Being top of mind in the energy sector takes time and effort, but it’s eminently doable, even for firms with a limited marketing budget.  We all know the basics, like branding and advertising, or tactical events such as trade shows, so let’s talk about a few of the lesser known ways to market.

First off, how about networking?  Most people view this as an individual career move but in fact, it’s fantastic marketing for your business.  Get creative about ways to network.  Volunteer at events with industry participation such as the Calgary Corporate Challenge or even sponsor/start one.  Networking at business and industry events is a guaranteed way to get recognition.  If you aggressively network, people will see your company’s name over and over again and it will instantly come to mind when looking to buy into your sector or when recommending a service/product to a colleague.

Secondly, industry-sponsored speaking engagements for yourself or a thought leader on your team can generate excellent exposure with many side benefits.  Usually, such presentations are not about being an infomercial for your business, but about educating the audience about a specific aspect of your business.  Presentations, such as ones hosted by APEGGA, are the perfect opportunity to generate great brand awareness by sharing knowledge in your company’s field of expertise.

Demonstrating the passion for your business and what you do creates foundations for future business relationships.  Make sure you are able to stay around and network afterward so that you build on your new found credibility.  You’ll also find future network events that much easier as you will have gained substantial experience and confidence by getting up in front of an audience.

Bottom line, there are many ways to market, and these are a few more tools in your toolkit. Get out there and don’t be afraid to fail! Aim to be that company that everyone has heard of!