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Learn How Email Marketing Can Help Your Business!  
               It's All About the List! 
Even when you run a mostly “offline business” such as almost all type of local services, an active email list can help you grow your customer base and build deeper, lasting relationships with them. Through the content you share with them online, they'll become both local and online buyers and brand advocates.  ...keep reading

With The Above Facts In Mind, The Mystery Remains:
Why aren't more cleaners selling this service?
Its been my experience, and the experience of industry veterans whom I respect, that its because cleaners don't have faith in the products' ability to work, and little interest (or time) to do their own tests of the products to determine if they really do work or not....keep reading

Strangers, Prospects and Customers are three completely different marketing targets, and you market to each of them for different reasons and with very different systems and offers. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE THREE IS ENORMOUS. Lets examine them . . ....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- The "Textile Pro's" -- When Dark Colored Fabrics "Water Mark" by Jim Pemberton & Rug Shop Set-up by Lisa Wagner, Restoration BootCamp - Beware bathroom sink drains!, CleanTip Alert - How to Write a Thank-You Note That Matters & Resource Corner - Links & downloads & Education Alert....keep reading

Question for you: Are you using technology effectively in your business and your life? As I approach my 79th year, I find myself answering one question over and over, "How do you keep up with everything you do"? What I have learned is the secret of using technology to my benefit, both in my gardening hobby and in my business activities....keep reading

The most crucial step in creating an effective marketing message is clearly identifying your target market. Your message needs to speak directly to their needs and explain how your specialty service package's meets these needs. How it does this is the single biggest factor that determines the success or failure of your marketing. So, if your marketing isn't working, it could be because you haven't yet defined your target market clearly enough....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- CARPET - ENCAPSULATION CLEANING, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - The Three Most Costly Problems Encountered Cleaning Upholstery, NEWS YOU CAN USE & EDUCATION ALERT: Carpet Repair and Re-Installation Course -- 2 Day Comprehensive Course with "Hands On" Training -- August 25 - 26, 2011....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- CUSTOMER RETENTION & SELF DECEIT, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - The Mostly Costly Upholstery Cleaning Problem & EDUCATION ALERT: FREE FRIDAY! New Concepts & Tactics In Customer Retention!...keep reading

An example of the new technology discussed today are the "dry tools" which have made upholstery cleaning so much safer. Check for more information on how to get better use of these dry tools in my new e-book. You can find the link at the end of this article....keep reading

OBSERVATION:
One issue that I've observed when it comes to employees or owner/operators attending certification training is that so much time is spent on repeating the "test information" that little is done to bring the latest, most up to date products and procedures to the students attention.

Veteran cleaners tend to filter out anything they hear in a "lecture or video demonstration" scenario if it conflicts with what they already "know" (or think they know). Hands on training, on the other hand,...keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE EFFECT OF THE INTERNET ON CARPET CLEANING BUSINESSES!, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - What You Need To Know Right Now About Metal Upholstery tools! & EDUCATION ALERT: FREE ONLINE SEMINAR -- Rugs & Fine Fabrics: Become the "Go-To" Textile Pro in your City - May 11, 2011....keep reading

"BEWARE YOUR COMFORT ZONE!" There is one thing that I guarantee can put a damper on your business' growth, and it is 'your comfort zone'....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- MY THOUGHTS ON AGING, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - To Bleach or Not To Bleach?, CLEANTIP ALERT! Sept. Housing Starts Up More Than Forecast, NEWS YOU CAN USE, EDUCATION ALERT: IICRC Approved UFT Certification Course (IICRC UFT) December 1 & 2, 2011, 8 AM - 5 PM....keep reading

It is my opinion that our industry focus on technical competency accompanied by our casual disregard of available management guidance is the number one contributor to the high level of failures in the cleaning service business!...keep reading

You can't succeed at most things if you try them just 'once.' It would be silly to say, 'I tried playing the piano once. I wasn't very good at it, so I gave up.' The same thing applies to marketing your business....keep reading

Why are they right even when they're wrong?
This statement isn't meant to be taken literally.
What it really means is that the customer is always right in their mind. Making them happy and satisfied is the key to having good customer service....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and micro-business trends that may have a major affect on cleaning professionals. IN THIS ISSUE -- Concept #3 - It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know & Who Knows You That Matters! RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - Unexpected Feedback on Color Repair Class, NEWS YOU CAN USE, EDUCATION ALERT: IICRC Approved UFT Certification Course, December 10 - 12, 2008, 8 AM TO 5 PM....keep reading

Where In The World Is Local Search? Every major search engine is rushing to become the next local phone book and you need to get your business listed now, while it's still free....keep reading

As cleaning service professionals, we often fail to realize that the specialized knowledge and skills that we have and share daily are truly outstanding examples of a positive mindset segment . . . . . EXAMPLE:   Consider the "Pet Friendly Services" system of cleaning that takes into consideration the extended family of people and pets in their home environments.  This system of cleaning is first of all safe for the family and pets, using people and pet safe products with a minimum residue cleaning.  Where needed, related pet friendly services include: urine (and other body discharge) odor treatments, as well as hair and dander odor treatment. This is an 11 step system based on the specialty knowledge & skills the cleaning professional shares! ...keep reading

Running a successful, growing service business is one of the most exciting, liberating, and at the same time, stressful things anyone can do. The few of us who have taken the plunge into this entrepreneurship world know that this life is anything but boring.
As you run your business, there are many decisions you need to make every day and there are many priorities to juggle to stay ahead of both change the competition!...keep reading