Great Leap Studios is a solar power SEO and content marketing company that writes content for solar companies – as well as many green energy industries – to help you market your business. With solar marketing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. As they research your company, they’ll check online reviews. Very broadly speaking, there have historically been two types of people who have solar installed in their homes: Up until very recently, mass adoption was a pipe dream. As a solar energy provider, content marketing is one of the best tools in your digital marketing toolbox. Videos work. Solar Marketing Strategies & Tips To Grow Your Sales. Everyone loves to save money, so devising a compelling way to clearly illustrate the overall savings offered by going solar can really improve a solar installer’s conversion rates, as can scheduling online, print, radio, and television marketing efforts to coincide with local utility due dates. Formulate industry-specific Solar Marketing Ideas Having a look at the statistics of energy alternatives, it’s not hard to see that solar is on the rise in comparison to other players. If a client refers a neighbor and you get another contract, pay them for it. You want to be all over page one. Our relationships with solar companies to date have been highly productive ones, as we have found that SEO can be of serious benefit to them, no matter what stage of development they are in. The article provides 10 powerful strategies for solar marketing. This is one of the key characteristics of a market about to boom—you have to show people what they want before they know they are looking for it. Tags: solar advertising, solar leads, solar marketing About the Author Sponsored Content CleanTechnica and our parent company, Important Media, occasionally choose to … The people who really love a good deal tend to frequent deal sites and forums. in the words of a band that may need some sun themselves, get your company to the top of a Search Engine Results Page, Between 70 and 80% of people simply skip past paid ads, long-term ROI you will receive for focusing on SEO, Why Sure Oak’s Link Building Strategy is So Effective, 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an SEO Company, SEO ROI: How to Invest in SEO for Unlimited ROI, Those who were referred by those who adopted decades ago, The effort it takes to get there means that it will be incredibly difficult to be usurped by your competitors. But, like most things, the devil lies in the details. We have a client that uses social media posts to encourage referrals: Of course, customers refer you because solar is saving them money and they enjoyed working with you. Everything you need to manage and grow your business from a singular platform. December 15, 2016 April 25, 2017 By cleanpowermktg. Last, setting up this page is free. If you can get your company to the top of a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) through ethical means that take into the account the core mandates of the major search engines, you’ve struck marketing gold for the following reasons: We’re more than a little excited about the move to solar. List of 10 Most Profitable Solar Business Ideas & Opportunities #1. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. DIY Mason Jar […] Want some cool DIY ideas to make with solar power? Here are 10 marketing ideas that will help you do just that. For example, you might want to run an advertisement for solar panels to power pools. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The main advantage here is that you show in the top positions (reserved for paid ads) and that you can control the ad copy and landing page. Unfortunately, as we will see in our next point, generating leads is sometimes easier said than done. Sell Solar Panels and Power on Value, Not on Price. Solar is appealing because it’s environmentally friendly, but that isn’t likely to be your most effective topic for marketing. It’s a free listing you can optimize with your descriptions and by getting customer reviews. This is the maps listing and review platform Google uses for geo-targeted searches. Make sure happy customers are talking about you. Your ad and the page it goes to on your website can match that offer. Be clear about the types of solar solutions you offer and what your service area is. With that in mind, here are five solar closing techniques that will help your solar sales team close deals more effectively and maximize your marketing ROI. Our bright ideas come from the Sun . As you offer value with quality content, you’ll earn their trust. Of course, these aren’t all the tactics you can use, and not every one of them will be right for your solar marketing in 2018. With all the buzz around solar technology, the best way to amplify your inbound marketing efforts is with creative tactics. Numerous solar lead generation companies offer lists of leads at a pretty penny. Instead, what’s really catching the interest of consumers – particularly home owners – is the long-term financial savings enabled by solar systems. branding, Bright Ideas Blog, marketing, solar Three Examples of Solar Marketing Done Right. Most people who visit your website initially won’t convert. High roller high in solar . Whether you’re marketing hydropower, geothermal energy, or solar electrical energy, what is crucial, is building a marketing plan that your customers will like and engage. Between big corporations and small startups, a lot of companies are looking to get in on the solar sector. You need to get specific. Referrals are huge for solar panel marketing. Your goal should be to see large suburban neighborhoods in your area with every rooftop covered with your solar panels. This throws up a complicated conundrum when it comes to solar marketing ideas. There are three ways to dominate the search results. But, marketing can be confusing as there are often many methods to choose from. Solar Powered DIY Ideas 1. What makes solar marketing different is that it is important to make provisions for people who don’t necessarily know they are looking for solar until they find it. While testimonials and reviews help persuade new leads who discover you online, you also want to make sure customers are telling their neighbors about you and suggesting they go solar. Nevertheless, I hope they inspire you to be thinking about what you did in 2017 and give you some ideas to include in your 2018 plans. ... And you must have a business plan with marketing and financial projections. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Make it concise and informative. Yes, keyword research is necessary for all sectors who would like to launch or maintain a successful digital marketing campaign. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Your neighbor installs solar, you chat, then so do you. Solar & Renewable Energy Creative Marketing Materials January 11, 2016 January 29, 2020 / Graphic Design , Print Design Ideas Generate public awareness for renewable energy with innovative marketing materials. Should […] Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In other words, you can identify your ideal prospect, then get your ads in front of them on social media. A unique value proposition (UVP) is a statement that does three things: For example, this solar panel company specializes in powering agricultural water pumps: Other ways you might develop a UVP include: Consider that leads will certainly research your competitors. Rather, provide them with meaningful content that will serve to educate them about the benefits of solar installation. Then, when it comes time to hire a solar installation, you’ll be top of mind. With growth in the residential solar energy, solar energy marketing is increasingly important. These five fundamentals to marketing excellence in the solar marketplace all rely on the same thing that marketing fundamentals in any field do: authenticity. This trend has been fueled by the high cost for electricity, stemming from the high cost for imported fuel. Future Marketing Strategy points: Power production from thin film panel based solar power plants cost slightly less per kWh than that from crystalline solar power plants, but the practical efficiencies and robustness of thin films over a 25 year project time period is not well established. The quick answer is that a select number of digital marketing strategies have proven to be effective across the board, no matter which industries adopt them. It's a lack of knowledge by sales reps on how to sell solar array systems. Once you get a customer in a neighborhood, everyone they know becomes a potential customer. Here’s an interesting fact from the Solar Energy Industries Association—in Q1 of 2018, the U.S. installed enough solar power capacity to power 10.7 million homes, an increase of 13% from the previous year. Here’s some tips for the local aspect of solar marketing. Share information on energy conservation, local environmental projects, and all types of green energy solutions. A solar installation company’s website is the central element of a strong digital solar marketing strategy. It’s easy to point out where solar marketing gets it wrong: used-car sales tactics, selling price over value, or simply failing to follow up. Post to deal sites - People love free stuff, some more than others. Plan of attack: Become a thought leader in the solar industry via your social media marketing campaign. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. Reputation is huge with solar panel solutions, particularly for residential leads. Just executing all the tactics consistently is a challenge. Yes, we all want to save the Earth, but people really perk up when they hear about saving thousands on their electric bill. Content Marketing As we mentioned at the start, people looking into solar energy go through a long sales cycle. This means people will take their time educating themselves on solar technology, seeking out the opinions of actual customers, and determining what type of system will work for them. Geoffrey Moore’s notion of “crossing the chasm”, Hubspot’s report on the state of inbound marketing. Explain the benefits of solar energy. How can you be part of the movement to ensure that more consumers are hit by the rays of solar growth? Check Marketing Ideas for a Solar Business. 1. Apart from the traditional items, you can develop different types of new solar products. Solar Marketing Experts offers digital marketing, 3rd party lead program management, and consulting services, designed to help you lower your customer acquisition costs. Why not get in contact with us? Added to this, incentive schemes are being employed throughout the globe that are only set to increase the uptake. No one ever said it would be this hard.”. The next step is to take this kind of referral system into the digital world. It may come as no surprise to you that according to Hubspot’s report on the state of inbound marketing, 68% of respondents agreed that generating traffic and leads was their company’s greatest marketing challenge. It’s no secret that people do not want to be constantly advertised at. Learn how long-term SEO marketing can yield BIG returns. When it comes to solar advertising, the greatest challenge lies in an industry that, while growing rapidly, is somewhat betwixt and between. It’s a vital lead source early on before you have enough of a customer base to provide referrals. Solar power, Light And Bright . These ads are run through auction-based systems like Google Adwords and Bing Ads. Our marketing program includes both software that tracks all your marketing channels on one interface and a professional marketing executive to develop a strategy and execute the tactics. The way to make that happen is referrals. First, it needs to detail the basics of who you are, what you offer, and where you work. Although, the solar industry is still relatively new but the competition is immense starting from large firms to small start-ups. If so, what does effective solar lead generation look like? But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Next, it needs to convert the visitor. It’s important to give your sales team the knowledge and tools they need to balance these elements and be successful. While this “chasm” is exciting to cross, it’s a complex time for marketers, as it puts much of the onus on them to ensure that mass adoption indeed comes about. The market for solar is growing – make sure you’re positioned to get your share. Here are some of the benefits email marketing can offer your solar … Don’t fall into the trap. This can operate in various ways. A report by EnergySage has identified the current moment by referencing author Geoffrey Moore’s notion of “crossing the chasm”, an effective means of describing the tightrope between a climate of only early adopters and one of accepted standard practice. You can only do this by understanding the unique characteristics of solar lead generation and marketing. These are the ads that stay with people as they surf the internet. People are still learning about how this all works, and the idea of “going solar” has not yet crossed over to majority adoption. To compete, you need to stand out. Also, include testimonial content on your website. Added to this, incentive schemes are being employed throughout the globe that are only set to increase the uptake. Check out these awesome solar powered DIY projects for some of the most awesome ideas around. Marketing Ideas for Contest Promotion. Being seen as an authoritative source, particularly in a scientific field, will keep people linking to you in various ways. Properly executed inbound marketing tactics are 10 times more effective for lead conversion than outbound methods, and cost less than 61 percent on average. (BrightTALK, 2015) Wow. If you're currently creating a solar sales strategy and business plan, I'd suggest reading K This will be your greatest asset when it comes to generating traffic and getting people to engage with your business. Additional ideas on effective marketing for your solar business: Now that you have gained some perspective on email marketing for solar business, here are some general marketing tips for you to consider. The first is pay-per-click advertising. While solar energy has long since been a part of the vocabulary of a number of people, it is still a foreign concept to a vast tract of the population. We won’t dwell on this one. For example, here a design mockup on the UXI® platform: A professional design on a mobile responsive template is a must for any business website today. What’s a marketer to do when their link building efforts aren’t seeing the results they’re looking for? Your solar energy company website design needs to accomplish a number of things. While the industry is undoubtedly on the rise, it is currently navigating some very real growing pains. It’s also necessary to track data on your campaigns so you can analyze their effectiveness. Some of the most trending segments are solar lights, solar gadgets, solar rechargers. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This means effectively marketing and selling against large solar installers that have huge budgets. For example: This keeps your brand in front of people, reminding them to do the right thing and contact you. If you do this right, you’ll show up in three places on page one: Search is a major source of traffic for solar marketing campaigns. Added to this, 80% of marketers stated that their lead generation efforts were only slightly or somewhat effective. Then you have the organic website listings. 6 benefits of email marketing for solar companies. Marketing strategy #1: Improving the value equation of solar. Having a look at the statistics of energy alternatives, it’s not hard to see that solar is on the rise in comparison to other players. After all, there are enough fly-by-night agencies... To get the highest ROI from your investment into SEO, you want to invest into your SEO by thinking long-term. But the referral program works as a reminder to do the right thing and encourage their neighbors. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We need to make sure that small solar companies can compete, be profitable, and grow in the solar industry. People have been moving away from conventional power to greener cleaner energy. The second is the modern day equivalent of a referral system—link building. Competition is fierce in the solar industry; in some areas, it seems like a new solar installer enters the market every other week. Add to this keeping track of client information and leads through the long sales cycle, and it becomes apparent you need the right tools to manage it all. These are also free clicks, with ranking gained by optimizing your website for keywords, gaining links, getting social media traffic, and adding content to your blog. There has been an explosion of renewable energy in the commercial, consumer and industrial sectors. Cancel anytime. Web pages can include articles that help people understand the value of going solar. Once you are on Page 1, any other marketing strategies that you employ will be bolstered by your positioning. The first is to make sure you have strategies in place to capture good reviews of your work and display them clearly on your homepage. Blogs can address news, technology updates, and tends. There are many sites you need to have reviews on, including Top Rated Local, Facebook, Google, HomeAdvisor, and Yelp. Here is a good video example: Testimonials are so effective for solar companies that they’re all but a requirement for your website content. Share all this content on social media to gain and engage followers. You can target audience demographics and interests with precision using social media advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. A primary marketing challenge is to ensure that the public hears the positive message about solar’s value equation. Email marketing can help solar companies attract new clients and increase their sales. We think it is just so much cooler to build things that operate without batteries. Let the sunshine in! The very best method to do this is by creating quality content for your consumers that will help inform, notify, and raise their interest in your renewable energy services. It’s worth it to have a structured referral program with a strong incentive. Solar is a Secure Investment The utility companies are notorious for their fluctuating and unreliable electricity prices. Think outside the Barrel . There is good news though—through hard, intelligent work and a focus on long-term solar marketing strategies, effective lead generation is possible. As we have mentioned, the solar industry has typically survived off a referral system. You can stay in front of them using retargeting ads. Captains » Thoughts » Energy » 5 ways solar energy companies can crush it with their marketing. Here they are—9 ways to capture your piece of the sun through digital lead generation and solar advertising. Solar Sales & Marketing 1. You also post to your timeline so people can get a feel for your staff, work, and the daily ins and outs of your business. Ask happy clients to write reviews with phone call and email follow-ups (don’t do this with Yelp; it’s against their policy). Marketing strategy tips and advice for small sized solar firms on how to develop a successful forward-looking marketing strategy and move beyond the trap of reactive marketing that drowns so many small businesses in a continuous struggle to keep up. Skip to main content. If you have a way to make your offer stand out, you have the advantage. One of the big keys to marketing solar is finding great strategic partners. Luckily for you, you don’t have to look too far. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Solar purchase power agreements (PPAs) and solar leasing has made it possible for homeowners to go solar for little or no money down. We offer a free SEO strategy review that will give you insight into how well your lead generation efforts are working. This will only serve to increase your leads and generate more traffic. Sales & MarketingRenewable Energy Education Program SOLAR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL 39845 Mathews Lane - Paonia, CO 81428 POB 715 - Carbondale, CO 81623 970.963.8855 - fax 970.963.8866 sei@solarenergy.org www.solarenergy.org How should you invest in SEO for the highest ROI? A professional video production is a bit of an investment, but it can pay off for years. Appeal to their sense of environmental stewardship. Many potential clients will be unaware of the various solar products and the range of benefits you offer. There’s almost always a sweepstake/contest forum section where you can add your contest into the mix. Whether you’ve just got on board the solar train, or are a seasoned sun-worshipper, you are part of an industry that is only set to burn brighter and brighter. Their research is an opportunity for you to keep your brand in front of them, building trust by becoming a useful resource. Add to that our free CRM software that ties onto email marketing software and you have a comprehensive package that executes marketing at the highest level. Here’s an example infographic: Create a detail report on what types of energy bill savings to expect and use it as gated content to gain an email address. Use content to inform people of the benefits you offer and as touch points during the long sales cycle. What’s more, videos can serve as a moving brochure for your work. Solar Powered DIY Ideas 1. In less than 90 seconds, you can make your case: Use this video on your homepage, Facebook business page, and optimize it for search on YouTube. Testimonials are most effective when customers relate how much they saved by going solar and how easy the installation was. Read our eBook to find out now. The U.S. Department of Energy has set up Solar Powering America, which provides incentives to both individuals and businesses. By displaying some of your previous projects, you will be able to illustrate that you are a trustworthy supplier that has completed jobs successfully. Retargeting is a necessary tactic with the long sales cycle of solar. As a company filled with big dreamers looking to change the world, an industry based on renewable energy is the kind we would like to engage with. If you can get authoritative sources to link to your company’s work, you immediately up your credibility. Solar Powered Lego Car teachbesideme 2. This means that you cannot simply adopt a blanket marketing strategy that is copy-pasted from other industries. Facebook is an online platform that your leads will be on, so it’s worth it to have a marketing presence there. Then write blog articles for SEO and use the content in your email newsletter. Is it a case of those who already know, already have, and those who don’t, don’t want? Get business, marketing and sales tips written by experienced industry practitioners. My Solar . Sure, these businesses will have access to a great, fairly well off demographic that is sustainability minded, and they will have built up a layer of trust that is critical to closing a sale. They’re a type of branded banner ad that keeps your name in front of leads. Solar Fred’s Guide to Solar Guerrilla Marketing includes 10 solar guerrilla marketing ideas to help your solar company to stand out from large competitors, get local brand recognition, generate more leads, and activate your referral base after the sale. It’s a website in that you can list all your relevant business information, set up a call to action to request an estimate, and even use messenger to communicate directly with leads. Solar polar . Your website also needs to be an information resource. Most importantly, are there marketing strategies in place that are particularly relevant to the needs of the solar industry? In 2018, the solar industry generated over $17 billion in the US. How to Market Solar Energy – Solar Marketing Ideas, Tips, & Lead Generation Strategies, Contact us today for a free demo of our platform, 7 Dental Marketing Tips and Ideas That Will Grow Your Practice, Contractor Marketing Ideas, Tips, and Strategies for 2020 – This is How You Get More Contractor Leads, 10 Excellent Massage Therapy Marketing Ideas, Tips, and Strategies To Grow Your Business, 7 Excellent Barber Shop Marketing Ideas, Tips & Strategies, 9 Essential Financial Advisor Marketing Ideas, Tips & Strategies, 7 Excellent Auto Dealership Marketing Tips, Ideas & Strategies. Selling solar to a homeowner is both a high tech and high touch transaction. Clarifies the benefit(s) customers derive from your offer. But we also know that sometimes you want to try content yourself. Marketers have to work that much harder to generate as many leads as possible and make sure that they are reaching the right people for long-term growth. The big challenge with marketing solar panel systems is the long-term sales cycle. Despite our “addiction” to fossil fuels and even political rhetoric that strives to maintain outdated energy sources, consumers are attracted to solar alternatives more than ever. So here’s the deal. Cost advantages and easy financing options, People who enjoy outdoor sports like skiing or biking, People interested in environmental causes. Great customer service and delivering value are the keys to getting positive reviews, but be proactive. See the sunny side of life and make your life sunnier by using solar energy . You can use a direct response to motivate people to request a quote or just a website link like this: Use social media advertising to extend your reach and get in front of prospects at the beginning of the buying cycle. Contact us today for a free demo of our platform. Think energy auditors and organic food co-operatives. Email outperforms many other marketing methods in engagement, conversion rates and other key metrics. It’s clear that more and more people are spending money on solar. Next, you need to set-up and rank for Google My Business. The name of the explosion is solar energy. You should connect with your partner businesses and comment on their posts. In fact, the reason our company centers around SEO is that we have found it to be the most effective means of generating leads that not only serve to bring in new clientele in the short term, but also ensure they keep coming in down the line. For this reason, chances are, you’re noticing you have a lot of competition in your niche. Think of us as an extension of your internal marketing team, focused on customer acquisition. Here are five strategies to create an effective solar marketing plan. MARKET TRENDS The Marketing trend for the solar lighting solution has been a growing industry. White Hat SEO is still the most effective way to drive organic traffic and generate leads that matter—and it can be effectively employed in any sector. It's the Curren Group's publication with solar marketing tips and advice for solar companies to get more business. It’s the digital equivalent of word of mouth, and it works like a dream in solar marketing. As we mentioned at the start, people looking into solar energy go through a long sales cycle. While you already know that SEO can transform the growth trajectory of your business, deciding whom to entrust with this crucial task is challenging. You can have a specified page for testimonials, but it’s more effective to have them spread across your site. In addition to testimonial videos, create a company promotional video that gives an overview of your offer and its benefits. You need calls to action that get people to identify themselves to you. 100% free. In this case, the details are how to employ solar marketing ideas that take into account the nuances of the industry. Solar roller . The future for solar energy businesses is bright. The result is, we currently reside between two paradigms—the first of fringe adoption, and the second of mass adoption. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These include phone numbers, forms to request info/estimates, and a way to capture email (newsletter or gated content). Your marketing needs to generate initial leads, then nurture them through this process to the moment of buying decision.