How To Utilize Social Media for Your Business

Is your business on social media? What's stopping you from utilizing these free marketing tools? 

Create Your Profiles

The first step is to set up your profiles. Make sure you complete all the required information to create a comprehensive, professional profile. Having all your information also helps increase your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which helps potential customers find you on the Internet. 

Create Unique Content

Creating original content shows your knowledge and authority in the industry. Google does not like repeated content over various sites. Take the time to create and share your own thoughts and ideas to your audience.

Encourage Engagement

Create posts that encourage readers to engage in conversation. Utilize the interactive nature of social media to make connections with potential and current customers. Share industry related questions, ideas, opinions, etc. to create a place for conversations to happen.

What Social Media sites should I use? 

Facebook

Do you have a Facebook page for your company? It's super easy to set up and it establishes your company in the world of Facebook. And it's free. Who doesn't love free marketing?!

Is the world of Facebook a little foreign to you? Start simple and learn as you go.

• How often should you post?
• Ideally post 3-5 times a week -- this keeps you up-to-date and helps your page stay active. You might not have enough content to post that frequently so post when you can and as frequently as you can.
• What content should you post?
• Create posts that involve interaction -- questions or comments that encourage readers to share or like the post
• Keep posts industry relevant
• How much time does it take?
• The amount of time you dedicate to social media is up to you. You can schedule posts in advance -- Facebook gives you the option to schedule posts for future dates

Twitter

Twitter is a completely different world from Facebook. Hashtags, Retweets, and Mentions can be overwhelming and confusing. Again, start simple and go from there!

• How often should you tweet?
• Tweet up to 3 times a day to stay in followers' feeds
• What should you tweet?
• Twitter is a "Call-To-Action" platform--encourage people to contact your company, visit your website, or schedule a service with you
• What content should you include?
• Include pictures! 
• How much time does it take?
• Use tools like TweetDeck or Hoot Suite to schedule Tweets
• Who should you follow?
• Follow others in your industry and interact with them

YouTube

Did you know YouTube is the 2nd most popular search engine after Google? Make a free account to create your own channel and start uploading industry relevant videos.

• What kind of content should you post?
• "How-to" videos are the most commonly searched on YouTube
• How often should you upload a video?
• Upload a video a week

Blogs

Take the time to blog.

• Why should you blog?
• Blogs establish expertise and authority in the industry
• How do you get people to read your blog?
• Find grabber blog titles -- "5 Reasons to Schedule Your Tune-Up"
• How often should you blog?
• Once a week is recommended but you can post as often as you are able.

Instagram

Photos, photos, photos!

• How often should you post a photo?
• Post photos as often as once a day
• How do you find people to follow?
• Search hashtags
• How do people in the industry find you?
• Always add relevant hashtags to the comment of your photo

BONUS! Google+

If you have a Google account, Google+ is part of that! It's a platform that will help with your SEO. You can connect with industry groups and share your blogs and ideas. If you use Blogger (a Google based blogging site) it will automatically give you the option to share your post to your Google+ Profile. It's a simple way to have a presence on the Internet.

10 Tips To Keep Your A/C Running Smoothly This Summer

1. Keep your blinds/curtains closed to keep the sun's heat at a minimum
2. Change your air filter once a month to increase efficiency
3. Try to do chores like laundry and cooking when the outside temperature is at it's coolest-those appliances give off extra heat that can cause your A/C to work harder
4. Make sure your A/C is set to "auto" and not "fan" so it does not run continuously
5. Utilize your ceiling fans or tower fans to circulate the air
6. Get your house inspected for any air leaks
7. Keep all exterior doors and windows closed when the A/C is running
8. Set your thermostat to a higher temperature when you are not in the house
9. Keep your outdoor unit clean and clear of debris
10. Consider getting a programmable thermostat

And always remember to call your local technician for a tune-up!

10 Reasons to Offer Financing to Your Customers

Are you offering financing to your clients? If not, here are some reasons you should consider it:

1. Improve company cash flow
2. Increase customer loyalty
• Create a relationship with customers and create future sales opportunities
3. Increase deal size
• Research shows that when you offere financing, deals can be up to 34% larger (Yankee Group 2008)
4. Close more deals, faster
• Financing helps to make the deal easier
5. Your customers expect it!
• In a survery, 50% of customers said they expect financing options to be part of the proposal.
6. Close a more profitable deal for your business
7. Improve your personal sales performance
• Stand out in the industry! 
8. Overcome customer objections
• Help customers overcome budgetary restraints
9. Stay ahead of your competitors
10. Help your customers preserve cash and lower overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• By offering regular and predicable payments and spreading it out over time, you are helping your customers take control of their expenditures and budget.

          

5 Myths About HVAC

With so many opinions out there, how do you sort out the truth from the myths?Here are some common myths about your HVAC unit:

1. Your HVAC unit doesn't need to be checked unless there's a problem.

Scheduling regular HVAC maintenance can help you find the problem before it becomes a problem so you won't be stuck in the cold without heat or in the heat without A/C.

2. Closing off vents will save energy.

In reality, your system (if you have a modern HVAC unit) will balance the pressure load through other open vents and not reduce the amount of air pushed out. Blocking a vent could also throw your system out of balance and force your system to work harder.

3. A fan is like your A/C.

Fans are designed to circulate air in the room, not cool the room like A/C. A fan will blow cool air on you but it will not drop the temperature in a room if left on.

4. Having your A/C on for short periods of time will save energy.

Your unit uses the most energy in the first 3-5 minutes of starting up. Turning it on and off can actually increase the amount of energy used. Run it for 40-50 minutes for the best efficiency. 

5. Cranking the thermostat will cool/warm your home faster.

The temperature you set your thermostat to has no correlation to how fast your   unit will heat or cool your home. You unit will use the same power level no matter what temperature you have it set to.

My M&A Rewards

At M&A Supply Company, we are here to be your single source for success! With that being said, we want you to get the most out of choosing to work with us. We have officially launched our rewards program! It's easy to sign up and start earning points to turn into great rewards.

1. Fill out the online form at www.masupplycompany.com under the "My M&A Rewards" tab.

2. Purchase from M&A Supply Company -- every dollar you spend gets turned into points!

3. Redeem your points online at www.mandarewards.com -- rewards include sporting goods, trips, event tickets, electronics, and so much more! 

Learn more about our rewards program in the video below or visit a M&A branch near you!