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Posts published in “HVAC”

Organic Social Media Reach is Dead but Still Here

Organic Social Media Reach is Dead but Still Here

Organic Social Media Reach is Dead but Still Here

Like zombies, mullets and clove cigarettes organic reach is dead, but still here.  Actually, it’s most like zombies because if you don’t pay attention to it you might get bit.

We all read the HVAC marketing articles and listen to the industry experts.  The message is “you MUST be on social media.”  Get on facebook! Tweet the things! Post the stuff!  But why spend the time? Someone a little less practical will tell you that your social media efforts will create organic reach and create leads.  But here’s the truth:  It won’t. … Read On!

HVAC and Internet SecurityHacker using laptop. Hacking the Internet.

HVAC and Internet Security

HVAC and Internet Security

As an HVAC business owner you’ve probably been warned about internet security. And you’ve probably thought to yourself, “Why would anyone target me?   I’m just a small business, minding my own business.” But here’s the truth – if you think you aren’t a target, you are incorrect.

It’s not just large corporations like SONY, Home Depot, JP Morgan Chase, Yahoo, Target and Equifax experiencing major data breaches. It’s happening to HVAC distributors, suppliers, manufacturers and even your favorite marketing firm! Here at EB&L, we spent the better part of the last August prying ourselves from the grip of a tenacious hacker – and I wouldn’t wish those sleepless weeks, stress and lost revenue on my worst enemy.… Read On!

Repeatable mis-steps that produce predictable bad results

Repeatable mis-steps that produce predictable bad results

Repeatable Mis-steps that Produce Predictable Bad Results

Guest Blogger: John Heilbrunn, President, FlashQuote Enterprises, LLC

Business experts have forever proclaimed how important “process” is for a truly strong and sustainable business model.  A “process” in simple terms is a series of repeatable steps that will produce predictable results.  The absence of process is often replaced by chaos.  In the contracting trade, chaos almost always turns into massive amounts of RED ink.

Here are 3 common missteps that often derail profitability from even the best-designed sales processes:

  • Delayed implementation of price increases into quoted sales prices. The HVAC industry is no stranger to price increases from every corner, all the time.

… Read On!

What are Good Tracking Results?Google analytics and call tracking results

What are Good Tracking Results?

What are Good Tracking Results?

We are often asked questions about what constitutes a good tracking result. Contractors want to know how many people should be coming to their website every month, or how many people should be calling or clicking through to their website from an email or a postcard. My answer is always the same: More than last time. (Or last month, or last year.)

Use services like Google Analytics and call tracking phone numbers to establish a baseline for all your marketing efforts –– and then continually work to improve those results. Yes, of course there are average industry results.… Read On!

Press Release: EB&L Ed

Press Release: EB&L Ed

PRESS RELEASE: EB&L Educates

EB&L Marketing, a full-service HVAC marketing firm, is pleased to announce the launch of their new training division, EB&L Educates.  “EB&L Ed” provides speakers, workshops and classes on HVAC contractor marketing.

“Residential contractors – with their limited time and marketing training – need help to effectively promote their companies.  The courses offered by EB&L Ed teach contractors the fundamentals of marketing – breaking it down into 7 easy steps,” says Elaina Burdick, President of EB&L.

Since 2001, EB&L Marketing has been working with local contractors to effectively market their businesses, generate leads and grow their bottom line by building their brand and avoiding common marketing missteps. … Read On!

What’s Your Cost Per Lead

What’s Your Cost Per Lead

Cost Per Lead

Have you figured out your cost per lead for 2017? While you are looking over your year-end numbers and closing your 2017 books it’s the perfect time to calculate your cost per lead. Cost per lead is important to know because it helps you figure out how to increase your sales.

Divide the total advertising dollars you spent on each marketing tool (postcards or newspaper ads or online marketing, etc.) by the number of leads that came in from that marketing tool.  (Note: Call tracking phone numbers help you to track this accurately!)

The result is your cost per lead.… Read On!

Branding

Branding

Branding

What is a brand anyway?
Your brand is your logo, but it’s so much more than your logo.
It’s the look, the feel, the colors, the fonts, the theme and the marketing message. All of this together makes up your brand. Your brand separates you from the pack. It’s what your customers recognize. It’s how they learn to trust you and ultimately why they’ll spend money with you. You should develop a solid brand for your company before you do anything else! It’s the most important, foundational element of your company marketing.

But here’s what you shouldn’t do: don’t use the same tired, old HVAC themes.… Read On!

Marketing Whack-A-Mole

Marketing Whack-A-Mole

Marketing Whack-A-Mole

Did you find yourself rushing to use up marketing co-op dollars this past December? (Be honest, there’s no judgment here!) Did you spend those dollars on things like hats and T-shirts for your staff instead of spending them on marketing initiatives that would have brought you leads in the new year? Or worse, did you lose those dollars because you got busy and didn’t have time to get ‘er done?

We see a lot of “reactive marketing” in this industry. Meaning, we see contractors jumping at marketing “opportunities” that present themselves, or special deals that the radio rep stops by to sell them.… Read On!

HVAC Marketing 101: Use Your Head, Not Your Knee

HVAC Marketing 101: Use Your Head, Not Your Knee

HVAC Marketing 101:Use Your Head, Not Your Knee

HVAC marketing works best when it’s proactive, strategic and repetitive.

Are you a “reactive marketer?” Let me ask you a few questions to find out…

  • Are you operating without an annual marketing plan?
  • Ever place an ad in the local paper because your competitor did?
  • Purchased a radio advertising campaign or a billboard because the rep had a super great deal that she could only offer you today?
  • Have you ever rushed to use up co-op funds before year end?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you, my friend, are doing reactive, knee-jerk marketing.… Read On!