Recently, our company has been getting business from Thumbtack.com. Thumbtack is an online company whose product is matching businesses with customers in over 1000 service categories.
I don’t remember what about them caught my eye, but I decided to go ahead and complete my profile and I am very glad I did. It was amazingly easy. The instructions were simple, and it took very little time to add text, load photos and videos and then select what type of leads I would like to receive.
Our internet marketing business has developed over time from the relationships we have built. My local community is a wonderful place for a robust networking life and my team, and I have built a successful circle of influence – which has been wonderful for sending us referrals over the years. Even though we are a digital marketing firm, over 97% of our business has come from these referrals. We have a great reputation for our work and we simply did not advertise. We did not need to.
Along came COVID 19. There are not many networking opportunities while our community struggles with masks, quarantines, shutdowns, and the uncertainty that covers the landscape. So many businesses are suffering setbacks. Some insurmountable setbacks have forced businesses to close. For others, they have moved much of their business online to survive.
In a time when businesses are having to learn how to do things differently, it’s important to share your success stories – A rising tide lifts all boats. I found this platform to be very efficient and more than that, fair. You don’t have to set up leads, but you can, and the price is very cost effective. One thing that did catch my eye was how smart their FAQs were, so I wanted to share them here along with my answers. Try Thumbtack. I hope all the business thrive there.
Frequently asked questions
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We offer a unique pricing structure. You pay for your website in 12 equal payments over a year. After that, we offer maintenance plans that are impossible to beat to keep your beautiful site updated and performing. We do not charge additional fees for routine updates, additional pages, support or even redesigns.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We start by listening. Once you have told us your goals we suggest the best way for you to achieve them.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
We have a combined total of 50 years of business experience from our Admin team. Added to that, our local web and social media managers and staff have an impressive variety of college degrees, certifications, and experience.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
It is an interesting story, but it started out as a hobby. The bottom line is we developed our business model by having experienced poor service from other marketing companies in the past.
What types of customers have you worked with?
We proudly serve a large variety of clients ranging from the individual, sole proprietor to multinational firms. Including local businesses such as Real Estate agencies, Food and Beverage, Gaming, Construction, Coaching, Authors, Candidates, and more, we have served almost every industry in one way or another.
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
We love them all and find each client to be a unique challenge.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Great question! Look at each company whom you are considering and check their own website and social media. Is it professional? Is there any engagement on their social accounts? So many firms have very little or no reviews. Check them out. If they can’t market themselves, they can’t market you.
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
The right agency will ask all of the right questions of the client. It’s the job of the marketing firm to understand what they need to know to be successful and have the questions prepared. The client should not have to do all the legwork.
Thanks, Thumbtack, for the insightful questions and for getting us in front of more prospective clients.