Green Business

[Gaulkin]

So ive started a business with a very successful window company (Im friends with the owner). The product were selling is a green technology that helps cut down on heating costs. Point is, the product isnt being sold in Miami. We are the first in and the market is untouched. Your probably thinking its some bulky machine and what not but it weighs less than a pound for a 10k square foot house. The reason im writing here is to see how you would sell the product. Would you build a sales team, a pyramid ext. Keep in mind that we cant sell outside of south florida because we have to install the product for warrenty issues. Online based would not work for this business.

[stand856]

Start with his database of contacts, as a successful window company his database should be fairly large, from then on it will be referrals from those people if they are happy. Cold calling and door to door is another option.

[Encrypted]

Hmm, this is just a shot in the dark, because I have no idea how to sell Windows. However, companies in my hometown used to do a lot of TV advertisements. Perhaps you could contact contractors directly and try to get them to recommend your product to new home builders.

[JKansas]

I would start with a well designed mailer campaign... specifically targeting higher-end neighborhoods. Offer free green "consulatations" or something to do get you in the door. What is the mark-up on this product? If it's high, then after the mailer campaign I would consider door to door. The mailer is cheap and get's your logo and business out there so the cold call is not quite as cold.

[StartupSidekick]

Hi Gualkin,

Because your business is going to be quite localized (to South Florida), I would approach it as follows:

1. Direct Mail Marketing campaign (this doesn't need to be expensive, because you are not targeting a global, or national segment of the market)

2. Hire a cold-calling company to track down leads

3. Use google adwords if your budget permits it, but segment the ads to your target geographic location only. Purchasing keywords like lower heating bills, green home appliances, etc, can bring in traffic to your website and generate leads for you that way

4. Register your business & website with Google Places (Just Google how to do this. It's really easy). This will help you turn up in the organic search results for keyword terms when they are being searched in your area

Lastly, as Stand856 mentioned, really work on getting referrals. Because your product is somewhat uncommon, people are not going to know you exist when they search for a solution to their heating problem. Word of mouth referrals can probably generate sales faster than any other avenue for you

Jason Sullivan
StartupSidekick (StartupSidekick) on Twitter (follow me for fresh entrepreneurial advice)
StartupSidekick | Blog, Advice & Resources for Entrepreneurs

[DerekS]

What's the product/service? It's a lot easier to devise a mktg strategy when you know what you're selling.

[Gaulkin]

All it is, is a transparent film that goes on like a window tint and blocks the heat from entering the house up to 50-75%. At 5-11 dollars a square foot plus installation costs, it cant be described as cheap. It is however an investment and is a no brainer if you have multiple a/c units.

[Gaulkin]

bump
.
.
.

[Will]

A good idea would be to approach builders/property developers who are going to be building in the area you want to sell in. They could then put it on new homes as a selling point, or it could be sold as an optional extra to their clients. This could keep you pretty busy if you can get them interested.

[Gaulkin]

A good idea would be to approach builders/property developers who are going to be building in the area you want to sell in. They could then put it on new homes as a selling point, or it could be sold as an optional extra to their clients. This could keep you pretty busy if you can get them interested.

Good idea!

[genevie]

Well, If you think it won't work online but still there's only one thing that most important you must do online the Local Directory Listing or the Yellow pages online. Try Offline Advertising like Creating Fliers, banners, TV ads, Radio Ads. Have some Promo Bonanza. Sale Tour on allowable area of course. One - on - One Promotion.
You can do it. Don't lost hope.

[KH_Global]

If it's a offline mode marketing, then try bill boards, hoardings, wrappers on vehicles, flyers, posters, canopies etc. These are best marketing methods. You can target the potentials at clubs, library, etc.

Robert

[Gaulkin]

For google adword can you target specific zip codes?

[Marco Santori]

I don't know a lot about this product, so please excuse me if this sounds naive. But how is this different from the GILA film they sell at the Home Depot?

[Gaulkin]

You would think the products are alike but they are extremely different. Gila makes your windows darker and ours does not. There are other differences but you can check it out if you would like.

The product is V Kool if you wish to investigate further.

Sorry i did not explain the target market before, we are looking for weathy property owners and large buildings only. Anyone going to home depot to try and do it yourself is not who were looking to attract.