[Steve Chapman]

I proposed text marketing back 2009 and got a lot of negative comments about it,
I've carried on doing it since then and works for me, 3 years later you guys are just catching up 

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=82663.0

Happy texting

Steve

[Ian Gourlay]

Although i think its a great idea its no good to me as I never figured even bothered to find out how to text.

Got fed up with my daughter phone going off every three minutes with text messages.

But maybe I better start studying this also in case I start up again.


I just wonder how many of you have the required data protection documentation

[Steven Lawrence]

didnt think you needed data protection documentation for txting!! dont think you do! almost certain you dont!  :

[Garyj]

Would be even handier if there is some way of buying a database of mobile numbers in a specific area. If that isn't possible yet I bet it will be at some point.

[COLIN BRIGHT]

i went to the alltec thing and found it really good, lot of good ideas not just the same old same old, steve clarke spoke a lot of sense and i think to stay in business the stuff talked about will difinitley work, with some effot, nowhow and actual "doing stuff" then things me finks is gonna be rosey,

have to talk to you kevin about the cleaners mate side to it

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Yes Steve I remember your thread the way I took it at the time was that you text messaged like cold calling not a reminder service which I have been doing I do find that a personal call albeit taking more time is better but that's just me.

Shaun

[Carpet Dawg]

I think its a bit too in your face.

One thing sending a letter/postcard or an email but i think a txt is a bit too personal IMO.

I myself get annoyed when i get promotion type txt messages. I dont want to annoy clients, even though i might convert a few into sales.

[derek west]

i see tony's side and yet i see the fast trackers side, heres how i personally put it into perspective.

lets say ive just had my boiler serviced by a plumber who i thought was good.

1 month later i get a text saying "hi blah blah blah i have a special on outside taps" this would pish me off.
now if i got a text a year later saying "Hi blah blah blah this is a reminder that its been a year since your last boiler service" then that would be fine.

so to sum up.

quality over quantity and i think its fine.

that my 3 bob threpenny's worth.

[JandS]

Agree with Derek about the texting.
On my old mobile I used to be able to create a business
card for texting.
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace which doesn't seem to have
this application.
Apart from the fact that if a plumber serviced my boiler
I wouldn't have a clue if he was good or not.

John

[Carpet Dawg]

I have never done reminders, postcards or any type of database marketing before. Bad i know, something i should look into.
If I was to start doing them it would be a reminder type letter rather than a special offer. So i guess this wouldn't be as bad if it was a year later.

I'm going to start to study customers! Work out which one's will take kindley to a letter/email/txt and only  send a reminder to those ones.  

[COLIN BRIGHT]

i think dont knock it till you try it, when i 1st started the fasttrack in 2002 i was told it was a load of bunkum but 11 years on and well although not everything works, most things did........IF YOU ACTUALLY GET OFF YOUR TOOSH AND DO THEM .sorry was i shouting then....i speak to other cleaners who are bitching how quite its been, but then find out they have do naff all to get the dog and bone ringing...... ...so if texting works then i am happy to annoy a minority to get to the majority

[Carpet Dawg]

Glorified begging then!? 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I text but they are asked first so they are expecting me to offer this with my service I do find that the personal touch means that I can confirm days, times and what is to be cleaned better.

Shaun

[Linds Russell]

The good thing about using the web based texting service is that my business name is displayed on the customer's phone and not a mobile number. I like that a lot!

[garybristow]

I found some very old paperwork the other day,for jobs i done 5 years ago
i text 3 numbers,2 out of the 3 rung me ,they were really pleased as they had lost my number,they both booked me for work. it just works and is harmless
gary

[Kev Loomes]

Well done Gary! Just shows you.

Now imagine hundreds or thousands of clients .....contacted in seconds by an easy instant format - by whichever filter you want (using any combination of, or none at all):

Type of client
Last invoice date
££ value of client
Postcode area
What service they had
What source they contacted you from
All clients

 

[Garyj]

That's all well and good Kev if you have that database of customers in the first place.

I think once you have that volume of customers, if you are sensible with it then text marketing is great idea.

The only company I get text messages from is Dominoes Pizza, I reckon they send out about once a month. I can cope with that and don't find it to bad, any more than that though would be too much.

[Ian Gourlay]

The good thing about using the web based texting service is that my business name is displayed on the customer's phone and not a mobile number. I like that a lot!

Can you send emails from your computer . With these Web based services can you do it pay as you go rather than monthly subscription.

Although i never read text messages I know the rest of the World loves them

[Kev Loomes]

Your absolutely right Garyj, but it shows that even a small number as above can be effective Its all about building the data - unfortunately there's no other way, but time does fly. Even if you have only been going for a little while, it can be relatively simple getting mobile numbers.

For instance on a leaflet put a mobile number on and get them to text you if they want to take advantage of an offer i.e. a code or something, and then you can build this very quickly. Or on your website, text for a quote etc. Put these in to your database and you can market them independently from your normal clients.

At the same time you can naturally build up clients in the normal way, the building blocks of the future.

[COLIN BRIGHT]

For instance on a leaflet put a mobile number on and get them to text you if they want to take advantage of an offer i.e. a code or something, and then you can build this very quickly. Or on your website, text for a quote etc. Put these in to your database and you can market them independently from your normal clients.

will clearsmate let me do this?