Lewis S. from Omaha here with my first major win! Just completed my first full utility audit for a food processing plant and found $4800/month in savings - $3200 from correcting their rate schedule from Schedule LGS to Schedule LGPS, $900 from power factor correction, and $700 from demand management recommendations. The client is thrilled and already asking me to audit their other two facilities. Wanted to share this victory and thank everyone for the advice that helped me land this client through LinkedIn outreach. The confidence boost is incredible!
First Client Success Story - $4800/month Savings Found!
Congratulations Lewis! That's an amazing first audit. $4800 monthly is $57,600 annually - substantial savings that will definitely get you more referrals. How did you approach the LinkedIn outreach that landed this client? Always looking to improve my social media prospecting.
Excellent work Lewis! Those are the kind of results that build reputations and generate referrals. Food processing facilities often have similar utility profiles, so your expertise with this client will translate well to their other locations. Make sure to document the methodology and lessons learned for future similar engagements. Also consider asking for a written testimonial while the client satisfaction is at its peak. Results like these are exactly why utility auditing is such a valuable service.
Alice M. here - fantastic results Lewis! The power factor correction finding is particularly good since many auditors miss that opportunity. What were their power factor readings? I've found food processing equipment often runs heavy inductive loads that create PF penalties.
Thanks everyone! Alice, their power factor was averaging 0.82 and OPPD charges penalties below 0.90. Recommended capacitor bank installation to get them above 0.95. For the LinkedIn approach, I targeted food processing companies within 100 miles, connected with facility managers, then sent personalized messages mentioning specific challenges food processors face with demand charges during production cycles. Got about 15% response rate.
Sandra H. from Wichita. Great job Lewis! Food processing is an excellent niche - they typically have complex load profiles and significant savings opportunities. Have you considered specializing in that industry? The knowledge from this audit could position you as the go-to expert for food processors in your region.
Duane K. from Bend. Awesome first audit Lewis! The rate schedule correction alone paying for your fees multiple times over. Clients love seeing immediate returns like that. Did you identify the billing error yourself or was it flagged in your initial bill analysis software?
Duane, I caught the rate schedule error during my initial bill review. They were classified as LGS due to peak demand readings, but their actual usage pattern qualified them for LGPS which has much better demand charges for consistent loads. The utility had never reviewed their rate classification after they upgraded their equipment 3 years ago. Always worth double-checking rate schedules!
Glenda G. from Nampa. This gives me so much hope Lewis! I'm still working on landing my first client and seeing results like yours motivates me to keep pushing. The LinkedIn strategy sounds promising - going to try that approach with manufacturing companies in my area.
Ian C. from Davenport here. Lewis, did you handle the power factor correction implementation or just make recommendations? Wondering how involved auditors typically get with equipment installation versus pure consulting.
Ian, I just provided recommendations and connected them with qualified electrical contractors for the capacitor installation. I stay in the consulting lane and let specialists handle equipment work. The client appreciated having trusted referrals though. Glenda, definitely try the LinkedIn approach - just be genuine and focus on their challenges rather than pitching services immediately.