Transparency, Outreach Highlight Successful Marketing Activities

(August 17, 2018) — One marketing theme that has proven successful for propane marketers is transparency, especially when it comes to price and service, says Ryan Scaife of Senergy Marketing Group.

“The more transparent a propane company is, the better it will do,” Scaife says. “How straightforward is your pricing structure? How accessible are you on social media? How do you communicate to customers?”

“Smith Propane and Oil does an exceptional job at communicating with its customers,” he added. “We manage their Facebook and website, but Zac Cromie (propane manager) doesn’t view it as a set-it-and-forget-it type of relationship. We handle the posting, but Zac is directly connected to the Facebook page with us, so when customers have questions, Zac is right on it with the company’s response. Zac is very honest with his customers. This makes the social interaction very authentic, and transparent with the customers.”

Other recent marketing activities organized by Paraco Gas Corp. promote safety, career advancement, and community outreach.

“Paraco is deeply committed to safety and as such maintains safety initiatives that include safety training for employees and customers alike,” says Desirae Haluk of Paraco. “Our safety department also trains emergency first responders, spending dedicated time with fire and police departments promoting propane safety and emergency response tactics using real-life case studies and realistic, hands-on training scenarios.”

Paraco also supports and believes in career advancement, offering employee mentorship and apprenticeship programs. Maintaining a deep commitment to its communities, Paraco is also involved in a plethora of community outreach programs and sponsorships.

Emily Willis of Blossman Gas and Alliance AutoGas says, “Email newsletters have become an increasingly effective marketing tool.”

Blossman Gas has been producing more of these, while also continuing to use other methods like passing out flyers; sponsoring little league baseball; handing out T-shirts; and marketing via word of mouth, radio stations, event boards, social media, and online ads.

“The variety of platforms available is the biggest change I’ve seen in the six-plus years I’ve been with Blossman Gas,” she says. “We use emails not only to promote products, but also to invite people to events and to share recipes. We find that builds goodwill, and when customers have a question, they feel comfortable asking us how we can help.”

(SOURCE: Butane Propane News (BPN) August 2018)