Bare with me a moment. I just need to get something off my chest
I haven't had an overwhelming desire to write an ebook or blog, but I always seem to end up writing when people annoy me... Today I have encountered 3 different people in Facebook Business groups asking for advice because January is slow, "how do we get the phone to ring?" It's a common problem for a lot of businesses, because frankly everyone spends too much over the holidays so they try to recover in January. I see it in my business, and I see it in my clients businesses especially.
Anyway...for each one of these people asking, they got 20+ people trying to sell them on their social media marketing package/plan. No offense to Social Media Marketers if you happen to be reading this, I provide that service as well, but let's face some truths here!
Social Media is not the right solutions to every business problem. I will even repeat that...Social Media is not the right solution to every business problem.
When my bathtub stopped draining, and I was told I needed a plumber. I didn't wait until I happened to find a plumber updating his Facebook Page. I texted a friend who has lived in this area longer than me, and said "hey, know any plumbers you trust?" Then I texted a friend who is a local Realtor, and I said "hey, who is the plumber you trust? Not a single one of them, answered with "Oh I saw a Facebook Ad for XYZ Plumber on my news feed!" Shocking, right?
The Realtor builds a networking by trusting referrals from other Realtors. If you are new to the business and don't have that trust yet, then get your face and business name in front of the Realtors! The Realtor groups I know have weekly or monthly meetings for everyone under that Broker, and you know what...a good plumber will find out when that meeting is and spend a few bucks and PERSONALLY drop off donuts and coffee or a tray of cookies from the local bakery to the Realtor office DURING the meeting. Guess what? That plumber just got his name and face in front of a group of Realtors! Hmm, think they might remember his name when that next home inspector says "the kitchen sink is leaking slightly"? It depends - were they good donuts or the cheapie ones from Wal-mart? Was the cookies day olds and dried out? Spring for the good ones! :)
OH and my 2nd bit of annoyance from the people "selling" the people on their social media package....Not everyone who comes to ask for advice wants to be sold! Frankly, if I get desperate enough that I'm posting on Facebook "Hey, My phone isn't ringing...how do I make it ring?" I am likely more worried about paying my rent / mortgage or groceries to feed Little Johnny, than I am about buying your product! I know you are trying to make your own phone ring, and I get that. I am trying to get clients too, but seriously - build a relationship!
We buy from people we Know, Like, Trust and Respect. Get out of behind your keyboard and go meet someone for coffee, build a referral network, and please to God don't immediately start PMing the person telling them why your product or package is better than everyone else's! Seriously people!?!?
Now don't get me wrong, I think plumbers should have a Facebook Business Page and I think they should be active on it. Business Page being the key word there too...don't get me started on the people promoting their business via their Personal Page...that's a blog rant for another day. But Service industry companies, I'm sorry, but social media is not your magic pill to make the phone ring. It just isn't...
By the way, I'm using Plumber because I recently had to hire one...this is true for Water damage, restoration companies, Electricians, contractors, auto repairs, Realtors, etc...not just plumbers.
*steps off her soap box and goes to bed* Night all!
No comments:
Post a Comment