We were discussing earlier How to make a firewood business successful? establishing a firewood business and various ways to increase profit potential. Now we want to share our thoughts on the different ways to market a firewood business.
Through marketing you reach new customers and maintain demand even outside the peak season. Marketing is a significant part of business, so it is worth investing at least some resources in its planning and implementation regardless of the size of your business – the same basics apply to the marketing of a firewood company as well as, say, a machinery dealership.
When you are starting your business marketing, remember to consider your operating environment and your customers' needs. In the city, for example, the ease of buying firewood is often emphasized. Customers there usually do not have large spaces to store firewood, but instead hope to get dry wood easily and delivered home at regular intervals. Customers are also likely willing to pay a little extra for this service.
In the countryside, on the other hand, price levels are often slightly lower than in the city, but there you can sell firewood without home delivery straight from your yard. And if the wood has a good price-quality ratio, the customer will return to your yard the following year and also tell their acquaintances about you. This way, you clearly have an easier time with marketing and deliveries.
Events as a marketing tool
Events often engage people more effectively than other marketing methods. A successful event evokes more emotions and leaves a more lasting memory than even the finest roadside billboard.
You may have toured trade fairs, markets, or other events. However, do not forget that you can also organize an event yourself quite easily. Most often, companies organize events in connection with openings or, for example, an anniversary. When brainstorming events, however, you can be creative. How would something like an Autumn Festival sound, which you could use to boost your firewood sales before winter?
If you are just starting a business, a grand opening is naturally a natural way to introduce your operations and yourself to your future customers. A well-organized grand opening – or any other event – helps spark people's interest, raises awareness of your business, and strengthens your relationship with local customers.
Potential customers must always be given something back for investing their time to visit your event. It is easy to give people something to take home, but interesting information or a nice time spent together with family and friends might also be just what people are looking for at your event. Free coffee, cookies, and balloons for kids almost always work. You can also come up with something new that directly relates to your company's operations – that way you and your business will stay in people's minds even better.
In addition, the event is of course an opportunity to share your company's marketing materials, demonstrate the quality of your product, and generate new leads. You should definitely bring a small batch of the product to the event so that customers can immediately see what it is all about.
At the event, it is also a good idea to collect people's contact information and ask for marketing consent. For example, organize a free raffle where participants must fill out a form. This way, you can later send an email thanking them for participating, offering a discount on your product as a thank-you, and asking customers to follow your website or social media channels.
Traditional marketing holds its ground
The world is becoming digital, but more traditional marketing methods should still not be forgotten. An ad in a local newspaper or on a store bulletin board still often brings quite good results. If there are many detached houses with fireplaces in the area, you can also distribute your company's advertising flyers to mailboxes.
If your business operates near a busy road, you can set up a simple ”Firewood for sale” sign by the roadside. You can also ask your business partners to distribute business cards or flyers about your company to potential customers—while offering to return the favor. A cost-effective way to advertise is also car wrapping with your company logo and contact information. If your firewood processor or firewood crate is on display by the road, putting advertising decals or a sign on them can also be an effective marketing method.
Remember also to think of ways you can stand out from your competitors. For example, you can offer different quality grades and consider offering things like home delivery for the firewood. You can sell bagged firewood to stores, for instance. When you include something like a business card or a small advertisement with your company logo and contact information inside the bag, you can market your own name at the same time. This way, satisfied customers will know whose product to recommend to others as well.
Digital marketing for a firewood business
In addition to traditional marketing methods, it is also worth utilizing digital channels in marketing. Creating a website is a good start. Websites are a medium entirely under your own control. Through them, you can, at their simplest, present your company and products, and attract customers using various campaigns.
If you wish, you can set up a blog alongside your website to share various tips with your customers, such as on the efficient use and storage of firewood. This way, you can offer new kinds of added value and engage customers with your business.
If your customers are active social media users, you should make sure they can find you there as well. Creating social media accounts for your business is easy and free. On Facebook, for example, you can easily share photos, campaigns, and news with your customers. In addition, local Facebook groups are often good channels for reaching new customers.
Marketing on social media is also easy, and you can start with very small amounts – this way you can practice creating ads without worrying about having to invest large sums right away. Also remember to share information about your social media accounts with your customers and ask them to follow you.
Don't forget your existing customers
Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. It is important to make sure your existing customers are satisfied – and that they stay satisfied.
A satisfied customer is a loyal customer. In addition to buying from you again in the future, a satisfied customer may also tell their acquaintances about their good experiences when the opportunity arises. Satisfied customers take care of part of the marketing for you, and this way you get off with less work yourself.
So remember to offer existing customers, for example, the opportunity to pre-order, loyalty discounts, and even a little extra at your events. You can also make use of existing customers by offering them product discounts if they place an order well in advance of the busiest season—this way, you both benefit from the customer relationship.
TIP! If you know that your customer is satisfied with the service they received, don't hesitate to ask them to recommend you and your business. It is hard to buy better marketing than a satisfied customer with money.
Are you interested in a firewood processor? In Hakki Pilke's selection, you will find a suitable firewood processor for industrial production, professionals, semi-professionals, and those making firewood for personal use.