Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 03:06:16 pm

Title: Facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 03:06:16 pm
trying to get some likes on face book. appreciate it if you could spare a few seconds guys.
thanks in advance

www.facebook.com/affordablecleanerscheshire


will do same if you let me know
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 03:27:22 pm
thank you robert and lynn, really apprreciate it.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Linds Russell on May 26, 2011, 03:36:57 pm
done!
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: AshWhite on May 26, 2011, 03:46:52 pm
Done
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Paul Heath on May 26, 2011, 04:19:49 pm
Done............ditto ;D

Title: Re: facebook
Post by: clinton on May 26, 2011, 04:20:37 pm
Same here derek il add you on that one mate :)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: davep on May 26, 2011, 04:40:59 pm
Not familiar with this, how does it work having likes?
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: jasonl on May 26, 2011, 04:42:17 pm
Done

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CleaningPRO-carpet-cleaners/122430317796555?sk=wall&filter=2


Feel free
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Sarah Kirby on May 26, 2011, 04:42:49 pm
Done.

Could you like www.Facebook.com/theauranaut for me please.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Sarah Kirby on May 26, 2011, 04:45:22 pm
Done

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CleaningPRO-carpet-cleaners/122430317796555?sk=wall&filter=2


Feel free

Jason, you have enough 'likes' to claim your vanity URL. If you want to know how to do it give me a ring later ( after 9). Gary
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 05:14:22 pm
just getting a blank page sarah ???

joined j


thanks guys for the likes, we're pushing for 200 likes, bit optomistic but nothing ventured eh ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Sarah Kirby on May 26, 2011, 05:21:59 pm
Ooops, left off .com    :-[
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 05:30:07 pm
 ;D

done
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Helen on May 26, 2011, 05:50:50 pm
Done done and done for the 3 of you ;)
Not that I understand what effect it will have ::)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Harry Robins on May 26, 2011, 05:54:13 pm
 Done. 

 How much of a SEO edge does this give you?
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 05:59:27 pm
www.facebook.com/arches.cleaning


done ;)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 26, 2011, 06:08:04 pm
done
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coventry-United-Kingdom/Fitz2Kleen-Carpet-Cleaning-Coventry/129954170397284#!/pages/Coventry-United-Kingdom/Fitz2Kleen-Carpet-Cleaning-Coventry/129954170397284

derek urs hasnt got a like option  ::)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 06:16:18 pm
thats cos you all ready like it marc or trena ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: vision tech on May 26, 2011, 06:26:32 pm
Derek thanks for putting my link up, I could  not get it going,
I cant see a like button on my facebook site but there is one on my normal website.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 06:29:57 pm
im guessing your business page is the main page so its "add as friend" as opposed to "like".
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: vision tech on May 26, 2011, 06:33:44 pm
could be , thanks
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 26, 2011, 06:37:55 pm
Normal pages used as business pages get closed down when FB cottons on, would be worth setting up a biz page now.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Linds Russell on May 26, 2011, 06:38:20 pm
Forgot to add my link, so here it is...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hydro-Kleen-Scotland/145766212110618
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 06:40:02 pm
done ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 26, 2011, 06:53:14 pm
thats cos you all ready like it marc or trena ;D

must be trena then  ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: mark shannon on May 26, 2011, 07:17:53 pm
Liked all yours heres mine  :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-Professional-Carpet-Upholstery-and-Stone-Cleaning/125459373308?sk=wall
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 07:21:32 pm
i'm all ready on yours mark. ;)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Ian Rochester on May 26, 2011, 07:33:31 pm
Done,

Heres ours:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lionheart-Cleaning-Services-Ltd/127317357335512 (https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lionheart-Cleaning-Services-Ltd/127317357335512)

Got a nice picture of the fleet on it!!!
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 07:41:37 pm
some set up that is ian.

done
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: mark shannon on May 26, 2011, 07:45:03 pm
Bloody hell Ian you've got more vans than Likes :)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 26, 2011, 07:46:46 pm
think i got em all
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on May 26, 2011, 07:54:37 pm
Done them all - if you could return the favour I would be much obliged.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carpet-Care-Plus/92052944588
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Ian Rochester on May 26, 2011, 08:05:28 pm
There's another van that was out and about, it was hard enough trying to get those lot together, I've been trying to do it for the past 4 months.

The thing I'm really pleased about is our new unit, we now have everything under one roof, Lionheart, Furniture Clinic and Pedal Power and theres still space for a kick around!!

I'll take some photos if I ever get it tidied up enough.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Gunn on May 26, 2011, 08:19:10 pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gunns-Cleaning-Services/92233646774

cheers
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Andrew Briscoe on May 26, 2011, 09:11:53 pm
Hope i have done them all, return favour here please

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Services/106343672787702

Andrew
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: jasonl on May 26, 2011, 09:16:10 pm
Oh great , now my facebook is clogged up with all kinds of carpet cleaning crap ..

O  I cleaned a carpet today

Look  at my shiny van

Ha we have a big machine

HELLO from your local carpet cleaner.

Going to have to figure out a way to stop all this
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 26, 2011, 09:23:20 pm
Point cursor over message, that will bring up an X in the top right corner, click on the X and choose your setting, suggest you click the one "Hide All by ........"

Handy for those Farmville and Poker requests as well and any other crap that you don't want to see again.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Ian Rochester on May 26, 2011, 09:32:27 pm
Andrew

Can't get your link to work
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 09:41:44 pm
andrews link i hope

nope, can't get it to work

try again

 http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Penrith/100001968662932

think thats it.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: AshWhite on May 26, 2011, 09:54:54 pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aberdare-United-Kingdom/Floors2Show/143527519050993

Cheers all  :)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 10:34:57 pm
is that why you 2 come on here then, to get away from all the carpet cleaning crap on your facebook page ;D

i like seeing what you lot are up to, i just won't tolerate swearing or derogatory remarks as its not good for business, other than that i love it.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Andrew Briscoe on May 26, 2011, 10:46:34 pm
andrews link i hope

nope, can't get it to work

try again

 http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Penrith/100001968662932

think thats it.

cheers Derek
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 26, 2011, 10:52:59 pm
i thought the idea was to be seen to integrating with like minded people.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: boshravie on May 26, 2011, 11:00:57 pm
I just done all of you guys, so can you like mine too? Thanks a million   :)



http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brighton-and-Hove-Professional-Cleaning-Company/107461269335675
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 26, 2011, 11:09:02 pm
done
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 26, 2011, 11:13:42 pm
done
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Colin Day on May 27, 2011, 07:56:29 am
is that why you 2 come on here then, to get away from all the carpet cleaning crap on your facebook page ;D

i like seeing what you lot are up to, i just won't tolerate swearing or derogatory remarks as its not good for business, other than that i love it.

I don't mind the odd reference, but yesterday my page was jam packed with carpet cleaner's notifications and I couldn't see what my chav mates were getting up to ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 27, 2011, 09:12:17 am
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
now i have to go to yet another site b4 work
trouble is i end up playing bejewelled blitz :D

Regards Marc
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: clinton on May 27, 2011, 02:52:19 pm
Done as well mate
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Paul Evans on May 27, 2011, 03:48:11 pm
Done all the peeps  who have listed links.

Heres mine feel free to do like wise

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Evans-North-West-Carpet-Care/144818952238595

Paul
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: cozy on May 27, 2011, 05:44:58 pm
What's the purpose of collecting likes/ members? And not only that, why have other carpet cleaners on your page? Have I missed sommat?
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Rothwell on May 27, 2011, 05:54:35 pm
That is what I was wondering as well ??

What is this face book malarky anyhow ??
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 27, 2011, 05:58:09 pm
What's the purpose of collecting likes/ members? And not only that, why have other carpet cleaners on your page? Have I missed sommat?

whats wrong with other carpet cleaners? are they not good enough for you ;D

there is no purpose for collecting likes. but i like to think ahead, and so do quite a few others by the looks of it.

so to sum up

no youve missed nothing.















or have you, he he he he he he he he
























but seriously, you haven't.











































orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr maybe. ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: cozy on May 27, 2011, 06:02:46 pm
No mate, thinking ahead? What do you mean Derek? What's the score with your page with all the other firms in the same trade being on your page? Do you get to be top of a Google search if your Facebook has a couple of hundred likes? I just wondered what all the "Likings" were for.  :-\
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 27, 2011, 06:07:36 pm
just a bit of fun mate, and i like all carpet cleaners so don't mind them on my facebook. its good for moral ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: cozy on May 27, 2011, 06:08:45 pm
Thought I'd missed out on summat mate.  8)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 27, 2011, 06:15:11 pm
What's the purpose of collecting likes/ members? And not only that, why have other carpet cleaners on your page? Have I missed sommat?

apart from the fun element and banter involved, apparently the Google gods give ranking based on, among other things,popularity and expertise in your chosen field.
Mr G thinks that if you are seen to be interacting among like minded people, you must be kind of imprortant.

unless your names derek then its just for the hell of it  ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 27, 2011, 06:20:45 pm
When you get up to 25 likes you can claim your 'vanity' Facebook URL, so as long as it hasn't gone you can have www.facebook.com/ anything youwant. You see more and more companies advertising their Facebook sites than there main websites now, look out on the tv ads tonight.

The purpose of FB is to interact with your customers and to advertise to them and their friends, it's important to post regularly with interesting topics to keep your name fresh in their minds. With enough Likes and people visiting the site the FB page will rank in Google. So it IS important.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on May 27, 2011, 06:32:27 pm
Gary

How do you claim this vanity name ? Thanks to people on here, I'm now over the 25
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 27, 2011, 06:36:28 pm
I've got a little write up on how to do it, I'll look it out later and send it to you.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: cozy on May 27, 2011, 06:37:16 pm
I've got a little write up on how to do it, I'll look it out later and send it to you.

Me too please mate. E-mail is on my profile
Thanks
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on May 27, 2011, 06:44:11 pm
I've got a little write up on how to do it, I'll look it out later and send it to you.

Thanks mate
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 27, 2011, 07:17:46 pm
Sent to carpetcare email.

Title: Re: facebook
Post by: mark shannon on May 27, 2011, 07:25:01 pm
Gary can I have a copy please?

mark@shannoncleaning.co.uk
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Rothwell on May 27, 2011, 07:28:02 pm
me too please Gary


and me

can I have one please

if you still have them how about me please

ooohhh yes please can I have one too







there that should almost cover the first days begging posts      ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 27, 2011, 07:38:07 pm
Hector, Facebook hasn't reached where you live yet  :P
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Steve Rothwell on May 27, 2011, 07:42:43 pm
I know, but I don't want to dip out on any freebies if they are about.....
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 27, 2011, 07:57:35 pm
In order to set the Facebook vanity url for your fan page, there are several things which need to be in place first.
•   You need to be admin of the page in question
•   It seems you also may need a verified account
•   You need to know which name you want for that page. Because once you have set it, you can never change it.

Facebook lists the following restrictions:
•   
o   Create a username that is as close as possible to your public figure or business name (e.g. London carpet cleaning, Fred West carpet cleaning).
o   If you own the rights to a given name, make it your username so that others cannot obtain it.
o   Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9).
o   Choose a username you will be happy with for the long term. Usernames are not transferable.
o   Your username must adhere to Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.


Log in to Facebook and go to For choosing your pages url, visit http://www.facebook.com/username/.

It will automatically suggest a name for you, but you can ignore that and write what you want in the box next to it.

Job done!!!!

Make sure you get it right as you can't change it afterwards.

You'll need 25 likes before you can claim your name.

Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 27, 2011, 08:04:30 pm
caution and i found out the hard way, thats why my business page is called www.facebook.com/afordablecleanerscheshire and not www.facebook.com/affordablecleaners

make sure you choose the right page you want to  name, in other words, if you want "superduporcleaners" select your business page

if you want your own name then pick your personal page.

you have been warned ;D
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 29, 2011, 07:29:41 pm
managed to get 30 likes, cheers guys

anyone else?

www.facebook.com/affordablecleanerscheshire
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Neil Williams on May 29, 2011, 08:40:59 pm
My turn to join in    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/willclean
I'm still none the wiser but surely the only people you are selling to are those who already know what you do anyway. but please correct me if I'm wrong
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on May 29, 2011, 09:23:48 pm
Neil, the idea is to get your customers on there, you can then market to them directly when you have special offers or any announcements! Hopefully when  they 'like' you their friends see it and the more you interact with each other the more likely it is their frinds see your name on the wall and 'like' you too.

In the first instance though to get your first 25 'likes' so you can claim your name and also look a bit more popular then adding here is a good idea.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Ian Rochester on May 30, 2011, 06:58:38 am
 Just had a look and I'm up to 22 likes...........haven't got a clue what that means though!! :-\
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Simon Gerrard on May 30, 2011, 10:34:07 am
So is this a good way to generate business / or keep in touch with your customers?

Simon
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 30, 2011, 11:05:51 am
its just a small piece in a very big puzzle. ;)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: mark shannon on May 30, 2011, 11:52:03 am
For instance Simon you could be constantly updating with pics vids of ship cleans and directing custys there rather than website.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Andrew Briscoe on May 30, 2011, 08:20:21 pm
been trying to get the right link for mine

think this may be it, still need 10 more likes !!!!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Penrith-United-Kingdom/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Services/106343672787702
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: derek west on May 30, 2011, 09:10:40 pm
this is andrews

andrews link

 http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Penrith/100001968662932
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: fitz2kleen on May 30, 2011, 09:14:05 pm
this is andrews

andrews link

 http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Penrith/100001968662932


done  ;)
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: Barry Livingstone on May 31, 2011, 01:48:32 pm
Id have thought it was your Customer, what's the point of just having loads of other carpets cleaners on it !!!!!

Maybe am missing the point in my marketing!!
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 04, 2011, 05:30:03 pm
i know the usual fish will be along soon for their bait but thought i'd say what a fantastic idea this is! maybe after you all get loads of customers from this we should all set up a joint blog so that there is another way customers can completly ignore us! :D

i guess you all are also following your local builders? your plumbers? painters? your gas man? and find it really interesting to spend your evenings seeing their latest pictures of the wall they painted which has made you decide you want to re-decroate your bathroom? :D

at least it's only time being spent and no money i guess.

Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 05:50:02 pm
I agree, they all seem to be going the wrong way about it. It's Facebook, not twitter, and twitter is rubbish for this malarky too.
Facebook can bring you custies and money in, but you have to use it properly. A page full of your mates wont get you anything. I've heard that it helps your business get better Google rankings or something. Maybe it does, but the way to use Facebook is to put your Facebook page into a position for potential customers to see it.
You need to post on club walls and such like. Local rugby club, horse riding clubs wall etc etc. Put a quick intro, who you are, what you do, and a link to your page (Hopefully not full of other carpet cleaners) and they join as members or fans, who cares what they are. They see what you do and you are in their lists.

This brings us between 500 to 1200 quids worth of work a month from free advertising.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 04, 2011, 06:02:58 pm
i know the usual fish will be along soon for their bait but thought i'd say what a fantastic idea this is! maybe after you all get loads of customers from this we should all set up a joint blog so that there is another way customers can completly ignore us! :D

i guess you all are also following your local builders? your plumbers? painters? your gas man? and find it really interesting to spend your evenings seeing their latest pictures of the wall they painted which has made you decide you want to re-decroate your bathroom? :D

at least it's only time being spent and no money i guess.


;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garyj on June 04, 2011, 06:39:17 pm
I thought it had already been explained that adding other carpet cleaners is useful just to get your first 25 'likes', when you have 25 likes you can then claim your vanity URL and add other little goodies like a bigger side bar picture.

As it becomes more a business tool with real customers then you can slowly start dropping the other carpet cleaners off.
Title: Re: facebook
Post by: garyj on June 04, 2011, 06:47:24 pm
For instance Simon you could be constantly updating with pics vids of ship cleans and directing custys there rather than website.

You can now run a website within Facebook, it looks like Facebook and acts like Facebook but its actually a separate  website hosted on your own server.

For those that 'liked' The Auranaut page for me ( thanks :-) ) on the right hand side there is a menu which says Auranaut, this is a separate website which is where I am going to sell the new releases and have download links.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 06:49:37 pm
So after 25 likes you can call it what you want. What use is that if you don't know what to do to use it to get more work?

If you started with customers in the first place you would be erning from day one. Waiting for a bigger side bar wont be worth anything if nobody looks at your page. Who wants other carpet cleaners to look at their page?
What good is a vanity URL with nowhere to go?

Potential customers wont go looking for your page guys, you have to get in their faces and make them want to look at it. When you post on other sites and pages, you need to advertise with pictures of before and after.Once they are members or fans, don't expect them to read what you post all the time, they wont. They just come back to you if and when they need you. Normally through private messages. Sometimes they will post a question or request for a quote on your wall, b ut mostly through PM's.

You don't open a page and prune it to perfection and wait for it to be a customer magnet. It wont. You have to push it to start with. Later, when you get momentum, then it tends to grow whether you work it hard or soft, if you see what I mean.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garyj on June 04, 2011, 06:58:27 pm
I think reading the thread there is a good basis as to what to do. If you're a complete muppet or arsehole then you can sit back and pick holes all day long. No one here is so thick that they think its going to be a customer magnet, you'll have to work at it, maybe as the thread goes on more could be revealed as to how to run it and what to do.

Derek rightly said earlier, its a small piece in a big puzzle.

Every little helps :-P
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 07:04:09 pm
I'm sorry if I appear to be nit picking or try to shoot down a good idea. I've spoken from my experience of getting regular work from my Facebook pages. I thought that a thread like this was opened for advice and information. If I see people going off track and getting advice that could be explained better, then surely the idea is to chip in and help.
There is a great chance to increase business through something as good as Facebook. I would be happy for any advice that makes my business grow faster or better.

I try to only post on this section when I know what I'm talking about, or most of the time, when I need advice.
Am I in the wrong section or what?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Neil Williams on June 04, 2011, 07:29:25 pm
Am I in the wrong section or what?

No, you're in the right section but with some very strong minded people ;)
Unlike window cleaning which has only a couple of variations on how to do it, there are numerous methods of carpet cleaning, and once you're into one method of doing it all other methods are just pants....well that's the way it goes with some ;)

I know little about facebook so to me all I can say is that it looks like you are advertising only to those who already know you and what you do, which defies logic to me, but I guess it brings in a nominal amount of work. It's preaching to the converted.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 07:34:00 pm
 ;D I know what you mean, respect to the CC guys.

Yes Neil, that's the problem. You need to advertise to new potential customers and if you invite all your mates from CIU it's wasting time and effort other than you get a vanity URL.

Nathaniel Jones knows how to "Seed" and pick up 500 plus "Likes" within a couple of days. (I think it was Nat anyway). There are tips and tricks to use, but the main point is to use it to get more work surely.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garyj on June 04, 2011, 07:39:01 pm
Half right Neil, but the hope is that while you are preaching to the converted you are also getting the message to their friends too.

For each customers that 'likes' you that message gets sent to all their friends, each time they converse with you there friends get to read that message too, that's why it has to be as exciting as possible.

Its slow, but over time it could work, we already hope that when we finish a job our custies will tell their friends and family with a little bit of persuasion they may advertise you on their own Facebook site, something along the lines of

" Had my carpets cleaned today by Willclean, they look like new" etc.

Wherever there are people there is chance to advertise your service and Facebook is a place where a lot of people hang out!  
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 07:45:13 pm
Yeah, that's great, if you have a few spare years to wait for it to get going I suppose. If I knew someone that can drag 500 or 1000 quid a month every month out of Facebook, I'd ask him to help me do the same.
If someone is doing that and another person isn't, but has great advice about how to do it, who would you listen to?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on June 04, 2011, 07:56:32 pm
It's good advice Cozy and I'm sure people appreciate it.

Can you go into any more detail as to how you have gone about making it successful for your business ?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garyj on June 04, 2011, 08:00:21 pm
I'd sit back, do sod all for 6 months to a year then wish I had done something when my rival is stacked out with work because Facebook has replaced Yell/ Yellow Pages and Google.

It could happen, but what has been pointed out a hundred times on here is if you do nothing, you get nothing. The quick fix doesn't exist. I'll admit its a slow way to build customers but the ones that you can get to add you are almost certainly guaranteed to carry on using you in the future.
It's highly unlikely that one of your customers would 'like' you on Facebook then use another carpet cleaner.  

Cozy, all the advice on this forum is there for you to take or leave, its just another idea to add to your marketing arsenal, I doubt its going to be the be all and end all, hence it being a small part of a large jigsaw.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 08:01:21 pm
It's good advice Cozy and I'm sure people appreciate it.

Can you go into any more detail as to how you have gone about making it successful for your business ?

Yes Steve. I'll stick it in word to spell check it first though mate  ;D Will stick it on here tomorrow, I want to get drunk now and moan about the England game. :(
 
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 08:06:56 pm
I'd sit back, do sod all for 6 months to a year then wish I had done something when my rival is stacked out with work because Facebook has replaced Yell/ Yellow Pages and Google.

It could happen, but what has been pointed out a hundred times on here is if you do nothing, you get nothing. The quick fix doesn't exist. I'll admit its a slow way to build customers but the ones that you can get to add you are almost certainly guaranteed to carry on using you in the future.
It's highly unlikely that one of your customers would 'like' you on Facebook then use another carpet cleaner.  

Cozy, all the advice on this forum is there for you to take or leave, its just another idea to add to your marketing arsenal, I doubt its going to be the be all and end all, hence it being a small part of a large jigsaw.


Well while you sit there thinking about it, have a look at the amount of traffic on this site mate. 60% of the work comes via private messages as people seem to be shy about posting on the wall.
You may notice, prices are never posted on the wall.
It's all done by PM

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=217388302773
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on June 04, 2011, 08:10:31 pm
Impressive - that's 100% more enquiries than I've had from facebook !

Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Neil Williams on June 04, 2011, 08:49:28 pm
That's impressive stuff there Cozy but I guess you have North Germany tied up there, do you have any competition from any other British guys?
I'm getting the impression that the British forces there know you are the guy to call which is a bit different to us here who have much more competiton.
Where abouts are you based because I spent numerous years at such delights as Nienburg, Iserlohn, Gutersloh, Larbruch
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Steve Rothwell on June 04, 2011, 08:52:36 pm
what were you in Neil as Guttersloh and Larbuch were mainly RAF camps I think.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cannon on June 04, 2011, 08:58:19 pm
Cozy, I notice yours is a group, I have cannon cleaning as a friend, a group, and today as a business page.

Which one should I promote?? Ive been concentrating on getting people to add cannon cleaning as a friend.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Neil Williams on June 04, 2011, 09:06:12 pm
what were you in Neil as Guttersloh and Larbuch were mainly RAF camps I think.

Royal Engineers at Nienburg (believe that closed after I moved) and likewise Iserlohn.
Did the 2 RAF stations as part of our committment to keep the air fields open should the Russians drop bombs on them.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 09:07:30 pm
Neil, I have a huge firm here that has the whole British forces carpet contract. He is 100% carpets, no window stuff. Has 5 staff and alot of help from "Mates" in the right places. He has all of the estate managers as mates and they recommend him. We have more private stuff and alot of recommendations for upholstery cleaning. There are a few other Brits too but about the same size as me. This is a very compact market, so we have started to really steam into the German market again now.

The Army will be gone in about 5 to 10 years, we need to break away now. We are in Herford and work Paderborn, Gütersloh, Bielefeld,  Detmold, Bünde etc etc. About a 40 mile radius.

The Facebook page was a custy's idea last year. she created it and helped to explain how it worked. We learned how to advertise and where. It started to earn after about a week.

I'm not a Facebook type of person, but if it earns and it's free, I'm interested. Like I said, I'll put a link up with all the basics on so people can get the same. It's fantastic for areas where you work, you just advertise upto the radius you work.

Cannon. I have the old system at the moment for carpets, the newer window cleaning page is the new format. Go for that business page system. Here's a link to my window page......


http://www.facebook.com/pages/BFG-Window-Cleaner/173066676064366?v=wall

By the way, groups will be archived soon, and you have more options on a business page.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cannon on June 04, 2011, 09:26:13 pm
Not sure if they a regional or national org but my local business link who help new and existing businesses with support offer training courses full day or half day something like that, and there FREE!

One of the courses is in using social media for your business im getting a call back on monday for more info.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 04, 2011, 09:31:29 pm
Cool, go for it mate. Any help concerning advertising must be good. I like freebies too, so I'd go for that. ;)
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on June 04, 2011, 10:21:59 pm
Where is the private message facility ?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 05, 2011, 11:15:07 am
Effective ways to use your Facebook page.

Find local groups and club pages in the area you work. These could be riding clubs, pet clubs, sport clubs  hobby clubs etc etc. It’s a good idea to PM  the admins of these pages before you post on the wall. I tell them who I am and what we do, and that I would like to post an introduction to see if any of their members are interested in my service.
When they reply saying “Thanks for asking, go ahead” you then need to post something like this:

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Quotes are FREE. Why not join our group for future reference. We work within 40 miles of Blogton. You can call us on 052251 3499 8925 or on our Facebook page.http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=217388302773
Or e-mail us at info @ blah blah blah

I’ve got about 20 groups where I post every week at least, on some groups where there is a lot of traffic, you could post more regular than a week, perhaps twice or three times a week. Be sure not to overdo it and end up looking like a spam artist!!!

With a bit of work, you can get quite good at finding groups. Type in your local town in the search box in Facebook and see what comes up. If you have a few friends on Facebook, click on their info page and sometimes you can see what groups they are members of.
After a short time you will have enough groups to advertise in, then your page will get very busy.

When you start to get requests for prices posted on your wall by members, I’ve found the best way to respond is by using the PM facility. As you know, pricing is normally done on site and is difficult  to do without seeing the job. I explain this via a PM and post under the request saying “PM’d you” so other members can see I’ve read the request and have reacted.

 They can’t see a price and that stops people thinking you are too expensive etc. If you did do a quote, for example a square foot price, people can be shocked or they measure their room incorrectly and expect a huge bill, or even worse, they expect to pay pennies. So to avoid all that, don’t post prices.

I’ve found that within about a week of opening our page, work stated to come in on a regular basis. At the time of writing this, we get about 500 to 1200 pounds worth of work from Facebook requests. So there’s no reason why you can’t get more. The market we target with this is very limited because it’s the English page and is aimed only at Brits living within our area in Germany. I would expect a lot more work if we were using this system in the UK.

PM's. You can't see the Private Message button on your own page. If you click on "Account" at the top left of your page, then copy that link in the browser, you can post on your wall, "To PM me, please follow this link" and paste it.

It's a good idea to keep your business page seperate from your private page, because you don't want your members to see what you chat about with your mates, or that you like to cross dress and be called Mandy at the weekends. So open a new Facebook account for your firms page.

VERY IMPORTANT!!

Noboday is interested in what you post on your wall. When you get members, they wont go to your page every day or every year for that matter. They become members (Or fans) for future reference. It's not twitter. The only thing you need to post on your wall is perhaps a few before and after pictures or your PM link.
You want your wall full of requests for quotes and stuff like that.

The theory that if you post, it will appear on your members "News feed" and generate interest from other people. No it doesn't. People look at a Facebook site for different reasons, only kids and young 13 year old girls watch carefully what their mates have been doing on Facebook, adults generally don't bother.

If people see too many posts on their news feed from you, you could start to get on their nerves and you get your members "Unliking" your page.

As far as I know, I've only picked up new members after I've posted an advert. Never noticed people joining my page by tripping over it, if you know what I mean.

I think that's about covered it. My e-mail is on my profile, and if you wish to donate to the "Keep Cozy in beer for life" fund, just e-mail me for my bank details.

Thank you, I'm here all week. ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on June 05, 2011, 12:37:38 pm
Great stuff - cheers Cozy
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Andrew Briscoe on June 05, 2011, 10:03:16 pm
I could only find one local group,
however it was for a group of holiday home owners with 30 members,
have emailed their admin and await a reply, could be helpfull.

Andrew

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Briscoe-Cleaning-Services/106343672787702
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 05, 2011, 10:06:40 pm
Good, just need to fine tune your search a bit. Ideas come easier as you go on. If you advertise with flyers or in local mags, always put "Find us on Facebbook" on there. Just stick at finding the groups.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garyj on June 05, 2011, 11:00:54 pm
That's a really helpful post cheers Cozy  8)
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Rick Ward on June 22, 2011, 10:58:36 am
Has anybody encountered difficulties setting up their page??
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 23, 2011, 05:00:39 pm
Another band wagon jumper  ;D
"Liked" all those on this thread, would appreciate the same. Thanks

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clean-Living-Services/276723409375
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 23, 2011, 05:06:25 pm
done
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Graeme@Access on June 23, 2011, 07:30:05 pm
Hi,

All FB links so far have been like by me and my co so please do the same on:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Cleaning-Solutions/195517950475199?sk=wall

Thanks

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
PS see the Twitter thread also =P
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 23, 2011, 07:40:50 pm
done
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 24, 2011, 01:19:05 pm
Another band wagon jumper  ;D
"Liked" all those on this thread, would appreciate the same. Thanks

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clean-Living-Services/276723409375

If you want your Facebook page to be of any use at all mate, you'd better hope none of your recent customers go on there and read what you post about them.
I'm sure the they will be really happy to read that you were surprised that someone  "was living there".Can't see any of them recommending you if they do. Or do you only want a page on Facebook with a hundred "Likes" from other carpet cleaners? What use is that?


Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 03:50:20 pm
"Mate" didn't know we knew each other.........................but thanks mate ;)

I do intend to make use of it, not just "likes"

As for that comment on there, I don't see how its particularly offensive, I did not point out who or where it was and like I said don't think its being rude either.
Maybe we think differently!
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 24, 2011, 03:55:21 pm
don't worry bout it paul, no address or name so its all good. keep gettiong the likes then you can get your vanity name. all helps to future proof your website.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 24, 2011, 04:04:01 pm
No it don't help at all. Nobody apart from other carpet cleaners is useless to you.

It doesn't show an address of where the carpet was, but if the customer goes on there and sees what you posted, I bet they wont refer your service to anyone will they. (Paul)

Never mind mate, at least it's not my company that could suffer through a blunder like that. Good luck with your page.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 04:22:46 pm
Let me paint a picture of that particular job.
Middle aged spinster, on her own (apart from dogs), house was completely cluttered with junk, no computer (that I see) and not the kind of person who looked like they have a big group of affluent friends, yes "billy no mates". Now I'm being rude  ;D

So to be perfectly honest I don't think she will see it online. Don't think she is the kind who will recommend me, despite it being a good job.
And by the looks of it prior to cleaning it hadn't been touched in 5-10 years so don't expect her to get it done regularly either.
Not that I see anything wrong with the comment anyway.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 24, 2011, 04:37:17 pm
I'll type slow so you get the point I'm making. Assume other customers have got a computer, and with your successful Facebook page full of carpet cleaners, some of these customers find their way onto your "Vanity" named page and see what you post about how you were shocked to find such a minging bunker.

So go get a "Vanity name" for your page, post what you like and hope only carpet cleaners read your comments.

I come onto this section for advice. If I get advice, I tend to look at who is giving it and look at their post history to see if they know what they are talking about when it's about a subject where I need advice. There are people that I ask directly, like Joe Hatton, or Neil Willams, or sometimes Clinton.

Wouldn't bother asking you about Facebook or customer respect.As I said, good luck, you'll need it with your attitude mate.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 24, 2011, 04:43:17 pm
got to agree with cozy here. paul you know who you were talking about but your customers don't. was you talking about them when you judged them? if they use you it's obviously because they think their carpets are dirty. will they feel comfortable knowing that you'll then post online about how can they leave in a property with dirty carpets. common sense really. don't go judging and slagging off your customers who have dirty carpets to your customers (who all think they have dirty carpets so are looking to get them cleaned).

Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 04:57:30 pm
I'll type slow so you get the point I'm making. Assume other customers have got a computer, and with your successful Facebook page full of carpet cleaners, some of these customers find their way onto your "Vanity" named page and see what you post about how you were shocked to find such a minging bunker.

So go get a "Vanity name" for your page, post what you like and hope only carpet cleaners read your comments.

I come onto this section for advice. If I get advice, I tend to look at who is giving it and look at their post history to see if they know what they are talking about when it's about a subject where I need advice. There are people that I ask directly, like Joe Hatton, or Neil Willams, or sometimes Clinton.

Wouldn't bother asking you about Facebook or customer respect.As I said, good luck, you'll need it with your attitude mate.

No need to get sarcastic or insulting about it, I didn't ask for your comments on it, I was just responding to what you wrote.

Easter bunny, how am I "slagging off" my customer ???
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 24, 2011, 05:03:29 pm
tbh I don't use facebook so haven't read what you said but from what has been said in this thread it would appear you've said something along the lines of "i'm surprised that someone was living there" what else is this if not slagging off? people in this thread have even said it's fine as you haven't put a name/address so why are they defending it if it isn't an insult? if you had put name and address this would mean then it's bad right? that sentence basically reads. "the place was so dirty that no one could live there". the point was clear i think you're just defending now simply on the fact you don't want to be wrong. I can't see how anyone could think it makes sense to tell customers how bad other customers  places are

what you think of the site cozy?  :P
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 24, 2011, 05:14:50 pm
I seem to have offended you Mr Simpson, easily done, so it would seem. Hope your customers aren't as sensitive as you seem to be. Not a nice feeling is it?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 05:19:25 pm
Just to let you know it says "a recent bad one, and yes someone was living there"

I am not "defending it because I don't want to be wrong" I just do not see any harm in the comment, but like I said before, maybe I think differently. If of course everyone comes on agreeing with you, then maybe I am wrong.


Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 05:21:05 pm
Not offended, mate  ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on June 24, 2011, 05:24:29 pm
Ahhh, I've stumbled over a keyboard hero from the carpet section who is never wrong. Sorry, I was trying to help people who wanted to actually use Facebook to earn money and promote more business. You stick to your "I'm right" tactic and keep posting unhelpfull comments on your page. Please stay away from my pages, they are for customers.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 24, 2011, 05:29:16 pm
this is how i see it paul.

every customer in the last 10 days that has used you has used you simply because they thought their carpets were dirty that they now didn't want to live with them. I wash my cloths when i find them too dirty to wear, customers clean their carpets when they consider them too dirty to live with (sounds extreme but can't think of a better way to say it). now their opinion of dirty will be different to yours but they simply thought they had dirty carpets that needed to be cleaned. if they now go on facebook and see you pointing out that you've just done a dirty carpet clean that was so bad that you had to comment that someone was even living there then they'd be justified in thinking it's them you're talking about. it's a pointless comment that doesn't have any benefit but only risk. you could easily say another bad one today that come up great, customer very happy now living with fresh like new carpets.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 05:43:32 pm
this is how i see it paul.

every customer in the last 10 days that has used you has used you simply because they thought their carpets were dirty that they now didn't want to live with them. I wash my cloths when i find them too dirty to wear, customers clean their carpets when they consider them too dirty to live with (sounds extreme but can't think of a better way to say it). now their opinion of dirty will be different to yours but they simply thought they had dirty carpets that needed to be cleaned. if they now go on facebook and see you pointing out that you've just done a dirty carpet clean that was so bad that you had to comment that someone was even living there then they'd be justified in thinking it's them you're talking about. it's a pointless comment that doesn't have any benefit but only risk. you could easily say another bad one today that come up great, customer very happy now living with fresh like new carpets.

Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garry22 on June 24, 2011, 05:46:42 pm
1/ With the internet, you have to assume that anything is in the public domain (including many forum comments).

What is humour to friends in the pub does not translate to the written word quite so easily. We are in a world where a couple of negative comments or reviews can snowball and wreck a business.

I have a client who drives me nuts. He is repeatedly late replying to e mails. He cannot grasp that a few comments about that on a forum or Q & A site could mean (in their business) tens of yhousands of lost revenue.

2/ Would it not be better to have a few "normal people" liking pages rather than businesses? It looks a bit false, like swapping web links.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 24, 2011, 05:57:13 pm
i think the idea of forums is to offer advice, not to ram it down peoples throats then get all shirty when someone doesn't listen.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 24, 2011, 06:02:23 pm
force?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garry22 on June 24, 2011, 06:07:23 pm
Paul,

I'm not taking sides either way but something similar happened to me a while ago.

I used a sub headline... "To all office managers who think they are being fed bullpoop by carpet cleaners".. It did not seem a big deal to me.
It came up during a "focus group" discussion (all the wives & girlfriends in the pub) and the girls all hated it. It got changed shortly afterwards.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Robert Watson on June 24, 2011, 06:10:44 pm
Thought its about time I got involved in this. Facebook, not the wee "Debate"  ;D
what is the word count on facebook?
Cheers
 
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 06:19:24 pm
 One day this guy will be back in fashion, don't think anything reciprocal on the web will be again though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekhvwzPcD64

Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Adam P on June 24, 2011, 06:21:18 pm
is that derek on the drums?
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Simon Gerrard on June 24, 2011, 06:25:45 pm
How do you get the big advert type image to the left of your Facebook page?

Simon
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Paul Simpson on June 24, 2011, 06:29:47 pm
Thanks Gary, noted!

Simon, if its what I think your talking about you just add a copy of your advert or logo as your profile picture.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Simon Gerrard on June 24, 2011, 06:35:14 pm
Paul,
Derek has a very professional looking image.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/affordablecleanerscheshireHow do you do it?
I know, I'm thick ;D

Simon
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 06:35:50 pm
Simon

It's dead easy.... YOU PAY SOMEONE TO DO IT.

Probably a few iframe carpet cleaners on here with time on their hands. :D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 24, 2011, 06:38:15 pm
Simon

It's dead easy.... YOU PAY SOMEONE TO DO IT.
Probably a few iframe carpet cleaners on here with time on their hands. :D

thats how i did it ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Simon Gerrard on June 24, 2011, 06:43:02 pm
Yeah, but I'm only a cleaner, I can't afford to buy in skills like that. ;D
And what's an iframe - is it the latest from Everest? ???
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: derek west on June 24, 2011, 06:45:27 pm
Yeah, but I'm only a cleaner, I can't afford to buy in skills like that. ;D
And what's an iframe - is it the latest from Everest? ???

there spectacles aren't they, dya get it, eye frame, glasses, ha ha, awwww forget it, i'm wasted on here, here all week. try the veal ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 06:45:42 pm
Yeah, honestly it's the smart way to do it. Treat it like any other service you have to buy but you haven't got a clue how to do it yourself.

I spent two days installing driveway gates last week. Saves myself a few hundred, they are plummed like the leaning tower of pizza, may fall down at any moment and I've done me back in.  ::)

Should have just paid someone and do what I'm supposed to be paid for.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 06:47:33 pm
Go on Fiverr website, someone will do it for you. Yes and all the bloody lurkers reading this too, you cheapskates!  ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Simon Gerrard on June 24, 2011, 06:58:14 pm
Derek,
Eye see your point. ;D

Wynne,
So who do you get to do it?

Simon
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garry22 on June 24, 2011, 07:00:52 pm
Quote
Go on Fiverr website,

Might get some professional "likers" on there as well. Not bad for five bucks.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 07:16:02 pm
Go to Fiverr.com and do a search on iframe. Look for people who offer to do your FB page iframe. Check out their reviews, send them three quid, Bob's your uncle.

iFrame is the best thing to happen tp Facebook as opposed to fannying about with their proprietry fbml.

If you are really smart you will progress to finding someone who can install a rotator so you can split test different displays and of course create a forced like entry point.

Check out the best FB sites for inspiration... Starbucks anyone?

Also listen to Garry22 he knows his onions.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: The Carpet Cleaning Pro on June 24, 2011, 07:27:59 pm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carpet-Cleaning-Pro/130912880321946

after some likes guys.
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: garry22 on June 24, 2011, 07:32:54 pm
Quote
Also listen to Garry22 he knows his onions.

Thanks Wynne,

$ 5 on it's way   ;D
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: wynne jones on June 24, 2011, 07:55:55 pm
Quote
Also listen to Garry22 he knows his onions.

Thanks Wynne,

$ 5 on it's way   ;D

Nah, just like me back.  ;D

Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: Graeme@Access on June 24, 2011, 07:57:04 pm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carpet-Cleaning-Pro/130912880321946

after some likes guys.

Done reciprocate at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Cleaning-Solutions/195517950475199?sk=wall

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
Title: Re: Facebook
Post by: cozy on July 02, 2011, 09:20:48 am
Just to let you know it says "a recent bad one, and yes someone was living there"

I am not "defending it because I don't want to be wrong" I just do not see any harm in the comment, but like I said before, maybe I think differently. If of course everyone comes on agreeing with you, then maybe I am wrong.


Just like to apologise, you were right of course, nobody will be offended by your comment about the carpets being so dirty mate. Nobody seems to go on your Facebook page anyway.

Seen more movement on an oil painting.  8)