It doesn't matter if you just started your cleaning business or if you have been in business for several years, you will always be looking for new clients. The traditional ways of advertising - newspapers, radio, TV, and direct mail - can be expensive, time-consuming, and ineffective. As a small business owner it can be tough to do all the marketing yourself. A great way to market your cleaning business is to get other people talking about it! How can you do that? Develop strategic alliances with other businesses in your area.

What is a strategic alliance? It is a way to gain competitive advantage by partnering up with other businesses. It is an alliance with another business that can bring about mutual benefits to both parties. Look for a business that is not in direct competition with you, but provides similar products or services and is looking at the same target market.

A strategic alliance can be a formal or informal agreement. The important thing to remember is to make sure that both parties know what they are expected to do and what they will get out of the alliance.

As a small cleaning business, it's not possible for you to provide every service that a company will need. By teaming up with other businesses you can provide your clients with sources to fulfill all of their needs. And, you should gain new clients as your partners refer work to you that they cannot do themselves.

As a cleaning business what types of companies should you approach about developing a strategic alliance?

• Residential Cleaning Business - If you offer commercial cleaning services, a residential cleaning company can make a great strategic alliance - and vice-versa.

• Landscape Maintenance Companies. Whether you clean residential homes or commercial facilities, landscape maintenance companies have the same target market.

• Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Companies clean both commercial and residential and would make a great strategic alliance for any cleaning company.

• Fire Restoration Services.

• Duct Cleaning Companies.

• Carpet Cleaning Companies. If you don't offer carpet cleaning services, you can refer your customers to your carpet cleaning partner and they can refer you to their customers.

• Hard Floor Care Companies.

• Janitorial Supply Companies. If you don't supply your customers with janitorial supplies, you could refer them to your supplier and they might put in a good word for you when they become aware of a business looking for a cleaning company.

When thinking about whom can be an alliance for your business, look for situations that will be a win/win for both parties. If you are cultivating a relationship with a large corporation, develop connections with several people in the company. In large companies there can be a great deal of turnover and you could easily lose your contact person.

Developing strategic alliances is a smart way to help grow your cleaning business. Forming an alliance with other businesses will help you get more referrals and will benefit your customers by having a source they can turn to when they need services that your cleaning company does not provide. Expand your business opportunities, increase your client base and grow your profits by teaming up with other businesses!