We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dan Cheseldine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dan, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
The biggest difference in industry standard from my competitors is the use of softwash technology, which is not only more effective than traditional pressure washing, but lasts up to 6x as long. Soft washing is relatively new and the environmentally friendly alternative to ineffective and damaging pressure washing. We use water-based, eco-friendly chemicals to remove dirt and grime as well as completely sanitize 99.8% of the biological infestation, otherwise known as “Mildew” and contaminants on your property. Soft washing uses one-third the water of pressure washing, saving time and helping water conservation efforts. Soft washing is like pest control and pressure washing had an offspring. You will receive the instant clean and gratification of pressure washing however with the long-lasting results of a pest control treatment.
Dan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
After being laid off in 2009, I chose to pursue a degree in business management with an emphasis in marketing, which led me to my career path of digital marketing for 6 years. I specialized in digital marketing for home service-based businesses, primarily pressure/power washing contractors. After some persuasion from clients and helping them achieve their goals, I decided it was time to reach my goals and launched a “Side hustle” washing houses and concrete to make some extra cash. My “side hustle” developed well, and I started earning more income than my digital marketing career, so I investigated the thought of pursuing power washing full-time. During that process (in the winter of 2021), the agency I worked for was bought out by its biggest competitor and laid off a large portion of the sales staff, so the decision was easy for me, and the rest is history. Fast forward two years later, and my “side hustle” has flourished into a highly successful and growing company, and I couldn’t be happier!
The biggest problem I am able to solve for my customers is providing an exterior cleaning service that will not only solve a problem they worry and dread completing, but also ensuring they wont have to worry about this dreadful task for the next 2 years with my 16 month guarantee that no mold will grow back on any surface. The biggest advantage I hear customers tell me is that they spent multiple days on this same project last year instead of spending quality time with their family.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
The secret to building a great audience on social media about exterior cleaning is to document everything and share as much as possible to your followers and focus on specific keywords. Here are some current keywords I focus on my business for Metro East Soft Wash: Powerwash, pressurewash, softwash, exterior cleaning, concrete cleaning, roof cleaning, house washing, siding cleaning, mildew removal, gutter cleaning, deck restoration, fence restoration, stain removal.
Advertising your pressure washing or power washing services on social media can be a great way to reach a large audience and attract new customers.
Create Compelling Ads: Use high-quality images or videos that showcase your work. Highlight the benefits of pressure washing, such as improved curb appeal and property value.
Target Your Audience: Use social media advertising tools to target your ads to specific demographics, interests, and locations. This can help you reach potential customers who are likely to be interested in your services.
Include a Strong Call to Action: Encourage viewers to take action, such as contacting you for a free estimate or booking a service. Use clear and compelling language to prompt action.
Promote Special Offers: Offer discounts or promotions to incentivize people to try your services. Limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly. Engaging with your audience can help build trust and credibility for your business.
Use Testimonials and Reviews: Share positive testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers. This can help build credibility and encourage others to try your services.
Monitor Your Ads: Track the performance of your ads using social media analytics tools. Adjust your targeting and messaging based on what is most effective.
Stay Consistent: Regularly post new content and ads to keep your audience engaged and aware of your services.
Utilize Different Ad Formats: Experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads, slideshow ads, or video ads, to see what resonates best with your audience.
Track Your ROI: Keep track of your advertising expenses and the revenue generated from your ads to ensure that your campaigns are cost-effective.
By following these tips, you can create effective social media ads that help promote your pressure washing business and attract new customers.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Keeping in touch with clients and fostering brand loyalty is crucial for any business, especially for a home service based business like mine, so I utilize several tools to help me stay in touch and keep “top of mind” for my clients when it comes time for spring cleanup projects around the house and they would be looking for local companies to powerwash, pressurewash, or softwash their property.
Below are some examples of tools I currently utilize for Metro East Soft Wash
Email Marketing: Collect email addresses from your clients and send them regular updates, newsletters, and special offers. Personalize your emails to make them more engaging.
Social Media Engagement: Stay active on social media platforms and engage with your followers. Share updates about your business, respond to comments and messages, and run contests or promotions to keep your audience interested.
Customer Loyalty Programs: Offer rewards or discounts to repeat customers to encourage them to continue using your services. This can help foster a sense of loyalty.
Personalized Communication: When communicating with clients, use their names and personalize your messages based on their preferences and previous interactions with your business.
Ask for Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your clients and use it to improve your services. Showing that you value their opinions can help strengthen your relationship with them.
Provide Exceptional Service: Always strive to provide the best possible service to your clients. A positive experience can lead to repeat business and referrals.
Keep Them Informed: Keep your clients informed about your services, any changes in your business, or new offers that may be relevant to them.
Follow Up After Service: After completing a job, follow up with your clients to ensure they are satisfied with the results. This shows that you care about their experience.
Be Responsive: Respond to inquiries, questions, and concerns from your clients in a timely manner. This demonstrates that you value their business and are committed to providing excellent customer service.
Stay Consistent: Consistency in your messaging, branding, and service quality can help build trust and loyalty with your clients over time.
By implementing these strategies, you can keep in touch with your clients, build stronger relationships, and foster brand loyalty for your pressure washing business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://metroeastsoftwash.com/
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/MetroEastSoftWash
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroEastSoftWash
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metro-east-soft-wash
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGCxcYGTM0MppSPpPKlgPdA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/metro-east-soft-wash-o-fallon
- Other: https://www.bbb.org/us/il/o-fallon/profile/pressure-washing/metro-east-soft-wash-0734-1000021958 https://www.alignable.com/o-fallon-il/metro-east-soft-wash