[Mike Halliday]

I'm a member of the most popular Facebook group for my town, they basically talk about all the boring crap that happens ( inconsiderate parking, lack of local shops that sell organic veg, dog poo on paths ...... All the important things in life )

But I was slightly disappointed when someone asked for a recommendation for a local carpet cleaner and out of 39 comments no one mentioned me

after all I'm the most established, and been going the longest of all the local carpet cleaners, but no one mentioned me.

But  I looked at the pages of all the people who answered and I saw a pattern........ all of them were young people (under 30) it got me thinking about who my market is ...... Old people!! And I think it's because I'm the highest priced carpet cleaner around here and the young want cheap ( I know I'm generalising and some  young people will pay higher prices)

I don't think it's a coincidence that the 4 companies that were mentioned were the lower priced companies one of them was a painter & decorator who does a bit of carpet cleaning on the side.

[Forum Admin]

Hi Mike,

Do you advertise on Facebook or is your business active on Facebook? For example do customers give you likes?

I definitely think the younger generation are finding their needs via social media and the like, it seems all bases need to be covered to target all age groups.

Also as you have been established the longest you have loyal customers who have used your services for years; unfortunately this audience may not be users of Facebook.

I also think the more people that have cheaper carpet cleaners the less they understand the quality and benefits of a good carpet cleaner. I was speaking to someone the other day who said "It's not worth having them cleaned as it doesn't make that much difference", when I asked what they meant by this and how much they paid they said "Well they didn't get all the stains out and it didn't look as clean as I hoped", how much did you pay I said, they replied "£20 for lounge and dining". My point here is this person is now of the understanding that carpet cleaning isn't really worth it, if they had a quality job they would be of a different mindset, it's trying to educate people as well as fulfilling their needs.

[Tibi N.]

60-70% the power of recomandations,word of mouth . 10-20 % adwords. Facebook... only stupid questions and eye browing about my "high" prices. The last year I really tried fcb.  Lots of before and after,etc. Only 39... not quite that old . And really love your website Mike

[jasonl]

They are not younger people, or under 30s, they are millenials, a very important and growing consumer group.

Read all you can about marketing to millenials,  how am I mainly top on google in Sheffield? because I tapped into millenial marketing, they care about convenience, speed, and quality, price is low on their list of priorities.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I've set my fb parameters at 35 plus, I know my market and it's not going to the youth as they don't wait, want it cheaper than I'm prepared to offer,forget their appointment or worse or get a better offer, they aren't for me! They are a harder market to crack but when you're in then it's cups of endless tea.

[Michael H Jones]

An interesting viewpoint that I hadn't thought of before. Most of my oven cleaning customers are over 30 and I only use Google ads. I have a lot of landlord customers though so am constantly cleaning the ovens of under 30s former tenants who have wrecked the property.......think the Facebook guys can keep these animals  . I'm not even sure about the mindset of Generation Snowflake and whether they could ever be reliable customers. Of course there are a group of them who can wipe their own bottoms and are capable of great things, but it seems to be a dwindling number. I prefer my older lot!

[gwrightson]

Hi Mike,

I believe I am a member of a similar group to what you refer, only in my area,

I get the same problem with people recommending the 3 rooms for £40 guys , having said that I do also get recommended by people I actually know in the same group  resulting in the occasional job.

Geoff

[Ian Harper]

Mike

funny you should talk about this. Just read a story about a finance guy that was to go to man in town for everything. The story is about how helping others he helped himself have the biggest business of his type in town.

[MarkSutcliffe]

my sisters friend has asked if i can sort out a doggie puddle...

she's messaged me through Facebook and being friend of sister, I'm not overly bothered about getting any money,

i've told her that I'm passing on Saturday morning, pay me what you reckon once i've done it...

lets see what I actually get,,

Typical Facebook poster asking on Facebook, who didn't realise I did carpet cleaning

[Ian Harper]

I recommend this take on the old best seller

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People-Digital-Age/085720727X