The industry for green energy is growing each and every day, and in some parts of the country, the biggest explosion is yet to hit. For many parts of the country, solar power and other commonly used renewable energy industry systems are still not in mainstream use.
Finding the right customers as a business owner isn’t always easy, though. While some basic marketing principles are helpful, the renewable energy industry is a different type of animal altogether.
Keep reading to learn five ways to find the right customers to build your renewable energy franchise.
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Determine Your Niche
Depending on where you’re operating, your niche may be different than somebody doing the exact same thing as you. Are you looking to capitalize on homeowners who want to reduce their bills by installing solar panels, or are you looking for businesses who want to put energy back into the grid?
Find your niche and specialize in that area. You can still pick up other projects, but having a niche in a business that’s going to be expanding in the next few years can help you stand out from the crowd.
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Know Your Clientele
Most businesses have a certain clientele. If you’ve found your niche, you know that you’re looking for high-end homeowners, small business owners or whatever clientele fits your niche.
One of the best things you can do, especially if you’re working with hired employees in the marketing area, is to make a customer profile that can be followed. By having a customer profile, you’ll target the appropriate clientele the right way and reach the people who are right for your service.
There’s no point in having a niche if you can’t find the customers who need your exact services.
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Advertise Right
Advertising is a huge part of finding the right customers. While you may get some walk-in traffic, the renewable energy industry isn’t exactly the place for customers to walk in the door and leave with a set of solar panels.
That’s why you need to choose the right places to advertise. To do that, you’ll need to think about where your clientele will see the niche services that you offer.
For example, if you’re targeting high-end homeowners, real estate magazines in your area that cater to homes over $1-million could be an ideal place to advertise. Advertising to potential customers who have just bought homes and may want to make modifications could also be a wise move.
Find the right places to advertise to your clientele, and if you don’t see results, move on before you spend too much without any return.
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Try Direct Mail
Direct mail marketing is a type of advertising that seems a bit old-fashioned for the green energy business. The fact is that it still works for a lot of companies out there.
Direct mail marketing is also very cost-effective and efficient. Even if you only turn a few percent of the people you market to into customers you’ll still likely be making money as a whole.
You’ll also be working to get your name out into the community. That’s important for potential customers who aren’t ready for your services today but could be down the road.
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Make Referrals Easy
Referrals are a huge part of getting customers for people in the green energy industry. Handing out a business card to satisfied customers can be helpful, but you can do more than that.
Offering incentives for referrals is one method that works very well for many in the renewable energy sector. Something as simple as a $100 gift card could help get your name out to other potential customers with no work on your part.
Satisfied customers will likely pass on your name if asked, but you can make the job easier. Leave business cards, brochures and offer some sort of incentive for referrals, even if it’s a small one.
Building a solar energy franchise isn’t going to be a walk in the park. However, renewable energy is a growing sector and a savvy owner can take advantage of that.
Find the right customers to help your business grow from the beginning and you’ll find that green energy is an excellent place to be as a small business owner.