Getting Marketing Efforts Ready for a Big Solar Spring Season

Solar installations tend to fade as fall breaks into winter, but these days, the cold, blustery days of winter don’t seem to last as long as they used to. Before long, the days will start growing longer and one of solar’s busiest seasons will return - spring. For a solar installation professional, winter is therefore the perfect time to ramp up marketing efforts to help position your business as the go-to provider for solar solutions in your area.

Remember, if you want to make the most of the spring season, then it’s essential to prepare your solar marketing strategy now. Here are some proven techniques to help you attract more customers and grow your solar installation business this spring.

Highlight the Seasonal Benefits of Spring Solar Installations in Your Messaging

Spring is the season that is synonymous with renewal. This makes it the ideal time to promote solar energy as a fresh start for homeowners. Crafting marketing messages that emphasize the benefits of going solar in the spring will help make your business more attractive to prospects. Some of the springtime benefits you should be highlighting in your winter marketing can include:

• Spring Weather is Ideal for Solar Installations: Spring’s milder temperatures and longer daylight hours offer the perfect work conditions for solar installation companies.
• Clients Can Start Saving on Energy Ahead of Summer: Installing solar in the spring ensures homeowners are ready to offset the high energy bills that so often come during the hot summer months. It also allows them the time to get to know their systems, such as for energy monitoring purposes, before summer’s intense energy demand starts.
• Take Advantage of Tax Incentives and Rebates: Solar tax incentives are here now, but nobody knows for how long, especially with Republicans back in the White House. Remind customers that acting now will allow them to take advantage of federal, state, or local solar incentives before they expire or are outright eliminated.

These seasonal talking points should be shared in your website content, social media posts, email campaigns, and advertisements. This not only creates a unified look across all your channels, but it also helps you connect with your audience’s seasonal mindset.

Use Your Social Media Platforms to Showcase Your Expertise

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are powerful tools for reaching potential customers. Being active on your social media platforms is essential for today’s solar businesses because it offers a free way to market your business while building your audience and showcasing your expertise.

But of course, exactly how you use your social media platforms will matter. For instance, these outlets offer the perfect way to share before-and-after photos of recent installations, post customer testimonials and success stories, and educate your audience about the benefits of solar energy through short videos or infographics. In fact, most platforms even offer cost-efficient ways to run targeted ads aimed at homeowners in your service area.

But one of the worst things you can do is to not communicate with your audience. Whenever someone leaves a comment or asks a question, it is important to respond to that person in a timely manner. This shows that your business is quick to respond to its customers, and this will help increase your audience much faster than if you simply post photos and ignore comments.

When using social media in winter, consider creating a spring-themed social media campaign, such as “Spring Into Solar,” to generate excitement and engagement. Encouraging your followers to share your posts or tag friends who might be interested in solar energy will help spread your brand in an effective and organic way.

Offer Spring Promotions and Time-Limited Incentives

Everyone loves a good deal, especially right after the costly holiday season. Creating limited-time offers is a proven way to help incentivize homeowners who might be on the fence about going solar to choose your services this spring. For example, you can offer discounted installation rates for solar installation projects that are booked before a specific date.

You can also offer services like free solar consultations and/or energy audits to new prospects, as well as referral programs, which work to bring in new business by rewarding existing customers for their successful referrals.

Get the most mileage out of these incentives by promoting them through your website, email newsletters, and social media channels. And when doing so, be sure to create a sense of urgency by setting deadlines for these promotions.

Cross-Market by Partnering With Local Businesses and Organizations

Collaborating with local businesses and community organizations is a proven method that will help you reach a wider audience. But it is important to consider which businesses make sense to cross-market with. For instance, choosing to partner with home improvement stores is effective, especially if you can work out a deal to host workshops or seminars on solar energy. Collaborating with real estate agents and professionals who operate seasonal businesses also makes good sense, like roofers, landscapers, window installers, and more.

Sponsoring local events, such as Earth Day celebrations or community fairs, or becoming a sponsor for a local little league team or other group is also recommended to help build your brand identity, increase your visibility, and position your business as a trusted, community-oriented brand.

Optimize Your Website for Local SEO

When homeowners search for solar installation services, they will often choose a search term that includes the name of their town or a term like “solar installers near me.” Since most solar installers serve a limited area, you want your business to appear at the top of those types of search results.

To improve your local search engine optimization (SEO), you will therefore need to include location-specific keywords, such as “solar installation in [Your City],” throughout your website. You should also claim and optimize your Google My Business profile with accurate contact information, photos, and customer reviews.

Another helpful tip is to create blog posts or landing pages that address common questions or concerns about solar energy in your service area. Establishing a strong online, and local, presence ensures that potential customers can easily find and contact you when they’re ready to go solar.

Use Content Marketing to Educate Prospects

One of the biggest obstacles for some homeowners that is stopping them from embracing solar is that they do not fully understand how it works or why it’s beneficial. You can help solve this problem by using your content marketing to educate and inform your audience. Here are some tips that work:

• Write blog posts about topics like “How Solar Panels Can Save You Money This Spring and Summer” or “What to Expect During a Solar Installation.”
• Create downloadable guides or checklists, such as “5 Questions to Ask Before Going Solar.”
• Host webinars or live Q&A sessions to address common concerns and showcase your expertise.

By providing valuable information, you build trust with potential customers and position your business as a knowledgeable authority in your local solar market.

Follow Up With Past Leads and Previous Customers

Winter’s traditional slow season makes it the perfect time to reconnect with leads who expressed interest in solar energy but didn’t move forward with an installation as well as your previous customers because they can be a treasure trove for referrals. Send personalized emails or make phone calls to check in and offer your assistance. You might be surprised how many leads are ready to take the next step when approached at the right time.

Purchase Solar Leads to Help Nourish Your Sales Funnel

Winter presents a golden opportunity for a savvy solar installation professional to grow their business. By implementing the above marketing techniques now, you can position your business for springtime success. Remember, preparation is key. Start planning your campaigns, updating your website, and reaching out to potential customers today.

However, if you are like most solar installers, you might find yourself short of leads in the winter season. Luckily, this can be easily overcome by purchasing solar leads from a reputable provider. By partnering with the right lead generation firm, you can gain access to a wealth of highly targeted leads that will keep your sales funnel full and active all season long.

If you need a source of solar leads or just wish to work with higher quality prospects, then RGR Marketing can help. We specialize in providing solar installers with the leads they need to close more sales throughout the year.

Partner with RGR Marketing today and you’ll be able to take advantage of our more than 20 years of experience working with solar installers. Don’t wait for spring to return before you start your spring marketing. Get exclusive access to your solar leads now, so your installation calendar will be full before the snow and ice thaws!