Business owners in the solar industry have plenty of advantages on their side already. With a national conversation already underway about energy conservation, the reality is that most people are already thinking about how they can both save money and the planet at the same time. 

So if your conversion rates aren’t living up to your expectations, you might consider how a sales script could be of some use. We’ll look at the pros and cons of a script for prospective solar customers and whether it can actually improve your numbers. 

The Nature of a Sales Script 

A sales script essentially spells out what you want people to say to customers, depending on who they are and what they want. Ideally, you’ll have as many sales scripts as you have stages of the funnel, meaning your sales team won’t dive into details before the customer understands the basics. In every script, you need to list out the points that the sales team is expected to say. This can be done either as a general outline or as sample dialog. 

Why Write a Sales Script?

The reality is a sales script gives a sales team clear objectives about what to accomplish when they’re on a call. Even the most experienced professional can forget a crucial detail, one that can irreparable alter the relationship you have with the customer. If you prepare for this possibility, it can mean continued loyalty and stronger referrals too. 

You may have avoided sales scripts in the past because they seemed forced, but a good salesperson will use the text as a springboard into a real conversation. As long as they cover the necessary material in each script, they can still use their unique personality to connect with the customer on a deeper level. 

The benefit of the script is that the customer hears everything they need to hear before they make a decision. This way, they can’t claim that they weren’t told about the price of the panels or the zoning ordinances of the neighborhood. 

Even in an age of screening, it’s still possible to build a client base by having conversations with them. Whether it’s in person or over the phone, it needs to start from a standpoint of reciprocity. Yes, you’re selling a person something, but you’re also offering them a product and service that is worth more than the sticker price. Getting started could be as simple as pointing out how much money people save on utility bills if they have solar panels. (Stick with data from the demographic’s neighborhood and you’re that much more likely to catch people’s attention.)

Driving the Point Home 

Sales scripts can be found online for free, or you can take the time to write one on your own. It can be an incredibly valuable exercise, particularly if you want to express your value to customers in your own words. You can try writing out two scripts for the same stage of the funnel, and then running the numbers to figure out which one worked better for you. 

However, if you’re already swamped on a regular basis, it might make more sense to let an expert handle the specifics of the calls. At Conversion Marketing, our team is trained to relate to customers without glossing over the details of the solar industry. If you want to learn more about how we help our clients in the solar industry meet their quotes time after time, contact us today.

DNC lists may have been around for a while, but plenty of business owners, marketers, and compliance sticklers alike still have questions about how to work with them. If you’re wondering which source is the best one to turn to if you want to scrub your data, we’ll look at what you should know.

Work with the Federal Do Not Call List

We recommend working with the federal do-not-call list, as this is top-down protection. (States may have their own protection lists, but the federal one is more accessible and considered higher than state laws.) Introduced 16 years ago by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it was designed to stop unwanted phone calls and has since accumulated hundreds of millions of numbers.  

It’s worth noting that surveys, political calls, and charity asks do not qualify for the DNC list, meaning that it’s not a catch-all for those who only want to receive calls from their closest friends and family. You are still allowed to call clients if they’ve recently done business with you, though you are required to stop if the client requests for the calls to stop. 

Scrubbing in Real-Time 

As you might imagine, the Federal Trade Commission’s list is riddled with incomplete information. A lot can happen to a person in just a few short days, let alone 16 years! However, as inaccurate as some of the data might be, it’s still your best resource to ensure you don’t call someone who doesn’t want to hear from you. Ideally, you should be cleaning your data in real-time, as the system allows.  

As you might imagine, most people want to limit the number of manual adjustments they need to make, which is why automation reigns in this realm. If you wanted to do it on your own, you’d need to download all of the phone numbers in your given area codes and then check them all against your lead lists. Who’s got that kind of energy! Even advanced filtering is time-consuming, considering you’re supposed to download the updated list every 31 days. 

Living in Reality 

Let’s be honest here: there are plenty of mistakes being made out there with these lists. Some are using them incorrectly, some aren’t using them at all. What is the realistic capacity of a federal government to stop a person from making these unsolicited calls? The answer is: very little. The federal government has bigger fish to fry, so unless you’re running some sort of gigantic scam, then you likely won’t have any kind of authority showing up at your door.  

Still, there’s a lot to be said for giving your customers the space they need, when they ask for it. While it may feel difficult to get their attention without a phone call, there are plenty of other ways to connect with prospective customers who would actually benefit from being in touch with you. 

Starting Off on the Right Foot  

At Conversion Marketing, we want our clients to start off on the best possible foot with their leads, which is why why we strive to ensure our data is worth relying on. If you’re tired of speaking to people who don’t want to talk to you or you’d just prefer to stay within the lines whenever you can, we have answers. 

We help you stay compliant even when you’re unlikely to get caught, which is the mark of a legitimate business that won’t cut corners just to make a quick buck. Call us today to get more information about how we compile our lists for the many verticals we serve.

In an age where everyone is vying for everyone else’s attention, the slack that people are willing to show you seems to be getting shorter and shorter every year. If you’re in a business that relies on leads, your number one goal should be talking to people who actually want to talk to you. We’ll look at how to make that happen, so you can have more productive conversations. (And we’ll start with aged leads because they’re less expensive and often people’s go-to.)

Recognize the Situation: Working with Aged Leads 

When people want something these days, it’s usually pretty easy to get. Not only are there stores on every corner, but sites like Amazon can overnight whatever they need. There are also plenty of websites that promise to do it all, so you never have to leave your house. And it isn’t just limited to basic household items. All that instant gratification has made people impatient about practically everything.    

If you’re relying on aged leads you have to consider the possibility that either:

None of these options are particularly good for your revenue, but they are pretty good if you’re looking to shut down your business in despair.

At Conversion Marketing, we think it’s a lot easier if you think about aged leads as more of an opportunity to build up your contacts list rather than an instant money-maker. You don’t necessarily have to hit the hard sell immediately, but rather talk to people on their level (when you can get ahold of them at all). Maybe they aren’t interested in what you’re offering now, but ask for a call back in a few months. (Just make sure to actually call them back.) Maybe they would never buy from you because it’s not in their budget, but they have a brother-in-law who might be interested. Leaving the conversations more open-ended is a way to let people know that you’re less interested in their money and far more into what you can do for them.  

Get the Right Information

The lists that you’re working with are your bread-and-butter. If they’re slapped together from outdated sources, it’s not going to take that many attempts before you realize that you’re working with a dud. While some of it does come down to what kind of technology is being used to assemble the list, your leads ultimately need to be curated by people who know your industry. In other words, if you’re going to spring for real-time leads, you better be certain that they’re going to offer you the most efficient ways to get your pitch out to the public.  

At Conversion Marketing, our staff is here to work with you and ensure you talk to people who won’t hang up in frustration or scream at you about violating their privacy. This is not to say that we can eliminate the possibility of this occurring (as no one can), but the goal is to put you in the driver’s seat so you can steer the conversation. If you want to learn more about what we do — and more importantly, what our results look like — we’re here to give you the low down on finding better leads.  

New homeowners are often overlooked by numerous businesses, despite the fact that this demographic often has big plans for their new space. We’ll look at how you can appeal to them and what kind of information you need before diving into a new strategy.  

Why Homeowners Are Overlooked 

In a lot of ways, it makes sense for businesses to ignore new homeowners. After all, they likely just spent much of their savings on the home, so why would they be ready to dump even more as soon as they move in? (They’re also likely to be exhausted from the moving process.) In addition, many business owners might discount new homeowners entirely if there isn’t a lot of turnover in their area — why go after such a small portion of people when you could be casting your nets a lot wider?

Why You Need to Pay Attention 

New homeowners are excited about their new property, and they’re ready to invest in it to make it better. Even if they’re just moving across the street, this is an opportunity for them to build a different life for themselves and their family. Whether you’re a gardener, kitchen designer, or new solar panel installer, this is the chance to talk to people and capitalize on their motivation. If they’re willing to take bold steps, you should be willing to pick up the slack. 

Marketing Campaigns 

Before you start anything, make sure you know:

The Importance of Data 

At Conversion Marketing, our job is to get you data that you can trust, help you design campaigns that will work with your target demographic, and help you adjust them if they’re not landing with people. No matter what area of the country you live in, new homeowners can be a source of revenue that you hadn’t even considered. 

The catch is that you need to know who you’re talking to before you pitch them a service or product that they either have no use for or couldn’t afford in their wildest dreams. If you want to scale your income up, we’re here to tell you what you need to know. Contact us today to learn more.  

Direct mail might be fairly easy to brush off in a modern world. When everyone is staring at their phones, how exactly can they be torn away to focus long enough on a piece of mail? The short answer to the title question is that a list can provide some serious economic opportunities, but you will have to both start with the right one and know how to use it.

 Start with Accurate Data 

An accurate direct mail list is one that’s been vetted long before you get it. This means that if someone moved, the NCOA (National Change of Address) database was consulted. You’ll also want to make sure that your list is full of people who are able to pay for your product or service and have a need for it. 

Use Geo Targeting for a Fresh Perspective 

Geo targeting is the process of breaking up your list by location. A zip code certainly can’t tell you everything about a person, but it can tell you something about their income bracket and general demographic. (Also, if you have multiple branches for your business, it tells them which location is nearest to them.) 

Loose statistics, like the average age of the population or the ratio of men to women, can be insightful when it comes to how you market. Granted, some of this will still be trial and error. For instance, maybe one zip code prefers a hand-written letter while another prefers a short postcard with a few key items listed.

Geo targeting is a smart way to optimize your communications, so you’re getting the most bang for your buck. At Conversion Marketing, we help our clients segment however they need to. So if you wanted to divide people based on the services or goods they’ve purchased in the past, this might be a more lucrative strategy than segmenting based on zip codes. 

Tips for Better Direct Mail Lists 

We know it’s inside the box to tell you to think outside the box, but it really can pay off to put a little effort into what you send your customers. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 Deliverable direct mail lists can work to your advantage by putting you in the driver seat. Once you have all the information at your fingertips, you can start putting all of your plans in motion. 

Contact Conversion Marketing 

Conversion Marketing offers affordable direct mail lists and data to our customers, so they can start connecting with people and building the kinds of relationships that make for better revenue. Often the first contact point with a customer is a piece of direct mail, and the impression you make can go a long way toward your next interaction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can make a difference. 

With the solar industry heating up, the question for business owners is quickly turning into how to best use their marketing dollars. Live transfers offer countless benefits, including the chance to talk to someone who’s already interested in what you have to offer. 

Of course, there’s a downside too, mainly that it’s more expensive and there’s a chance for the conversation to still somehow go wrong. We’ll look at the details so you can decide whether it’s worth the investment. 

How They Work 

Live transfers don’t start with you, but rather with a general representative from an outsourced company. Essentially, a call center employee calls people and then determines what a prospective customer is looking for. If your business can provide the solution, the rep will make the connection. You get a quick briefing before jumping right into your spiel. 

Theoretically, it’s great for everyone. You won’t have to try to sell residential panels to someone who owns three office buildings, nor will you have to field 30 different failed calls before you strike gold. When live transfers go right, they cut down on the confusion that kills sales before they even have the chance to get off the ground. 

Are They Worth It?

Potentially. Here are some questions you’ll need to ask:

The Odds Are in Your Favor 

Sales pitches are sometimes endless back-and-forths, many of which ultimately go nowhere. You could easily waste time that you don’t have on people who are never going to buy. Live transfers are a way to help solar business owners build their income and establish a reputation in the community. If you want to bring your company to the next level or build a bigger base of customers, this could be exactly what you need. 

At Conversion Marketing, we’ve found that this marketing option can be an extremely effective strategy for solar businesses that just need to get a foothold to thrive. As more people turn to green energy, the demand for renewable fuel shows no signs of dipping. This is a solid sector, and it’s only going to get better. 

When you choose us for your live transfers, you can rest assured that you’re working with a partner who understands what’s at stake. You already have an advantage with the industry you’ve chosen, but this is a way to get a real edge over your direct competitors. This approach ensures that you start in the best possible position: you know what the customer is looking for and you know how to get them the solution. If you want to learn more about how the process can work for your business, contact us today for the details. 

If you’re interested in buying leads, whether real-time or aged, consider where your information is coming from. The last thing you need is to get a bogus list where people are mystified as to why you’re contacting them. 

Quality leads start with transparency, something that many companies unfortunately lack. We’ll look at the specifics of this topic and how our staff takes the initiative to go the extra mile. 

Buy Leads with Confidence 

If you want to understand basic compliance when it comes to buying aged leads, all you really need to do is think about it from the other side of the equation: Your customers don’t want to be hassled about a product or service they have no interest in buying. They don’t want to think they’re signing up for one thing only to be sold another. And they definitely don’t want to be contacted over and over again by a company that can’t take a hint! 

At Conversion Marketing, we ensure our prospects give their express consent to be contacted via a secure form. With a little help from a trusted third-party solution, we can show (and prove) the full history of the person or organization you’ll ultimately be trying to reach. Transparency is at the heart of what we do because they’re the best way to get results. 

More Data, More Insights 

When you have more data, you get a head start. Talking to leads is all about understanding where they’re coming from. If they expressed interest in being contacted six months ago about a product or service, this is a very different situation than if they expressed interest six minutes ago. 

We give our clients everything they need to know before they make a decision, so they can decide whether they want to buy a list in the first place and how to communicate with the people on the list should they choose to take the plunge. 

Total Privacy 

Privacy today can feel like little more than a pipe dream. Yet not every company is looking to subvert the rules. In fact, companies that do hold onto their integrity are those that do better in the long run. Considering we’re all about conversions, we want all of our clients to start out with their best foot forward. 

When you purchase real-time leads from us, you can see how the customer interacted with different webpages and the data that they chose to share. 

Why It Matters 

When consumers are more savvy than ever before, it pays to have honest conversations with them. That doesn’t mean that you can’t promote your business or run your campaigns, but it does mean that you need to have their best intentions at heart. 

Conversion Marketing doesn’t play games with our clients, nor do we put them in compromising positions. Whether you’re reaching out to homeowners who want to install solar panels or a single parent trying to get the best healthcare plan for their kid, we provide the kinds of leads that end in sales. 

If you want to learn more about how we can help you stay compliant and boost your bottom line at the same time, reach out to us today. 

The S&P Global Market Intelligence recently published a report that said solar would hit new records in 2022. Fueled by a snowballing trend of energy transition, people are anxious to start the future today. The predictions predicted that as much as 44 gigawatts of utility-scale solar would come online, nearly double that of the new capacity brought on in 2021. 

If the S&P has it right, the opportunities are going to be unprecedented for solar companies that are ready to grow their revenue, expand into new territories, or both. If you’re having a tough time with your conversion metrics, we’ll give you a few pointers that can take your business in a new direction. 

Find Better Leads 

We cannot overstate that the demand for solar power is strong. If you’re struggling right now, it’s extremely unlikely it’s because there’s no interest. It is likely that you’re marketing to the wrong people. Whether it’s because someone doesn’t have the financial wherewithal for solar or because they already signed on with a competitor, starting with a vetted and reliable list can do wonders for your percentage. 

Explore the Benefits of Live Transfers 

A live transfer refers to a marketing technique that only connects you with people who have an express interest in solar power:

So instead of talking to someone with a passing understanding of your services at best, you’re talking to someone who wants to know how much they can save on their utility bills for a 2,500 sq. ft. home or a 30,000 sq. ft. office space. 

Consider Changing Up Your Lead Strategy

Every solar company in 2022 should have a lead strategy that takes into account not just the products they offer, but also their position in the industry and the people they cater to. For instance, some people prefer aged leads because they’re inexpensive and they give business owners the chance to start real conversations with people. This can lead to stronger connections and an incredible referral rate. 

Because some degree of time has passed between when a person expressed interest and when they’re contacted by a business owner, the approach is far less aggressive. The casual tone can instantly endear the customer to the owner, which can help the business even if they’re not looking to buy anytime soon

Aged leads are often more than happy to spread the word to people they know and to choose the business owner that made such a good impression when they are ready to take the plunge. 

Or you could consider the opposite approach, which we would highly recommend if demand is rising in your area. Real-time leads might be more costly, but they put you in touch with people who have solar power on their mind right now. Before they move onto another home project or business venture (or worse, one of your competitors), now’s a good time to jump on their enthusiasm and take the reins. 

The Work of Conversion Marketing 

Conversion Marketing specializes in leads for solar companies that will actually mean something for their profit margins. Our entire company is built on the premise that better prospects equals steady growth. Contact us today if you want to learn more about getting your percentage up to scratch

Generating leads for a solar business depends on everything from the season to the clientele you’re
targeting. If you’re trying to find the best marketing practices for your company, it all comes down to
knowing what’s available and how it works in practice. And because you’re probably interested in
conserving your budget, we’ll start with the least expensive and work our way up.


Aged Solar Leads

Aged solar leads are both affordable and readily available. As they suggest though, they refer to
potential customers who expressed interest in solar products a while ago. There is no exact moment
when a real-time lead switches to aged, but the standard is around 48 hours.


● The good: Aged leads are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, allowing solar businesses to build
a strong database of prospects. This is a long-game strategy, one that can cement your business’
name and reputation for many years to come.
● The bad: The information from aged leads might be outdated. From the addresses to the needs
of the individual, it can be difficult to connect with a customer when you don’t have the right
information at your fingertips.

Real-Time Leads

Real-time leads refer to people who have recently expressed interest in solar products. You’ll see this
typically with Google ads or other pay-per-click ads, tactics where you only pay if you get someone to
click on your website or fill out a form. For a solar company, one that’s affected by the whims of the
weather and economy alike, timing is critical when you’re in the mood to make quick sales.


● The good: You get to pounce on someone’s needs immediately. Rather than pushing a package
down their throats though, you have an opportunity to cultivate a relationship at the precise
moment someone’s looking for it.
● The bad: Real-time leads are more expensive, and they need to be cultivated correctly to be
effective. Some people may inadvertently click a box or opt-in to information without realizing it,
which can get the conversation off on the wrong foot.

Live Transfers

A solar live transfer is a specific service offered by an outside call center. It can be used to accept
inbound calls from people who are ready to buy solar. Typically, the agent will verify personal
information and confirm that the caller is still interested in solar. Only then will they transfer the
prospective customer to a solar business.

● The good: Live transfers cut down on all the superfluous conversations, freeing a business up to
concentrate on doing what it does best.
● The bad: Live transfers are a significant investment for any company. They can also interfere
with your relationships. Talking to someone who never makes a purchase might be frustrating in
the short-term, but it can spark goodwill and referral business in the long-term.

What’s Right for Your Solar Business?

There are pros and cons to every form of marketing, but it all comes down to how you want to connect
with your customers.

The most important information to get across to them is that you’re reliable, professional, and
knowledgeable about your industry. You can do this with aged leads — even if they don’t end up buying
that day. Or if you don’t have much time to waste, you might want to opt into real-time or transfer
leads.

Conversion Marketing specializes in helping companies figure out the best practices based on their
needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you adapt solar lead generation marketing strategies
so they work best for you.

In the age of digital everything, direct mail marketing remains something of a contested topic. Should you use postcards, flyers, or catalogs to communicate with your customers or are you annoying them by handing them a piece of garbage they’ll just have to throw away. 

The truth is the answer can ultimately go both ways, as you’ve no doubt noticed whenever you get a piece of direct mail. A lot of what a person does with physical media comes down to what kind of list they ended up on. 

If you don’t know what your target demographic is looking for, you won’t see nearly the kinds of returns you need to justify the investment. It’s why Conversion Marketing has a few tips on how to get more from your direct mail campaigns. 

First Things First: Why Direct Mail?

It’s fairly simple: people still want to get things in the mail. Seeing things on a screen might be faster and more ubiquitous, but it’s also commonplace and ultimately pretty easy to ignore. With direct mail, you have a lot of space to get creative, which might be why some surveys show that these campaigns have higher ROIs than paid search ads. 

There’s just something about being able to hold something in your hands, magnetize it to the fridge, or redeem it for an exclusive offer (that your online customers will never see). It makes people think of some of the other exciting reasons they might get something in their mailbox, like an invite to a birthday party or a wedding. 

#1: Make It Memorable for Your Audience 

Your mailing lists should have something in common, so you know who you’re trying to target. Are you selling something silly or practical? Are you trying to appeal to people with teenagers or 2-year-olds at home? You’re not necessarily trying to forge an undying loyalty with your customers, but you can spark their interest and get them to take action. 

Whatever it is you’re doing, just make sure that it fits with your brand identity. For instance, if you’re all about environmental conservation, maybe take your customers on a little trip by describing where the material in their hands came from before making it to their mailbox. 

#2: Segment When You Can 

Today, segmentation is at the heart of marketing strategies. It’s no longer good enough to group people by age and income. These factors can certainly help, but the nuances between your lists can drive business like you might never have imagined. 

The motivating factor here is that there’s not as much competition when it comes to direct mailers. Because so many people believe that print is dead, it’s opening up major opportunities for business owners who realize that not everyone wants to see ads on Facebook anymore. If you can reach out to your customers via physical medium, you can really speak to them on a different level. 

#3: Run the Tests 

Ok, we admit it. Testing can be a double-edged sword, particularly if the first few are duds. Still, tracking customer engagement is the best way to ensure you’re not wasting your money. If you’ve segmented your lists before you run the experiments, you should get an accurate picture of how well your promotions are working. 

There are a few ways that you can track your responses, including setting up a phone number solely for a direct mail campaign or using a specific code to run a coupon or other promotional item. This is also a good time to ask your test audience what exactly drew them to the offer. Their answer — particularly if it had very little to do with the story you told or the appeal you made — can help you figure out how to map out future strategies. 

#4: Get to the Point 

Direct mail might be special in a lot of ways, but it loses its appeal rather quickly if there’s too much going on. Here are a few tips to make every piece you send as clean and appealing as possible: 

Of course, this is not to say that there aren’t exceptions to this rule. Plenty of customers might be drawn in by an anecdote or touching story. As long as it’s relevant, you’ve got some room to play here. 

#5: Talk to Someone Who Knows 

Even for businesses with niche audiences, it helps to talk to someone who knows direct marketing. Conversion Marketing was built on the principle. Our data lists are specific, making it possible for you to see who your customers are and why they might care about what you can offer them. 

From first contact to the final follow-up, it’s easy for business owners to come at the problem from their perspective, even if it has nothing to do with the perspective of their customers. Better direct mailing lists can solve some of these issues, ensuring customers that you’re meeting them where they are. 

If you’re interested in learning more about why conversion is the only word we really care about, contact us today. We can help you take your direct mailing lists to a new dimension, allowing you to not just connect with existing customers but really reach out to people who might not know anything about you.