Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is truly a special day. It was first celebrated in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans shared a fall harvest. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Day is more than memories, food, football and parades. It is a day of thanks. On this day, we are reminded of the bounty of treasures that are a part of our everyday lives.

We spend a few, often too brief, moments in prayer or meditation before dinner to say thanks for our family, friends and the wonderfulness of our lives. The true meaning of Thanksgiving should not end there. Ponder the two words that are involved: thanks and giving. We should therefore be reminded to give thanks and to share. Take the time to share our economic benefits, material wealth and talents with those who can use our help.

Once again as you sit down to dinner, ponder the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog^®.

Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times^® at https://www.baneclene.com/publications/.

Please visit our new and improved web site at https://www.baneclene.com.

The Bane-Clene^® Team.

B.Y.O.B - "Building Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business"

At a recent school, one of the students said that they didn't have a lot of money starting out to invest into advertising. We feel advertising is one of the building blocks and therefore paramount to a business. However, we also appreciate the financial struggles of a young company. Keeping that in mind, we shared some of the potential contacts and ideas we incorporated when we started out.

1. Family members, relatives, friends and neighbors. Ask them to spread the word.
2. Offer substantial discounts to former co-workers and boss, as long as your leaving was not a source of conflict.
3. Social groups, clubs, athletic leagues, lodges, fraternities, sororities, alumni groups, Home Owner Associations. Take advantage of these groups whether you are or are not a member. Discounts or perhaps free "Carpet Protector" are possible ideas.
4. Church or religious affiliations. With these contacts, it is suggested you offer a demonstration. You will offer to clean so many square feet of carpeting at no charge for each person that attends the demonstration. At the demonstration, serve coffee and soft drinks. After the demonstration, have a question and answer session. You should also distribute literature and your business card. Another idea is to distribute a Gift Service Certificate to those present.

These are just a few of either low or no cost ideas to promote your business.

Additional Carpet Cleaning Business Information on the Bane-Clene web site:

• Advertising the Bane-Clene® Way

Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog^®.

Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times^® at https://www.baneclene.com/publications/.

Please visit our new and improved web site at https://www.baneclene.com.

The Bane-Clene^® Team.

Recruiting Tips

Good help is paramount to a successful service business but how do we find good people?

Always carry your business card with you. You never know who you will meet or see.

Anytime you see someone who is:

1. pleasant to people
2. treats people with respect
3. is articulate

give them your business card and tell them you have an employment opportunity.

You will find prospects everywhere. Fast food restaurants, oil change shops, grocery stores, department store clerks ... anywhere people are being served. Look for the good ones. Most will not respond but every once in a while one will.

Your customers can be a source as well. Mention to them when you are in their home that you are hiring and would appreciate any prospects they could refer to you. Offer to clean their carpeting for free if you hire their referral.

Remember the saying: "It never hurts to ask"

Additional Carpet Cleaning Business Information on the Bane-Clene web site:

• Hiring New Carpet Cleaning Technicians
• Twenty Steps to Success in the Carpet Cleaning Business

Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog^®.

Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times^® at https://www.baneclene.com/publications/.

Please visit our new and improved web site at https://www.baneclene.com.

The Bane-Clene^® Team.

Bane-Clene Information Request Form

Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!).

Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.

Building Brand Recognition

No matter whether you are providing a service or selling a product you must Build Brand Recognition.

While there are many media choices available, an On-Line Presence is increasingly and will continue to be the media of choice. We will briefly outline some ways to achieve that.

1. Website with Mobile Optimization
   A high percentage of searches are done on mobile devices, so your site needs to be mobile friendly. Your website doesn't have to be elaborate but it should contain your basic information. The services you offer, the area you service, your service hours and a short history of your company and its credentials are just a few topics to cover.
2. Set up your free business profile on sites such as:
   
   1. Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines. You can either "claim" an existing business listing or add your business profile. You will be able to add services, hours, website link and other pertinent information.
   2. Angie's List, Yelp, Pinterest and other review/referral sites will enable to also create business profiles and gain reviews.
3. Social Media: Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
   Social media activity can help to increase awareness of a brand or website content and help with "organic" search rankings.
4. You Tube: Create a video about your business and services.
5. Offer On-Line coupons through your website, social media pages and other outlets.

Obviously there are multiple other media choices such as: print, phone book, direct mail, radio and TV. These offer unique and varied ways to reach your market. You can implement them as need and or resources become available.

Additional Carpet Cleaning Business Information on the Bane-Clene web site:

• Advertising . . . the Essential Element
• Advertising the Bane-Clene® Way
• The ABC's of Advertising
• Why Doesn't My Carpet Cleaning Business Advertising Work?
• Yellow Pages

Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog^®.

Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times^® at https://www.baneclene.com/publications/.

Please visit our new and improved web site at www.baneclene.com.

The Bane-Clene^® Team.

Bane-Clene Information Request Form

Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!).

Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.