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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed with my clients?

98 replies

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:06

I am fully prepared to be told IABU, but here goes…

I fun a very small business where I go to people's houses to carry out a service. I love my business and am in the process of going full-time. I have recently quit my job to just focus on this.

I have quite a few long-standing clients but not enough to sustain me doing this full-time, so I am desperately trying to push the business as much as I can. I have set up a Facebook page advertising my business and make regular posts with offers, etc. I have asked all my clients - very nicely and politely - if they wouldn't mind 'Liking' my page on FB and 'Sharing' my latest offer so that all their friends will see it. All have said they will, but not one actually has.

People really like the service I offer, I am frequently told I am a 'lifesaver' (I'm not) and they ask what they would do if my service did not exist. So why not support me in growing the business? Is it too much to ask? Fair enough if you are not on FB, but all my clients are.

At this rate I am going to have to give it up. I am really annoyed with them for not supporting me.

AIBU?

OP posts:

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:40

I think they just don't get around to it. I say: "Hey, did you get the link to my FB page I sent you? Would you mind 'Liking' my page and 'Sharing' my latest offer? I would really appreciate it." They say: "Yeah, no worries, I'll do it later…" Then never do.

I am getting a bit desperate now and can't carry on doing this much longer. I don't think it's a lot to ask.

OP posts:

RiojaHaze · 07/06/2014 07:41

Could you post offers and what you do as yourself but make the posts public, or for friends or friends?

Other cheap ways of advertising are local ladies nights. I used to run these, charge £10-£15 a table in a hall or function room. Beauticians would then be able to give their leaflets or cards out as well as make a bit of money on the night by doing mini versions of treatments.

School fetes will charge the same for tables if you could do glitter tattoos or nail painting but advertise your business at the same time.

Speak to your local newspaper. You might not be afford advertising in it but if they are running competitions for make overs etc you could provide the beauty services - great way to get promoted for very little.

These clients may be sharing your page anyway, but I know that I wouldn't like a page just because a friend liked it.

zoemaguire · 07/06/2014 07:41

I hate business plugs on Facebook. I'd like if it was a friend, but just a business I'd used? No, sorry. To be honest you sound a bit demanding. It isn't up to your clients to do your advertising for you. If you give someone a free service to practise your skills, you are doing it to practice your skills. If you want to give a free service in order to get a fb like, you need to be explicit about it, not just bitch about your client for being a freeloader (if I were her I'd think I was doing you a favour being a guinea pig for a new technique!). And what do you mean 'the wrong types of people'? If you are starting up in business you can't really afford to be picky about your cientele. That comes later, when people are hammering your door down to get a booking with you!

ajandjjmum · 07/06/2014 07:41

I think that sometimes if people find 'something' good, they want to keep it for themselves rather than share. The busier you get, the less you'll be available to them. I know that's pretty horrible. I find that my clients (completely different business) are pretty disinterested in any other project I'm working on - they just want my focus on their work.

zoemaguire · 07/06/2014 07:42

*clientele

BloominNora · 07/06/2014 07:44

"just that I wouldn't want a business page spamming my news feed."

That's a ridiculous reason not to support a local business that you use regularly - especially as it is a piece of cake to either like and then hide or like and set up a separate news feed for the ones you don't want to see on your main page.

Malibu - I run two FB pages and it is really difficult to get likes. I agree with the poster who said tag them (but only if you are already FB Friends - if not, get the friends requests out first). Also post your offers on local selling pages - there are loads around at the minute.

Finally work out if there are any similar business you can link up with - so is there a card making business where you can link up and offer gift vouchers to their clients, or if you do beauty treatments, does a local hairdressers have a FB page that you can post to?

There will be loads of school fairs going on at this time of year - some of them 'rent out' stalls - could you hire a stall and do some quick treatments - threading or hand massages? Even if you don't sell any treatments, you can hand out loads of leaflets which would make your rent worth while.

Are there community notice boards at local nurseries / schools / community centres / village halls etc that you can advertise on?

Finally find out whether there is a local area magazine you can advertise in.

Good luck

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:45

And what do you mean 'the wrong types of people'? If you are starting up in business you can't really afford to be picky about your cientele. That comes later, when people are hammering your door down to get a booking with you!

By the 'wrong types of people' I mean people who would not use my service.

OP posts:

somewhatavoidant · 07/06/2014 07:47

Google ads IMHO is more effective than Fb. If you get the right help (there are account reps even if your spend is tiny) and they will advise you as to how to target the ads right down to google users in your area and desired demographic. You can spend as little as a couple of pounds a day. Best of luck with your business!

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:48

Thanks somewhatavoidant, never heard of that. I'll do some research...

OP posts:

Tabby1963 · 07/06/2014 07:56

OP, I can understand why you are annoyed that people have not 'liked' or 'shared' your service, but at the same time I would prefer to make my own choice of 'liking' something and not be repeatedly asked to do it iyswim.

I advise that you don't mention it to people more than once. If they haven't done it after your first request, subsequent requests could be construed as badgering and that would definitely be something to avoid because they'll just go elsewhere for their treatments if they are made to feel uncomfortable. Sorry if it's not what you want to hear.

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:56

This client I have been talking about gets 100 quid's worth of free treatments every 2 weeks. Is a FB share really too much to ask?

OP posts:

ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 07/06/2014 07:56

I wouldn't rely on your clients tbh.

Have you tried teaming up with another business? For example, find a popular hairdresser in your area and ask them to give all their clients some sort of voucher for your services (20% off or free pedi if you pay for a mani etc).
The hairdresser will be able to offer their clients better value at no extra cost to them, and you get access to their customer base.

Same with wedding dress shops, health clubs/gyms, etc.

MissOtisRegretsMadam · 07/06/2014 07:57

Hmm... What would you have done to further your business ten years ago before Facebook took off?

I don't mean that to sound rude but you seem to be really clinging on to Facebook being the be all and end all.

I like loads of business pages on fb... Salons, clothes boutiques, jewellery and beauty businesses. If a friend invites me to like a page I always do.

Do you know how many times I have gone on to use them? None. I often end up hiding them from my newsfeed after awhile. So I just click like at the time and think nothing of it.

It may be better to advertise in local shops or ladies nights at pubs or primary schools?
A charity event where some profit goes to a charity?
Do you have a local directory booklet that goes round your area?

LoveBeingInTheSun · 07/06/2014 07:57

You need to find some local bloggers and offer a free service in exchange for write up

ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 07/06/2014 07:58

Xpost Nora!

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 07:58

Some really good ideas here, thank you.

OP posts:

Roseformeplease · 07/06/2014 08:00

Presumably, at the moment, they can get treatments when they want. If you get busy, they will not get the slots they want. Sorry. If you are really good, it is not in their interests to share.

Can you link up with a similar business locally - wedding venue?

Eastpoint · 07/06/2014 08:04

Someone who receives £200 of treatment a month isn't a client, they are someone you are giving £200 to.

I know a number of women who claim their 'friend' does their nails, or is helping them organise a party or do their decorating; they don't want to say they have a mobile beautician or party planner as it sounds as if they are flashy or inadequate at organising things.

I bet she isn't telling people as she'd far rather say her friend Malibu is coming round for a natter & a glass of wine & while you're there you'll do her nails/eyelashes or whatever.

WipsGlitter · 07/06/2014 08:05

Agree you need to think beyond Facebook. When you say advertising attracted the wrong type, do you mean FB ads or other ads, or both?

Original poster

MalibuStacy · 07/06/2014 08:11

WipsGlitter, I meant FB ad. I targeted it to women but nearly all the responses were from sleazy men, with 'Female' ticked in their FB profiles. I got 48 responses to my competition and none of them could have used my service.

OP posts:

Icelollycraving · 07/06/2014 08:24

If a friend likes a business page I assume it's their friend tbh.
How many likes do you have? Is it viable at all as a business?
How about a loyalty card for clients,perhaps with an additional small treatment for every new client who books with you through referral.
In terms of doing new procedures you aren't familiar with,do you need your qualification in this to be practicing?
Your clients obviously like your service but it's not down to them to make it a success. Without being harsh,beauty therapists are fairly plentiful & not everyone wants to advertise the fact they have treatments.

500smiles · 07/06/2014 08:31

I've just been trying to do similar for a business page and it's really hard to get likes.

We got most likes by doing a donation to a local charity based on how many likes we got.

It hasn't brought us any business yet though.

One question, is your locality obvious on fb as that makes a huge difference IME. And also do you have a local phone number? Some people don't like using mobile numbers as it seems flighty whereas a local number makes you seem established. There are companies that you can use to get a local number that will divert to your mobile cheaply.

PM me with your page and I will like it if you want.

DandyDindie · 07/06/2014 08:33

Why don't you al them to write a short testimonial on a pre-prepared form next time you see them? You can the write this up for FB/website

emms1981 · 07/06/2014 08:35

Do you have any local selling pages? What they seem to do where i live is list their specials and advertise business on there, I had my hair done by a mobile hair dresser off facebook and she seems to do OK, personally I wouldn't use her again because she cancelled 2 appointments at the last minute but if you are good word will get round im sure.

FunkyBoldRibena · 07/06/2014 08:35

Stop giving her the treatment for free, as she obviously doesn't 'like' the service!

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