This time of year we see a seasonal slow down in residential window cleaning jobs. In fact, over at Gary’s Site the Window Cleaning Network there is a thread about this in his discussion group.

Now I could give you positive talk about the slow down…For example:

“The only slow down is between the ears!”

“I don’t have a slow down…because I choose not to participate!”

“I don’t have a slow down…because I think & operate outside the box!”

However that kind of talk always bugs me. I always feel insulted when some pinhead stands there and rattling off those or similar platitudes.

Now, I’m not saying you should wallow in the fact that this time of year is slow for window cleaning jobs. You should just acknowledge it for what it is…A fact. Figure out what you are going to do about it, and move on.

You can one of several things. You can ride it out till back to school time, take advantage of the down time, crank up the marketing machine, or panic. Personally at one time or another I’ve done all four. I find panicking to be the most stressful.

What I’ve done the last few years is a combination of cranking up the marketing machine, and taking advantage of the down time.

This time of year is good for sending out 3-step customer reactivation postcards, 3-step and new mover postcards. On the reactivation postcards put a strong headline (and no…GET YOUR WINDOWS CLEANED, or your company name is not a good headline), a reminder that you miss them, you really appreciate their business, a great offer if they call and set an appointment, a deadline, and your contact info (Funny, but I have received stuff in the mail with no phone numbers, addresses, or websites). On the mover postcards, replace you miss them - with welcome to the neighborhood.

Send each 3-step postcard 7-10 days apart and refer back to the last one. The easiest way is to not change the post card, just put at the top, left - 2nd notice (for the second postcard, Final notice (for the last postcard).

That usually keeps me booked with all the window cleaning jobs I want.