Just want to say, if you people don't advertise for FREE on Craigslist.com, you should do so.  It's fast and easy and you can post local to your area.  I just started posting on the 21st and the response has been completely overwhelming.  If this keeps up, I will do no other type of advertising except word of mouth and MAYBE putting up fliers in certain businesses.  I'm going to give it two more weeks to decide if this form of advertising is enough.  But for now, I've already reached the halfway mark of what I would like to make minimum monthly and it's only been two weeks.  WOW!

Try it out and let me know how you do!!!  You will not regret it, I promise, and will probably be thanking me shortly.  LOL!  :)

 By the way, if you look at my profile I've been here since 2004 but had to take time off due to a major hand injury and am starting all over.  I can't ask my clients to give up the cleaning people they've had since I left a year and a half ago, but have notified them that I am available again.  So for starting from scratch, I am totally excited about the response from Craigslist!

 Enjoy Craigslist's free posts while you can.  If quickly turns into a mad house of illegals competiting with the legals. Many of the posters post 20 - 30 times in any given day clogging the forum and making it hard to find anything.  I am located in the area the the first craigslist serviced (San Francisco) if you want to see what I am talking about click on the San Fran link and then check out the services section 

I am in a "low" traffic area so Theresa's problem isn't as applicable here although the trunk slammers do exist and there are some pretty incredible claims to 'clean for cheap' or next to nothing!.

I do not advertise on the site since I'm not looking for any new clients.

Very happy that you are having success listing with them.

Just be very careful as a single mom answering the inquirys. That was my first thought when I read your post. Just my 2 cents, but be cautious and maybe take someone with you on a walk-thru. Lots of crazies out there. Am i being paranoid???

I wish you the best & congratulations on your success!

Suzi,

       No you're not being paranoid.  I have hired a "bodyguard" for ten bucks an hour to go with me to all estimates I give to people who have contacted me from my online ads.  LOL!  Granted he's a friend of mine, but huge guy, and I feel safe.  Trust me, these days being a woman and constantly having to look over your shoulder is enough.  There's no way I'd go without someone else...ever.  Thanks for being concerned about me though!

And I will check out the SF ads on Craigslist when I get a minute...to whoever posted that, sorry I forgot to look at your name before I replied.  The Omaha list isn't bad at all.  It averages only ten posts a day or less in the household services section.  :)  Thank God.

Amber  :)

We post there just to keep google indexing our site.

We do get a lot of leads there too :-) More than I want.

Cant find a section that applies to Commercial Cleaning.  When I place it as a suggestion it shows tons who have also suggested it b4 me??

Bri:

Cant find a section that applies to Commercial Cleaning.  When I place it as a suggestion it shows tons who have also suggested it b4 me??

Any new information on commercial?

 there is a section on Craigslist for small business ads - http://sfbay.craigslist.org/biz/  (this is the SF one - you will need to find the one in your area to advertise on) you can list your commercial business there

MightyTidyinOmaha:

Just want to say, if you people don't advertise for FREE on Craigslist.com, you should do so.  It's fast and easy and you can post local to your area.  I just started posting on the 21st and the response has been completely overwhelming.  If this keeps up, I will do no other type of advertising except word of mouth and MAYBE putting up fliers in certain businesses.  I'm going to give it two more weeks to decide if this form of advertising is enough.  But for now, I've already reached the halfway mark of what I would like to make minimum monthly and it's only been two weeks.  WOW!

Try it out and let me know how you do!!!  You will not regret it, I promise, and will probably be thanking me shortly.  LOL!  :)

 By the way, if you look at my profile I've been here since 2004 but had to take time off due to a major hand injury and am starting all over.  I can't ask my clients to give up the cleaning people they've had since I left a year and a half ago, but have notified them that I am available again.  So for starting from scratch, I am totally excited about the response from Craigslist!

 

Welcome to the site!  I see this is your first post, so welcome.

CL is beneficial in some ways, but can be difficult in others.  For instance, if you live in an area that CL (Craig's List) is not often used, you will get less exposure.  If you are in an area that it is very popular, you become one of many ads to look over.  At the same time, if there are "spammers" infiltrating the site with dozens of ads a day, it becomes one big mess.

The content of your ad is also very important.  You want to sell your value, your services, and give good contact information.  The more "professional" it appears, the more people will take you seriously.

If you need some help with ideas on how to post on CL, email me at torrey@tailoredmaid.com and I will help you create one.

I hope that helps!

Torrey

I list my name, "owner" (of my business), business name, email addy, website addy and phone number.  The more info the better as far as I'm concerned.  Just as long as it doesn't look "cluttered".  Have you had any responses yet?  CL worked GREAT for me for the first month or so, and now responses have dropped.  I'm looking into other forms of free online advertising to add to the list.

Thanks for the reply, I've listed twice now and .....nothing. So, perhaps I will add more info this next time, just alittle nervous about CL after all you hear in the news and all!

Becky

Same here, i listed a few times & nothing

I got my first Craiglist response!

 A lady is building a new home and wants someone to clean it using green products, but her home won't be done until Fall, but a response none the less. I'm sending her some information and we'll see where it goes!

masongirl:

I got my first Craiglist response!

 A lady is building a new home and wants someone to clean it using green products, but her home won't be done until Fall, but a response none the less. I'm sending her some information and we'll see where it goes!

 

Masongirl, awesome! Does your business have a name? The more you can get your name out there, the more chance you'll have of it being brought up when the subject of cleaning comes up. Always look for response. And leave them wanting to know more...