How to Find New Clients for Your Solar Business for Under $10,000/month

The solar business is booming right now. However, that doesn’t mean that you can just expect clients to come into your business looking for solar solutions. There might be some who just wander in, but you’ve got to go out and get the customers that you want. In addition to this industry being in high demand, there’s also an increasing number of solar companies that are creating some pretty stiff competition in the market. 

Staying ahead of the competition means staying up to date on the best and most effective marketing and lead-generation strategies. Those are going to be a little different for every industry, and for solar, it’s about reputation and authority. All these companies are claiming to be the best at solar, but so many consumers are still confused about how solar works and all that it can do. 

Therefore, if you can present your solar business as an authority within the industry, you will be able to win more clients than you anticipated. Of course, this can be done in several ways. You might have to try some strategies out to see if they’re effective before you decide on a final approach. Fortunately, you’re not alone in getting started. Here are five tactics that you’ll want to consider to help attract new clients to your solar business. 

Tactic #1: Build your professional network 

Cost: Free, unless you pay for memberships, events, etc. 

As mentioned, professional reputation is everything in the solar industry. Networking is a skill that will serve you well for client acquisition and for other aspects of your business growth, too. Make sure that you connect with local builders, contractors, utility companies, and others. Join professional solar associations and rub elbows with anyone who can help you gain reputation points in the industry. 

You can do some networking online, as well as in person. Make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity you have to share business information and get your name out there. The more professional connections you have, the easier it will be to keep a steady stream of clients coming into your business. 

Tactic #2: Optimize your local SEO 

Cost: $250-$5,000 

Local SEO is a critical part of business success today. It’s also about more than just using location-based keywords. You do need those, but you also need to consider other local optimization efforts like technical SEO improvements, optimizing content with “near me” phrases for mobile searches, getting reviews on Google and other directories, and so forth. 

Local optimization also includes making sure that your NAP (name, address, phone number) is consistent across all of the listings online. That includes your website, directories, social media pages, and so forth. Choose one listing and stick with it. You can also use reviews and referrals to optimize your local SEO. 

Tactic #3: Attend local home shows, trade shows, and expos 

Cost: Free, unless you pay for tickets, booth rentals, etc. 

Solar companies tend to do well with direct marketing. People like to see how solar works and being able to talk to a real person in a no-pressure situation can help a lot. This is a great way to position your company as an authority within the industry and reach a whole new audience of potential clients. Even if you just attend as a guest and walk around, you can likely make a lot of connections here. 

Check out local home shows and trade expos that go on throughout the year in your city and nearby. See if there are any online events that you can attend, too. After COVID, there has been an increase in the availability of virtual expos and events to help everyone feel engaged and still safe. That means that you’ll have even more ways to use this tactic to market your solar business, so take advantage of that. 

Tactic #4: Get more involved on social media 

Cost: Free 

Social media is used by millions of people every single day. They connect with family and friends, follow the news, keep up with their favorite celebs, and more. If you’re not properly using social media to reach your potential customers, you’re missing out on a big opportunity. You need to use social media to your advantage. That means posting regularly, engaging in conversations, and sharing resources and information. 

You should use different social media platforms for different audiences and approaches. Post pictures of your finished jobs on Instagram if you do solar installations, for example, and let people see for themselves what you can do. People spend a lot of time on social media and they expect the businesses that they work with to be available there, too. Have all your business information available and make sure that you’re engaged with each platform’s messaging feature, too, so that you can generate clients from all angles with social media. 

Tactic #5: Outsource to save time and money 

Cost: $250-$5,000

While you’re busy building your solar business, you likely run into a lot of tasks that you’d rather get off your plate. Perhaps you wonder what all you can outsource instead of taking care of it in-house. The short answer is: just about anything you want. Companies of all kinds are available to assist with everything from phone calls to managing the books and so much more. 

One of the best investments you can make in outsourcing is to choose a 24/7 answering service like the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai. Our dedicated agents are skilled in communications and admin tasks and can make sure that your business is running smoothly while you’re handling jobs and meeting with potential clients. We can also assist with lead intake, appointment scheduling, and live website chat. 

For those who are still working on the leads, we’ve got assistance for outreach campaigns, too. Plus, it all includes a custom strategy that covers every detail to ensure that we never miss a thing. To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai. 

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