Plumbers of UK, would you mind answering a few questions for my research assignment

[Vegeta]

I'm currently working on a research assignment to do with Digital marketing, specifically social media and how plumbing businesses use it. Would any of you be kind enough to aid my research and answer a couple questions below?

What would you say from your experience your target market/customer base is? Has social media helped you in reaching customers? What services would you say your most sought after? (eg. emergency plumbing, bathroom installations, boiler break down etc)

Thank you =)

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Target customer is anyone who owns their home. Don't use social media at all. Never will. From what other engineers tell me of social media it is mostly people making decisions based on price, not my type of customer. Reactive maintenance and repair is my most called on service

 

[Riley]

Totally agree I will never use social media. As far as I’m concerned it is a race to the bottom as everybody is trying to undercut everybody else pricewise. I think you get a far better calibre customer from word-of-mouth recommendations. My target market is anybody really as long as they expect to pay a fair price for a job well done then we will be fine from the offset

 

[Sharp Point]

Completely agree with you Riley, social media attracts the wrong type of customer.... it’s very similar to these checkatrade type agency thingymabobs, plumbers/ gas/ heating dudes are all scratting around and competing for the jobs.

 

[townfanjon]

Never used social media , just “ word of mouth” has always worked for me

 

[offgridman]

Word of mouth. Means customers have a good reference point, and can sometimes view your previous work.
Social media can encourage a drive to the cheapest. Having seen the results of 'cheap' plumbers, and having to rectify their crap work, its no longer cheap for the client.
On TV £100k House programme the other day, one of the presenters actually said " with electricians or plumbers costing £130 per day, it pays to do as much as you can yourself ". FFS! What world do they live in? Perhaps they meant "per hour"? I wish.

 

[townfanjon]

with electricians or plumbers costing £130 per day

Chuffin hell , local grass cutter / gardeners want more than that lol

 

[Welder]

Oddly I know, I'm aware of many people who have had huge amounts of work from SM and darned good work too. People who will only do the best they can do and use the stuff they want to use not B&Q sh1te.

That said, they are all established businesses who have been on SM for a fair old time and do not need with it can be seen as - the race to the bottom.

By far and away, the best route for long term stability is word of mouth but, regretfully, when getting started SM can have its place.