- About
- What We Do
-
-
-
Marketing Services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
THE LEADER IN HOME SERVICES MARKETING Let’s Talk
-
-
-
-
- Who We Work With
-
-
-
Industries
Partnering With Local Businesses In the Trades
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
THE LEADER IN HOME SERVICES MARKETING Let’s Talk
-
-
-
- Case Studies
- Blog
- Resources
- Contact
How Plumbing or HVAC Companies Can Leverage Instagram, Create Brand Awareness, and Capture Loyal Fans
If you’re a plumber or an HVAC company, you probably don’t think much about creating an account on Instagram. To many owners, Instagram isn’t as fruitful (also read as: doesn’t generate enough calls) as other forms of social media advertising for plumbers and HVAC contractors.
Nevertheless, creating—and using—an Instagram account is a smart bet for your company, as well as your plumbing marketing campaigns and HVAC marketing campaigns.
Instagram currently attracts those under 35. In fact, 90 percent of Instagram users are younger than 35. But guess what? Historically, social media platforms that start out being used by younger audiences tend to gradually attract older and older age groups. Look at Facebook. Better to get started now and fix the kinks before you’re late to the party.
And guess what else? Brands are catching on. In 2016, 48.8 percent of brands are on Instagram. By 2017, this is predicted to rise to 70.7 percent. That means your competitor may very well get ahead of you in the social media game. Get started on Instagram now; that way you’ll be ahead of the age trend and ahead of your competitors.
Below are nine ways you can leverage your Instagram profile, even if you’re a plumber or HVAC tech.
Ready for your social media analysis? Contact us now!
Use plenty of hashtags
On Instagram, the hashtag is key. Hashtags are topics. They clarify what the image means, or what the user is talking about. They also are how other users can find posts about the same thing. For example, if I wanted to see posts about #HVAC, I can simply search within Instagram for that hashtag.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
When you start typing a hashtag phrase in the caption section of your Instagram post, the most used hashtags on that subject should pop up. Pick the ones that are the most relevant and get the most use. Our social media team tries to hit that sweet spot between 10 – 20 hashtags, but some social media marketers swear by using 30 or more.
Examples we love:
Tag the big brands’ handles in your Instagram captions
Posts that include another handle gain 56% more engagement. What’s a handle? It’s the username, preceded by an @ sign. Tagging a well-known handle will increase exposure and may even get the attention of the brand itself.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Be consistent and engage. The more visible you are to a brand, the more likely they are to engage with you. And, boy, when a big brand engages with you, it turns into influencer marketing.
Examples we love:
Show off your handiwork
Who said your industry isn’t visual? Not us, that’s for sure. When you think of photogenic industries, HVAC and plumbing aren’t at the top, but you have plenty of opportunities to share your work, especially if you work with a specific brand name. Proud of some brand-new technology you mastered? Show it off! Install the most perfect rain shower? Show it off! Always be sure to get the homeowner’s permission, but you should be sharing examples of your great work.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Tag the brands you use in your posts with a hashtag (#) or with their handles (@). For example, if you just installed a Trane air conditioner or a Kohler rain shower, use #trane/@trane, or #kohler/@kohlerco in your caption.
Examples we love:
Take advantage of “Dream Homes”
No, we don’t mean go rob someone’s mansion. People use social media to share their home improvement and remodeling dreams. Marble soaking tubs, radiant heated floors, and even zoning are all part of those dreams. If you can catch people’s attention on Instagram by posting “Dream Home” photos, maybe you can influence them to choose you when it IS time for that installation.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Be a dreamer on your Instagram profile! Social media is bursting with “This is my dream bathroom!” or “I NEED THIS IN MY KITCHEN RIGHT NOW.” So, copy them! Post a photo of a majestic bathroom with perfect accents. Post a photo of the most technologically-advanced thermostat or furnace. Not only are you showing your human side, you’re sneakily planting ideas in the minds of people who view these posts.
Examples we love:
Show your human side
This one is extremely important. Social media is supposed to pull back the curtain on your company. Do you do charity work? Snap a photo and share it. Hosting an employee BBQ? Share it. See something that makes you laugh? Share it.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Be relatable. Engage with people who comment, and always take advantage of hashtags. If anything, make them laugh!
Examples we love:
Let your audience be part of your day
This one is great for Instagram Stories. Letting people see the day-to-day life of your techs gives them a better view of all you do for your customers and just might sway a new one to trust your techs over the other guy’s.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Use Instagram Stories.
If you have an Instagram account and have updated it recently, there should be a new little section at the top with some of the Instagram users you follow, shown as circles. These are Stories. The great thing about Instagram Stories is that as long as you have a story, your icon will be stuck to the top of a user’s feed. That means your logo will be front and center ALL THE TIME if you use it correctly. It’s similar to Snapchat in that you post a photo and it’s only visible for 24 hours. You can also add text to the photo and draw on it.
Examples we love:
Use Instagram as a how-to channel
Everyone loves to DIY nowadays. So give the people what they want! Take a short video of how to turn on a pilot light, or correctly plunge a toilet, or change an air filter. You’d be surprised how handy these videos can become for your followers, and it builds a feeling of trust because you’re not promoting anything or trying to sell your services. You’re just being the friendly, helpful company you are.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Solve common problems, but also show your techs solving complicated issues that can’t possibly be DIY’d. It pulls back the curtain on just how much expertise and precision is involved in these jobs and just might convince someone to call you first when they experience the same problem you showed how to fix.
Show before and after shots of your jobs
Everyone loves before and after photos on Instagram, and chances are, someone out there has the exact same “before” scene in their home. Showing before and after photos is a great way to show exactly how great the work is that you do because nobody can debate a drastic side-by-side comparison.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Pick a before and after shot that shows drastic improvement people can see. Nobody can debate that a new furnace or upgraded faucets will improve energy-efficiency and water consumption, but in order to get a “wow” reaction in Instagram, it needs to be something people can see.
Examples we love:
Show customers examples of damaged or old equipment, pipes, and wires
Show those disasters that make your techs laugh out loud. Show that boiler from 1965. Show that burnt wire or corroded pipe. It could be that someone has one of those disasters in their home and are completely unaware how awful it is.
How plumbers and HVAC companies can leverage it on Instagram:
Describe the problem, and why it’s a problem, completely. Show off your expertise and genuine concern for safety. If a person sees the same issue in their home, they may turn to someone they KNOW can fix it.
Examples we love:
Get Started On Instagram for HVAC and Plumbers
The first thing you need to do is make a profile. Then decide the “theme” of your social channel. If your company was a person, how would they sound? How would they act? What language would they use? The more personality you can give your company, the more relatable you’ll be. If you need any help with your social media, you can always call Blue Corona! We specialize in home services, and our social media team is standing by to help you dominate your online real estate. Contact us today for a free social media analysis!
Plumbing Company Marketing Services You Might Be Interested In
- Plumber Internet Marketing Services
- Plumber Website Design Services
- Plumber SEO Services
- Plumber PPC Marketing Services
- Plumber Email Marketing Services
HVAC Company Marketing Services You Might Be Interested In
About The Author: Blue Corona's Editorial Staff is determined to help you increase your leads and sales, optimize your marketing costs, and differentiate your brand by passing on our tribal knowledge. The team vigilantly stays on top of the latest in digital marketing, bringing you the top insights with expert commentary. Want to see something on our blog you haven't seen yet? Shoot us an email and our marketing team will get to work.
View more blogs by Blue Corona
The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It does not constitute professional advice. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact us for complete details.
Ready to increase your online presence today with digital marketing?