don’t share their business secrets.

While it is true that anyone can find many articles on carpet cleaning on the web, it is a good practice to always look at the source of the information. There are several very good sources for learning about the different types of carpet cleaning as well as many places where the very best floor care equipment can be purchased at reasonable prices.  It is more of a challenge to find someone with experience who will share secrets and tips of the business itself.  I suggest always looking for a source who has an extended amount of experience in the carpet cleaning business.  You’ll find some good information on carpet cleaning business plans if you click through.
You will also find help on locating a carpet cleaning business plan here

I must admit that I’ve been busy with my own service business and have neglected updates on this site. So lets start off new in 2009′.
Most online marketers measure their success with their bottom line. Frankly, I’ve always used a different measuring stick. Of course my step-by-step guides create another source of income for me and I’m thankful for that. But I’m most thankful for the opportunity to share ideas and tips and hear the success stories of my readers.
In the months of Nov and Dec I received more then a dozen letters of thanks from readers. A couple from guys just starting out reported their success over the past 6 months by using my system and suggestions. I’ve also gotten several emails from business operators with over 20 years experience that picked up one idea or another that has proven to add to their bottom line.

Thats what this is all about. Personally speaking, I’ve been working since I was 15 years old. I’ve been servicing customers in one fashion or another for over 40 years now. But I’m fully aware that no one person has all the answers. But by sharing everything I’ve learned over the years, I’m still learning from my readers.

Times have never been so unsettled and many people wonder if “anything” works today? Well according to my subscribers, the answer is YES. A man or woman of any age can still earn a decent income from operating specific types of home service business. It is more evident then ever from my feedback that no one can depend on a secure income from any employer. It makes more sense then ever to start your own business and take control of your own life. So if you are reading this and still waiting for the best time to start a business, you are wasting time!

There is no doubt that everyone is feeling the impact of this current lousy economy. For many years I’ve only recommended dropping our service prices under very special conditions. I strongly suggest being creative, especially due to the economy.

Let’s face it, most people have very little extra cash in their pockets and due to the uncertainty of every day life, their home care/maintenance has dropped down their list of priorities. But regardless of the economy, the American home owner will not neglect their holiday season. In less then a month, the national elections will be history. Most people will be looking forward to their holiday season. That is the time they will realize they need their carpets cleaned or a room or two painted for expected company.

My business guides go into some detail concerning advertising but due to the economy, why not get out a special mailing or new colored brochures or posters to those many places I recommend reaching the public in my guides. Emphasize a ‘new start’ for the new holiday season and new year.

You might even offer a special deal of some sort. Everybody is taking a financial beating so I’d suggest maybe adding an additional room to your base cleaning fee if you do carpet cleaning. If you are a painter, try advertising a special price per room.

The most important point is to ACT NOW, don’t wait. Get your local advertising going now
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In my business guides I go into detail of how to advertise in various ways that will reach your specific customers.  That information is more important today then ever.

Personally I’ve been receiving more solicitation for advertising then I have in years.  As many readers know, I haven’t paid for advertising in years so this shows that the advertisers are getting desperate for new customers.   Don’t fall for it.  Remember they are not doing you any favors at all.  If you do decide to use ANY type of paid advertising today, don’t be afraid to ask for reduced rates.  Especially if you will be a new customer with them.

Think “outside the box” and don’t be afraid to use new ways of reaching your customers.  The question is: do you really know who your customers are?

As small business owners we can sit back and cry about the competition and the economy or we can use current conditions to our advantage.  I’m still recommending starting a small service business as one way to secure your future during ANY economic times.

Lets look at the number 1 subject received in feedback this summer.  That is dealing with the high cost of fuel and the slow economy.  I’ve gotten feedback from guys who have been in business for decades complaining about conditions.  In many cases, one of their faults is that they are still doing things as they did for the past 10 years and expect the same results.  That is mistake #1.

Look at your service business as if you were just starting out.  See where you might benefit from the current economic situation and take action.  Don’t sit and worry about tomorrow, take positive action now.

For example, due to the fact I’m personally downsizing my business (related to my retirement-not the economy), I’ve been shopping for a smaller vehicle. If you are in the market for a business truck, this is the time to act.  You can get unbelievable deals on used full size pickup trucks and vans.

Of course owners are trading in larger vehicles like crazy since they never really needed them to begin with.  Be realistic, you know how large a truck you need.  I was speaking to someone I know in truck sales and was told the obvious.  Dealers are swimming in full size trucks.  I saw a great business van shown on sale at 17,000 and my friend told me candidly that they would accept any bid over 13000 just to move it off the lot.  It made me consider it seriously myself.

The point is, if you need a full size truck or van, see what kind of deal you get. 

I’ve received this question several times over the past month or so.  Lets set some things straight.

First, there is nothing wrong with lowering your prices if you honestly feel that is why your business is slow.  But lets be honest, the economy is in the worse shape its been in for the past 30 years at least.  The fact of the matter is that most every one’s business is off.  I personally do not know of anyone in ANY type of business that isn’t hurting to a degree. 

Most readers provide services related to updating or maintaining homes.  Most homeowners are having problems making ends meet due to fuel prices.  You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to appreciate the financial pressure that most homeowners are facing.

An alternative to lowering your prices might be to focus on another target customer with a specific service.  More to follow on this subject.

Well the results of our feedback has become quite obvious.  The most widely spread concern across this country facing small contractors is increased competition and lower profits.  So in the coming weeks we’ll try to offer suggestions for becoming more profitable and competing during these trying economic times.

Let’s face it, small business owners who have to depend upon their vehicles for service are hurting right along with everyone else.  In fact, many are being challenged by the need to remain competitive and remaining profitable.  After all, as I stress in all my guides, profitability is the important thing to key on with your service business.  Being busy isn’t necessarily the same thing.

For the last 3 months I’ve interviewed just about every customer I’ve serviced.  Nothing scientific here but after I was all cleaned up and presented them with the bill, we’d talk a bit.   I’ve done this for years and have preached regularly that ‘taking your time’ and being social with your customers will lead to more business over the years.  It’s always paid off for me as now I get about 99% of my business from referrals.

After I have my check in my hand, I’d simply turn the conversation to the subject of gas prices.  Everyone can relate to this and since they already paid, they are quite open on the subject.

After mentioning that small business owners are suffering due to fuel costs I asked them which they feel more comfortable with.  Would they like to see an invoice with a surcharge added to their total bill for an additional $10 or $20 to cover fuel expense or would they just like to see the overall bill a bit higher then in the past?

Without fail, 100% of my customers said they wouldn’t mind an increase in overall fees at all and actually would expect it.  But they wouldn’t appreciate a surcharge.

It works for me and I thought I’d share it.  When carpet cleaning, painting or providing a service where I usually calculated the cost per room or area, I simply raised my over all rate.  The customer is paying my fuel costs and never has complained at all.  The same thing goes if doing an install where you might charge a fee per linear or squarefoot.  Just raise that base figure and you’ll find you will have little problem covering the cost of fuel.

Some service providers I know have been trying the surcharge route and have gotten a bit of negative feedback from their customers.  So you can make a choice for yourself but do not feel that you have to eat rising fuel costs to remain competitive. 

Business Telephone Systems-Adding Additional Lines

One of the biggest problems when setting up a home business is developing a business telephone system for your home. You want to present yourself as a legitimate business but at the same time you don’t want to spend too much money.

For many years I faced this problem since I’ve had several home businesses for decades. The good old phone company was always happy to add an additional line in my home. If my memory serves me correctly, it used to cost in the area of $30 monthly, just for the service of an additional line. It wasn’t uncommon to run up $250 – $300 monthly telephone bills back in that day.

But today I’ve found a system that produces excellent results for only $20 per year. Yup, that’s per year!

Please read the entire article here – http://mountain-websites.com/home-business/business-telephone-system.html

I’ve been publishing special business startup guides for about a year now.  During that period of time, all of the guides have been updated several times.  I don’t believe in simply copying the same old rehashed information you find online.  What worked for many in business 10 years ago might not be of any worth today. 

Another factor to consider is the small business owner in the north east might have an entire different set of challenges as his counterpart on the west coast or in the southern states.  I have lived and worked in NY, NJ and PA and I do know what is helping readers here.  But, the only way I can learn of current problems or new ideas is from our reader’s feedback. 

I developd my guides from 30 years of personal experience and listening to other small business owners.  Hopefully this blog with allow readers from around the country and even our international readers to share experiences and ask questions.  I’m looking forward to an exchange of ideas and experience so all can benefit.