Losing clients...

I should be use to this. I am self-employed as a housecleaner and I have about 20 clients to keep me afloat.

Sometimes, they call me up, out of the blue, to tell me they don't need my services anymore. It's not so bad when just one client does it but it always happens in waves.
Grrr.
I find new clients to replace them and everything is fine for about 4 months and then the next wave comes.
I've been doing this for 10 years now and I should be use to it but it still frustrates me and makes me crazy with anxiety.
I think I'm at the cusp of the next wave. With the heating and gas prices going up, people can't afford my services. One client called and said she'd have to stop my services until June because she cannot afford to have her house cleaned and pay to heat it, too.
Great! I'm waiting for more clients to call and cancel my services. It's like Chinese torture. Waiting for the drops to begin again.
I'll feel better once I pass out flyers. I'll be doing that tomorrow morning. It always fills me with hope when I do that.
Just needed to vent. I'm okay.

Yo Jax, I'm visualizing you gettig just the right number of new clients, in just the right locations, with just the right attitudes, to make you life run smoothly. (I used to clean houses too.) Hang those flyers, Best of Luck !

lol, thanks hillbunnb! You've been there, huh?

I'd hire you on the spot! I dont like cleaning! But I do love the result of it!

Dubz

have you looked to see if there is a pattern for example right now people are putting their money towards the holidays. I have one friend that noticed this pattern and now she offers "specials" during the holiday seasons so that her clents can still afford both her and the holdiays. It means less money for her during those times but it comes back double because the cleints stay with her and she gains new cleints at the same time. She has since hired a couple people to help her out because she is getting more business then she could handle on her own.

This might sound a little crazy at first, but you have considered offering a payment plan to folks who are having money problems due to heating costs? You could take 50% of what you usually charge and average the other 50% into future bills. (It could get a little complicated, but maybe you could stem the tide of lost clients this way. Would probably increase customer loyalty, too.) Then again, maybe you can't afford to only collect 50% right now...just throwing it out there.

Yeah, there's definetly a pattern to it. Holiday season and vacation time. That's when I lose my clients.
JustBen and Myself, those are some great ideas. Hmmmm... you got me thinking now.
Thanks for your input.
Dub, let me know when you need me to come over.
((((((((hugs))))))))

Hey Jax I recall we both had this in common I use to do that way back...what can help as Ben suggested is payments so their homes are clean for the holidays AND adding some businesses like offices and vets to your client lists..these are less affected by gas prices...docs and vets....have the bucks

Jax

You are more than welcome to come over and clean my home anytime! Do you leave anywhere near western Canada?

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Do you advertize in the local paper for your cleaning services...etc?

Dubz

((((((((((((((((Jax)))))))))))))))

lol, Jen, that picture cracks me up. A little scarey though. (((((Jen)))))
Hey Dub, yeah, I use to advertise in the paper but it gets to be expensive. I may try it again.
Canada? That's going to be one hefty traveling fee.

Hi Pat,
I'm not sure why the angels but it cracked me up. Are they my lost clients?
Thanks I needed the laugh.

what about advetizing online? Does your city or state...have a local web site...etc?

Sounds to me as though you need richer clients.

You've been doing this for 10 years, so I hate to offer advice since you're clearly more of an expert at this than I. But...

I would advertise on Craigslist.org under Services. It's free. You'll be getting the more progressive and savvy clients on Craigslist. I also would interview THEM and ask them what their history is with cleaning people. Be picky -- don't be too quick to accept a new client if they have never used a cleaning service before. Ask them how long they used their former cleaning services, and why they are looking for a new service now. Rather than take the first reasonable one that you interview, hold off until you have 3-5 potential clients, and take the client who has had the most longevity with their former service, and who seems wealthy enough not to be affected by things like seasonal factors.

the angels are lifting you up and away.......out of your funk!!!!

Hi again,
I've tried ads but find passing out flyers do best for me because of control of areas I'll work in. (parking is impossible in some areas) And it does bring me a couple of clients per 100 I pass out. That's all I need.
So far, nobody else has terminated my services. Just that one client. I'm ready to go, if anyone else does.
I got 300 flyers made up and a plan.
Thank you for your input. Your ideas have been very helpful.
Pat, that is soooo sweet. It did lift me out of my funk. Thanks