Hi,

I am new to the forum although lurking for a while...

I am in the process of starting my business, The Green Energy People, and am looking for good marketing advice.

On the team, we have a very good graphic designer/web designer, an exceptionally qualified ad experienced installer but no sales experience.

It seems the actual art of getting someone to make an order is the problem - made more difficult by the fact we are struggling to reach the right people.

At this moment in time I am working for 2 Solar companies on a sub-contract basis with my existing plumbing and heating business. One is keeping me busy selling systems at an 'Everest' price range, the other has more competitive pricing but does not have the same class of sales person, hence slower orders.

I'd like some suggestions as to where I should focus my advertising - leaflets and local papers seem pointless and magazine advertising is too expensive for now. Choosing a magazine to advertise in poses a big enough problem!

Any suggestions?

Chris

Awwww shucks i'd like to respond but I can't! My client does this!!

You only have the one web page which isn't optimised so will not perform for you in the search engines when it should be doing. There are other things your web person should be advising too. But you're paying them not me!

I appreciate you professional response with regard to your clients.

The website is only there as a place holder for now. The real, future website is moving along, we agree it is pobably the most important base for customer contact.

Chris

Then as a holding page it should be optimised now so it can start working for you. That said, it's better than the usual holding pages which consist of a logo and the words 'coming soon'!!!

Hi,

I am new to the forum although lurking for a while...

I am in the process of starting my business, The Green Energy People, and am looking for good marketing advice.

On the team, we have a very good graphic designer/web designer, an exceptionally qualified ad experienced installer but no sales experience.

It seems the actual art of getting someone to make an order is the problem - made more difficult by the fact we are struggling to reach the right people.

At this moment in time I am working for 2 Solar companies on a sub-contract basis with my existing plumbing and heating business. One is keeping me busy selling systems at an 'Everest' price range, the other has more competitive pricing but does not have the same class of sales person, hence slower orders.

I'd like some suggestions as to where I should focus my advertising - leaflets and local papers seem pointless and magazine advertising is too expensive for now. Choosing a magazine to advertise in poses a big enough problem!

Any suggestions?

Chris


You obviously offer fairly big ticket products with a good percentage markup you are in a potential growth market apart from the usual culprits you could try the various big trade shows and local ones that attract your customers.
Who are your customers? many people will like your products but will they want to buy them.

Your site is ideal for video or photos.

I have no idea what any of those things you mention on your homepage are or how they might help me.

Good video or photos styled as "how to..." will help me see what you can do and why I should ring you.

Hi,

OK, so once the website is complete, apart from good SEO and hoping people search for renewable energy, how do I promote the company?

Ideally, we want to be working on eco-houses etc. How exactly does the building process work? Do I need to contact architects or project managers? Where do I find lists? I tried Royal Institution of British Architects for their list and it was way beyond my budget.

Chris

Hi,


Ideally, we want to be working on eco-houses etc. How exactly does the building process work?
Chris
Whats an eco house? Is that where your target market hangs out?

and sorry but you should know the answer to the second part of the question back to front if you are looking to sell to these guys?

If you are looking for training in this area BIG offers specific Business to Business sales and marketing advice through a scheme called Enterprise Match. Its specific to your business and there is no cost as long as you are Sheffield based. http://www.thebigwebsite.org.uk/index.asp?pgid=148525 Give them a call for more details.

Whats an eco house? Is that where your target market hangs out?

and sorry but you should know the answer to the second part of the question back to front if you are looking to sell to these guys?

Agreed, I should know the second part of my question. I have been employed since starting my aprenticeship and have had no real contact with architects, specifiers, project managers and building contractors. I was hoping there is one on the forum that could tell me which one of these groups of people would directly employ renewable technology engineers for building projects.

An eco-house is an environmentally friendly house. Something like you would see in Grand Designs. Grand Designs magazine i suspect is not the best advertising media for myself. I think a lot of it is window shopping.

Thanks for the link to BiG :-)

Chris

This is one of the reasons it is worth doing market research before starting a business. And as part of a business plan, helps you put the plan of action together as to how you will take your product/service to market. Starting a business and then trying to work out where to tap into for leads is going to harder. So go back to the drawing board for a week, do the research, get pen to paper, and see what you come up with.

This is one of the reasons it is worth doing market research before starting a business. And as part of a business plan, helps you put the plan of action together as to how you will take your product/service to market. Starting a business and then trying to work out where to tap into for leads is going to harder. So go back to the drawing board for a week, do the research, get pen to paper, and see what you come up with.

I agree - You have got a product and are now trying to sell it.

Try thinking the other way round - first working out what people BUY, how, how often, how much will they pay, why etc etc

AND THEN think of what you offer.

Hi,

My market research is my experience working for 3 solar companies.

Company 1 is new to the industry but is setting up a factory to make panels in the UK, showing a massive investment into a good market promising excellent growth.

Company 2 provides me with 60% of my work currently, has in my opinion a poor website, but good salesmen and is selling at top prices.

Company 3 was my previous employer. His business looked good from the outside, work came in via a website, providing 3 teams with steady work on some massive projects. The problem was the owner/manager's lack of experience in the plumbing and heating industry. Surveys and general expectations were crazy at times.

All 3 have different ways of promoting their business. The website will be the main advertising platform fo us, but I think it is crazy to rely on a website alone.

I already have what I offer and to some extent, I cannot change this. For a long time now, I have gained my skills and certificates, experience, SOME contacts.

Chris

Your work experience cannot be your market research. Market research means researching the market (sorry to be so obvious!) which means talking to people, doing surveys, researching and analysing data from various sources and so on.