A few people have asked so here are the Postcode Software details again…

We’re always looking for ways to reduce costs in our business and a different Postcode Data supplier came to our attention.  Until now GetBookedUp has only worked with AFD Postcode for the ‘instant addressing’ function in the system.   A different supplier contacted us and is offering a data package which does everything GetBookedUp needs at a lower price when compared to the AFD product.  As our AFD licences expired we switched over to ensure their data was ‘up to scratch’ and we’re happy to report it certainly is.  So, we’ve developed GetBookedUp to work with the new data supplier’s product also.

The annual cost is just £79.00 + VAT per licence, compared to AFD Postcode costing £154.00 + VAT in the first year and renewals around £84.00 + VAT.

You can find a specific page for GetBookedUp Users HERE – Postcode Software  You just need the Product “1 licence £79+vat (per year)” option, unless you have multiple PC’s you want to use it on.

You don’t need to do anything in GetBookedUp to make Postcode Search work.  Just make sure you download the file into the default location they suggest and GetBookedUp will automatically find it next time you log in.

If you’re not already using the ‘instant addressing’ you really ought to consider it.  You can enter just the house number and Postcode and automatically complete the rest of the details.  Saves time entering data AND no more misspalt adresssus in your database.  The data is in the Royal Mail PAF format, so you can make savings on bulk mailings such as CleanMail, UK Mail and many more.  It also means the data is in a format easily exported to Docmail for online print fulfilment services.

Just call if you have any queries about Postcode Search Software, or Docmail.

Allan.

Does GetBookedUp allow me to send emails using my gmail email?

This is a question we are repeatedly asked and the answer is not a simple yes or no, unfortunately.

So lets start with the positive first.  Yes Gmail accounts can be configured to work to send emails from GetBookedUp using the SMTP server name, password and Port 465, then enabling the ‘SSL’ option too.  However, and this is the negative, on free Google mail accounts Google place a limit on the number of emails you can send to 99 per day, and that kicks in automatically.   This means that if you only ever intend sending appointment confirmations and perhaps easy street marketing emails you may “get away with” using gmail, however, if you want to use GetBookedUp to it’s full capacity of email marketing then a free gmail account is not going to be suitable.

So what’s the answer?

Well, we don’t seem to be able to find confirmation that even paid gmail accounts have this restriction lifted, we can find any detalails on the Google or ‘developers’ forums.  There are options, and they are varied.  I suggest if you’re using a gmail email then you give me a call and we can discuss what you need and make a recomendation that suits your needs.

As always, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to give me a call direct.

Regards,

Allan Jnr.

How to get an amazing ROI NOW and add massive value to your business…

So, in our carpet cleaning business I’ve just organised our Automatic Job Reminder letter for February to go out. It’s part of the Daily Marketing activity in GetBookedUp and this particular tool is in the Professional+, Business Builder and Turbo Charged Editions.

So what’s Automatic about it? Well, this is a letter generated automatically by GetBookedUp, exactly when it’s due without you having to search through any records or diaries. You just run the Daily Marketing activity and the systems does the work for you and tells you how many are due. You just then choose the letter you want to send, and we include a template to get you started, click print and away they go, IT’S THAT EASY and automatic.

Why is it different to the normal reminder letter? Well, this letter is only sent to those people who asked us to remind them to have the items cleaned again. Ie, when we left the questionnaire on completion of the job the last question on there is “When would you like us to remind you to have the item cleaned again 12/18/24/36 months? Please delete as applicable.” Whatever the client chooses this is recorded in the client record and the system does the rest, as above. What makes this work so well is that the letter simply says “When we worked for you on (job date) you asked us to remind you in (timeframe). Well, it’s (time frame) so here’s your friendly reminder. Call us now and we’ll get you booked in as requested.” Basically, they asked us to remind them, we have, so they automatically respond and call, simple.

The conversion rate on this letter is typically 40%, so the 118 letters that have gone out as our February run of Automatic Job reminders could turn into 40-45 JOBS meaning a HUGE ROI on the cost of 118 letters!

If you’re not using software to help you run your business, or your current software doesn’t offer this feature then why not take a look at GetBookedUp now. These and many other clever little tools like it will save you time and make a massive difference to your marketing spend and ROI.

Here’s a quick video showing you how easy this is to use, and this feature IS included in the one off fee, £289 + VAT, Professional+ Edition too. It’s just one of the tools so many of our users have told us they SWITCHED from other software to GetBookedUp to use. So, now you can see how powerful this one tool is, ask your existing software provider to add it as soon as possible, and if they won’t, you should make the switch to GetBooedUp now. The sooner you switch and start recording these too, the sooner you start to get a return, so what are you waiting for, take a look at GetBookedUp now.

Imagine when you come to sell your business the added value this will give your business. If you could show a potential buyer that you have a list of people who have asked to be remind at a specific time to have the work done again, and the response to that reminder is typically 40%, imagine what that does to the VALUE of the business, for very little work, just a few clicks on each record when the job is done.

Watch the video now>>

Exporting Data, how easy it is? Your queries answered…

Following our post on Facebook about exploring integrating with Infusionsoft there was a post which said it was hard to export from GetBookedUp and that led to a couple of queries from potential users about how hard is it to export.  The easiest way to answer those queries was do do a live session to demonstrate how it works, so, rather than do that for everyone who has a query I thought I’d do a video to show the options for export and How To…

Watch the video now>>

If you have any queries, or need any support please don’t hesitate to call us on the support line, 01405 813665.

Allan Jnr.

“Reasons Why…”

I’ve had a few people get in touch asking what the book was that I mentioned in my Marketing Presentation at the NCCA Meeting recently. Well it’s John E Kennedy’s “Reasons Why Advertising” and it appears to be OOP and hard to find in the format I have. The only ‘copy’ I can find is on Amazon, link below. That’s for that book republished with his follow up book ‘as one’. BUT if anyone wants to borrow my copy of the original I’m happy to mail it to you if you promise to mail it back promptly 🙂

I’ve side by side tested letters with just different opening paragraphs, some using “Reasons why” and others with a more ‘corporate’ feel to them, and hands down the response is FAR better from “Reasons why” opening Paragraphs.

Then I’ve tested the best performing “Reasons why” opening paragraphs and tested with the rest of the letter “Reasons why” format, and the rest of the letter a more corporate content. Again “Reasons why win hands down every time.

In a nutshell, for those that didn’t make it to the NCCA event, “Reasons Why” talks about composing your letters in a conversational manner and tell the client why your writing. Give them a reason why you write. Give them a reson why you’re making the offer, and not just “January sale” use conversation language to tell people why you’re having a January sale. As part of the mailing we’ve send in the Pre Christmas marketing in our carpet cleaning business I give people a reason for the offer in January…
“Post Christmas is always a little quiet as carpet and upholstery cleaning is the last thing most people’s minds, especially if it’s wet, snowy weather. We’re busy in January, but most of that work is for commercial clients, cleaning up hotel conference rooms, and other party venues after the festivities. Most of that is evening and weekend work though; which means we’re quieter during the day. You see everyone wins, it means I keep our technicians busy during the day in January, and valued previous clients like you <<title>> <<Surname>> can take advantage and save pounds on the usual price, everyone wins!”

IT WORKS! I’ve tested this and other’s side by side.

Kennedy then talks about reassurance, so I use…
“We may be cutting the price but you have my absolute assurance that we will not be cutting back on our high standards. As always, ALL our work is fully guaranteed, if you’re not completely satisfied we will put it right or refund your money, NO QUIBBLE!”

The following is another paragraph we find works really well, because it follows the guidelines in Kennedy’s book, we make it easy for the client to call now and tell them why we make it easy and why they can call now, so guess what, they CALL NOW, while they have the letter in their hand before they put it down and forget…
“So, if you want cleaning done before Christmas call us now, daytime or evening, and we’ll pull up your record and see if we can fit you in. If you want to wait until January for cleaning call us now and we’ll confirm the dates and the offer details for you. Remember, you can call us any time on your local number below, as outside of office hours they are diverted at our cost to our home. We realise you’re busy too and we don’t mind taking your call whenever is best for you to organise your cleaning. So call us now.”

PHEW! That was a longer post than I intended, but I hope there’s something useful for you.

Allan.

PS. Firstly always have a PS! Secondly, “Reasons why…” works because people automatically feel an affinity to the reason why and therefore feel comfortable and ‘just do it’. So, apply reasons why to your marketing and you’ll be working smarter, not harder. You’ll save time and money in all your marketing effort by reducing the number of mailings and increasing their response, the whole philosophy of GetBookedUp.

Here’s the Amazon link:-

http://www.amazon.com/Reason-why-advertising-Plus-Intensive-shall/dp/B0006SBBLI

Quick Tip, Contact log records telephone calls and their result…

It’s been a busy two weeks with new starts, refresher training on site and more, plus other meeting away from the office and I’ve not made time to post here on the Blog.  But, today I’ve been working with an existing user who’d forgotten about this clever little feature in GetBookedUp, it’s simple yet very effective, could you use this too?  Just click to watch the video…

That’s all folks!

Allan.

You Asked, So We Did… How to fill a cancellation at short notice, EASY…

In response to requests from both existing users and potential users I’ve video’d the actual process, live, in our carpet cleaning business.  So, what’s happened is a commercial client we clean for on a regular basis was booked in for Monday and we had two technicians booked to be there all day.  This morning they have rung, they have just found out they have an inspection that day so have cancelled Monday and we’re going Friday instead.  I’ve talked about this before but here is the live video of me actually doing it.  With your database you really are sat on Acres of Diamonds…

I sent the email out at 10:30 ish, you’ll see on the video, it’s now 11:13 as I’m typing this post and ALREADY we have had a reply from a previous client booking for her suite and carpet to be cleaned and protected on Monday.  EASY!  This technique is so easy and never fails to fill the gaps.

You can target your clients however you like but we use a “Short Notice Offer” List.  What’s that?  I’ve talked about this before in a previous blog, but basically we ask every client a simple question on the questionnaire…

“If you’d like to know about amazing last minute short notice offers please pop your email here __________”

This does a few things, it collects emails from people who you might not have an email address for, so you can add them to you newsletter etc AND it means these people are MASSIVELY interested in EXACTLY the type of offer you are making with this email.  It’s WIN/WIN.

Now I can hear you saying I don’t have many emails so this wouldn’t work for me.  WRONG!  Start now and you’ll start collecting emails straight away, PLUS it does work with just a few email addrsses.  No matter how many emails you have this is so easy to do that in a few minutes you have the chance to fill gaps and cancellations.  I guarantee we will fill two vans next Monday with this offer, as I said, it’s only 11:15 on Thursday and we’ve had one call to book, within 45 minutes of the email going out.  And so can you as your list grows.

You could also do this by text message for same day cancellation gaps you need to fill.  We’ve found email works best for a couple of days away, text wrks best for same day or early next morning cancellations.  I think that’s because people always have their phone with them so respond to text messages immediately, btu might not open emails until they get home from work or shopping.  Just my thoughts.

Anyway, that’s it, as requested, a live demo of how we use Easy Email Marketing to fill cancellations.

This tool is available in the Professional+, Business Builder and Turbo-Charged Editions.  The specific, very targeted list I used is only in the Business Builder and Turbo-Charged Editions, BUT you can do a very similar targeted email in the Professional+ Edition too.

Your feedback would be appreciated, watch the video now…

Allan Jnr.

PS  We have many clients who have told us they only ever use us when we do an offer like this.  Now you might think that that’s a problem, they only ever have work done at a discount!  AH AH! THAT’S FANTASTIC, they are on a separate list (recorded as a Group on GetBookedUp) and these are the people we target FIRST with same day deals!  WHY?  Because these are the easy low hanging fruit to pick off no effort to fill slots.  THEY LOVE IT & WE LOVE IT!  It’s all about per van daily average.  If we can fill a slot this afternoon at 3:00pm then we can do another £x of work today, that’s time that has gone, never to be available again to sell some cleaning in, so why not take it and keep clients, and you, happy?  To me it’s a ‘no brainer’.  So, if you need any help setting up templates to do this, or any help whatsoever just email or call.

Finally, a Monthly Newsletter Already Written and Designed For You… Ready to Mail and E-mail to All of Your Clients and Prospects

The title says it all.  We all know that we should keep in regular contact with our clients and the Client Newsletter has shown over the years to be a great way to do that.  If the thought of having to commit to writing a monthly newsletter puts you off starting, as compiling an interesting newsletter isn’t easy, these guys have done it all for you.   I’m not going to repeat everything that’s on their website here, but this is a FANTASTIC new resource available from these guys…

P.S. This isn’t an affiliate link, it’s just such a great resource I wanted to share it with you.

Allan.

GetBookedUp running on a Mac

We’ve had so many people ask about running GetBookedUp on a Mac that we thought it was time to investigate this further.  We already have users using this so the obvious thing to do was follow their lead and take a look at Parallels…

Here’s how GetBookedUp runs on your Mac…

About Parallels…

We now have several users successfully running GetBookedUp on their Mac computer using Parallels software.

Here’s more details from the Parallels website…

Parallels Desktop for Mac

Parallels Desktop for Mac is the most tested, trusted and talked-about solution for running Windows applications on your Mac – without rebooting.

Even Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal is talking about the new version and how well Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac runs Windows and Mac apps side by side. (Read  the full article.)

Seamless Simplicity
With Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can seamlessly run both Windows and Mac OS X applications side-by-side with speed, control and confidence.

Setting up Parallels Desktop for Mac is easy. Bring all your PC programs, documents, photos, music and browser bookmarks to your Mac, then run them all like they were made for your Mac. It’s the best of both worlds on one desktop.

Performance and Personalization
Experience as much or as little Windows as you want. Multiple view modes make it possible for you to customize the level of integration between Mac and Windows without compromising performance.

Running Windows software on your Mac is so easy and smooth, it’s effortless. Proving Mac and Windows can do more than coexist — they can collaborate.

Limited time offer – 25% off Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac – Run windows on your Mac – Faster

IT’S HERE! Easy Street Marketing…

Just over a month ago I mentioned this and now after further testing and tweaking it’s available and ready to go, the final tutorials will go live over the next few days but it’s pretty self explanatory how it works from the video below.

So, what is ‘Easy Street Marketing’?

It’s something we’ve been using for a while now, but it was always a little bit of faffing around to do and often got missed if the phones were busy.  As it is such a successful marketing technique we’ve decided to automate it as a specific new tool in GetBookedUp.  It’s in the Business Builder, Turbo-Charged AND the one time only fee Professional+ Edition too.  Plus,  if you’re an existing user, it’s also available as a free update.

Basically, we send an email or text to everyone on the database who lives on the same street as the person we have just booked a quote or job appointment for.  Why? Because this does a couple of things.  Firstly it lets people know you’re in the area, so if they need anything you can call at the same time, which saves you fuel, time and marketing costs.  Secondly it lets people know you’re in the area!  Always in the area!  which has a drip, drip effect and builds your reputation as THE Carpet Cleaner in the area.

This isn’t rocket science, it’s just a way to drip, drip market your existing clients, cementing the fact that you are the local cleaner and at the same time reducing your fuel, travel time and marketing costs.  As I said, we’ve done this for some time now, and we thought it was time to automate the process in GetBookedUp now we’ve proven it works.  It may only be that you have one or two other clients in the street, but this is a virtually free method of keeping in touch with them which, and I’ll say it again, cements you as THE cleaner in the neighbourhood.

If you tie this in with always doing at least a ‘5 around’ leaflet drop, or better still a small notepad drop (more about this idea another day), and you’re perceived as always in the area so you must be popular in the area.  This works amazing in the higher end areas too, where it’s virtually impossible to break into without a word of mouth recommendation.  People start talking when they keep seeing you in the area and the recommendations flow.

Take a look at the video to see how easy it is to use, we even include the templates for you…