WWW.HPMMAG.COM Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com NEWSDESK Plumbers and engineers joining ‘social revolution’ Plumbfix is predicting a ‘social revolution’ within the trade as almost half (48%) of tradesmen reveal they are winning new business through social media channels. Tradesmen, including plumbers and heating engineers, are increasingly turning to social media sites to reach more customers and increase their brand awareness. Eight out of ten tradesmen use social media as a free way to reach more customers and two fifths (43%) believe having a page on a social media site makes their business look more established. With a quarter of tradesmen now using sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote their business, the channel is set to become even more popular. A third of tradesmen (63%) say their social media use is more than last year and a third believe they will use it more next year. This upward trend supports a recent study from the Internet Advertising Bureau UK, which found that nearly 80% of consumers would be more inclined to buy because of a brand's presence on social media. Sandra Everett, senior marketing manager at Plumbfix, said: “Technology is empowering consumers. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are today’s equivalent of the telephone directory - members of the public are now more likely to go online to find and research tradesmen in their area. “As plumbers increase the amount of business tasks and transactions they undertake online, social media should be seriously considered as a cost-effective way to market themselves to more and more customers.” A third of tradesmen also use social media to check on their competitors and what services and prices they are offering. Sandra added: “We know plumbers are increasingly using smart phones and laptops during the working day to communicate with colleagues and clients as well as speeding-up the purchasing of essential products and tools. We have no doubt that the use of social media for business will continue to grow.” OFTEC has teamed up with Age UK to provide a free guide, offering advice to help older people using oil to stay safe and warm throughout the rest of the winter. The guide includes money saving tips, advice on energy efficiency and oil tank security, heating payments and schemes for the elderly, useful phone numbers and general guidance on staying warm. OFTEC’s Malcolm Farrow said: “We want to help as many people as possible save money on oil and have made this information available through the Oilsave website. We were aware that this may not be reaching the most vulnerable group, the elderly, which is why we worked with Age UK. For further details on how to obtain a guide, call 0800 023 62 Dimplex has once again taken to the green to sponsor the Legends Charity Golf Day, helping to raise thousands of pounds for three charities. Hosted by Queens Park Rangers manager, Harry Redknapp, the annual event takes place at Dorset’s Remedy Oak Golf Club and this year saw amateurs join forces for a day’s golf with footballing heroes including Jamie Redknapp, David Seaman and Darren Anderton. The tournament raised a total of £24,000, which will benefit children’s hospice Julia’s House in Dorset, the Cancer Research UK Bobby Moore Fund and the Willow Foundation, a charity supporting seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds, which was established by former Arsenal goalkeeper, Bob Wilson. Karen Trewick, director of communications for Dimplex, said: “The golf day was a resounding success and we are delighted that this year’s event has raised such a fantastic sum of money for three very worthy causes.” OFTEC guide offers advice to elderly Dimplex golf day raises £24k for charity The Green Deal ‘just doesn’t stack up’ The Green Deal has been given a lukewarm verdict, scoring just two out of five in a one-year anniversary ‘report card’ from the Federation of Master Builders, which concludes the government must try harder to broaden the appeal of its flagship energy-efficiency policy. Brian Berry, chief executive, said: “It’s clear that the Green Deal simply has not achieved the desired results in its first full year, with the majority of smaller installers and homeowners failing to engage and the financial package underpinning the scheme proving unattractive to most consumers. “Our report card shows that the main problem the Green Deal faces is that consumers are not interested because of the limited appeal of the financial incentives currently being offered. This means that most small local builders are reluctant to spend their time and money becoming certified Green Deal installers, when the potential customer base is really still in its infancy. “As a financial package, the Green Deal just doesn’t stack up. There are many attractive high street alternatives out there, with loans and credit cards generally available at more competitive rates to fund both the lower and higher value types of energy efficiency project.” Demand fuels rise in APHC courses APHC has released its training course schedule for 2014 with an increased number of course dates available to meet rising demand. APHC is continuing to offer one-day training courses, which are avaliable to both members and non-members, including: water regulations, sanitary and above ground drainage, cold water risk assessment and disinfection and a wet room design and installation course. Graeme Dryden, technical services manager at the APHC said: "Many of our members are actively looking to improve their qualifications to allow them to take part in the new government schemes such as the Green Deal and the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.” 6 FEBRUARY 2014 HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY Steve and Maureen Cliffen from the Willow Foundation, Lin Hudswell from Julia’s House, Harry Redknapp, Karen Trewick and Jimmy James, a Remedy Oak member representing the Bobby Moore Fund with funds raised Follow us on Twitter: @HPMMag
HPM February 2014
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