This is an issue that I come across all the time. Most small businesses are busy with their day to day activities and will find it hard to promote themselves.
So, I just wanted to touch on how you can promote your business in a more efficient manner.
One of the easiest ways to promote yourself is on social media.
This seems like a normal process of getting noticed it is actually part of a growing trend in the marketing industry. This trend is called Content Marketing.
Content marketing
Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. It is different from the advertising model where a business will pay for specifically written ads, Content marketing is about building an online interest from a potential customer.
However, a lot of solar businesses are simply just putting their installs online hoping for someone to notice. This is ok as at least it is doing something but there is an easier way. Here are some steps I suggest you take.
Have a plan
One of the most important elements of social media or content marketing is consistency. By having a plan to follow you can keep the consistency that is so important. In this plan answer the following:
What do you want to achieve?
More sales, better brand recognition? By answering this question, you can work out what content you will need to produce.
Who do you want to target?
Is it a commercial business or the consumer market?
What are your strengths?
What are you good at? What makes you more profitable? There is no point in getting a project where you will not make money. If you are building a business, it is better to get the jobs that work for you. Find out what they are.
What problem are you solving?
Now that you have worked out what is best for your business your target audience will become clearer. This audience must have a problem to solve. You start with a problem your customers or potential customers may face. Then you solve that problem. If you are helping them out and if you are true to what you say they will start to trust you.
The type of posts
As mentioned earlier you are now no longer posting about your installs and how great you are. You are posting about a problem you have solved. Sure, you can use the pictures and videos, but the message has changed. Something like Customer “A” wanted to solve a particular problem, you solved the problem with a product that you sell or make. They now have a better… You get the picture.
Lead them to your website
Your website is the only digital asset that you own. Social media platforms are not yours and are therefore shared by everyone even your competitors. Your post should lead the audience to find out more on your website. The story that you have written must be posted on your website. What is put on social media is a snippet, a picture and link that goes back to your website. From here you can own the customer and give them an experience that is truly yours.
Being found on Google searches
This strategy even works with website optimisation (or being found on Google). People will search for that problem, if you answer it then Google will give you a higher ranking. They will find your story (that is posted on your website) and click on it to find out more.