[Window Washers]

If you are established I can 100% see why social media is not attractive but for a new starter I think it's imperative. A smartphone is a tool to be used 24 hours a day IMHO.

why do you think that Andy ?

[Richard iSparkle]

If you are established I can 100% see why social media is not attractive but for a new starter I think it's imperative.

that's interesting...  i would have assumed the oposite!

[Don Kee]

Im what youd call a new starter. I'm also probably what you'd call younger generation. I'll be honest, social media has never interested me, i cant understand the infactuation of telling everyone about your life.
In regards to weather i think facebook, twitter etc would help me business wise, i honestly dont know enough about how it would help so i havent bothered. I understand that if i keep knocking doors, and keep doing a good job cleaning my business grows. I also dont think i need to do anything more for the time being as canvassing and cleaning is time consuming as it is.
Maybe social media would be great for business expansion....but as i said, i dont understand or know how it would be so i havent.

[andrew hamshare]

Canvassing will always be a great method as you are there on the spot to quote and take details.

WOM works in many social platforms; school gate, down the pub, dinner parties to name but 3.  if you observe people out and about you see them constantly with their smartphones at the ready, any of their cyber friends posts on fb and they are on it, responding and interacting over the ether.  it's massive.  

They don't just direct message either, there are local 'for sale and wanted anytown' groups where people just aimlessly sift through the posts and topics waiting to contribute and comment.  The main group that I gain referrals from covers a radius of less than 10 miles from my home address (pop circa 60,000).  This one group has over 9,000 members, now that is a very large audience to connect with!  

When someone asks on there for a local window cleaner on there people recommend me, occasionally someone posts a number for ANother local window cleaner but more and more people are tagging me.  I've had this happen whereby I've had others join in asking for quotes too.

I just think that fb is a platform like no other, doesn't replace other methods nor does it compete, it compliments whatever other methods you use.

[andrew hamshare]

That's a great way to describe it Pride n Clean, lots ad lots of people are 'infatuated' with their smartphones ie facebook.

[Window Washers]

That's a very good post Andy and spot on with everyone with smart phones at the ready

[Don Kee]

Sorry wasnt slagging off social media if it came across that way

Just think that most of the time people dont tend to try and do stuff if they dont understand how to use it or why it would benefit (me included)
Personally, i would like to learn how to use facebook etc one day to help grow the business, just dont understand how me updating my status about my day would interest anyone
Id imagine there would be more to it than that but hence the lack of understanding.

[andrew hamshare]

I have my own personal fb guru.  

I think that some people who've decided to go self employed of a certain age want to explore this market and want the tools and know how to do it.  

As Robert Zimmermann say's:  
"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'."

[Window Washers]

I have my own personal fb guru.  

I think that some people who've decided to go self employed of a certain age want to explore this market and want the tools and know how to do it.  

As Robert Zimmermann say's:  
"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'."

love that

[andrew hamshare]

DC, this site is a form of social media, it is basically a place where people exchange views and information.  

The target audience here is people who clean windows, whether someone wants to ask for the best brush or wants to share a flyer design, it all boils down to a form of 'socialising'.

You hear a lot from people of my generation and above really getting irate at seeing people on the internet and facebook in particular.  It is just their opinion and it is 100% valid....to them and to us who want to attract them as customers.  If I have a customer slag off facebook and 'the younger generation' ad nausea, I don't disagree with them as that would be counter productive, I already have their attention and we have a conversation about it, always mindful that they are ALWAYS RIGHT, even when they are sort of wrong.  

Bear in mind that this is all 'in my humble opinion' and counts for nought to anyone else in the real world, I am only speaking from my very limited experience.

How many companies, let alone window cleaners, had one of 'those fancy website thingies' 20 years ago?

Btw, today is the 20th anniversary of the very first ever text message being sent!  I can't imagine anyone setting out in business in the now not knowing how to send a text, not a chance imho.

Th@ 1st eva txt message?  'merry christmas'  very original.

[Don Kee]

I would imagine the theory is pretty simple...?
Catch peoples attention and create interest (the social media) then its up to you to sell and close??

I guess its just working out what to do to create the interest (id imagine this is were all this is leading)

Id quite like to learn how to do it to be honest, i know a guy who paid someone to create and maintain a facebook page, and it was.....pathetic. Id imagine done properly it works quite well.

Also a lot of people have the impression of why bother as i can get my kids to do it, but i guess if our customers had that attitude i wouldnt be window cleaning!!

Just my two pennies, but i am i interested in learning about it all, no harm eh??

[andrew hamshare]

I only use Youtube for Wagga work-wise.

Personal use for Billy Bragg, The Jam, Kirsty McColl, Floyd, Led Zep.......................

[andrew hamshare]

There's a large element of the subliminal in it too I feel.  I'd suggest that peopel don;t over egg it or their ads/posts could cause annoyance, the occasional post at varying times of day may be a good approach.

By subliminal I mean that although people may not realise it they have read a post that you make and have not idly skimmed over it.  Make no mistake, people have no idea what info their brains absorb in general day to day situations.

If you have a facebook account, go to the bottom of your home page and click on 'pages' - 'create a page' and follow your nose.  You have nought to lose as you can delete a test page once you've had a play.  Keep it 'private' whilst you tinkering though.

[Window Washers]

Direct selling on Facebook tends not to work very well it's classed as spamming by most people, getting people to know like and trust you will do you massive dividends

I will be doing a set up guide to follow tailored to each social media platform I'm half way through the second one these will be free too.

Just need 4 3 more votes

[Window Washers]

Only votes needed now

[Window Washers]

One more and I can lock this vote off . Thanks for all that have taken part

Who's going to be voter 100 ? Please add a comment here when you do it

[andrew hamshare]

Will it have pictures?

[Window Washers]

Will it have pictures?

do you need pictures ?

[andrew hamshare]

Yes and not too many big words please.

[richard luxford]

i have a link from my website to my facebook page. my facebook page...
Richard's Cleaning Services.
i have all of the pictures i have taken at various commercial sites stored on it, it allows potential customers to get a feel of whom or what they can expect when using me...