Posting project photos and staying active on Facebook is nearly free and can reach a lot of potential customers. In 2017, Jeff Baker, franchise owner of The Grounds Guys of East Wichita, tracked almost $106,000 in revenue from customers who saw and contacted him from before and after project photos posted on Facebook.
Jeff uses before and after project photos and old fashioned, handwritten notes as integral parts of his local marketing efforts. This attention to detail could be a reason his franchise won Builder of the Year and Max Zuniga won Service Professional of the Year at Reunion!
“Whether on our local website, business Facebook or Instagram accounts, project photos serve as free advertising for people considering your services,” said Baker.
Here’s a few tips to help maximize your project photos and grow your audience:
- Have close friends, family and employees share posts from your franchise’s social media channels will help build your audience, following and reach.
- Post photos or “go live” on Facebook and/or Instagram to promote giveaways for free services, gift cards, branded hats, shirts or water bottles.
Each year, we also sponsor a game at a local community college for $1,800. They give us 50 general admission tickets, which we give away on Facebook, and advertise as a free evening out. Ask your audience to like, share and comment on your post for their chance to win. Our exposure ranges between 4,000 – 8,000 views during giveaways.
- Keep your social media pages active by posting every week or two. “Going live” and posting photos from job sites increases your audience and entices customers seeking service providers or ideas for their own lawn and landscaping projects.
Consider the advantages of customers seeing your social media with examples of your work, your employees and the scope of services your business can provide over a random internet search with a company name and phone number. Being active on social media and having your website updated with project photos helps build trust. People like to spend money with people they trust and who make them feel comfortable.
It is all about building relationships with your customer.
Building trust with customers is not rocket science and there is no hidden magic key – it’s just getting back to basics of building relationships, showcasing your company, employees and your brand.
“Our office manager sends a personal, handwritten note on our company letterhead thanking customers after a project is finished. When everyone else is sending emails, we stand out!” said Baker. “Our letter also asks the customer to review our company on Facebook or Google. If you do not ask, you have no chance of boosting your presence online!”
Please reach out to our Grounds Guys Local Marketing Specialist, Rebecca Cantu, for additional assistance with social media strategies. Her email address is Rebecca.Cantu@NBLY.com
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