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August 11, 2023 | Vol. 6 Issue 11
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On August 9, 2023, The Georgia Chamber held its annual Congressional Luncheon bringing together over 1,000 business leaders, state and federal elected officials, and community champions. This year attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from members of Georgia's congressional delegation on policy and legislation that directly impacts Georgia’s business climate. GPCA had several of its leaders in attendance including Ashley Marratt, Greg Holley, Rick Bell, and Bonnie Rabe. They are seen in this picture with The Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
Need to find a new employee, GPCA has a deal for you. We will post your job on our JOBS Board for thirty days for FREE if you are a GPCA Member! What are you waiting for? Go find that new technician today!
READ MORE ABOUT IT
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Registration Open!!
You are now able to register for the North Georgia Conference in Dalton, GA from 9/13/2023 to 9/14/2023 in Macon Georgia. Located at the Dalton Convention Center; 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway; Dalton, GA 30720-3809.
 Call 706-217-6200 for GA Pest Control 
Registration Open!!
You can also register for the South Georgia Conference in Macon, GA October 25 & 26, 2023 at the Anderson Conference Center; 5171 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, GA 31206.
Comfort Suites
120 Plantation Inn Drive
Macon, GA 31210
To make reservations call:
478-314-5130
Give them Group Number: QP15B2
Rooms available between October 25-October 28
Reservations number be made by October 25 to get the rate.
The rate is $109 per night.
Book Your Room Here
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Seth Garber
Effective Marketing Strategies
For Georgia Pest & Wildlife
by Amanda Fink
When you own a pest or wildlife control company, connecting with prospective customers is key to your long-term success. In other words, you could be the greatest service provider in Georgia but if no one knows who you are, it’s going to be pretty difficult to survive.
That’s where marketing comes in, and although it can seem confusing, stressful, and expensive at first, your efforts can really pay off in the long run. Plus, once you start hitting your stride, it can actually be - dare we say it? - kind of fun.
“Marketing gives you the opportunity to tell your customers who you are and what you stand for,” said Seth Garber, the founder and CEO of Pest Daily and a leading industry consultant.
“Then, once you’re meeting with them face to face, you can back up your words with actions and really show them why they should choose to work with you.”
One of the main reasons that marketing feels a bit overwhelming is that it’s not always easy to know where to start. Should you put up a billboard? Blanket local subdivisions with door hangers? Build a state-of-the-art website? Start your own podcast? Well, the good news about marketing - especially these days - is that there are plenty of ways to do it and many of them don’t cost a dime. The key, Garber said, is to be authentic.
“People can tell when you’re just trying to sell them something and that’s a huge turn off,” he said. “When you’re thinking about how you want to market your company, always remember to be real. That’s what’s going to attract customers, and it’s what’s going to keep them with you for years to come.”
In this article, we’ll explore some effective marketing strategies to help you connect with your target audience, create a strong presence in your local market through authenticity and ultimately drive meaningful results for your company.
- Define your target audience: It can be tempting to want to service every household in our city, but that’s not a sustainable plan and by spreading yourself too thin, you’re setting yourself up for trouble down the road. Instead, start by doing some market research and identifying your ideal customers based on demographics, location and specific pest control needs. From there, you can develop detailed customer personas and craft your messaging to speak directly to them. For example, if you decide you want to connect with stay-at-home moms, you might want to focus your messaging around the importance of having a pest-free home when you have children living under your roof. If you can show people that you understand what’s important to them and explain how your company can help meet their needs, you’re probably going to have a customer for life, Garber said.
- Build a great website: Think of the last service provider you hired. How did you find them? If a friend or family member didn’t refer you, you probably went straight to Google. That’s why your website has to be just about as close to perfect as you can get it. Make sure that it’s easy to navigate on both computers and cell phones and that the information you present is accurate and error free. Explain your services clearly, throw in some customer testimonials and five-star reviews to build credibility and include your contact information so it’s easy for customers to reach out to request more information - or better yet, schedule an appointment.
- Harness the power of social media: Social media is great for a few reasons. First, it’s free. Second, when used correctly, it can really help you connect with potential customers. “Your goal should be to humanize your company and help people understand what you’re all about,” Garber said. “There’s no better way to do that than through social media.” Create fun and friendly videos of you and your technicians out on jobs. Share informative content about current pest issues you’re seeing in your area. Feature your customers singing your praises about a job well done. And when people respond to you in the comments, be sure to reply - it’s a great way to build rapport.
- Don’t sleep on email: Contrary to what you might think, email marketing is still a highly effective way to generate more business for your pest or wildlife control company. Use your CRM to build a list of current customers and interested prospects and start reaching out to them on a regular basis. Your messages can include seasonal tips for pest-proofing a home, information on new services you’re offering, current promotions, and even holiday greetings. Be consistent and end each email with a call to action that includes your contact information so customers know that they can reach out to you if they need help.
- Think outside the box: Marketing doesn’t have to be done through traditional channels. Consider sponsoring a little league team or a local event to get your name out there. Encourage your customers to do your marketing for you by writing an online review and offering them a reward if they refer a new account your way. Order pens with your company logo and contact information and leave them at local businesses. “The more name recognition you can build, the better,” Garber said. “You never know when it will pay off.”
- Monitor and measure your results: You can spend hours creating funny TikTok videos and Instagram memes but if no one is engaging with your content, it’s probably not worth your time. By using tools like Google Analytics and social media insights, you’ll quickly be able to tell if your marketing content is moving the needle for your company. If it’s not, consider making some adjustments to optimize your marketing ROI and your time. “It’s OK to change things up,” Garber said. “Just keep trying and being consistent and eventually you’ll find your niche.”
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