Website, Facebook, Twitter Marketing...who's doing it?

How many of us are using a web site, and what do you use it for? we are thinking of starting one and selling wash tokens or packages of wash token.

Who uses Facebook fan pages for promotions?

We have a website mainly for advertising and information for customer. We also use Facebook and Twitter for promotions. Still in the process of building up our fans and followers but feel it is a valuable and free way to promote and advertise. We also use constant contact for our monthly news letters and promotions. The cost is good for the product.

we have been thinking of a facebook page - do you think it helps with your promotions?

The number of fans so far are not that great in #'s it has been a struggle to build it up. I figure though any advertising is good advertising especially when it is free. That is why we are working to build facebook and twitter. Looking at starting to use Google Punched also. I have found the old direct mail advertising is not as effective as it used to be. People are always hungry for the new and hot technology so using these vessels make you look more with the times and gives you the ability to change promotions at a moments notice once your followers are built up.

Use Google local business. It's free and offer a coupon. FGew coupon redemptions but there was a fair amount of hits, so perhaps it's good if someone is looking for you. Sadly, somehow a google search put outr phone number in place of the psot office and we got tons of call around Christmas about people's packages.

The primary purpose of using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is to engage on a personal level with your base. Direct mail and conventional advertising have no personal component thus not engaging the prospective customer for anything other than a choice. Social media is meant to keep the conversation flowing and to funnel down people into like minded groups and niches. The death of Steve Jobs was one of the most talked about and followed social media events ever, it became a social object, meaning that it was not a topic of conversation it was the conversation and other topics came from it. When designing and implementing a social media marketing campaign the owner has to ask himself (or Herself) what am I trying to accomplish? Do I want to increase customers to my facility or do I want to become part of the community and develop a bond and trust with my customers. The later is the best use of social media. Most owners that go the route of promotion end up providing content for Facebook users to consume and never really engage with them. When you become part of the community you end up with what are called 'brand ambassadors" and they continue the conversation for you and drive new customers to you via shared interests. This then becomes the new way of promotion for you and all that needs done to keep the cycle going is to keep the conversation going. Promotion via social media is actually quite simple, but conversion is the hard part. Many business owners outsource social media to people like myself that have the time and understanding of the platform. Hope this helps to keep the conversation going.

Yesterday, we started running our own Groupon on Facebook. We are offering our $15 wash for $5. The system automatically sends them a valid wash code, and they pay with PayPal. It allows us to collect email addresses as well. Granted the reach is nowhere near what Groupon or Living Social offers, but it will help us to build our fan base, and then on rainy days we can make a good offer and make it valid for only a few days.

http://www.facebook.com/CarbuX?sk=app_154573354602360

we do facebook, twitter, website and livingsocial.com

How does living social work for you? What kind of deals do you offer with them? I have had them call me several times about doing a deal but have not been sure whether it is worth doing.

Techna Wash used Living Social in September 2011.
We had alot of responces, We had to run a deal kinda like get one free or " spend 25 for 50. I believe it was a great attraction. Business did pick up, how ever it did sting alittle bit when the customers came in to redeem the vougers. We had 65 people come in to redeem. I did hope for much more. So make sure you have a good Product to sell. Next time I'm gonna sell like 3-5 washes for a certain amount.

Checkout woobox.com. This is an application that is added on to your FB page that allows you to add customized tabs. You can basically used this instead of a website. You can put your menu, you can offer deals, discounts, run sweepstakes, etc...and it costs us only $30 per month. The coolest thing is that you can run your own Groupon/LivingSocial type deal, and it's completely automated through Woobox. The customers pay with their PayPal account when they buy the deal from your Facebook page. To attract customers to your FB page, you can run a FB ad. We've been running these for about a year now. If you want to be where the eyeballs are, run a FB ad or a FB sponsored story.
You can also offer a free car wash to people who post a pic or video while at your car wash.

This is Steve “H” talkcarwash.com about

“….. 20 year veteran of the industry. Currently helping car wash owners to maximize profits with their current customer base. I have several plans in place to generate extra dollars/car in both the wash and detail shop. All of my emphasis is placed on ways to help keep your customer coming back to your location to spend more money. …. to see if I can help you grow even when your car counts are low. I am not a "consultant" nor do I attempt to gain a portion of your increase in sales, I have a proven service that allows each of us to be happy.

And how might that be accomplished Mr. “H,” pixie dust and rainbows?

I find you “I am not a consultant” types are such hypocrites. You are selling something just like the rest of us are.