Social Media Messages Business Page

[climbingmonkey24]

You ever have potential customers message you over Facebook, etc. looking for a quote? I sometimes do, and my response is for them to please call me directly to discuss their project / set up an appointment.

I have instant reply set up that automatically let’s people know we received their message and directing them to call if they are interested in a quote / discussing their project.

I personally don’t want to discuss business too much over social media. I want to talk to them, feel them out over the phone, etc.

I noticed a handful of customers just won’t bother. It’s like it’s too much for them to pick up the phone and call to discuss it. So I just let it be, If they are serious about wanting to work with me they will call. If they don’t, then that’s on them.

Thoughts?

 

[VenasNursery]

You ever have potential customers message you over Facebook, etc. looking for a quote? I sometimes do, and my response is for them to please call me directly to discuss their project / set up an appointment.

I have instant reply set up that automatically let’s people know we received their message and directing them to call if they are interested in a quote / discussing their project.

I personally don’t want to discuss business too much over social media. I want to talk to them, feel them out over the phone, etc.

I noticed a handful of customers just won’t bother. It’s like it’s too much for them to pick up the phone and call to discuss it. So I just let it be, If they are serious about wanting to work with me they will call. If they don’t, then that’s on them.

Thoughts?

We will setup times for bids but normally won’t do a bid without at least 1 homeowner or manager being present

 

[evo]

I agree, any new customer should have to do a little leg work. It isn't quite unlike hiring a new employee, if they don't respect you or your business do you actually want the job? Social media can be tricky do the inherent form of the format. Weed out the tire kickers and don't look back

 

[Crimsonking]

We will setup times for bids but normally won’t do a bid without at least 1 homeowner or manager being present

What is your show ratio from those appointments? Do many of them cancel or ghost?

 

[ghostice]

Quite honestly I put "social media"and that includes some of the "neighbourhood discussion apps" out there in the waste of time bin. Right up there with people driving by when you're up in a tree and wanting to talk about their yards. Have one of the crew give 'em a card and don't spend a lot of time. The neighbourhood discussion apps result in an avalanche of "my cousin Benny with a dump trailer dudes". I've had so many tire kickers over the years that I mostly rely on word of mouth now. The drive-bys tend to be a 2 outa 10 on the seriousness meter at least around here. Did have one guy come by this summer and espouse how advanced his knowledge of safety was - but he hadn't yet heard of ISA or SPRAT or . . . . I rest my case.

 

[VenasNursery]

No no

What is your show ratio from those appointments? Do many of them cancel or ghost?
no not at all

Probably over 90% show and most of them want to reschedule for another day
Which maybe we should do a reminder but it don’t happen that often
I do 3-4 everyday from 5-7:30 in the evening
5-5:30
5:30-6
6-6:30
6:30-7
7-7:30

we work 8:00-4:00 mon-fri
Eat dinner with family at 4:15-4:30 off for bids

Tree Life

 

[VenasNursery]

Quite honestly I put "social media"and that includes some of the "neighbourhood discussion apps" out there in the waste of time bin. Right up there with people driving by when you're up in a tree and wanting to talk about their yards. Have one of the crew give 'em a card and don't spend a lot of time. The neighbourhood discussion apps result in an avalanche of "my cousin Benny with a dump trailer dudes". I've had so many tire kickers over the years that I mostly rely on word of mouth now. The drive-bys tend to be a 2 outa 10 on the seriousness meter at least around here. Did have one guy come by this summer and espouse how advanced his knowledge of safety was - but he hadn't yet heard of ISA or SPRAT or . . . . I rest my case.

We a lot of advertisement and only the best when we are traveling or setup on the job
But I agree leave them with a card and have them talk to the office

 

[Basswood]

Lots of guys and gals my age seem to be using it to great benefit.

Blair Glenn, a YouTube arborist, had an interesting theory with his videos. He created them as a piece to point clients to when they had questions about work to be done.

seems like a good way to showcase what you do and be proud of it. I like the idea of that approach as well as saying what and why you’re doing it. I’m not running my own business but I proudly showcase my work on Instagram and Facebook. Have gotten some work for myself through that.

 

[metaspencer]

You ever have potential customers message you over Facebook, etc. looking for a quote? I sometimes do, and my response is for them to please call me directly to discuss their project / set up an appointment.

I have instant reply set up that automatically let’s people know we received their message and directing them to call if they are interested in a quote / discussing their project.

I personally don’t want to discuss business too much over social media. I want to talk to them, feel them out over the phone, etc.

I noticed a handful of customers just won’t bother. It’s like it’s too much for them to pick up the phone and call to discuss it. So I just let it be, If they are serious about wanting to work with me they will call. If they don’t, then that’s on them.

Thoughts?

About 1/2 my my quote requests and inquiries come in over social media (Facebook, sometimes Instagram, YouTube, and Yelp) ... I have no problem with it and see it as just another communication channel.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

About 1/2 my my quote requests and inquiries come in over social media (Facebook, sometimes Instagram, YouTube, and Yelp) ... I have no problem with it and see it as just another communication channel.

I don't have any issues either with it sort of as a gateway to open the door but beyond that it just seems to me that some people don't want to put in the effort to actually pick up the phone and call to set up an appointment / discuss their project.

 

[Jehinten]

I pick up several jobs through a FB page and I have many customers tell me I'm the only one who has gotten back with them. It could be that they are tired of making calls that no one answers or calls back.



Just as devil's (or customer's in this case) advocate, they reached out to you via social media so they are at least a little interested. You mention that it's too much for them to pick up the phone meanwhile you have an automatic message responding to customers. Personally if I contact a business and get an automated message I'm less likely to continue to contact them.

I have instant reply set up that automatically let’s people know we received their message and directing them to call if they are interested in a quote / discussing their project.

It’s like it’s too much for them to pick up the phone and call to discuss it. So I just let it be, If they are serious about wanting to work with me they will call. If they don’t, then that’s on them.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

For the record, I’ve been told as well that the customer appreciates me getting back to them. I never understood how some would just ignore a potential customer, even if they’re not interested in the job it’s common courtesy as a business owner.

I’ve had plenty of times I have directly reached out to a customer not by an automated message but personally and asked them to call and they don’t. I only recently added an automated message. And I will tell you, it’s not a sentence long quick response, it’s a couple sentences explaining in-depth the next steps the customer should take to get in touch with me to discuss a quote.

Doesn’t matter. Just my opinion. Texting / messaging has interfered with some people’s ability to actually have a real conversation wouldn’t you say?

Texting is great for some things like telling someone you are on the way, or when you plan on coming to do the work. But during the initial interaction, I like to have a real conversation with them...you get to know them more on the phone than in texting and maybe then have an idea of who it is you’re going to see during the appointment.

 

[Jehinten]

For the record, I’ve been told as well that the customer appreciates me getting back to them. I never understood how some would just ignore a potential customer, even if they’re not interested in the job it’s common courtesy as a business owner.

I’ve had plenty of times I have directly reached out to a customer not by an automated message but personally and asked them to call and they don’t. I only recently added an automated message. And I will tell you, it’s not a sentence long quick response, it’s a couple sentences explaining in-depth the next steps the customer should take to get in touch with me to discuss a quote.

Doesn’t matter. Just my opinion. Texting / messaging has interfered with some people’s ability to actually have a real conversation wouldn’t you say?

Texting is great for some things like telling someone you are on the way, or when you plan on coming to do the work. But during the initial interaction, I like to have a real conversation with them...you get to know them more on the phone than in texting and maybe then have an idea of who it is you’re going to see during the appointment.

No arguments there, just pointing out another side of it. I would agree that messaging has interfered some with conversations but then there are some people that are not good at conversations anyways. Being an introvert has many advantages but walking up to someone (or calling) and starting a conversation especially small talk just isn't one of them.

I'm not saying the way your handling things is wrong, it just may not be right for every customer. Then again not every customer is right for your business. And some potential customers, no matter how you handle it, will not respond after that initial request; whether they found someone else, get busy and forget to respond or something else. Occasionally there's nothing you can do to get that business.


Just a disclaimer, please don't think I'm casting stones with my original response I make my fair share of mistakes with reaching out to customers. I handle most all of the calls for my business as well as the day to day work. If I have a late day then I often come home and spend a little time with my daughter before her bedtime and then get around to checking messages. I try my best not to make business calls after 8PM so it may be a day or two before I get back with them. Occasionally enough time passes that I forget all about it.