Gaining recurring cleaning business from customers is the dream of most cleaning companies. Not only does it provide a stable stream of revenue you can rely on, but it’s also much easier to retain an existing customer than to find a new one. 

However, turning one-time cleaning appointments into recurring business relationships takes effort. You need to convince customers that you offer an indispensable service they can’t live without. 

In this post, we’ll explore proven techniques to gain recurring cleaning business and convert more customers into long-term clients. With the right strategy, you can build a base of loyal customers that provide consistent work and revenue month after month.

Build Relationships and Trust

The foundation of all recurring business is strong relationships and trust between you and your customers. Taking the time to build rapport and demonstrate your reliability is key to getting repeat business. 

Here are some tips for building trust with customers:

– Take time to get to know your customers and what they want from your service. Build a relationship with them beyond just the transactions.

– Be consistent and thorough with each cleaning appointment. Pay close attention to details and provide the same high-quality service every time.

– Train your staff on customer service basics like being friendly, respectful, attentive to needs, and thoughtful about the customer’s home and belongings. 

– Follow up after each appointment to get feedback on your service. Ask what the customer liked and if there’s anything you can improve for next time.

– Respond promptly to all customer inquiries, requests, and issues. Make them feel like a valued client.

– Share testimonials and reviews from happy customers. These social proof examples build trust in potential long-term clients.

By focusing on customer relationships beyond just completing the cleaning tasks, you make them more emotionally invested in using your service again and again.

Provide Exceptional Service 

The key to gaining recurring customers is consistently exceeding their expectations with incredible service. You want to wow them at every cleaning so they can’t imagine using anyone else. 

Here are some tips for providing over-the-top service:

– Take extra time and care with your cleaning to handle every nook and cranny. Don’t cut corners or rush through the job. 

– Offer additional specialized services like carpet cleaning, window washing, refrigerator cleaning, and more for an extra fee.

– Use high-quality supplies and equipment so your cleanings are as effective as possible. Invest in commercial grade products.

– Train staff on specialized cleaning techniques for maximum efficiency and results like using microfiber cloths effectively.

– Offer green cleaning options with non-toxic supplies for extra health-conscious customers.  

– Be flexible to handle last minute cleaning needs and special requests whenever possible. 

– Provide occasional extra touches like leaving behind a bouquet of flowers or box of specialty soaps.

– Follow up within a day or two to ask if they were fully satisfied with the cleaning and if there’s any feedback.

Delivering over-the-top wow factor service makes the customer feel like your company is the obvious cleaning choice. No one else can compare to the experience you provide.

Make it Easy for Them to Rebook

Once you’ve impressed them with an initial cleaning appointment, you need to make it as easy as possible for customers to schedule ongoing service. Eliminate any friction in rebooking to gain recurring business.

Some tips include:

– Provide different options for scheduling like online booking, text/email requests, or phone call-ins. Offer flexibility. 

– Allow customers to book repeating cleanings in a subscription so it happens automatically at the desired frequency.

– Send appointment reminders and make it easy for them to reschedule if needed. 

– Offer package discounts for those who prepay for a certain number of recurring cleanings.

– Provide an option to tip or pay gratuity upfront when booking as an incentive for your team. 

– Follow up a day or two before the next scheduled cleaning to confirm the appointment.

– Send out customer satisfaction surveys after each visit asking if they want to rebook for the future. 

– Make sure it’s easy for them to provide glowing reviews online and refer friends after an amazing cleaning experience.

Eliminating friction in the rebooking process takes the effort out of scheduling ongoing service. Customers are more likely to continue using you if it’s hassle-free.

Offer Discounts and Deals 

Pricing incentives encourage recurring business by rewarding customers who use your service frequently. Discounts and promotions give existing customers motivation to rebook again and again.

Some options include:

– Offer a 10-20% discount on every 5th or 10th cleaning as a loyalty reward.

– Provide referral bonuses like $20-50 off for both new and existing customers when they refer friends.

– Run occasional flash sales like 15% off bookings made Monday-Wednesday or other limited-time deals.  

– Offer tiered pricing packages where higher frequencies of cleaning get a discounted rate. 

– Partner with other local businesses to offer combo deals. For example, a cleaning + carpet cleaning package.

– Give holiday and seasonal discounts around peak times like back-to-school or pre-holiday deep cleanings.

– Provide loyalty points or stamps for each cleaning that go towards discounts on future bookings. 

– Run monthly or weekly coupon specials sent in email newsletters and posted on social media.

– Occasionally surprise loyal customers with a special gift or bonus cleaning as a VIP thank you. 

Using creative discounts and promotions gives customers an incentive to stick with your service long-term to reap the savings and rewards.

Send Reminders and Follow Ups

Diligent follow up and reminders are essential for converting new customers into recurring clients. You need to remain top of mind long after you’ve left their home. 

Schedule follow ups like:  

– Send a thank you email or card after the first cleaning appointment. Ask for a review.

– Call 2-3 days later to get candid feedback. See if they want to schedule recurring service.

– Set reminders to follow up every 2-3 months to schedule their next deep cleaning. 

– Send holiday offers and appointment reminders based on when they booked their last cleaning. 

– Occasionally resend customer satisfaction surveys to continue getting feedback.

– Periodically share news like new staff, equipment, or service offerings to keep your business top of mind.

– Use CRM software to track customer data and send automated reminders and follow-ups when it’s time for their next cleaning. 

Ongoing follow up keeps your cleaning business in front of past customers so you’re the first company they think of when it’s time to clean again.

Conclusion

Gaining recurring cleaning customers takes work, but pays off through steady reliable business over time. Focus on over-delivering on your service, building trust, and staying top of mind through excellent follow up and customer care. 

The customers that rebook again and again will become your stable source of income. Put in the effort to wow them on an ongoing basis, and your recurring revenue will grow as your customer base sticks with you long-term.

Test different rebooking promotions and incentives, and track what works to turn one-time trial users into devoted clients. Building genuine relationships and delivering outstanding experiences is at the heart of gaining lifetime recurring cleaning business.