Local Marketing for Cleaning Services: My $20 Door Hanger Campaign Results

As a cleaning business owner, I’m always looking for affordable ways to get more cleaning clients and grow my company. In the world of cleaning business marketing, we often hear about fancy digital ads or pricey direct mail campaigns. But sometimes, simple local marketing for cleaning services can be surprisingly effective. This blog post is a personal account of how I spent just $20 on a door hanger marketing campaign and what happened. I’ll share how I designed, printed, and distributed the door hangers, the results I got, and the lessons I learned along the way. If you’re curious about low-budget marketing or how to drum up business in your neighborhood, keep reading – this story is for you.

​Door hangers are an affordable and effective marketing tool, especially for local businesses aiming to boost visibility. According to Thryv’s comprehensive guide on door hanger marketing, this method offers precision targeting and high visibility, making it a valuable addition to your marketing strategy.

Why I Tried a $20 Door Hanger Marketing Campaign

Like many small business owners, I had a tight marketing budget. I was literally down to my last $20 for marketing that month, and I needed a way to reach potential customers in my community. I’d read about door hanger advertising in forums and marketing groups and learned that it’s a tried-and-true local marketing tactic for service businesses. Door hangers are those flyers you hang on doorknobs – a bit old-school, but very direct. I figured, why not give it a shot? It aligned with my goal of local marketing for cleaning services because it let me target specific neighborhoods where I wanted more clients.

Another reason I chose door hangers was control. Unlike online ads where you pay-per-click and hope the right people see it, with door hangers I could physically choose which homes would get my message. Plus, there’s something personal about a tangible flyer that people can hold. Marketing research shows that tangible marketing materials can engage people effectively​. I was hopeful that a friendly, well-designed flyer on someone’s door might catch their attention more than another email in their spam folder.

Lastly, I wanted to test if this cheap method could actually bring in business. How to get more cleaning clients is the big question for every new cleaning service, and while I knew door hangers typically have a low response rate, even one new client could make it worthwhile. (Industry stats say the average response rate for door-to-door flyers is only around 1–3%​. That sounds low, but even 1–3 calls out of 100 could lead to valuable new customers.) With realistic expectations and a bit of curiosity, I decided to invest my $20 in a door hanger campaign and see what happened.

Designing the Door Hanger (DIY on a Budget)

Since I had only $20 to spend, I took a do-it-yourself approach to designing the door hanger. Hiring a graphic designer was out of the question, so I became the designer for a day. I used free tools (Canva is a lifesaver for non-designers) and created a simple, eye-catching design tailored to my cleaning business marketing needs.

Here are the key elements I included in my door hanger design:

• Headline: I wrote a bold headline that said, “Tired of a Messy Home? We Can Help!” This was aimed to grab attention and speak to a pain point. I wanted anyone glancing at it to immediately know it’s about a cleaning service.
• Brief Offer: Below the headline, I offered a new client discount – specifically, “20% off your first cleaning.” This gives a clear incentive to call me. In cleaning business marketing, a special offer can nudge hesitant people to give you a try.
• Business Name and Logo: I included my cleaning business name and a simple logo. Branding is important so that people remember who we are. Consistency in colors and logo makes us look professional and trustworthy.
• Contact Information: In big, easy-to-read text, I put my phone number and website. I made sure the phone number was very prominent – after all, the goal is to get them to call. I also added a line like “Call for a free estimate!” to make it clear there’s no obligation just to inquire.
• Short Description/Bullets: I added a couple of bullet points about our services: for example, “Weekly, bi-weekly, or one-time home cleaning,” and “Licensed, bonded, and insured.” This way, even if they just skim, they see our key selling points.
• Personal Touch: To make it more relatable, I included a smiling stock photo of a cleaner at work (found a free image online). A friendly face can make the service feel more personal. I captioned it with “Friendly, professional cleaners at your service.”

Crucially, I kept the design clean and uncluttered. I remember telling myself not to overcrowd the door hanger with too much info. People will only glance at these for a second or two, so it needed to convey the offer and our services quickly. Large font for the headline and offer, contrasting colors to make the text readable, and a straightforward layout – that was my design strategy.

I also made the door hanger two-sided (utilizing both front and back). The front had the main message (headline, offer, contact), and the back had a short “About Us” blurb and a couple of testimonials I borrowed (with permission) from happy clients. I figured if someone actually flips it over, they’re pretty interested, so having a bit more info could help convert them.

The best part: designing it myself was free, and I used a template for the door hanger format so that it would fit a standard door knob.

Printing 100 Door Hangers for $20

With the design ready, I moved on to printing. My goal was to print as many door hangers as possible without blowing the $20 budget. After shopping around, I found a local print shop that had a digital printer and could print 100 door hanger flyers for $20 on medium-weight cardstock. They weren’t the super thick, glossy professional ones, but they were good enough – sturdy paper and decent print quality. (If you don’t have a local shop, online printers sometimes have small quantity deals or you can even print on your home printer and cut them out, though quality might vary.)

A quick tip: I saved money by printing in bulk and in a standard size. 4.25 x 11 inches is a common door hanger size that fits two per sheet of paper. The print shop printed 50 sheets, each with two door hangers side by side, and then cut them in half and die-cut the door knob hole. If the die-cut (the hole for the knob) is too expensive, one hack is to just print rectangles and use a cheap doorknob hanger hook or even tape to attach them, but luckily the basic cut was included in the price.

So, for exactly $20 I got 100 door hangers printed. That was a small run – I knew I couldn’t blanket the whole town, but it was enough to test in one area. The print shop did it in a couple of days, and I was excited when I picked up the stack of fresh door hangers with my business name on them. As a small business owner, there’s something satisfying about seeing your marketing material physically in hand, especially when it looks professional despite the low cost.

Distributing the Door Hangers in My Local Area

Now came the sweat equity: distributing the door hangers. Since I wasn’t going to pay for a distribution service (I was in bootstrap mode here), I set aside a Saturday morning to do it myself. I chose a neighborhood that I felt was a good fit for my cleaning services. Specifically, I targeted a middle-class neighborhood where I already had one client. My logic was: if I have a happy client on Maple Street, maybe their neighbors would also be interested in a cleaning service, and I could even mention I already clean for “a neighbor down the road” if I ended up talking to anyone.

I loaded the 100 door hangers into a tote bag and started walking door to door. The process was simple: walk up to a house, hang the flyer on the doorknob or somewhere visible, and move on. I tried to be respectful – I never put anything in mailboxes (in the U.S. it’s actually not allowed to put flyers in private mailboxes​). Instead, I hung the flyer on the door handle or gate. If there was a “No Soliciting” sign, I skipped that house to be courteous.

It took me about 2 hours to distribute all 100 door hangers. Here are a few observations from that morning of pounding the pavement:

• Timing: I went out around 9 AM on a Saturday. I figured people would be home but not yet in relaxation mode. I wanted them to find the hanger when they maybe stepped out to grab the newspaper or later in the day when doing errands. Also, doing it in daylight ensured I wasn’t seen as some prowler wandering up to doors at odd hours.
• Quick Interactions: I did bump into a few homeowners who were out in their yards. I didn’t do a full door-knock sales pitch (the introvert in me was relieved I could just leave the hanger), but when I made eye contact, I greeted them and said something like, “Hi, I’m leaving a flyer for my cleaning service. Have a great day!” Most were friendly and said thanks. One gentleman actually chatted for a minute and asked about prices, which gave me a chance to do a mini-pitch. (Pro tip: bring a few business cards with you as well, just in case you end up talking to someone. I handed him a card too, which looked more professional than scribbling my number.)
• Weather: It was slightly windy, and I worried the hangers might blow away. I tried to secure them well on the door handles. Door hangers have an advantage over simple flyers because they hang onto the door and are less likely to flutter off in the wind​. Thankfully none of mine were littering the streets afterward.
• Legwork: Yes, my feet were a bit sore after walking multiple blocks! But I took it as a chance to get some exercise. I also got to really see the neighborhood – you notice a lot when walking door to door. It gave me ideas on which houses might need our service (some porches had piles of clutter – possible prospects!). It also made me appreciate mail carriers who do this daily.

After finishing, I went home feeling a mix of optimism and uncertainty. Would anyone actually call? I knew that door hanger response rates average around 2% in many cases​. With 100 hangers out there, a 2% response would mean 2 calls. I tried to keep my expectations realistic. Even if I got a single new client, I’d consider the $20 and my Saturday morning well spent.

Results: What My $20 Door Hanger Campaign Achieved

Over the next week, I eagerly monitored my phone and email for any inquiries. To my pleasant surprise, the door hangers did generate responses – three inquiries came in within about ten days of distribution:

1. Inquiry #1 – Same-Day Call: The very next day (Sunday), I got a call from a homeowner on Maple Street. She said she found my flyer on her door and had actually been thinking about getting some help with cleaning. We talked for about 15 minutes, and I scheduled an in-home estimate with her for later that week.
2. Inquiry #2 – A Few Days Later: By Wednesday, I received a text message (I had included my business cell number, which can accept texts). This person texted that they got my door hanger and wanted a quote for a one-time deep cleaning before an upcoming family event. I called them back and provided an estimate over the phone.
3. Inquiry #3 – About a Week Later: The last lead came about a week after the drop. A gentleman emailed me (my email was on the flyer too) mentioning he kept the door hanger and finally reached out. He was interested in bi-weekly cleaning and wanted to know more about our rates and availability.

So out of 100 door hangers, I got three leads. That’s a 3% response rate, which actually slightly exceeded the typical 1–3% response rate for this kind of local marketing. I was pretty happy with that number! Now, inquiries are great, but the real question is: did they turn into paying clients?

• Conversion to Clients: Of those three inquiries, two ended up booking my services. The first caller (the lady on Maple Street) agreed to a bi-weekly cleaning after I did the initial estimate and gave her a 20% off the first cleaning (honoring the offer on the flyer). She has since become a recurring client, providing ongoing revenue each month. The second inquiry (the text message for a deep clean) booked a one-time deep cleaning job, which we completed the following week. The third inquiry (the emailer) showed interest but ultimately decided to hold off (they mentioned they were comparing with another service and would get back to me later – it happens).

Still, 2 new customers from 100 flyers is a big win in my book. The one-off deep cleaning job brought in a few hundred dollars, and the recurring client could be worth a few thousand over the year if they stick with us. All from a $20 investment and a few hours of footwork! When I did the math, the return on investment was excellent. One industry article I read noted that if you spend about 15¢ per hanger and get a 2% response, it works out to about $7.50 cost per lead​. In my case, 100 hangers at $0.20 each (approximately) brought me leads at roughly $6.67 each, and the value of those leads (when they became clients) was far, far higher. Even considering my time spent distributing, the campaign paid for itself many times over.

It’s also worth noting that some people might keep the flyer and call later. Just because I only got three responses in the first two weeks doesn’t mean others won’t contact me in a month or even several months later. I’ve had clients hold onto my business card or flyer for a while before acting. So the door hanger might continue to yield results down the line, essentially free advertising sitting on someone’s counter until they need it.

What Worked and What Didn’t

After the campaign, I took some time to reflect on why it succeeded and what I could improve next time. Here’s my honest take on what went well versus what didn’t:

What Worked:

• Targeting the Right Neighborhood: Choosing an area where I already had a client worked well. In fact, the new recurring client mentioned that she felt more comfortable knowing I already cleaned for someone on her street (I had casually mentioned this during the estimate). It built trust. This taught me the value of local references and concentrating on one area at a time.
• Enticing Offer: The 20% off first cleaning offer definitely grabbed attention. Two of the three people who contacted me brought up the discount. An attractive offer can improve response rates, as people feel they’re getting a special deal. It also gave me a talking point when they called (“Yes, we can definitely apply that discount on your first service”).
• Professional Look on a Budget: Even though I made the design myself, I think the door hanger looked pretty professional. Using a clean design, clear wording, and including testimonials helped establish credibility. One lead mentioned they liked that the flyer listed we were licensed and insured – it signaled that we’re not a fly-by-night operation.
• Personal Delivery: Doing the legwork myself had a hidden benefit: I got a tiny bit of face-time with the community. Even the brief hellos and that one conversation helped put a face to the business. People are sometimes more likely to respond when they feel a human connection. Plus, I could ensure the hangers were placed properly (not littering yards).
• Low Cost, Low Risk: Because I spent very little, I wasn’t stressed about the campaign failing. That mentality actually helped me focus on the process and treat it as a learning experience. I think that helped me execute it better than if I had invested a huge sum and was anxious. It was just $20 – worst case, I lose a bit of time; best case, I gain new clients. That’s a win-win mindset for any small cleaning business marketing experiment.

What Didn’t (or What I’d Do Differently):

• Small Quantity Limitation: I only printed 100 door hangers. They went fast. In hindsight, I wish I had printed maybe 200 and hit a couple more streets, because once I got into the groove, I could have easily covered more ground. Next time, I might invest a bit more (say $50) to print a larger batch and widen the reach, especially now that I know the conversion potential.
• Design Tweaks: While I was happy with my DIY design overall, I realized later that I forgot to put an expiration date on the 20% off offer. Oops! This isn’t a huge deal, but marketing-wise, having an expiry like “Call by [date] to redeem” can create urgency. Since I didn’t include one, the offer is kind of open-ended. It might lead to procrastination (“I’ll call next month, the deal will still be there”). In the future, I’ll add a subtle deadline to prompt quicker responses.
• Tracking Method: I realized I could have tracked the campaign more tightly. For example, using a unique promo code like “MAPLE20” or a specific phone number extension for the door hanger would allow me to know exactly which calls came from the flyer. I did ask callers how they heard about us, so I knew it was from the door hanger, but having a tracking mechanism is a good idea if you’re doing multiple campaigns. This is something I’d implement in a bigger campaign.
• Follow-Up Opportunity: One idea I had after doing this campaign was to perhaps follow up in the same neighborhood a few weeks later. The concept of multiple touches is known to increase conversion in marketing – people might need to see your message several times before acting​. I only did one pass. Next time, I might do a second round of hangers or a postcard mailing to those same homes to reinforce the message (“Still thinking about getting some help with cleaning? We’re ready when you are!”). Consistency can improve results, but of course that would mean a bit more budget and planning.

Lessons Learned and Tips for Other Cleaning Business Owners

I’m really glad I tried this little door hanger experiment. It proved that local marketing for cleaning services doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. If you’re a cleaning business owner considering something similar, here are my tips and takeaways from this experience:

• Start Small and Local: You don’t need to blanket an entire city. Target one neighborhood at a time, especially areas where you already have customers or that fit your ideal client profile. This focused approach can yield better results than random scattering.
• Design for Clarity and Impact: Make your message clear at a glance. Use a bold headline, state your offer or unique selling point, and include easy contact info. Don’t overload with text. A clean, simple design will get the point across quickly.
• Include an Offer or Call-to-Action: Give people a reason to respond. Whether it’s a discount for first-time clients, a free estimate, or a limited-time offer, a little incentive can motivate action. And always include a direct call-to-action like “Call us now to schedule!”.
• Mind the Legal and Etiquette Stuff: Remember, don’t use mailboxes for distributing flyers​ – hangers go on doors or door knobs. Respect “No Soliciting” signs to avoid annoying anyone. You’re representing your business, so be polite and considerate when walking around someone’s property.
• Track Your Results: Ask every new caller how they heard about you. If many say “I found your flyer,” then you know it’s working! If possible, use promo codes or separate phone numbers to track campaigns. This helps to measure the exact ROI of your door hanger effort.
• Be Persistent (but Not Pushy): Marketing is often a numbers game. You might not strike gold on your first 100 flyers. Don’t be discouraged. You can try different neighborhoods, tweak your flyer, or do a second round. Persistence can pay off, as familiarity builds trust over time​

Leverage Your Success: If you do gain a new client from the campaign, see if they’ll refer you in the neighborhood or give a testimonial. One door hanger could turn into a word-of-mouth chain reaction if that new client recommends you to their neighbors or community Facebook group.

Conclusion: Was $20 Well Spent? Absolutely!

In the end, my $20 door hanger campaign was a success. It brought in new cleaning jobs and a recurring client, paid for itself many times over, and taught me valuable lessons about how to get more cleaning clients through grassroots marketing. Even more, it was kind of fun to execute – it got me out in the community and made me feel proactive about growing my business.

Not every marketing effort will yield dramatic results, and your mileage may vary. Door hangers might work great in one neighborhood and flop in another. The key is to experiment and find what clicks for your cleaning service marketing in your area. For me, this experiment opened my eyes to the power of local, low-budget marketing. It’s a reminder that while digital marketing is important, old-fashioned local marketing for cleaning services – literally reaching out to your neighbors – still has its place and can produce real results.

If you’re a fellow cleaning business owner, I encourage you to give something like this a try. It’s inexpensive, it’s targeted, and you might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Always be sure to measure your results and refine your approach, because that’s how every campaign gets better.Finally, if you enjoyed this story and are  just getting started with your maid service or cleaning company, don’t underestimate small, scrappy tactics like this. And if you want help organizing your bookings, following up with clients, or quoting jobs faster, check out the MaidManage app – it’s been a huge help in keeping my growing business on track.

“Looking for more tips? Make sure you avoid these common pitfalls—check out our guide on 7 mistakes everyone makes when starting their cleaning business to set yourself up for success.”