M&H CLEANING SERVICES

How to Get Your First 5 Clients as a Cleaning Company in California

Starting your cleaning business in California? One of the biggest early challenges is landing your first few clients. Whether you’re in San Jose, Oakland, or any city in the Bay Area, these first clients build the foundation of your reputation, income, and future growth.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 7 actionable steps to get your first 5 clients fast — even if you’re starting with zero budget or experience.

Why Your First Clients Matter

Your first clients do more than pay the bills. They:

• Help you build your portfolio of before-and-after photos
• Give you reviews to attract others
• Offer referrals to their friends or neighbors
• Help validate your pricing and services

Let’s break down how to get those first 5 customers — without needing a massive budget or fancy ads.

Create a Google Business Profile (Free & Powerful)

If you haven’t already, go to google.com/business and create a Google Business Profile for your cleaning company.

Add:

• Business name, address (can be service area only), and phone
• Clear description with “cleaning services in [your city]”
• Upload real photos of your work
• Ask for reviews from happy clients

📍 Tip: Use keywords like house cleaning in San Jose or office cleaning Bay Area in your description. This helps you rank locally!

Offer Services to Friends & Family in Exchange for Testimonials

One of the fastest ways to build trust is by offering free or discounted cleanings to people you know.

But here’s the deal:

• Make it professional: use your business name, a checklist, and take photos
• Ask for a written review and permission to share photos
• List these jobs on your website or social media

📷 Bonus: Post those before-and-after shots on your Instagram and tag your city!

Print Simple Flyers and Go Local

Design clean, simple flyers with:

• Your business name, services, and phone number
• A special first-time discount
• “Licensed and Insured” if you are
• QR code to your website or Google reviews

Drop them off at:

• Coffee shops
• Apartment buildings
• Laundromats
• Community bulletin boards

🗺️ Focus on local neighborhoods with high demand for residential cleaning.

Join Local Facebook & Nextdoor Groups

Search for:

• “San Jose moms group”
• “Bay Area small business network”
• “California home services”

Introduce yourself:

“Hi neighbors! I just launched my cleaning company, and I’m offering 25% off first cleanings to build reviews. Eco-friendly, insured, and reliable. Message me for availability!”

🤝 These groups are often your fastest source of warm leads.

Partner with Realtors or Property Managers

Reach out to:

• Real estate agents who handle move-in/move-out cleans
• Airbnb hosts needing turnovers
• Property managers looking for recurring cleaning

Send a professional email or drop off your flyer with an intro:

“Hi, my name is [Your Name] with M&H Cleaning Services. We’re a licensed cleaning business in San Jose and looking to partner with professionals needing reliable cleaners.”

List Your Business on Local Directories

Get free traffic from:

• Yelp
• Thumbtack
• Craigslist (in moderation)
• Bark
• Angi (formerly Angie’s List)

📢 Make sure your listings are consistent and contain your target keywords like “deep cleaning in San Jose” or “office cleaning in Bay Area.”

Ask for Referrals (and Reward Them!)

After your first 2–3 jobs, ask:

“If you know anyone else who needs cleaning, I’d love to offer them $20 off — and give you the same as a thank-you.”

This simple referral offer helps you build word-of-mouth, which is gold in the service industry.

Final Tips for Success

Always show up on time, dressed professionally

Use a cleaning checklist to show what’s included

Take before/after photos for proof

Follow up after the job for a review

Ready to Get Your First Clients?

You don’t need to spend thousands on advertising to grow. With the right local strategy and professional mindset, you can land your first 5 clients in just weeks — even in a competitive market like California.

If you’re based in the Bay Area, trust your hustle, stay consistent, and keep delivering amazing results.