FBG business Thread (1 Viewer)

[glvsav37]

late to the party but business owner here too. I run a creative studio, things like websites, branding, brochures, marketing, etc.

lots of great info already covered. What I would add, in advertising, is to find the pain points of your customer and speak to that. Too many times I see service based business leading with:
• how long they have been in business
• logos of the manufactures they use
• how impressive of a fleet they have, etc.

Solve your clients problem and lean into that.
for instance if you are a rehab gym, no one cares howe many weight machines you have. Show how they can regain their lifestyle after they use you.
For things like lawn (or pool) services, show how the customer can recapture their fun/family time by hiring out those services.

think like that when advertising. It makes the customer desire to be in that situation.

Are you using any AI tools. If so which ones? There's soooo many.

just ChatGPT. Mainly because I'm a crappy writer, so i use it tow write small blurbs of web copy and social posts

 

[KGB]

For Fun, heres my website.

tell me where I suck, I made it myself

www.santanpools.com

You suck because you don't service Chandler where I live.

LOL, no, but if you have a 1 time job like a repair or tile clean or something, ill hook you up

 

[KGB]

For Fun, heres my website.

tell me where I suck, I made it myself

www.santanpools.com

just started with google ads. 118 clicks and 0 or 1 call I think

How is everything coming along with Satan's Pools, anyway?

I ended up not doing Facebook ads this year. But I have spent $1000 on Google so far.

How many clicks / conversions have you received?

220K views and 2.5K clicks.

Not sure on conversions, but if I got 2 new customers for $1000 id take it. But I think I have got some nice jobs and new customers. more than 2 for sure. I need to start asking how they got my number

 

[jwb]

For Fun, heres my website.

tell me where I suck, I made it myself

www.santanpools.com

just started with google ads. 118 clicks and 0 or 1 call I think

How is everything coming along with Satan's Pools, anyway?

I ended up not doing Facebook ads this year. But I have spent $1000 on Google so far.

How many clicks / conversions have you received?

220K views and 2.5K clicks.

Not sure on conversions, but if I got 2 new customers for $1000 id take it. But I think I have got some nice jobs and new customers. more than 2 for sure. I need to start asking how they got my number

That's such a healthy attitude. So many small business owners hate the advertising expense, and don't see it as the investment it really is. Lifetime value of a client is huge, especially for service businesses. Gotta spend to make and all that.

I asked about conversions because honestly, I'm not loving your website to drive business. Don't get me wrong - it checks the "we have a website box" (and that's an important box to check), but that's kind of all it does. Sure, if you show it to people they'll read it and give a positive opinion, but you're more interested in total strangers coming in blind and clicking. Huge difference.

Not that you asked me, but here's my .02 as someone in the industry: It comes off as bare bones. There's no navigation, you have to scroll way too long to get any info, and the content that is there is pretty short. The services can/should be an entire page. The "why?" - that's another page. That's not only good for conversion, but SEO as well - these days Google likes meaty websites with good info / solid content the best. And they like FAQ's - a short faq built right into the page makes for a stronger page. This could change in the future as AI further changes search, but right now, good, authoritative content wins.

That all said, if it's working for you, and you are happy with your contacts, it's all good. For many local businesses, they don't need the website to really compete with others - their google maps listing, reviews, and the fact that they have any website is enough. That could very well be you. I know personally, as a solopreneur, I don't want my phone ringing any more than it does (I purposely nerf myself online by putting pricing on my site, and it's high).

 

[KGB]

For Fun, heres my website.

tell me where I suck, I made it myself

www.santanpools.com

just started with google ads. 118 clicks and 0 or 1 call I think

How is everything coming along with Satan's Pools, anyway?

I ended up not doing Facebook ads this year. But I have spent $1000 on Google so far.

How many clicks / conversions have you received?

220K views and 2.5K clicks.

Not sure on conversions, but if I got 2 new customers for $1000 id take it. But I think I have got some nice jobs and new customers. more than 2 for sure. I need to start asking how they got my number

That's such a healthy attitude. So many small business owners hate the advertising expense, and don't see it as the investment it really is. Lifetime value of a client is huge, especially for service businesses. Gotta spend to make and all that.

I asked about conversions because honestly, I'm not loving your website to drive business. Don't get me wrong - it checks the "we have a website box" (and that's an important box to check), but that's kind of all it does. Sure, if you show it to people they'll read it and give a positive opinion, but you're more interested in total strangers coming in blind and clicking. Huge difference.

Not that you asked me, but here's my .02 as someone in the industry: It comes off as bare bones. There's no navigation, you have to scroll way too long to get any info, and the content that is there is pretty short. The services can/should be an entire page. The "why?" - that's another page. That's not only good for conversion, but SEO as well - these days Google likes meaty websites with good info / solid content the best. And they like FAQ's - a short faq built right into the page makes for a stronger page. This could change in the future as AI further changes search, but right now, good, authoritative content wins.

That all said, if it's working for you, and you are happy with your contacts, it's all good. For many local businesses, they don't need the website to really compete with others - their google maps listing, reviews, and the fact that they have any website is enough. That could very well be you. I know personally, as a solopreneur, I don't want my phone ringing any more than it does (I purposely nerf myself online by putting pricing on my site, and it's high).

Thanks for the feedback homie

I love your idea with the FAQ. it shows you are the "expert" in your industry.

I just wanted something so when I message people, they can see im legit. its not really for making sales. but maybe it could be. im thinking about maybe a seperate website for the tile cleaning as its really its own industry.

as far as the healthy attitude, thanks, I figure If i go to sell a customer, I can get 500-800 bucks, so that how I cme up with that.

You obvoiusly took some time with your response and I appreciate it

 

[KGB]

Wife and I are brainstorming business ideas and have been for a little while now.

I was self employed for over a decade doing home inspections but I couldn't grow the company because I couldn't trust others to do a thorough job inspecting and I got burned out. It was a lot of work for a few hundred bucks. A lot of liability too.

Been thinking about getting into some home improvement. Maybe start just doing fences and drainage and ramp up from there.

I know carpet/flooring like the back of my hand but the markup is not there.

If I could find a widget to sell that would be cool, too.

:spitballin:

update?

 

[KGB]

SO, for me, an average pool guy does 75 to 80 pools. I have 180.

I have 2 guys, so, I have 20 left over that I do.
I like to get to 50 and then hire someone. but I have a good prospect, so, if hes willing, I will bring him on with 20 and grow him. thats where im at

up to 3rd guy and 200 pools. need to grown him to 75 pools... currently, they do all the pools and I do things like run the business, buy supplies, drive around to fix what they cant figure out.

have a great pool tech/manager. bought a 2nd phone so when
i vaca I can hand him the business phone and actually vaca

 

[KGB]

Finance Guys.

Small biz. want to help my guys. Should I try to add 401K or can I roth help? only 3 employees and me

 

[KGB]

$1,235.20 Spend all time

Impressions
283K
How often your ads were shown

Clicks
3.5K
Actions on your ads

Local actions
0
Actions showing intent to visit

Calls
3
Calls to your business

I know im getting a ton of calls. I can just tell from areas and why they are calling.
I dont have the system all the way set up for the tracking. hell, I think I have 2 different phone numbers. im damn sure I made over $1K especially if you consider recurring weekly biz. whatever im doing, im keeping it on.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seperate topic. NEVER DO YELP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seperate topic. I actually do pretty good with angis list/homeadvisor (they are the same company)

BUT

I paid for the yearly thing for $300 a month that puts you at the top of thier search, kinda like google ads but for thier website. OOOOOOOOOFFFFFF dont do that.

But if you have phone sales skills, and can call a customer really quick after you get the lead. Ive been making money with the normal angi leads.

BUT. you better call those ****ers Quick!!!! YOu are competing against 4 other companies!

 

[jb1020]

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

 

[Grahamburn]

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Why is it clear she’s applying elsewhere?

It wouldn’t be a good look for her to be listing you as a reference or current employment if she has only been there a few weeks.

More likely she’s looking for a loan or housing, as you said.

Could also just be somewhere she applied previously, but is using information she has updated on an online profile.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Transparency is best here. No value in not having the discussion.

 

[jb1020]

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Why is it clear she’s applying elsewhere?

It wouldn’t be a good look for her to be listing you as a reference or current employment if she has only been there a few weeks.

More likely she’s looking for a loan or housing, as you said.

Could also just be somewhere she applied previously, but is using information she has updated on an online profile.

This company sent me 2 attachments, one to sign and verify her start date and title. The other, which I don't know if they meant to send me, is an "Acknowledgement and Authorization for Consumer Reports" the company that she's effectively releasing this info to is a company in the same line of business. Not a direct competitor or anything, but its all the same industry. It also says she electronically signed that form on 8/2 at 2:19 pm. It doesn't feel like its for a loan or an apartment application.

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Transparency is best here. No value in not having the discussion.

But the downside of the conversation....What if she is looking, cause it seems obvious she is. Then I have to deal with paying her an extra 2 weeks, keeping her on health insurance for a bit, etc. Its so much easier for her to just get a 2 week notice and move on.

She is actively working and honestly seems engaged in what we have her doing. I stop by and chat every morning.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Why is it clear she’s applying elsewhere?

It wouldn’t be a good look for her to be listing you as a reference or current employment if she has only been there a few weeks.

More likely she’s looking for a loan or housing, as you said.

Could also just be somewhere she applied previously, but is using information she has updated on an online profile.

This company sent me 2 attachments, one to sign and verify her start date and title. The other, which I don't know if they meant to send me, is an "Acknowledgement and Authorization for Consumer Reports" the company that she's effectively releasing this info to is a company in the same line of business. Not a direct competitor or anything, but its all the same industry. It also says she electronically signed that form on 8/2 at 2:19 pm. It doesn't feel like its for a loan or an apartment application.

Business owner question here.

I have a small business in the financial sector here. We're very small, 11 employees total. I just hired a lady in late June, she seems happy, everything thing seems to be going good. Then this morning I get an email from a pre employment verification specialist. I guess it could be her applying for an apartment, but to me its pretty clear based on the company that requested it that she has applied elsewhere.

I paid her above the normal rate for the area, we pay her health ins cost, etc.

Not even 6 weeks in and she is applying for jobs elsewhere.

Do I see how this plays out? Or do I go confront her and if it is her job shopping already, I prefer to just cut bait. Far as I know (and I'll confirm) but my state laws are fine with that.

Thoughts?

Transparency is best here. No value in not having the discussion.

But the downside of the conversation....What if she is looking, cause it seems obvious she is. Then I have to deal with paying her an extra 2 weeks, keeping her on health insurance for a bit, etc. Its so much easier for her to just get a 2 week notice and move on.

She is actively working and honestly seems engaged in what we have her doing. I stop by and chat every morning.

It gives you the opportunity to control the situation or at least opens other options. Maybe you've missed a sign of unhappiness or something has happened that you can rectify, build a relationship, and keep her long term. If you want. Maybe the conversation results in an immediate departure and you save further payroll and expenses. Maybe she tells you she isn't looking and it's some type of mistake. Maybe she tells you she isn't looking and still quits in two weeks. Who knows? Any are better than not knowing and wondering about it until something happens in my book.

 

[Judge Smails]

Just started a holding management company and got my EIN. Now need to open bank account and get credit card. Never done this before. Advice from my accountant. Can do Sales Consulting, golf travel for Ryder Cup type groups, golf lessons and others, including business my wife could set up. Set up for post retirement and meanwhile help with tax situation by taking losses. Looking to see what I can run through it for expenses with limited revenue.

Flip side is I don’t want to get overloaded with paperwork, submissions etc including tax stuff

 

[eoMMan]

Any suggestions for low start up businesses that teenagers could run?

I know about lawncare, baked goods, etc. Any other good ones? Maybe post daily videos on YouTube for ad revenue? :halfjoking:

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Wife and I are brainstorming business ideas and have been for a little while now.

I was self employed for over a decade doing home inspections but I couldn't grow the company because I couldn't trust others to do a thorough job inspecting and I got burned out. It was a lot of work for a few hundred bucks. A lot of liability too.

Been thinking about getting into some home improvement. Maybe start just doing fences and drainage and ramp up from there.

I know carpet/flooring like the back of my hand but the markup is not there.

If I could find a widget to sell that would be cool, too.

:spitballin:

update?

I have not followed up this - got hung up on licensing and haven’t had time to focus on this with so much life stuff going on (excuses, excuses)

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Any suggestions for low start up businesses that teenagers could run?

I know about lawncare, baked goods, etc. Any other good ones? Maybe post daily videos on YouTube for ad revenue? :halfjoking:

Mobile car detailing. Use their power and water, just have to get the right tools.
My son and 2 of his buddies started summer after senior year and make spending money while in college. Starting to get bigger - some TikToks have blown up, companies offering freebies/commissions.
Getting to the point they should have incorporated already but with 3 of them (my son does most of the business aspect) it's slow to get them to do it.

 

[KGB]

Any suggestions for low start up businesses that teenagers could run?

I know about lawncare, baked goods, etc. Any other good ones? Maybe post daily videos on YouTube for ad revenue? :halfjoking:

A guy in AZ turned a trash can cleaning company pretty big.

Happy cans is the name of you want to copy them

 

[KGB]

Any suggestions for low start up businesses that teenagers could run?

I know about lawncare, baked goods, etc. Any other good ones? Maybe post daily videos on YouTube for ad revenue? :halfjoking:

Mobile car detailing. Use their power and water, just have to get the right tools.
My son and 2 of his buddies started summer after senior year and make spending money while in college. Starting to get bigger - some TikToks have blown up, companies offering freebies/commissions.
Getting to the point they should have incorporated already but with 3 of them (my son does most of the business aspect) it's slow to get them to do it.

Oh this; dea is great. And you can move into ceramic coatings. Big bucks

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

They do them already. Headlight restoration, pet hair removal (extra charge), engine clean (no one gets it) etc etc.
Trying to push them into boats... marinas are full of cash paying customers. They've done one but don't see the big money in it

I did their website in about 3 days and they figured out square to accept cards. They use my Amazon for now to buy stuff. Trying to push them to add affiliate links in their TikTok. They've got 3 videos with700k, 300k and 200k and multiple with over 40k views. Losing money....