Social Media Marketing Idea

[Matthew Bradley]

I've been trying to think out of the box lately on a marketing strategy. We've become very stagnant in this area and seem to just market to clients who.. we already have their business, which completely defeats the purpose.

We've wanted to hire a dedicated sales associate who's sole job would be to drum up new MSP contracts but this has also failed miserably and has cost a small fortune. Right now we get a lot of positive feedback from Facebook. We were throwing around the idea of putting Facebook subscribers to work by giving incentives for getting our foot in the door with new businesses. So for example, the office assistant who works at the dentist office down the street - we say, hey - if you get us a meeting with one of the partners there, we'll give you $100. if they sign a contract, it's a percentage of the first year. Basically what we've been paying sales but with a higher rate of success since these people already have their foot in the door.

I don't know #1, if this is even a good idea. I'm having a hard time seeing the negative of it which usually means I'm missing something obvious and #2, how to word it without coming across as needy or begging for help. It would be a referral program for businesses with a chance to make some good side cash. What could go wrong?

 

[Y.F.N.C.G.]

I'm a big fan of getting referrals from existing customers, but I only have luck with that if I approach my best clients personally and ask them. I'm not sure putting it out on a Facebook blast would do much.

Plus, you only want referrals from the types of clients you WANT to work with. So hand-picking the people you ask for referrals from gives you a better chance of getting those ideal clients. It takes a bit more time, but it's worth it in my experience.

Also, my best referrals come from people willing to give them for free. Sometimes I also offer to refer someone I know to them, but normally not even that's necessary. Talk to your best clients, the ones that love you and are loyal to you, and ask them. They'll be happy to do you the favor.

 

[callthatgirl]

Here is an idea I am doing. I hired a virtual assistant to do my follows up, in each email will be a link to offer a testimonial for my website. For those that do it, I'll send them a gift card based upon how much they paid me. So a prepay ticket of $499 might earn a $25 amazon card. Just enough to thank them (they will only know after they did the testimonial as I don't like the thought of paying for that)...then after I send the card, let them know more to come with a referral. I can't say how much because I don't want to pay $100 for a 1 hour job, but hey...I'll keep track of it, it's worth a shot.

So basically, do what you want but use your own clients as marketing machines

 

[Affordable Geeks]

i get alot of referalls from clients work friends,family. plus i also utilize facebook groups to advertise in my wife handles all of that and right now we are in just about every facebook group in pa that allows business postings. plus when a new business opens i offer my services to them and give them examples of my work by showing them pictures and videos i have taken

 

[red12049]

I've been trying to think out of the box lately on a marketing strategy. We've become very stagnant in this area and seem to just market to clients who.. we already have their business, which completely defeats the purpose.

We've wanted to hire a dedicated sales associate who's sole job would be to drum up new MSP contracts but this has also failed miserably and has cost a small fortune. Right now we get a lot of positive feedback from Facebook. We were throwing around the idea of putting Facebook subscribers to work by giving incentives for getting our foot in the door with new businesses. So for example, the office assistant who works at the dentist office down the street - we say, hey - if you get us a meeting with one of the partners there, we'll give you $100. if they sign a contract, it's a percentage of the first year. Basically what we've been paying sales but with a higher rate of success since these people already have their foot in the door.

I don't know #1, if this is even a good idea. I'm having a hard time seeing the negative of it which usually means I'm missing something obvious and #2, how to word it without coming across as needy or begging for help. It would be a referral program for businesses with a chance to make some good side cash. What could go wrong?

Reverse the situation... How would you feel if you were this woman's employer and found out she was getting paid by someone else for your business? I don't know the legalities, but it feels "icky" to me. Not sure how happy I'd be with my employee.

Rick

 

[trevm999]

Reverse the situation... How would you feel if you were this woman's employer and found out she was getting paid by someone else for your business? I don't know the legalities, but it feels "icky" to me. Not sure how happy I'd be with my employee.

Rick

Yeah, I don't like it either. This is the reason why businesses usually have a limit for gifts employees can receive from vendors. Seems kind of like creating a conflict of interest/bribe situation.