It’s the middle of the heating season, and that means there’s a good chance you haven’t had the time to think about your company’s marketing plan—let alone put it into play. We know you’re busy taking care of your customers, which is why we’ve put together this list of all the shortcuts you need for your marketing strategy this year.
1. Update Your Website
If you run a business and don’t have an updated website for it, keeping up with the competition in your market will only become more of a challenge. If you do have a website but it isn’t drawing in new customers or providing a convenient experience for current ones, see if you’re missing one of these five important elements to website success.
2. Focus on SEO
If your website has undergone basic search engine optimization updates since it was created, you’re on the right track. Now, it’s time to dive deeper into the world of SEO. Have your website management company evaluate how your SEO efforts are doing. They’ll take a closer look at your site’s specific performance metrics to recommend strategies like pay-per-click or more in-depth local SEO.
3. Start Blogging
Not sold on the idea of inbound marketing? Don’t write it off without giving it a try. Blogging is an incredibly simple and cost-effective way to load the internet with content about your business that consumers will actually want to take the time to read.
4. Embrace Social Media
We know what you may be thinking: ‘Facebook doesn’t lead to sales.’ And we’re here to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting your company active on one or more social media platforms can lead to better search engine results, more traffic to your website, and more opportunities to share promotions with your current customers. Check out these tips for how to get started.
5. Spend Less Time Emailing
As you would with any print marketing communication, send your customer emails in bulk. Utilizing an email marketing platform, you’ll be able to reach the masses in minutes. Already have an email marketing plan in place but not seeing results? You may be guilty of one or more of these common oversights.
6. Try a Direct Approach
Wondering how to get more people on your budget plans, service plans, or automatic delivery program? Target the customers you want to market to, and then make the registration process as quick, easy, and straightforward for them as possible with an enrollment campaign. It’s more efficient for your office staff, too!
7. Don’t Forget the Off-Season
Your customers expect to hear from you often during the winter months. (That’s when you’re doing the most business with them, after all.) This year, make it a point to stay in touch throughout the seasons with a simple communication like a quarterly newsletter. This makes your customers feel valued, while you have more chances to promote your seasonal offerings.
8. Give Your Brand a Refresh
What’s in a name? For today’s on-the-go consumer, your business’s branding needs to be transparent. Make sure your most important products and services are clearly represented. Offering more than just oil delivery? Want to get the word out that you provide full service, too? A slight change to your company’s name, logo, or slogan can help—especially in search engine results.
9. Look at the Big Picture
You’re taking all the right steps to market your business more strategically—make sure you have something to show for it! Track the results of all your campaigns. Anything web-based can be measured with tools like Google Ads and Analytics, email marketing software, Facebook insights, and more. For print ads, always include a promo code and make use of call tracking.
10. Simplify It All
Use a marketing company that knows the energy industry to take care of it all for you—so you can get back to running your business.