Tag: Digital Marketing

2021’s Best Email Marketing Tips

August 31, 2021

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist The first email blast may have been sent in 1978, but it’s still as important as ever to your 2021 marketing plan. This still-groovy medium just keeps evolving! Here are the top four trends for email marketing in 2021 that will carry us well into 2022. 1. Know When to Make it PersonalFor years, statistics have proven that emails with personalized subject lines and greetings tend to perform well. In fact, they’re roughly 26 percent more likely to be opened than non-personalized emails. But this year, marketers are upping the ante—hyper-personalized emails are becoming the new norm. And the good news is that you may already be sending them! Hyper-personalization relies on list segmentation to create smaller groups of contacts that have certain specific criteria in common. This could be location, behavior (such as having opened another email), office name, or purchase history. When you hyper-personalize, you’re not just inserting their first name, you’re looking to fulfill a specific need with a message that speaks directly to their situation. 2. Text-Only Emails Are Having a MomentThis trend is surprising! Text-only emails that contain hardly any imagery at all are gaining traction recently.

How You Can Use Social Media to Teach and Interact with Clients

July 13, 2021

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant Being a small business owner allows you to interact more personally with your clients and build strong relationships with them. The integration of your social media accounts for your business means that you are able to reach out and build with even more customers on a daily basis. Using social media, plus in-person meetings to reach potential clients has been proven to help you grow your business faster. But it can be tricky to know the type of material that will resonate with people and inspire them to interact. One way you can get viewers interested is making educational content. What It Is Educational content might seem a little dull, but it can actually be very captivating to an audience. People like to see things that are unusual or unknown to them and learn more. This is especially true to homeownership. There are many different issues that can arise when owning a house, and the average owner may not know how to deal with them. They are always on the lookout for advice about how to best deal with these problems, and your social media pages can provide just that. Take Photos

The Benefits of Having a Site Blog

May 18, 2021

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant Nowadays, it seems every business, no matter its size, has some sort of blog. In fact, there are over 600 million active blogs across the world. These cover topics on everything from sports, to clothing, and lifestyle advice just to name a few. With as popular as blogging has become and will only continue to be, let’s take a look at the question, “What can blogs do for you?” Pump Up Your SEO Search Engine Optimization or “SEO” is a major part of your business marketing plan. You want to get the most out of your website to appear higher in the search results to get customer traffic to your page. A blog is one simple and effective way to help you inch closer to the top of the SEO summit. Search engines use fresh content to determine where to place a page in the results. Having a blog that’s updated on a consistent basis provides that fresh information to index you above your competition. Also, including keywords in your blogs will make them more relevant to customer’s searches. Incorporate it Into Social Media Keeping your social accounts up-to-date is just as

Cautionary Tales: Why Buyer’s Regret Skipping Their Home Inspection

April 6, 2021

Most everyone aims to save money where they can, but in some cases saving now will cost you later on. Homebuyers are starting to waive a home inspection in the hopes that they’ll save a few hundred dollars up front. This is a risky choice since you never fully know what you’re getting into. In fact, some folks that bought a home within the last year are realizing that their attempt at pinching pennies is coming back to haunt them. How can you save a homebuyer from potential disaster and keep your schedule filled with inspections? Read on for a few effective selling points! The Speed of Covid It comes as no surprise that COVID-19’s impact on the housing market continues nearly a year later. With so many people relocating for their jobs, some markets saw a high turnover rate with homes and exceedingly low inventory. To expedite the acquisition process, buyers either opted for a virtual meeting to go over an inspection report or skipped it altogether. Those who did forego an inspection are now faced with the possibility of learning the hard way why safety should always take precedence over speed. Not All It Seems Digital tours are

How to Interact with Clients Through Facebook Live

November 3, 2020

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Social media has people worldwide more connected than ever before, with Facebook leading the way. Nearly 3 billion people use the platform daily, with many spending hours at a time on it. Because of the widespread popularity of Facebook, businesses are always finding ways to leverage it and grow their customer base. Benefits of Facebook Live Facebook Live lets you broadcast from your feed with the simple tap of a button. The convenience and flexibility that live streaming offers allows you to add another piece to your marketing strategy. You don’t need a professional setup with lights and microphones, just a phone or laptop will work. Viewers can share your broadcast to their feed, and tag their friends and family to join in. The popularity and shareability of video makes Facebook Live an invaluable medium for broadening your audience reach. What to Do with Live There are a few different structures and styles you can experiment with for your live stream. The first option that you can go with is a Q&A or FAQ session to help potential clients get to know you better. Another approach that you can take is to

Benefits of a Google My Business Listing

August 6, 2020

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant Getting your name out to customers has never been easier than it is right now. Thanks to digital media, you can easily post content to reach potential clients. In addition to utilizing tools like social media, you can integrate a Google listing to further draw traffic to your business website. So what benefits does a Google My Business listing have to offer? Keep reading to learn more. What is Google My Business? Google My Business (or GMB) is a free service that helps business owners promote their services to local customers. Using GMB’s suite of tools and features, you can easily manage how you appeal to prospective clients. In a way, GMB is today’s version of the Yellow Pages, which means that if you have a listing, anyone with an internet connection can find you. Almost half of people who search for a business are trying to find goods and services in their immediate vicinity. Showing up near the top of Google My Business local listings goes a long way in putting you ahead of the competition. Customers Can See Your Location As mentioned above, a large portion of those searching for

How We at NPI Make Your Small Business Website Stand Out

April 19, 2019

By Stepha Vesper Having a polished website is one of the most important aspects of running your small business. At NPI, we’ve done all the research for you. Our marketing team knows what goes into a great business website and we’ve made it our priority to ensure our inspectors’ sites are sharp, easy to navigate and effective. Here are the top elements we keep in mind as we work to make our websites better and better: A Clear Call to ActionWhen a potential client lands on your website, what is it that you most want them to do? Whether it’s to call you to book an appointment, contact you for a quote or maybe a little bit of both, your website should make it crystal clear for visitors what steps they need to take next. Multiple Contact MethodsCustomers appreciate options when it comes to contacting you. Maybe email is most convenient for them or their turnaround time for purchasing a home is urgent, so clicking to call from their smartphone would be best. These contact methods are easy to locate on your homepage and designed to draw the eye—it ties right in with the clear call to action we were

The Pros and Cons of Paid Search

March 29, 2019

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s SEO and Marketing Specialist When it comes to digital advertising for your business, you’re not short on options. One choice many business owners overlook, for a number of reasons, is paid search. The major player in paid search is Google, and their Google Ads platform makes it easy to reach your ideal audience and increase your marketing ROI. We’ll break down the pros and cons of starting a campaign with Google Ads and help you decide if paid search is right for you. Pro: Paid Ads Can Extend Your ReachAbove all other digital marketing methods, Google Ads can help you achieve better market saturation, increase your brand recognition and put your business in front of your perfect customers. With a Google Ads campaign, you can choose exactly who sees your ads and when they see them, and you can even target your audience by geographic area to make sure you’re not showing ads in places that aren’t relevant for your business. Con: There are No GuaranteesLike any other aspect of digital marketing, your results with paid search will be based on how thoroughly you perform your initial keyword research and how often you experiment with

How to Make Time for Social Media

February 28, 2019

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist As a small business owner, you probably feel pretty rushed. You want to be sure that anything you do will be worth it in the long-run so your business can thrive. We can tell you with confidence that social media is definitely worth the manpower, but how can you allocate that priceless commodity, time? Here’s where to start. Take a look at your task list.If you’re trying to make time for anything, it only makes sense to take a look at what you’re actually doing over the course of your day. Now is a good time to create a list of tasks you already do, from the moment you wake up till the moment you quit work for the day. Be sure not to leave anything out! Now that you’ve made a list, take a close look at it. What items on your list absolutely have to be done every day? What items have flexibility? What items are you just not sure about in terms of long-term success? What items aren’t helping you reach your goals at all? Once you have a definitive list of must-do tasks, you have a great place

6 Ways to Get the Most Reach Out of Your Business Website

January 3, 2019

By Sydney Arp, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Specialist & Designer Your business website has the potential to be one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal—if you know how to use it. Here are six ways you can give your monthly website traffic a boost and start seeing those leads convert to sales. 1. Update all your profile to include your website link.Most networking sites, including the majority of social media platforms, feature an area for you to link your website. Be sure to add your website link to your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Google My Business, Yelp and YouTube pages. You should also include your website link in your email signature—an often forgotten, but crucial marketing move. 2. Use social media to link back to your website often.If you’re a regular Facebook poster (we highly recommend it!), you have ample opportunity to sneak a link to your website in a couple of posts a week. Just be sure that you’re not saying the same thing over and over again. You can link to different pages of your site to point out various features, articles or other information you want your potential clients to know about. In

Why Now Is A Great Time To Franchise With NPI

January 30, 2024

Opening up a small business requires boldness and a willingness to think big, but the most successful entrepreneurs tend to have their pulse on the current trends and projections of their selected industry. In an industry like residential and commercial property inspections, it makes sense to track the health and activity of the local real estate market before making major investments. While recent housing struggles might tempt some to delay franchising in property inspections, encouraging real estate projections and the challenges of solo operation paint a different picture. Here’s why now might be a strategic entry point: Housing Market Projections for 2024According to the most recent housing market projections from Forbes, 2024 projects a rebound from 2023’s real estate woes. Declining mortgage rates predict a much-needed rise in inventory. While improved affordability may arrive later in the year, these trends signal a recovering market. While healthy real estate markets benefit property inspections, solo businesses often follow a boom-bust cycle. They launch during hot markets and struggle when things cool. Conversely, inspectors who weather tough times gain valuable experience and client relationships. When the market rebounds, they are perfectly positioned to dominate. Considering this cyclical nature and the time required to

Marketing Insights: How to Use a Powerful Testimonial

January 23, 2024

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior SEO & Marketing Strategist Beyond developing a great product or service, the biggest challenge small businesses face is gaining their audience’s buy-in to their message. Eye-catching graphics and memorable slogans can help your business stand out to potential clients, but people are naturally skeptical. You claim your service is the perfect solution, but how can they be sure? They might wonder if you’re exaggerating or, as a business owner, simply trying to present yourself in the best light. The key to overcoming this hurdle is building trust. While there are various ways to achieve this, testimonials offer a powerful tool. However, not all testimonials are equally effective. By leveraging strong testimonials and applying the right strategies, business owners and marketers can effectively build that essential trust. What is a Testimonial?For those unfamiliar with the term, testimonials are statements about a person, business, product, or service made by someone independent of the subject. In the small business world, these are most easily recognized as reviews. Reviews are crucial for growing businesses, not only for their impact on SEO and online visibility, but also for their persuasive power. As mentioned earlier, any information your business marketing

Using Your Unique Background to Make Your Business Stand Out

January 16, 2024

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator Small business owners and entrepreneurs are trailblazers, carving their own unique paths in life with unexpected twists and turns. When marketing their small businesses, however, entrepreneurs often shy away from highlighting the more eccentric details of their backgrounds. This, however, could mean missing out on opportunities to make a splash in their market. Making yourself recognizable and memorable takes effort and planning, essential for any business owner seeking to make an impact. With this goal in mind, owners can actually leverage their unique backgrounds in their marketing to stand out from the crowd. If you’re considering this tactic, here are a few things to consider to strike the best balance: Some Backgrounds Are AssetsEntrepreneurs often transition into becoming business owners after careers in other fields. While utilizing these previous professions to stand out in a new industry can be beneficial, understand that a recognizable profession isn’t always well-liked. Each year, Gallup polls the US on their perception of the most honest and ethical professions, helping to create a picture of the careers with the best public image. According to Gallup, nurses, doctors, and high school teachers are some of the most well-regarded

How to Be More Productive

January 9, 2024

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator If you’re anything like me, at the beginning of every year you tend to make a lot of resolutions for the new year. Eat better, get more sleep, read more books, and hit the gym – the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year are usually pretty ambitious and widespread. Unfortunately, I have to admit that my track record of seeing those resolutions through to the end of the year tends to not be so great. Too often, other responsibilities pile up, new tasks or interests take priority, and I find myself feeling not all that productive around December 31st. In the workplace, most people would jump at the opportunity to accomplish a bit more each day, and depending on your industry, finding ways to push more projects across the finish line can be the key to taking your business to the next level. To discover some of the best strategies and tips to improve productivity this year, I decided to poll the NPI Corporate Office for their best advice! Make a List, and Check It TwiceRecommended by Celeste Black-Harr, Recruitment CoordinatorWhen speaking with Celeste, one of our

The Benefits of Going to the Annual InVision Conference

January 2, 2024

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist Every year, the National Property Inspections home office hosts its annual conference, inviting professional property inspectors from all across North America to gather in Omaha, Nebraska with the intent to network, learn about the latest happenings within the industry, and celebrate the past year’s achievements. While it’s a great time to reconnect and catch up with one another, the InVision Conference is also planned with adding direct value to your business in mind. If you haven’t been to the InVision Conference or if you’re interested in learning more about what to expect, here are a few takeaways you can look forward to! Discover Opportunities to Expand Your BusinessWhether you’re curious about adding a new service to your business or you’d like to partner with a nationally recognized vendor, the InVision Conference offers opportunities to meet with representatives about potential partnerships. In 2023, the InVision conference featured booths and speakers from Thumbtack, ISN (Inspection Support Network), Guardian, MFD Home Certifications, AirAdvice, Inspector Cameras, Fixle, Sporecyte, Scarpello Consulting, and Secure24. Our team does their best to provide a slate of high quality vendors like these every year at the annual conference. If you’re

Employee Milestones Worth Celebrating

December 26, 2023

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist As the year draws to a close, we naturally reflect on achievements, challenges, and triumphs. Recognizing personal and professional accomplishments is crucial for growth, and if goals weren’t met, the year’s end offers a prime opportunity for future planning. Business owners, responsible for managing and inspiring employees, should celebrate both company and individual milestones to foster a driven and collaborative work environment. While acknowledging accomplishments is vital for employee retention, creative ways to celebrate don’t always come easily. Here are some often-missed opportunities to show your team appreciation: Types of Milestones Worth CelebratingNot all milestones require earth-shattering career shifts. Several everyday moments offer managers a chance to recognize hard work, creativity, and innovation: Individual Milestones: Team-wide Milestones:Celebrate team-wide achievements to build morale and camaraderie. Depending on your industry and structure, individual roles might blur, but acknowledging shared wins is vital. Company Achievements:Don’t overlook celebrating company-wide milestones. Reaching significant business anniversaries, exceeding targets, developing new products/services, or receiving media recognition are all opportunities to showcase collective effort and its tangible impact. Celebrate reaching revenue goals, launching new offerings, or media features to further motivate and engage your team. Doing so reinforces that

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Chris Harr

December 19, 2023

In our Franchisee Spotlight series, we like to take some time to recognize the efforts of some of our most outstanding franchises. Every year, we partner with new inspectors and seasoned professionals seeking extra support to take their businesses to the next level. While our marketing, technical support, and national accounts all work together for ongoing assistance, we think that one of the most impactful resources our partners gain when joining the NPI family is access to some of the best business owners in the inspection industry. Today’s feature is Chris Harr and his team from NPI Columbus SE: our 2023 Franchise of the Year. Veterans of the industry, the Harr Team has served Central Ohio since 2002, and in that time, they have established themselves as consummate professionals. They are prime examples of NPI’s core values–Honesty, Integrity, and Professionalism. The Harrs are true mentors, and we’re always excited to see what new strategies their team discovers. With that said, let’s discuss who the Harrs are and what makes them stand out. Chris Harr pictured with his sons Jake and Will at the 2023 InVision Conference Awards. NPI Columbus SE & the Harr FamilyFounded in 2002, NPI Columbus SE has

How To Break Into A Male-Dominated Industry As A Female Entrepreneur

December 12, 2023

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator The glass ceiling is a concept that describes an invisible barrier that limits advancement in the workplace for certain groups. For women who look to find a foothold in male-dominated industries, working to overcome stereotypes can make glass ceilings feel very real. The great thing about the glass ceiling metaphor, though, is that glass begs to be shattered. Breaking into a male-dominated industry as a female entrepreneur can feel daunting, but underrepresented voices who build a platform in their industry have an opportunity. They will not only benefit those that follow in their footsteps, creating a more accessible pathway in the future, their unique background and perspectives will also benefit the entire industry. Of course, if finding success in a male-dominated industry was easy then everyone would do it. While every industry has their own unique quirks and obstacles, there are a few considerations that are particularly worth taking into account for female entrepreneurs getting ready to break through. Find A Functional Support SystemReliable contacts are important to establish for anyone entering into any industry, but identifying these people are even more important for women who are looking to establish themselves in a

What Is The Benefit Of The Name National Property Inspections?

December 5, 2023

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator When starting a new business, entrepreneurs work hard to create a clear plan for growth. While there are many exciting things that come with establishing a business’ processes, brand image, and marketing strategy, owners tend to spend a lot of their energy early on avoiding common pitfalls. One of the most important pitfalls to avoid, of course, is choosing the wrong business name. Names are hard, whether you’re naming a new business venture or your child. For many entrepreneurs, launching a new business is very similar to having a new baby, as they work through the trials and tribulations that come with learning to operate in a new industry. While a person’s opportunities may not be markedly different whether they were named John or Albus, a business name can mean the difference between success and failure. National Property Inspections is a tried and tested name in the property inspections industry, which means inspectors that partner with NPI can see benefits prior to performing even a single job. To get a better idea of why National Property Inspections works so well in its industry, let’s first review what is important when choosing a

Hold The Phone: How Do You Turn Price-Shoppers Into Paying Clients?

November 28, 2023

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing & Business Coach As a small business owner, getting your phone line to start ringing can sometimes be a difficult task, but once those prospective clients’ calls begin to roll in, that doesn’t always mean you’ll be booking inspections right and left. Often, a lack of conversions can be due to the fact that while some people might make an inquiry, many would-be clients are likely to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion on their search for the best price (or in other words, the lowest price). Marketing experts over at First Insight break it down by explaining that all businesses are battling the top two deciding factors for consumers: price and quality. The best business owners endeavor to offer a product that is uniquely valuable to their clients, something that goes above and beyond their competition, hoping to become the obvious preferred option. If an entrepreneur has confidence in their product but they aren’t closing the deal, then the problem lies in their ability to explain their product or service’s strengths, leaving potential clients to default to price as the deciding factor. This situation can be incredibly frustrating for owners who