New member here looking for advice on marketing audit services. I've been focusing on larger commercial accounts but want to expand to small businesses. What's the best approach for reaching restaurants, retail stores, small manufacturers? Most of them don't realize they might be overpaying. How do you explain the value proposition to someone with a $500-1000 monthly electric bill?
Marketing Utility Audit Services to Small Businesses
Welcome! Small business marketing is all about education and trust. I've had success with local chamber of commerce presentations and partnering with CPAs. Focus on simple messages - "we find billing errors and get refunds" works better than technical explanations. Even on smaller accounts, tax exemptions and rate optimization can add up. Consider offering free bill reviews to establish credibility.
Brenda's approach is solid. I'd add that referrals are huge in the small business space. One satisfied restaurant owner will refer you to other restaurant owners. Don't overlook obvious stuff like sales tax exemptions and power factor issues. Small businesses often have the most basic errors. Also consider franchises - if you help one location, you might get the whole chain.