Hold a Local Workshop
If you want to run a company selling renewable energy products, getting your first sale can be the hardest part. Last month, I shared a simple questionnaire that contractors can use to measure demand for geothermal in their area.
However, sometimes being outgoing with your sales and marketing can be too tiring, costly and ineffective. What’s better? Creating something that will bring potential customers to you. Holding a local workshop is the second idea about how to measure that demand, but maybe you’ve never done that before.
Here’s How to Hold a Local Workshop
First, create a monthly 30-minute workshop for homeowners in your area that will be helpful and educational to them. The content for the presentation will take you a little research, but it’s all very easy information to find.
Topics to Include:
- Where most of the operating money is used in a house.
- An emphasis on easy things they can do themselves–weather stripping, air sealing, lights, power strips. This makes an impact and legitimizes you as an authority.
- How geothermal, solar thermal, solar pv, or whatever you want to sell works and how it can save a ton of money. Remember to be useful!
- Government incentives available and how to homeowners can use them.
Possible Titles for your Workshop
- “How to Decrease your Heating Bills by 70%”
- “Free Workshop for Homeowners on how to Utilize Government Money to Help Decrease your Heating Bills”
- “Top 10 ways you’re Wasting Money on your Home”
Whatever the title is, there are three rules. First, it needs to be catchy. Second, that it shows it will be helpful to the customer. Third, the workshop is NOT about you, the contractor. It’s about helping the customer save money and have a more comfortable home.
Possible Locations
- Local library
- Local school
- YMCA
If you brand it as a free workshop that teaches people how to utilize public money to decrease their heating costs, most (if not all) local organizations will be okay allowing you to hold it there.
Why This Will Help your Business
- Workshops will establish your reputation as being an expert on the subject and will create trust and respect between a potential customer and yourself. This is key for any sale.
- It promotes by word of mouth, but also proves by attendance that there is interest. The homeowners in the crowd that are really interested in purchasing a system will talk with you at the event or follow up with you.
Things to remember
- Keep it regular so that a potential customer who can’t make it one month will be able to come the next. This also shows your ability to commit to a schedule and gives the community time to become familiar with you.
- Make it helpful to the audience. Never try to sell them–just provide them with information that will allow them to sell themselves.
- Keep it short. Present in under 30 minutes and then allow time for Q&A.
