How to Measure What Is Actually Working

Will, EnableUs Community

Hey everyone, welcome back to Marketing for NDIS Providers. I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today, we’re talking about something that, honestly, I reckon gets overlooked way too often—actually measuring what’s working in your marketing. Winter, how many times have you heard from providers who are just, like, throwing money at ads and hoping for the best?

Winter, EnableUs Community

Oh, all the time, Will. It’s so common. People get excited about a new Facebook campaign or maybe they boost a post, but then—when you ask them what actually brought in their last few clients, they’re not really sure. It’s like, “I think it was Facebook? Or maybe someone found us on Google?”

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, exactly. And I get it, right? You’re busy, you wanna help people, and marketing can feel like this black box. But if you’re not tracking what’s working, you could be wasting time and money. I had this provider—won’t name names—but they kept boosting Facebook posts every week. Like, clockwork. But when we finally sat down and tracked where their best leads were coming from, it turned out most of them actually found the business through their Google Business Profile. Not Facebook at all. They were shocked.

Winter, EnableUs Community

That’s such a classic story. And it’s not just about saving money, either. When you know what’s working, you can double down on it and actually grow faster. Plus, it just makes planning so much easier. You’re not guessing, you’re making decisions based on real info.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and honestly, it doesn’t have to be complicated or super technical. I think people get scared off by the idea of “tracking” because it sounds like you need fancy software or a marketing degree. But you really don’t. Even just asking, “How did you hear about us?” can be a game changer.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Totally. So, let’s talk about some of the main channels NDIS providers should be looking at. There’s Google Search and SEO, obviously. Your Google Business Profile is huge for local searches. Then you’ve got social media—Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. Referrals from support coordinators or plan managers. And don’t forget directories like Clickability or MyCareSpace. Did I miss any, Will?

Will, EnableUs Community

Nah, I think you nailed it. Maybe email or SMS outreach, but that’s more for nurturing leads. The main thing is, once you know your channels, you can start collecting data. And honestly, you don’t need a fancy CRM to start. A simple spreadsheet works. Just jot down where each enquiry came from. Ask people directly—“How did you find us?”—and record it. That’s it.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and if you want to get a bit more advanced, there are free tools out there. Google Analytics for your website, Facebook and Instagram Insights for your socials, Google Business Profile for local stats. But honestly, I know a provider who started with just a spreadsheet and a monthly review. Every month, they’d sit down for half an hour, look at where their enquiries came from, and make a note of what was working. Within three months, they saw a massive improvement. They realised most of their new clients were coming from a single directory listing, so they put more effort into that and actually cut back on stuff that wasn’t working.

Will, EnableUs Community

That’s the thing, right? It’s about making it routine. You don’t have to track every tiny detail, just enough to spot the patterns. And those free tools—like, Google Business Profile will literally tell you how many people called you from your listing. Facebook Insights shows you which posts are getting engagement. It’s all there, you just gotta look.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And don’t get overwhelmed. Start small. Even if you just track enquiries in a notebook for now, that’s better than nothing. The goal is to make it manageable so you actually stick with it.

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, so you’re tracking where your leads are coming from. But how do you know if it’s actually working? That’s where setting clear goals comes in. Like, don’t just say “I want more clients.” Be specific—“I want five new enquiries a month from my website,” or “I want two referrals a week from support coordinators.” If you can measure it, you can manage it.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And keep it realistic. If you’re just starting out, maybe your goal is one new Google review this quarter. That’s fine! The point is to have something to measure against, so you know if your marketing is moving the needle or not.

Will, EnableUs Community

And then, just set aside thirty minutes a month—seriously, that’s all it takes—to review your data. Look at what’s working, what’s not. I remember advising a provider who was spending heaps on social ads, but when we looked at the numbers, almost all their best clients were coming from referral partnerships. So, we cut back on the ads and put more energy into building those referral relationships. Their enquiries went up, and they saved money. Sometimes you gotta be willing to stop what’s not working, even if you’ve put a lot into it.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and don’t be afraid to double down on what’s working—even if it’s not the “cool” thing. If directories are bringing in leads, keep at it. If Facebook isn’t, maybe it’s time to pause and try something else. The data will tell you. And honestly, it feels so much better making decisions with real info instead of just guessing.

Will, EnableUs Community

Couldn’t agree more. Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap up. If you start tracking, set some simple goals, and review your results each month, you’ll be way ahead of the game. And hey, we’ll be back next time with more ways to help you grow your impact as an NDIS provider. Winter, always a pleasure chatting with you.

Winter, EnableUs Community

You too, Will. Thanks everyone for listening, and we’ll catch you in the next episode. Bye!

Will, EnableUs Community

See ya, everyone!