How often do you tell people where you found their details?

How often do you tell people where you found their details?

Let me explain… I recently spoke to a HD8 Network (my sister company) member who told me they were happy to be part of it, but they hadn’t gained any business from it.

Curious, I checked the stats. Their directory listing had plenty of page views and their contact details had been clicked multiple times—yet they were claiming they hadn’t gained anything from it.

When I asked if they ever inquired where contacts where they found (and let’s not forget—it’s not just new customers who Google for contact details!), they admitted they didn’t.  Instead, they assumed that because no one had volunteered the information—saying, “I found you on the HD8 Network”—the directory wasn’t working for them.

The Reality? People Rarely Notice Where They Found Your Details—Let Alone Mention It!

I’ve seen this time and time again.  Most people are self-absorbed and only focused on what they need, not on remembering what made them take action.

Plus, research shows that people often see a business multiple times before they act—sometimes subconsciously, without even realizing it.

Here are two real-life examples:

1️⃣ The Window Cleaner

We regularly get calls from people thinking they’ve contacted our window cleaner member—and we happily pass on messages or redirect them to his details. It’s all part of the service.

Since we are his only online presence, when people Google window cleaners in the area, they find us. But try explaining that to someone who just wants their windows cleaned!

Our member is thrilled with the service and exposure he gets for his business, even if customers don’t realize how they found him.

2️⃣ Breast Screening

Years ago, we published an article for Pennine Breast Screening in the news section of our website.  Now, when local people Google breast screening, they find the article and call me.

I have to quickly stop them from sharing personal medical info and explain that we’re an online community hub—which has confused more than a few people!

As a result of these calls recently, I reached out to Pennine Breast Screening and signed them up as a member so their contact details and more information about them can be found for people searching locally.

However, I should point out that they have only taken up Community Bronze membership – which is free and produces no income for me.  It’s rare nowadays for any organisation to have a marketing budget or willing to pay for promotion – especially so with non-profits and government services.

This is an added benefit of becoming a business member; while promoting your business, you are also supporting and having a positive impact on your local community.  (Despite being told by many advisers this is actually of no interest to businesses – am I wrong?  Is it interesting to you?)

So …. Think like a customer …

When you Google a product, service, or business, do you say:
👉 “Hi, I found you on…”
or do you dive straight into what you need, saying:
👉 “I’m looking for an electrician, bookkeeper, or candlestick maker…”?

Most people do the latter.

In fact, even if you asked them, they would likely say, “I found you on Google”, without mentioning which search result they clicked on.

The reality? If you Google [keyword] in HD8, and we have a member in that field, we’re usually at the top of the organic search results—for a fraction of the cost of SEO or paid ads.

What Are Your Thoughts?

❓ Do you ask people where they found you?
❓ How do you measure the effectiveness of your marketing?

Hopefully, this has made you think about your own business—but also given you a better understanding of what the HD8 Network is all about.

We’re not an event or a peer support group—although those things happen too. The HD8 Network is about raising your visibility online, locally.

While the world focuses on globalism and the pursuit of wealth, I’m passionate about localism and supporting community.

The HD8 Network started as a side hustle.  There are many ways to explain how the HD8 Network came about, but I think I can honesty pinpoint it to when Sayers Solutions was working with a local builder.   

The most well-known origin story is about when I attended a networking event in Brighouse and how Keith Loveday (and all the other attendees from the HD8 area that had traipsed across West Yorkshire to attend) inspired it.

However, it was through working with Tony Wood from T Wood Construction that I truly discovered that the area I had recently moved to and loved—wasn’t represented in media (traditional or social) or widely recognized. It felt like we were in “no man’s land!  Over the years I have learnt to locate it for others by saying it sits equidistant from Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Barnsley.

Now, 11 years and 11 months later, I’m proud to say that many more people know about the HD8 area—whether they work, rest, or play here. Our membership base has grown, and retention rates have improved through system updates, with members now renewing for their 4th and 5th years (as well as numerous day one members!). Thank you all for believing in and benefiting from the HD8 Network!

Last summer, a direct competitor emerged—someone who was employed by a customer, as marketing assistant and went on to be Chief Executive Officer, who used to use our platform for promotion all the time but has yet to acknowledge what came before. However, I have learnt to see this as a sign of success.

There have been many positives throughout this journey, along with lessons learned. That said, I largely run this network alone—while also managing Sayers Solutions, volunteering for the FSB, being a mum, a wife, a friend, and someone who still wants a social life!

If you’d like to support my vision for the future of the HD8 Network – whilst potentially reaping the benefits for you and your business or community group, let’s talk! Book a call with me to find out more.

Better yet, visit the website: www.HD8network.co.uk. People who explore it often “get it”—and those outside the area wish they had something similar where they live, work, and play.

👉 Join us today: www.HD8network.co.uk/join/