Ripley PR

Are you prepared for the next chapter in construction?

The construction industry is experiencing somewhat of a forced evolution this year. While some states deemed construction essential and allowed jobsites to continue, others have paused many projects in efforts to help flatten the curve. Either way, companies in the industry must find a way forward. Like others around the country, your construction company should be focusing on implementing new technology and continuing to pursue top talent. Partnering with an agency well-versed in construction public relations now can help you maximize the action you take and earn recognition for your actions and efforts heading into the next chapter.

A June article in Construction Inquirer reported that the pandemic has encouraged rapid advancement in technology:

A survey of 250 construction managers by software specialist Procore Technologies revealed 66% of companies rolled out some sort of new technology during lockdown.

The vast majority – 94% – said they saw an improvement in the way their teams work as a result.

Implementing and employing new technologies that result in a better, more efficient environment for your team and better results for your customers is newsworthy and should be shared. The right agency can help announce your tech rollouts to your target audiences with expertly crafted press releases, securing stories and key placement that add credibility to your brand.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 on both the construction industry and schools, The Atlanta Journal Constitution shared that there is still ample opportunity for rising talent:

At the beginning of this school year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 311,000 vacancies in the construction industry and analysts predict those numbers will continue to increase with demand.

Recruiting is a critical part of your business, now perhaps more than ever, but a PR team that understands your workforce can help spread the word about the opportunities at your company through dynamic social media campaigns, targeted ads, trade media placement and more.

At Ripley PR, we understand the construction industry. From contractors to B2B tech vendors, we speak your language and know the expectations of your audience. Above all, we want to help.

To learn more about how we can help promote your brand as the construction space evolves and support your recruiting efforts, contact us at Ripley PR today by calling (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on August 7, 2020

B2B Public Relations Uses Social Media to Give Your Brand an Image Makeover

When clients consider your B2B brand, they are doing to do their homework. And, what other what they find out about your brand online is going to have a huge impact on whether they decide to do business with you or not.

Remember what they say about first impressions — there are no do-overs. If your brand has not looked at its own online reputation, it’s time start. If you don’t like what you see, or if you wish you could improve your online image, it might be time to hire Ripley PR, a B2B public relations specialist.

B2B PR Boosts Your Social Media Image

It’s important to have a good reputation online, but if your business doesn’t, it’s not easy to repair on your own. A reputable and experienced B2B PR agency has all the tools necessary to start turning around your bad social media image. It will take work, but the experts know to do it the right way.

PR can improve your social media footprint

Social media is for B2B firms. In today’s marketplace, your business simply must have social media accounts in order to compete with similar businesses. Your social media platforms need to highlight your achievements and products or services, but you have to make sure not to be too self-promotional or you’ll turn off potential customers. Ripley PR knows how to create social media posts to reflect your brand at its best.

Social Media Manners Matter

Social media can be a tricky medium for many B2B brands to navigate, especially when there are negative comments, reviews or images posted. Having a social media expert in online reputation monitoring and management can be critical to your business’ success. Even one bad comment or post can escalate into a frenzy, as we’ve recently seen on Instagram and Facebook. Don’t let social media be a stumbling block to increasing your B2B brand’s bottom line.

Ripley PR’s talented B2B social media team is ready to create a social media strategy to give your brand’s online image the energy it deserves. Check out Ripley PR online today or give us a call at 865-977-1973.

This post was written by Ripley PR on August 5, 2020

Automotive Trade Shows: 3 Things Your Brand Needs to Try

It’s true that many trade shows have been cancelled for 2020, but in place of in-person events, many show organizers are switching gears and embracing virtual trade shows. So, with that in mind, Ripley PR, an automotive public relations agency, is sharing tips for using virtual trade shows to boost your brand.

Create consistent marketing materials. Consistency across all channels will be essential to virtual trade show success. You won’t be there to explain anything in person, so make sure virtual flyers, banners, videos, and your website all have the same branding and message. Make sure your branding is vibrant and graphically appealing on computer screens and other types of screens.
Consider how you will collect and follow up on virtual leads. Getting and following up on leads is a prime reason to exhibit at an automotive trade show, and a virtual event can be a good way to get qualified leads. Many attendees at traditional trade shows aren’t seriously invested in doing business. However, those that sign up for a virtual trade show are more likely to be “hot” leads, so having a good online lead-collecting system will be key.
Use the show to introduce a new product or service. Automotive public relations experts like Ripley PR use this tactic as a sure-fire way to get immediate attention from show attendees and media. You can schedule a product or service launch event virtually once you know the show schedule. Plan it for a slow period where most of your invitees will be free to watch and participate.

It’s not always easy to shine at trade shows, virtual or in-person, but Ripley PR’s talented team of automotive public relations professionals is ready to create a custom PR strategy for your brand. Check out Ripley PR online today or give us a call at 865-977-1973.

This post was written by Ripley PR on August 3, 2020

Are you Using Case Studies to Leverage New Leads for your B2B Construction Tech Business?

Effective lead generation funnels for B2B construction tech businesses is critical to their success. Some businesses use one main way to acquire new customers while others have developed several lead generation strategies. Some of those include attending trade shows, buying digital ads and email marketing. But there is another way to attract new customers that many B2B construction firms don’t take advantage of: case studies.

Use case studies to highlight your best work

Sure, showing photos and videos of your construction tech work on social media is a popular way to promote your business. But does that really generate new customers? People like to research a business before making a purchase or a call, and by using your website, you can feature case studies on your home page with a link to generate interest. Write informative case studies about your best projects to show off the work your business can do. People see case studies as informational rather than as a sales pitch. And be sure to post links to your case studies on all your platforms.

Write case studies that entice further action

Case studies of your best projects can be used to pull new customers into your lead generation funnel by offering photos with captions, technical details and a description of how the project was a success. A case study often offers quotes or short interviews with the client, furthering its credibility.

Once a website user has landed on your case study page, you can provide a lead generation form with a call-to-action offer, like a PDF download. Make your CTA easy to complete and very prominent on the page. Lead generation forms should have minimal content and very few required fill-in sections. The easier and less-intrusive your lead generation form, the more likely it will filled out.

Case studies done well make very effective lead generation tools, and a B2B tech public relations firm like Ripley PR can create case studies that produce results. We have many years of experience working with B2B construction tech businesses, and have fine-tuned the most effective lead generation tactics. If you have questions, consider the public relations professionals at Ripley PR. Contact us online, or give us a call at (865) 977-1973 to learn more.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on July 29, 2020

Use Your Home Service Blogs to Boost SEO and Visibility

Every home service business wants their website and blog to appear at the top of a Google search. It’s true for any business, but for plumbing, heating, cooling, sewer or other home service businesses, your future depends upon it. Your competition is trying new ways to help their business appear first on Google search pages, so if you don’t take charge of your SEO, you could be losing business to the other guy.

Why should you care about SEO?

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a way webmasters and other professionals use to improve –or optimize- how a website appears on search engines. Basically, it’s how a search engine like Google sees your website in relation to other websites like yours. Each search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo) has a set of algorithms and SEO helps your website content, and your blogs, show up above other websites with similar keywords.

For the home services industry it’s incredibly important to have the edge on your competition. Getting your content to appear on the first page of a search by a potential customer is crucial to staying on top, and blogs are a great way to add new information to your website.

Why can blogs help with SEO?

Blogs are one of the best ways to improve your website’s SEO. A blog that is well-written, uses the right words, and gives website users helpful and new information will rank much higher than a blog that says the same thing as your website, or isn’t updated regularly. Blogs should be written by professional copywriters or blog writers. These experts know which words to use and where to place them in your blogs to make them SEO-friendly. Blogs that use effective SEO techniques can help your website rank higher and give your website a better chance of appearing on the first page of a Google search.

If you need a home service public relations team to create blogs that will increase your website’s visibility online, contact Ripley PR at 865.977.1973 or visit our website to learn more.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on July 23, 2020

How East Tennessee manufacturers can modernize their PR strategy

Manufacturing in 2020 barely resembles what it looked like in 1920. Today’s factory, with automation, smart technology, AI, innovative materials and advanced safety and sustainability efforts, would look like science-fiction to the industrialists of a century ago.

One area, however, might be familiar to time travelers from the past. Many manufacturers practice public relations with the same tools and according to the same principles that were effective in the early 20^th century. But successful modern media outreach depends on more than press releases and trade conventions.

Modern manufacturing PR

In order to recruit top talent, drive sales and revenue, build brand awareness and establish lasting, profitable partnerships with vendors and distributors, companies need to navigate a complex media landscape and reach multiple audiences with the right message at the right moment. That’s all a lot easier when you have expert strategy, focused branding and extensive industry experience. In short, you’re looking for a leading manufacturing public relations agency like Ripley PR.

Here at Ripley PR, we’re especially dedicated to helping our local manufacturing neighbors update and upgrade their PR for the Information Age. Knoxville and East Tennessee are home to hundreds of unsung manufacturers; they’re the backbone of the regional economy, and we all benefit from their success through employment opportunities, community investment and positive public image.

Local leadership

Based in Maryville, Tennessee, Ripley PR is uniquely positioned to help East Tennessee manufacturers maximize their local and national opportunities through thought leadership, media coverage and reputation and crisis management. By developing content and strategic social media engagement while leveraging our local media relationships, our efforts can help you build brand awareness, land the best talent, and connect with the community we share.

For more information about Ripley PR, contact us online or call (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Matthew Everett on July 15, 2020

It’s time to make the right connections, and that begins by partnering with the right public relations agency

A lot of folks keep referring to “the new normal,” and many of us are still trying to figure out what that means. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted industries across the globe, and businesses of every size have had to adapt their processes in order to keep their company running and their employees safe. The manufacturing industry is no different.

This isn’t the first time the sector has faced turbulence, with supply chain disruptions, tariff wars and more proving problematic. While the industry has demonstrated its resiliency, some speculate the adoption of more technology is vital if companies hope to survive. Forbes contributor Willem Sundblad urges companies to incorporate nimble manufacturing. He writes:

The manufacturing industry’s ingenuity and leadership will drive a restructuring and simplification of what is a complex supply chain, ensuring a bright future for the United States. And it is technology that will provide the tools necessary to create the agile best practices needed to thrive in the future economy.

Making connections

An experienced manufacturing public relations agency can help technology companies become a part of the conversation the industry is ready to have. At Ripley PR, we’re ready to put a spotlight on your technology and how you can help.

Our experienced team can help you create a strategy that will increase brand awareness and provide visibility to the work you’re doing. Whether it’s creative content or media outreach, we’ll help you create new connections, reach your target audience and grow your business.

The manufacturing industry is facing challenges and looking at new opportunities that will help them work more efficiently and quickly, with a focus on quality and cost effectiveness. Your company could be just the answer. Call us today at 865-977-1973 or contact us online, and let us help you get connected.

This post was written by Amanda Greever on July 13, 2020

Are You Promoting Your Sustainability Initiatives to Home Service Companies?

In today’s crowded marketplace, it can be difficult for the manufacturers serving home service contractors to ensure that their products stand out amongst all the competition.

Since a lot of home service businesses are looking for more sustainable solutions these days, promoting your home service B2B company’s own initiatives might be the key to driving more sales.

However, even the most experienced manufacturer might find themselves feeling a bit lost when they enter the world of promoting their sustainability initiatives. How do you spread that message in a way that’s effective without being overly boastful?

Home service B2B public relations can help. Here’s how:

Home service B2B PR will start with your brand identity

With consistent messaging and the proper channels, a specialized home service B2B PR agency can weave your sustainability efforts into the very fabrics of your brand identity.

Every media opportunity earned and every press release distributed is just another opportunity to position your company as an industry leader when it comes to green initiatives. In turn, clients who are looking for sustainable partners will automatically begin to think of you.

Home service B2B PR can help drive marketing efforts

Is your marketing team already developing strategies for effectively promoting your company’s sustainability efforts?

Having a specialized PR agency on your side will help support and drive the messages that your marketing team is already crafting. While marketing determines the messaging and positioning for your brand, PR will make sure that messaging is spread and that positioning occurs.

Home service B2B PR will help attract the right clients

You want to attract top clients. Every B2B businessperson knows that finding a specific target audience is where the most profit is.

And when it comes to an issue as nuanced as sustainability, a specialized home service B2B public relations agency will know all the right channels to use to get your message in front of the right targets.

At Ripley PR, home service B2B is our specialty – and sustainability is our passion. We’d love to help you out! Contact us at (865) 977-1973 to learn more.

This post was written by Joel Davis, Content Supervisor on July 9, 2020

Plan ahead for the next crisis with PR

Home service companies like yours will go down as heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Plumbers, electricians and HVAC specialists joined the ranks of first responders, law enforcement and foodservice employees, bravely working on the frontlines each day to maintain safety, comfort and some semblance of normalcy.

Often going well beyond the call of duty, residential contractors and their employees have been delivering essential supplies like toilet paper to homebound families, picking up and dropping off food, and even crafting and donating filter inserts for facemasks.

In the midst of all this good, there have been challenges as well. From technicians finding out they’re sick after going on service calls to angry ex-employees seeking viral vengeance on social media, the pandemic has brought its fair share of crises to well-meaning home service companies across the country.

If you experienced a scary moment for your brand during the pandemic, how did you respond? Did you have a partner that helped you through the situation?

As an agency that specializes in home service public relations, we understand not only the need to act quickly and effectively when crises happen but the value in having a trusted partner to help you plan for them when things are still good.

We believe that businesses shouldn’t think of a crisis in terms of “what if,” but rather “when.” And we believe you shouldn’t try to fight through them alone or with a faceless vendor.

If you choose to set up a retainer with a public relations agency, make sure to find one that understands the nuances of the residential plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical world. Aligning with a team that speaks your language and knows what you’re going through will ensure better messaging, and you’re more likely to end up with a true partner in building and protecting your brand for the years ahead.

At Ripley PR, we can

Help you invest in your brand image with positive PR and proactive media outreach
Develop crisis communications strategies and help you distribute company-wide media policies
Respond quickly and effectively to undesirable situations, coordinating controlled responses with the media
Ensure messaging that remains on-point with your brand values

To learn more about proactive crisis management and inquire about retainer options, contact us at Ripley PR today by calling (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on July 7, 2020