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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: GDwindowcleaning on December 17, 2011, 03:37:13 pm

Title: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: GDwindowcleaning on December 17, 2011, 03:37:13 pm
Hi just trying to find out some success stories for facebook...
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on December 17, 2011, 03:42:38 pm
We use it, but to be honest I can't quite get my head around how it is supposed to work from a marketing perspective, perhaps one of the guru's could explain in plain English. 8)
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Colin Day on December 17, 2011, 03:52:40 pm
I get at least 6 jobs from FB. It won't make me as successful as Lord Sugar, granted!

I ask my friends to "Share" my status which has an attached link to my website. I have also put my friends oop north in touch with carpet cleaners I'm friends with on FB and from CIU and WOC. For networking, it's fantastic...

People I'm not even friends with get in touch more often than not and more and more say they got me from FB.

It's pretty easy to manipulate FB and well worth it, cos it's FREEEEEEEE!
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on December 17, 2011, 03:54:51 pm
Colin,

So explain it in some detail, if you don't mind.

Simon
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Doug Holloway on December 17, 2011, 05:06:20 pm
Hi Guys

I have set up a business facebook page and I would appreciate it if you would 'like' it.

http://www.facebook.com/EssexCarpetCleaners

Can you experts please recommend the best way of going about it and I can learn as I go along.

Simon set one up and I will like it for you!

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on December 17, 2011, 05:56:09 pm
Sticking up a page with a link to your site isnt enough.

First think about this:

What do you hope to gain from the page?
Who is your ideal audience?
What actions do you want?
What feelings, actions or behaviours do you want your audience to experience?

I am up for helping someone develop a page over the Xmas/New Year holidays.
Was going to do our own but I am on holidays so if I do someone elses its not technically working.

Any takers?


Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on December 17, 2011, 06:08:49 pm
Douglas,
I've had one for ages, I've like yours ;)

Simon
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Colin Day on December 18, 2011, 12:30:07 am
Colin,

So explain it in some detail, if you don't mind.

Simon

Simon

It's hard to explain TBH. I have about 650 friends on FB, about 150 or so are past/regular customers. The others are people I don't like ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: fitz2kleen on December 18, 2011, 01:20:26 am
Sticking up a page with a link to your site isnt enough.

First think about this:

What do you hope to gain from the page?
Who is your ideal audience?
What actions do you want?
What feelings, actions or behaviours do you want your audience to experience?

I am up for helping someone develop a page over the Xmas/New Year holidays.
Was going to do our own but I am on holidays so if I do someone elses its not technically working.

Any takers?




Got one but have no idea if it is set up correctly to achieve all that it should.
i know it could be better and am open to advice :)
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: ian harper on December 18, 2011, 07:06:37 am
respects
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on December 18, 2011, 08:22:26 am
Hi just trying to find out some success stories for facebook...

Not carpet cleaning related but a Facebook success story none the less.
When John Bryden did the initial launch of www.kirstyskids.org (http://www.kirstyskids.org) I managed their Facebook profile spending 15mins in the morning, at lunch and early evening updating the page with content John sent from his smartphone and dropping links, replies and photos.

In 4 weeks we had 635,000 views from 265,000 people and raised £11,000.

I should say there were other fantastic contributions from Robert Saunders/Alltec, ourselves (CleaningSystemsUK) and Stephen "Dusty" Roberts however all us used facebook to leverage activity and donations.
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on December 18, 2011, 08:30:21 am
As Ian said its about being helpful.

My son recently started primary school.

 There was a huge amount of activity on my partners Facebook from Mums in regard to removing dry wipe marker from the kids polo shirts and jerseys. I knocked up a quick video of removing the stain, stuck it on the school Facebook group and sold 2 cases of Solvex. (Hairspray would have worked....shhhhh)
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on December 18, 2011, 09:09:38 am
social marketing is hard work. you have to be helpful and not salesman. getting into groups like mums, pet owners is hard work but if you can its a gold mine.

Ian,
Can you flesh that out a little?

Simon
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: derek west on December 18, 2011, 10:26:25 am
90% friendly banter 10% business posts. easy as that.

facebook isn't quite here yet for the casual user but it will be, and as my mate dale winton would say, you have to be innit to win it darlings ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Doug Holloway on December 18, 2011, 10:36:04 am
Hi Guys

Thanks for the likes, more welcome!

If you want me to like just ask.

How do we actually turn this into money/

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: robert meldrum on December 18, 2011, 11:05:25 am
Doug

I think Google have a big say in that as they place  " paid for " advertising in Facebook presumably matching individuals apparent / likely preferences............but that's just guessing  ::)
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: AshWhite on December 18, 2011, 11:07:22 am
Doug

I think Google have a big say in that as they place  " paid for " advertising in Facebook presumably matching individuals apparent / likely preferences............but that's just guessing  ::)

Actually, Facebook have their own version of "adwords"
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Colin Day on December 18, 2011, 11:09:44 am
My wife was making these little soft toys for her brother's gift shop in St Ives, Cornwall.

As the end of the season approached he was left with loads of these as stock and dumped them back on the wife :o

"What the hell do I do with these?" she says...

Well, she started a FaceBook shop up and sold out within a day. She has had to make many extra "Sock Monkeys" at £8.50 each + P&P, but they sell out as soon as they are posted on her shop site. She literally can't keep up with the demand.

What happens is, she posts up the new collection and her friends "Share" the link, my wife gets orders from friends of friends of friends......

Her brother, meanwhile, is seething. We advised him to open up a FB shop but we were met with "I hate FB, what a load of crap!" Now, my wife won't be able to supply him with as much, if any.... ;D

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Day-Dreams/306867806004218?ref=ts
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: robert meldrum on December 18, 2011, 12:06:29 pm
How come when I clicked on that link I went straight to my facebook page which is practically non existent as I've done nothing with it.
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Bob Robertson on December 18, 2011, 12:19:48 pm
I watched this the other night and it expains how facebook works... worth a watch.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017ywty/Mark_Zuckerberg_Inside_Facebook/


Bob
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Colin Day on December 18, 2011, 12:40:07 pm
How come when I clicked on that link I went straight to my facebook page which is practically non existent as I've done nothing with it.

 ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: David_Annable on December 18, 2011, 12:47:28 pm
Hi

I get emails from companies offering to set it up for you, is that the beat option.

Or is it staightforward to set it up urself?

Dave
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: AshWhite on December 18, 2011, 01:42:59 pm
Dave, it's very very easy to setup yourself.
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Steve Rothwell on December 18, 2011, 02:26:09 pm
is it?
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Steve Rothwell on December 18, 2011, 03:05:15 pm
does it cost?
how does it really work from scratch?
can a computer illiterate do it?

answers please
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: jacko on December 18, 2011, 04:43:15 pm
Hi guys

Been on facebook for a while but have'nt done much with it. For a start need 25 "likes" for unique URL, up to about 12 - feels like billy no mates!

If as many of you as possible "like" my 2 sites - i will reciprocate the favour. This is defo the future for marketing (the present really) amongst other avenues.....

Please like my Facebook pages Home Maids Local and Jackman Fabric Care. - i will like you back with these 2 sites plus my personal one - so you get 3 likes!

cheers......
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Ian Gourlay on December 18, 2011, 04:59:04 pm
Hi Guys

Thanks for the likes, more welcome!

If you want me to like just ask.

How do we actually turn this into money/

Cheers

Doug


Doug

This is where i get confused . how does it help you me liking you , you need people in your area of operation to like you in my opinion But having now read jacko I can see why everybody is asking for likes, but what does unique url do what do you have before then
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: David_Annable on December 18, 2011, 06:19:28 pm
Hi

That going on my list of resolutions for nex year then.

Dave
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: AshWhite on December 18, 2011, 06:29:27 pm
Hector,I'm on my phone at the moment, but if I get some time later I'll try and write a bit of an easy to follow guide.


If you can navigate your way round forums etc, I'm sure you can manage to setup a half decent facebook page.
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Steve Rothwell on December 18, 2011, 06:43:36 pm
Thanks Ash that would be good of you

 ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: derek west on December 18, 2011, 09:23:40 pm
if you need 25 likes for your vanity url, then how has doug done this http://www.facebook.com/EssexCarpetCleaners  ;D


i think dougs not telling us something ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Doug Holloway on December 18, 2011, 09:26:17 pm
Hi Derek

I'm not sure.

I just followed the instuctions and it came up.

As you can see I do not have 25 likes, yet!!

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Neil Williams on December 18, 2011, 09:44:13 pm
Hi guys
Been on facebook for a while but have'nt done much with it. For a start need 25 "likes" for unique URL, up to about 12 - feels like billy no mates!

You're onto 17 now!
Here's mine http://www.facebook.com/willclean
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: AshWhite on December 18, 2011, 09:51:29 pm
OK, Hector  :) to set up an advertising account on Facebook, scroll to the bottom of the Facebook home page and click on "advertising", then on the next page click on "Create an advert".

You can decide if you want people to be directed to your facebook page, or to your website (by changing the 'Destination'). As you write the ad, you can see a real time image of it so you know what it's going to look like.

As for targeting it, I've done my mine for my hometown + 16kms, people aged 21+ - this gives me a target audience of 7,360 people.

You can narrow it down to people with certain interests, relationship statuses, education level, and languages spoken - but I've left all that blank to include everyone.

Then you need to specify a budget, and a PPC bid (How much you are willing to pay everytime someone clicks your ad - although they will suggest a figure). I set mine to £6 a day, and only ever top up £40 at a time - and it's currently set at £1.39 per click. If 5000 see your ad, but no-one clicks, you pay nothing.


To be honest, it's straightforward to set up, but not particularly effective. I find the other way of doing it that I mentioned on the other thread gets much better results (and is completely FOC).
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Linds Russell on December 19, 2011, 12:28:33 am
I have 2 business pages - one of which I set up 2 years ago and forgot about. It is called Carpet Cleaner West Lothian (my area) and I also have Hydro Kleen (Scotland) which is my main page.

My West Lothian one ranks between pages 1 and 2 of Google in the natural listings. It only has around 7 likes but it gets me a good few jobs as people understand how to use Facebook  :)

Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: kevin brown on December 19, 2011, 08:08:55 am
I think face book is just an awesome kind of platform for many business owners and till now it has rewarded many business owners. Just think in the way that you are getting a wide audience and you have expanded your business area. you will have interaction with them. your business will get more popular among the locals and global community. Is not it worth for you being a business man? If it is not that worth, then you would probably never come out of your town. 
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Paul H on December 19, 2011, 01:12:24 pm
i have a fb page too .. as many others on here too...

thing is to get your custys or whoever in your area of operations to like..

then keep posting and feeding them posts / photos / deals etc.. i think the idea is like twitter and u tube etc.. if these are linked back to your site it helps your site rankings

your followers will see your posts regularly and next time the need the service bingo they wont go to that local paper or yell.com etc.. i get regular requests from people who follow me saying "you done my carpet my friend is after hers doing etc." if you get the drift... i also ran a little competition getting my friends to share my page and the "50th" person to like received a prize ... (discounted clean .. not free.. so you still make money ) and it was a good bit banter...

just keep feeding your pages with banter incentives for those already following you to share you with their friends etc.. to build up your network.. but like all things its takes time..... but social network sites are amass with potential customers IMO.. just have to drive it like all forms of marketting
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Bedfordshire Oven Cleaning on December 22, 2011, 10:03:21 am
Ok,
So have just set this up as a complete facebook numpty.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-1-Cleaning-Company/267864876592718?sk=info

Now what do I do? It really means not a lot to me!
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: AshWhite on December 22, 2011, 10:16:12 am
Now you need to make it a page worth 'liking'. Get some pics, offers, advice - anything people might want to see on there.
Then, when joe bloggs 'likes' it, any further posts you make will automatically show on his wall.
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: ian harper on December 23, 2011, 07:37:01 am
Simon
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: Steven Lawrence on December 23, 2011, 12:21:48 pm
i get the odd bits and pieces from fb but i dont promote it like i should, whereas twitter is a different story

www.facebook.com/pages/dry-and-clean/170955295920

twitter: @dryandclean
Title: Re: Does anyone use facebook for business?
Post by: ian harper on December 29, 2011, 07:39:38 am
Guys