How are you generating business? Leads generator?

[STEL]

Hi everyone,

How are you all getting business at the moment? Have any of you used lead generator companies? I get 4 or 5 emails a week trying to get me to buy 'leads in my area!'.

We put ads in the local paper and local magazine, but our phones are very quiet at the moment so tempted to try a lead.

 

[Gavin A]

prepare to be chasing your tail a lot.

 

[FB.]

As a customer, a solar/renewables enthusiast and an investor (financial markets), I am trying hard to persuade anyone who'll listen that solar is still a good investment; better than investing in most other assets, considering the growing financial storm in Europe which could do some serious economic damage to asset prices (shares, property) or even threaten the solvency of banks, leading to much worse than a repeat of the run on Northern Rock.
Greeks are reported to be withdrawing hundreds of millions of Euro's a day from their banks because they fear the banks will collapse.

At least with solar, a bank collapse won't lose your money. But, unlike gold (the ultimate safe asset) solar can actually do something useful for you; provide electricity.

Unfortunately, for many people, the easiest course of action is to do nothing.

 

[dansk]

Leads never worked for me, honestly it will be sent to about 6 installers no matter what they say! you better of spending the budget you set aside for leads on Adwords and drive traffic to your site if its any good.

 

[SRE]

When I used lead generators the market was a bit different but almost all of my jobs can be traced back to the first half dozen I bought from a lead generator so they worked for me but just to prime the local market. Customer care, integrity and honesty are what encouraged my customers to recommend us to their friends and family.

 

[tparnel]

i didnt like these guys

 

[SRE]

You're a business, you don't have to like them - it's about what they can offer you and how you can capitalise on it.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

As a customer, a solar/renewables enthusiast and an investor (financial markets), I am trying hard to persuade anyone who'll listen that solar is still a good investment; better than investing in most other assets, considering the growing financial storm in Europe which could do some serious economic damage to asset prices (shares, property) or even threaten the solvency of banks, leading to much worse than a repeat of the run on Northern Rock.
Greeks are reported to be withdrawing hundreds of millions of Euro's a day from their banks because they fear the banks will collapse.

At least with solar, a bank collapse won't lose your money. But, unlike gold (the ultimate safe asset) solar can actually do something useful for you; provide electricity.

Unfortunately, for many people, the easiest course of action is to do nothing.

Call me a cynic, but do you have a vested interest.


Land is good. I hear they aren't building anymore.

 

[SRE]

Call me a cynic, but do you have a vested interest.

Confused :whatchutalkingabout how does a customer have a vested interest in the solar industry?

 

[Greenday]

Its a very expensive way of getting enquiries and some of what the lead generation companies get up to is questionable to say the least.

Enquiries that only supposed to go to 3 companies end up going to 10!

One company we tried sent leads that were months old---we suspect they were buying them off another company!

Most refuse to refund the cost of the lead even when the potential customer clearly has no interest in Solar and wont let you quote.

One company has recently starting sending us lots of inappropiate enquiries---tiny terrace houses with need of reroofing before you would consider solar---or--- person denies any knowledge of making the enquiry -even though you have the right address---or-- Person refusing to even discuss solar over the phone never mind a visit. Are these people somehow being paid to submit their information??

Anyway if you can afford up to a £1000 for a succesful lead----give it a try!

 

[SRE]

We insisted on proof that they were decent to start off with. Got 5 free ones to start off with and bought the following few for £40. We were competing against national firms in an area where local rules and it was 18 months ago - but you've got to start somewhere and for me it's better value for money than adwords.

 

[sedgy34]

We all have our own ways and thoughts of enquiries some work some don't

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Confused :whatchutalkingabout how does a customer have a vested interest in the solar industry?

Not sure, thats why I asked! Just sounded like it was leading to a sales pitch!!!

I'm sure its a great idea.

I remember looking at a graph of property over a hundred or so years. It included huge collapses like the early 90's and its average increase per year was alot more than 5%.

But hey ho maybe I was fooled by stats.....

 

[SRE]

Well I have all 3, property, solar business and solar panels and believe me when I tell you the only certainty is the panels at the minute!!

If you look at FB's previous posts you'll see he's just a pleased punter - we've got loads like him and that's where most of our business is coming from.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Apologies I may have mis read FB's post, the english language is a funny thing, I certainly did not mean to cause any upset or appear a muppet. Although according to my wife this happens 16 times a day (muppetry).

S.