What are the businesses you target market?

CDRX wrote: I wouldn't go after any of these businesses starting out as an owner operator. . .  Start with middle to upper end residential and charge a healthy rate so you can make a living at this.  The quickest and easiest way to get off the ground is putting out nice flyers. . .

^This.

Exactly how I started out.  My father started me in the carpet cleaning industry and he's been in it for 30+ years.  He still uses flyers as a marketing mainstay for his business.  You have to get over the fact that you will have to put out a little cash initially for printing and delivering.  Do your research and find a company, possibly locally, that can print and design (if you can't design it yourself) a flyer for you.  Do the same for delivery.  Check into the delivery prices at your local newspaper or free press.  (tbh, I don't recommend wasting time delivering them yourself.  If you can afford a carpet cleaning truck, you can afford flyer delivery.)  It'll take a little elbow grease on your part to get a system worked out, but if you're an owner/operator that's to be expected anyway.
That's the fastest way for you to generate calls and income.  Depending on how many flyers you choose to send out at a time, your first couple of jobs should pay for that delivery.

Networking is probably the best means of generating referrals. Joining a small business networking group in your local area is a great way to gain exposure. The more you are willing to generate leads for someone the more they are willing to do the same for you.   And everyone has carpets that need cleaning...

banks hire companies or individuals  to look after foreclosed homes untill they are sold...you would have to find out who these individuals are...i doubt the bank would ever tell you who looks after their foreclosures....maybe you could leave your business card or flyer in mailbox of foreclosed homes...Contact the listing agent of the real estate company that is selling the house on behalf of the bank, mortgage company etc.........

You will get work in restaurants no problem, you wont make much $$$ though..they are only concerned with price...period......perhaps that would work for you,,but not for me...Chinese restaurants are the worst of the lot....Dont fall for the following....the restaurant owner will say [in strong Chinese accent], "I will have you clean for me twice per year so give me good price" anyway..i hate restaurants
When restaurants call me for prices, I just politely tell them "I dont clean restaurants, sorry"...The  last Chinamen I gave an estimate to damn near chocked up last nights eggroll when i gave him my price...still makes me smile...Hah hah hah

Motels are a waste of time...price is everything...One guy phoned me the other day saying he wasnt happy with his current carpet cleaner, I have a good reputation and said he wanted me to clean his motel rooms provided I matched the price of the poor carpet cleaner...$23 per room and that was moving furniture...he of course said i will be doing 3 OR 4 rooms at a time....dont fall for this.. (you will often do 1 room emergency cleaning).....I said "I couldnt do for that price, sorry"...you will get work with small independent motels if you want to work for peanuts

The only commercial jobs I usually do are small idependent offices, they are loyal and they expect good quality work and service. Word of mouth helps with this particular grouping

one thing for me, I cant be accused of undercutting anyone...

 I want my competitors cleaning restaurants and motel rooms.

I am a professional, I will not cut corners like others and do mediocre work. I love when my new customers bitch about their last carpet cleaner....

That is a good list to get started on. You can low ball the existing cleaners to get your feet wet.

Whatever comes around to be cleaned.

Good luck! I'm trying just to add more of any

westcovina wrote: I have been targeting homes. All my commercial work pays too little. Lots of competition bidding down the price. I will not clean for 10 cent a sq ft.

yup