It is more important than ever for your HVAC business to have a social media presence and keep it updated. Why? According to a recent HubSpot article, there is an ongoing shift in how people are searching online. Did you know that 15% of all consumers and nearly a third (29%) of Gen Z and Millennials prefer to search on social media over search engines? That means now is the time to create a social media plan for your HVAC business so you don’t start losing visibility. We know adding one more thing to your to-do list can feel overwhelming, so here are five steps to help you create a social media plan for your HVAC business in practically no time at all.
1. Choose your social media channels.
Choose the social media channels that you are most familiar with and that you think most of your customers spend time on. If you like shooting quick videos with your phone, whether you are on camera or not, then YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram could be a great fit for you. If you just want to post text, comments, and images, Facebook, LinkedIn, or X could be the platform for your business. Facebook and Instagram are linked, so when you post on Facebook, you can also choose to post an image to Instagram at the same time to double your efforts without lifting a finger! Once you choose a platform and create an account, be sure to fill out as much information on your business profile as you can.
2. Create engaging post content.
Setting up social channels for your HVAC business can feel like the easy part once you realize you have to post content consistently to keep your account active. Social media posts need to show your customers how your HVAC business can fulfill their needs and showcase the different service offerings you have. Some ideas of what to post include before and after project pictures, tips for maintaining HVAC or HVACR systems, and customer testimonials. Don’t forget to tell them how they can get in touch with your business!
Do you need some extra help coming up with post ideas or images? Check out these free resources:
- If you are struggling writing a social post, you could ask ChatGPT for some help.
- If you would like to create a specific image, there are a couple of free AI image generator tools you could use, Craiyon and Playground.
- If you would like a tool that not only helps you find the right image, but also allows you to post directly to your social media channels in the correct image size, then you’ll want to check out Canva or Desygner.
3. Schedule consistent posts.
Just like a website, when people search and find your HVAC business on social media, they expect to see recent posts. Consistent posts keep your business in the search rankings and show the potential client that your HVAC business is thriving. One post a week is enough to show your business is alive and ready to take on new clients. If it is easier for you, schedule a specific time during the week where you post to your social media channels.
4. Like and comment regularly.
Interaction is key to building your social media following for your HVAC business. If someone leaves a comment or review on your business page, don’t miss that opportunity to engage! You can respond to comments on your social media posts by liking or responding to them. You can also interact with posts from other social media pages for even more awareness. Either way, you are bringing extra awareness to your HVAC business. Just make sure that the posts you react to and how you comment cast your business in a positive light.
5. Get reviews on social media.
You might be asking, “How do I get business reviews on social media?” There are a few ways to get customer reviews for your HVAC business and the obvious one is to ask your customer during a routine conversation. You’ve probably tried this, but it’s not foolproof. After your conversation, that means your customer has to remember your request and find your social media page in order to leave the review. An even better way is to email them the link to your social media page(s) so that they can leave a review. With an HVAC invoicing software like Project 2 Payment, you can even automate this process by including a link to your online review page at the bottom of the receipt that a client receives via email when the project is paid and completed.
Just like with anything new, the hardest part is getting started and creating a habitual process. Once you have your social channels set up, your schedule in place, and you’ve been posting regularly for a couple of months, social media will be one of the simplest things to do. Managing your HVAC business’ social media channels will become as second nature to you as tuning a furnace.
