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Service Magic

by econnors
14 replies
Have any of you considered using Service Magic for lead generation? They have an Android app that lets you pull up all sorts of businesses in various service industries right on your cell phone so that you can place the call right there with a click of a button.

Thoughts?


Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
#magic #service
  • Profile picture of the author David Miller
    I don't understand what you would use them for. My understanding is that they produce leads for home improvement contractors mostly. Most of the people in the forum who do lead generation can do it for less money and usually far better than SM is known to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author econnors
      Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

      I don't understand what you would use them for. My understanding is that they produce leads for home improvement contractors mostly. Most of the people in the forum who do lead generation can do it for less money and usually far better than SM is known to do.
      I think I may have been unclear. I want to use SM to find customers that I can help build an online presence. I was just curious if anyone else had tested the potential of this already...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Service Magic is a two edged sword and the part that cuts is the Exact Match program that ruins your citation consistency across the net. Most likely the app is for companies participating in the EM program.

    On the other hand, their lowest level of membership is still a decent way to build 3rd party reputation as you can build trust and authority with the profile they give you.
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  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    Correct me if I wrong, but it seems the OP is perhaps suggesting to use Service Magic as a source of new client prospects for "our" offline services.

    If these businesses are currrently using SM for leads then they are aware and will to use an outside company for client attraction and have been qualified to be an even better source of leads to use our better priced lead gen/offline services.
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    • Profile picture of the author econnors
      Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post

      Correct me if I wrong, but it seems the OP is perhaps suggesting to use Service Magic as a source of new client prospects for "our" offline services.

      If these businesses are currrently using SM for leads then they are aware and will to use an outside company for client attraction and have been qualified to be an even better source of leads to use our better priced lead gen/offline services.
      That's exactly what I was asking. I would think these would be an easier sell than someone who knows nothing about working online. They signed up for Service Magic for whatever fee they're paying. I figure it could also be a good starting point for the following:

      "Hi, John Doe. I saw your listing on Service Magic, but I couldn't find a website for you. Do you have your own site? Oh, you don't? Well, here's what I do..."
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  • Profile picture of the author flightrisk
    be careful here, the number being used in the app will charge the business a fee as a lead. Best to look up company then call them with a number listed on google, yelp or YP.
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    • Profile picture of the author agonce
      Originally Posted by flightrisk View Post

      be careful here, the number being used in the app will charge the business a fee as a lead. Best to look up company then call them with a number listed on google, yelp or YP.
      lol get 10 phone numbers, call a business you wanna pitch to 10 times, and just hang up , once they will be charged for 10*xxx$ per lead, call them on their regular number. By this time they should be pissed off service magic and will listen to your pitch :p jk
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      • Profile picture of the author econnors
        Originally Posted by agonce View Post

        lol get 10 phone numbers, call a business you wanna pitch to 10 times, and just hang up , once they will be charged for 10*xxx$ per lead, call them on their regular number. By this time they should be pissed off service magic and will listen to your pitch :p jk
        LOL! That's terrible. But, a website can be so much more powerful than Service Magic and without the costs involved -- does anyone know how much they are charged for each lead or is it business dependent?

        Never mind...I just did a quick Google search (Google is my friend)...

        I checked out their pricing page (HERE: How Much Does it Cost?) and saw that the leads cost $5 minimum. Plus there's a $99 set up fee. But, the term "kitchen remodel" can cost $38 minimum. Maybe kitchen re-modelers are a good target. :-)
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        • Profile picture of the author Local Jake
          Originally Posted by econnors View Post

          LOL! That's terrible. But, a website can be so much more powerful than Service Magic and without the costs involved -- does anyone know how much they are charged for each lead or is it business dependent?

          Never mind...I just did a quick Google search (Google is my friend)...

          I checked out their pricing page (HERE: How Much Does it Cost?) and saw that the leads cost $5 minimum. Plus there's a $99 set up fee. But, the term "kitchen remodel" can cost $38 minimum. Maybe kitchen re-modelers are a good target. :-)
          Roofers pay $55-$66 per lead, lawyers $100 plus...
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          • Profile picture of the author econnors
            Originally Posted by Local Jake View Post

            Roofers pay $55-$66 per lead, lawyers $100 plus...
            Thanks for that point. Lawyers would be an even greater market. I wonder if there are really law firms that don't have websites. That would be a major violation. LOL!

            I guess it'd be best to search the forums to see if I can locate a good way to get into attorney offices. :-)
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            • Profile picture of the author mojo1
              Originally Posted by econnors View Post

              I wonder if there are really law firms that don't have websites. That would be a major violation. LOL!
              It still amazes me when I come across this but yes there are lots of attornys listed in Google places without websites.
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            • Profile picture of the author Local Jake
              Originally Posted by econnors View Post

              Thanks for that point. Lawyers would be an even greater market. I wonder if there are really law firms that don't have websites. That would be a major violation. LOL!

              I guess it'd be best to search the forums to see if I can locate a good way to get into attorney offices. :-)
              Found the actual .pdf files that ServiceMagic sends companies that inquire about leads in my files. Hope this helps...

              http://www.localjake.com/resources/S...agic-Rates.zip
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              • Profile picture of the author econnors
                Originally Posted by Local Jake View Post

                Found the actual .pdf files that ServiceMagic sends companies that inquire about leads in my files. Hope this helps...

                http://www.localjake.com/resources/S...agic-Rates.zip
                You rock! Thanks for posting this. I downloaded them just now, and it's amazing to see how these are priced out by industry. It just makes me think about offering variable pricing in my own services based on who I'm talking to. Someone who has a business of asbestos testing pays SM at least $9 per lead but someone who does wedding videos pays at least $25.

                Many companies use variable pricing for different reasons, but I think this is the best use of it. I think I will start off my calls with folks who are on SM for a high dollar lead category (not dialing through their SM number, of course). I think that I will have instant conversation and leverage with these people.

                I can talk about the "pain" - which is the amount they are paying for SM leads when there is a much better way.

                Now I just need to locate a good company that I can sign up for a reseller of web design and local SEO services because I just want to talk to people and provide customer service as needed. I don't really have time to talk to people and "do" the work as well. Plus, I don't have to be so critical of my work that way, but I digress...I need a plan of action by Monday because I'm calling some folks. :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author rugman
    I can tell you this - I am in the cleaning biz (carpets) - I don't use SM but I have heard other cleaners tell me they get dead phone #'s - bad leads and hang ups! They pay for them all!
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