The most crucial aspect for everyone in the cleaning industry is to understand how to succeed in securing cleaning contracts. All other elements such as equipment, scheduling, product selection, and team recruitment are important, but their significance becomes insignificant if there are no contracts and employees to cater to.
When considering how to secure cleaning contracts, there are various approaches to choose from that suit your business. However, one specific method stands out prominently – social media.
Despite the need for time and effort, the benefits of social media in promoting your cleaning services makes the exertion worthwhile. Furthermore, the potential for a substantial return on investment justifies the investment of time.
How to Win Cleaning Contracts with Your Social Media Personality
Social media covers a wide range of platforms, including Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. It can be time-consuming to explore all the available options. Each platform has a large user base, with a total of 3.96 billion users across social media platforms in the beginning of 2022, according to sproutsocial. This offers a significant amount of visibility. It is not surprising that more than 50 percent of marketers aimed to increase their investments in social media last year. Although venturing into the world of social networking may seem overwhelming, it can be simplified by conducting basic research on each platform to determine which one is the best fit for your organization.
Once you understand how each platform works, choose one or two that you prefer. Remember that each social media site has its own unique purpose for posting content and target audience. LinkedIn is geared towards professionals in business, providing a space to share knowledge, stay updated on industry news, learn tips, and expand professional networks. In contrast, TikTok caters to a younger audience and focuses on creating short, entertaining videos. However, don’t be discouraged by this difference. TikTok is currently the fastest growing social network and can still lead to success.
When it comes to Twitter’s main strengths, it excels at providing quick takes, being a platform for discussion starters, and facilitating connections based on the latest current events. While it is possible to use this platform to share information about the cleaning industry, it is worth mentioning that research suggests a decrease in the number of users in the coming years.
When it comes to the number of active users, Facebook and Instagram remain at the top of the social media hierarchy. Facebook boasts the largest user base among the two. Whether you decide to establish a Facebook page for your cleaning business, experiment with Facebook ads, or showcase your services through captivating Instagram posts featuring before and after pictures, both platforms offer excellent opportunities to advertise your cleaning operation. This is due to the large and engaged audiences they attract, as well as the diverse means through which you can share information.
Hashtags, especially local ones, shouldn’t be overlooked. No matter the platform, such as Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms, hashtags are a crucial component to include in your posts. The more specific to your locality your audience is, the greater chances you have of reaching the appropriate audience and securing cleaning contracts.
The following question to ponder is the frequency of posting. Striking a balance is crucial. It is important to avoid appearing excessive or spammy. Simultaneously, these platforms witness high levels of activity, making it effortless to be unnoticed amidst the multitude.
It is possible to post once a day on all sites, such as LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook, without any concerns. However, with Twitter, it is acceptable to post multiple times within a day. It is essential to remember that these platforms are not solely for self-promotion. Since they are “social” platforms, interacting and engaging with your followers and other accounts will significantly increase your outreach.
If you utilize Twitter, you have the capability to follow OSHA and share their information through retweets. Additionally, you are able to publicize nearby events like a charity 5K or acknowledge accomplishments such as a local family-owned hardware store that has operated for two decades. These diverse posts highlight your worth not only in the cleaning industry, but also within the local community. Most importantly, authenticity is crucial in all business engagements, whether they occur face-to-face or online.
To navigate the realm of social media, one should first conduct some research, identify personal preferences, locate the gathering spots of the target audience, and anticipate their future whereabouts. Then, the next step is straightforward – be authentic and begin sharing content. It won’t be long before you realize that establishing a presence as a commercial cleaner on social media and garnering the desired attention is quite achievable.
How To Create A Social Media Strategy For Your Cleaning Business
DO: Show that your Facebook is active
Having an active presence on Facebook is extremely important because potential customers will check your social media accounts to make sure you are the right service provider. Having an active account, with regular posts and comments, demonstrates that you are easily accessible and actively engaging with your customers. One simple way to create content is by sharing customer feedback and reviews. Reviews have a significant impact on potential customers’ purchasing decisions, as indicated by a study from BrightLocal, which states that 93% of people read online reviews before making a choice. This means that 93% of your customers are checking for online reviews and using them as a basis for their decision. By sharing reviews, you not only keep your profile active but also increase your chances of winning more work. Facebook has a “reviews” tab where customers can leave 5-star reviews about your company. You can then share these reviews on your Facebook page. For added credibility, and with the customer’s permission, you can share a quote from the review alongside an image of them. These images will enhance the trustworthiness of the review and encourage engagement from those who are familiar with the customer or can relate to their image. For example, using an image of a woman with a dog can attract pet owners who are part of your target market. It is important to always include clear branding and contact details so that anyone who sees the review can easily get in touch with you.
Do: Get personal.
To establish genuine connections with your customers, it’s beneficial to share posts featuring yourself and your staff. Take Smile Carpet Cleaning, a family business, for instance. They frequently mention Colin, one of their staff members, in their posts. As a result, customers have become familiar with Colin’s identity, leading some to search specifically for “Colin Smile Carpet Cleaning” in order to access their website. This phenomenon carries significant impact!
DO: Tag other local businesses.
When you tag people in your post, it increases the likelihood of it being seen by more people because the tagged individuals are more likely to share it with their own audience. This is because it serves as easy content for them. For instance, you could write a post with a positive message like “Local Business Friday!” and tag acquaintances such as electricians, painters, decorators, and builders. To tag someone, simply type “@” followed by their name or username, like “@smartcarpetcleaning”.
What to Share: The Don’ts
DON’T: Talk about your competition in a negative way
Do you really want this to be a potential customer’s first impression of you? It will likely attract a lot of attention, but it is never a good idea.
DON’T: Share your personal opinion (relevant news, politic opinions…)
Sharing this kind of information on your company page is not appropriate as it can divide people and potentially result in losing customers. This content is better suited for your personal page, as visitors to your business page expect to find information about cleaning and your company rather than news articles or personal views.
DON’T: Share pictures of dirty water
Many companies make the mistake of posting images depicting a filthy bucket of water during the cleaning process, mistakenly believing it demonstrates the level of dirtiness before the cleaning took place. Unfortunately, this practice does not promote your business positively; instead, it associates your company with dirt. It is more effective to highlight the outstanding outcomes you achieve. Employing a “before/after” picture will yield superior results.
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