You’re looking for ways to increase revenue for your HVAC business, and texting is one more tool you can add to your arsenal. 70% of people report that texting is the fastest way to reach them, and 99% of texts are read within just a few minutes.
That kind of speed can help you secure more appointments, get paid faster, land more referrals, and boost sales in general.
Scheduling service appointments
So where do you begin? Below, we’ll show you five tactics your HVAC business can use to connect with more customers and boost sales.
1- Make it easy for customers to schedule and remember service appointments with text messaging. You want a higher volume of opportunities coming in and higher conversion rates on those opportunities. This is where scheduling services via text messaging comes into play.
Text reminders help reduce the number of missed appointments by 50%
Invite customers to schedule service appointments by text, or text them a link to let them choose the slot themselves. This is much faster than them filling out a form, or having to play phone tag to schedule a service. 88% of people want to receive appointment scheduling texts from businesses for this reason. The easier you make it for customers to schedule, the more likely they will be to choose you over a competitor, which contributes to your overall sales.
After a service appointment is set, you can send service reminders via SMS. Text reminders help reduce the number of missed appointments by 50%, ensuring that your HVAC technicians aren’t no-showed by customers, and instead keeps revenue flowing into your business.
Consistent revenue flow
2- Send out SMS promotions when you need a quick revenue boost.
Customer retention is key for consistent revenue flow, but you have to give your customers a reason to continue spending money with you. Promoting special offers and discounts in between their quarterly or semi-annual check-ups via SMS is a great way to keep revenue flowing.
Text them things like:
- When to schedule their air filter change
- Checking coolant levels
- Off-season specials
- Promotions on renewing a contract
- Financing promotions
SMS marketing offers an instantaneous way for your business to get the word out about ongoing offers
SMS promotions help your HVAC business stand out from the competition, and 52% of people want to receive texts from businesses about promotions and discounts. While traditional marketing methods such as email, social media, and in-store promotions are also effective, SMS marketing offers an instantaneous way for your business to get the word out about ongoing offers. Texting will build on your existing marketing efforts, and help drive more revenue to your HVAC business.
Personalizing sales approach
3 - Increase customer spending with personalized SMS upsells.
Encourage customers to spend more money with you by personalizing your sales approach. Text customers about specific items you think would improve the air quality in their individual households or businesses.
This could include:
- Programmable smart thermostats, if you know they take trips often.
- Air sanitization technology, if your customer runs a business.
- A fan motor upgrade to reduce electricity consumption, if you know that’s a pain point for them.
You’ll need a way to segment contacts, so start by creating contact lists based on what products customers order or have installed. You’ll build this list as you go, and be able to use it continuously. A direct message from your HVAC reps will always feel much more personal than an email marketing campaign, plus you know the customer will see your text offer. For these reasons, personalized SMS upsells can increase the amount of money existing customers spend with your HVAC business.
Email marketing campaign
4 - Speed up cash flow with text payments.
Reduce overhead costs, skip paper invoicing, and get paid on time with text payment requests
Reduce overhead costs, skip paper invoicing, and get paid on time with text payment requests. Texting for payments works especially well within the HVAC industry. Since your techs are usually out on location, it gives customers a way to pay on the spot.
All you’ll need to do is text customers a payment request and a secure link that they can follow to pay. And if they forget to send you a payment, just send text reminders to gently nudge them of an outstanding balance. If you have people’s credit cards on file and they’re about to expire, you can follow up to get new payment information as well. 69% of customers want to receive texts related to making payments. You’ll speed up your cash flow, and earn more money in the long run by providing this quick, convenient way to settle bills.
SMS marketing promotions
5 - Expand your reach and build trust with SMS referrals.
SMS referral programs are a powerful tool to increase new business. Enable satisfied customers to bring new prospects to you via text message. Potential customers can text to let you know who referred them, then schedule a service from there. It’s as simple as that.
Once customers know about your referral program, they’ll be inclined to text referrals your way
All you’ll need to do is send a text to previous customers with a code or a note they can forward to a friend, and from there, they can show you to avail of the referral. Advertise your SMS referral program on your company’s website, newsletter, social media, and SMS marketing promotions. Once customers know about your referral program, they’ll be inclined to text referrals your way.
Offer incentives to customers who refer their friends and family, such as:
- Discounts on new contracts
- Discounts on new appliances
- Free services
- Free swag
Business texting software
A good option is to reward both the referrer and the referee. For example, a customer refers another one to you, so you text them both a $50 gift card, or whatever works within your margins. You’ll gain loyalty and repeat business from existing customers, as you draw in new ones with SMS referrals.
Use these five texting tactics to increase sales and speed up cash flow for your HVAC business. You can opt to pick one use case to start with and integrate more down the line, but it’s important to start now. Ready to implement texting into your business communications? Find a business texting software that suits you.
