Real Life Energy Blog: Shedding Light

by Matt Reber, Real Energy User 

As we approach the 236^th birthday of this great country, let us look at how far we have come and be thankful for the daily amenities that we may take for granted.  

In science class you learn about Benjamin Franklin and his crafty key and kite experiment.  Later, you learn about Thomas Edison and his immeasurable contribution to science when he invented the incandescent light bulb: forever making electricity and lighting affordable for all.   

Fast forward to the year 2012, we have constant electricity and we are developing innovative ways in which we can conserve this energy that we have had for so long that we have become spoiled.   

While this steady current is something we have come to expect, the people of Lilongwe, Malawi are not so fortunate.  I bring up this tiny inland country in southeast Africa because I recently went to go visit my girlfriend there (for those who are curious as to why she is there, she works for a non profit who specializes in aids education).  Almost daily, there would come a moment when I would need electricity for one activity or another and come up empty handed. The hardest adjustment came at night when cooking in the dark became its own art form.  

I don’t bring up this reality to generate pity for the people of Lilongwe who have to deal with these power outages on a daily basis but to shed light (pun intended) on the privileges we as Americans sometimes don’t take the time to appreciate.   With that being said, I ask that we try to do our part to conserve however much or little we can because like anything in our lives, if we don’t appreciate it we eventually take it for granted.  

Happy Birthday America.

Hispanic and Latino Communities & Energy Efficiency Education, Outreach and Programs

by Kelly Frankenfeld, President, and Cristina Fernandez, Latino and Hispanic Market Manager

Part 1 of 3: Just the Facts...

What do we know about effectively delivering energy efficiency programs and information to the Hispanic and Latino Communities?

In this 1st of a three part blog series about energy efficiency and Hispanic and Latino communities, let’s talk facts.  These facts are simply a sampling, highlighting the opportunity - the opportunity to reach these expanding, interested communities!

Our intent is to start a discussion about how to more effectively reach Hispanic and Latino communities with relevant and compelling energy efficiency programs, education, and outreach initiatives.

So let’s get started....

The Hispanic and Latino communities have strong, distinct voices that are expanding.   Utilities need to consider larger average households, family values that contribute to family learning and decision making, and a strong commitment to community as utilities develop outreach and marketing strategies.  The community influence is substantial.  Utilities need to connect with the Hispanic and Latino communities to connect with Hispanic and Latino families and businesses.

The Hispanic and Latino communities are interested in information that is relevant and consistent with cultural and community values.   Additionally, social media and Twitter are used more widely in the Hispanic and Latino communities to stay in touch and to share information with family and friends.  Combining these =  a powerful strategy for utilities to reach and build relationships with the Hispanic and Latino communities.

The Hispanic and Latino communities are keenly aware of the limited financial support; highlighted by the fact that only 1.4% of all grant and sponsorship funding goes to the Hispanic and Latino communities.  Utilities who step in to fill this void in a meaningful, relevant and compelling way, will establish a relationship that is mutually beneficial and foundational to the communities they serve.

The Hispanic and Latino communities are eager to learn more about energy efficiency and are motivated to make household decisions that are responsible and reflect family and community values.   For utilities, anticipate and encourage family participation at events or energy efficiency workshops.

So let’s get started... offering energy efficiency to the Hispanic and Latino communities through effective online, social, community, education, event marketing and outreach programs!

Learn more about Energy Resources and our Education & Outreach Solutions for Hispanic and Latino Communities 


Look for more Information in this Blog Series:
Part 2 of 3: Do's and Don'ts: Energy Efficiency: Hispanic and Latino Communities


Part 3 of 3: Energy Efficiency Opportunities: Hispanic and Latino Communities 


Primary Resources: 
- TranSpanish
- PEW Report 
- U.S. Census Data 

Community Outreach and Event Marketing: Establish Your Brand, Programs and Rebates

by Sam Zastrow, Low-Income Market and Online Marketing Manager

Are your Community Outreach and Event Marketing strategies motivating the communities you serve to participate in energy efficiency programs and rebates? According to the Shelton Group’s “Energy Pulse ’11”, probably not,

“Despite significant government and consumer funding, awareness of energy efficiency programs remains low, and rebate amounts have remained, at least in consumers’ eyes, too low to motivate them to act. The solution is never as simple as throwing more money at the problem-in this case, it’s also about understanding where consumers’ motivation is lagging and providing them offers they can’t refuse.”

Do the communities you serve know about the programs, rebates and incentives you are offering? We’ve found through our community and outreach work all too often people don’t even know who their utility provider is. Yes, they pay a utility bill every month, but off the top of their head many people can’t tell you who their energy provider is. Investor-owned, municipal and cooperative utilities must establish their brand, as well as their program and rebate offers in the minds of the customers.

Community Outreach and Event Marketing provide a clear, measurable return on investment for utilities, while establishing a personal connection with the communities you serve. Establish your place in the community with a Community Outreach and Event Marketing presence at local events, expos and fairs. Community Outreach and Event Marketing strategies allow you to define and work towards qualitative and quantitative goals to educate and engage your customers in the resources, programs and rebates you offer.

Are you building a personal connection with the communities you serve, while connecting your customers to the resources, programs and rebates you offer? Consider Community Outreach & Event Marketing to reach your qualitative and quantitative goals, with a clear return on investment.

Need help designing, implementing and managing a Community Outreach and Event Marketing Strategy? Energy Resources can help, we provide expertise, consulting, and cost-effective solutions to help you get out into the community and connect with the customers you serve. 

Energy Resources Infographic

by Sam Zastrow, Low-Income Market and Online Marketing Manager

Pledge Programs Support Energy Efficiency Education & Drive Behavior Change Results

by Sam Zastrow, Low-Income Market and Online Marketing Manager 

What is driving people to save 6,114,618,823 kilowatt-hours of electricity and eliminate 10,428,501,023 lbs. of greenhouse gases from the environment? The ENERGY STAR Pledge. By emphasizing the collective power of individual actions and providing educational resources to help people take action at home, at work and in their community the ENERGY STAR Pledge has united 2,870,785 individuals. Are you uniting the communities you serve through a pledge program? If not, here are a few reasons why pledge programs, like the ENERGY STAR Pledge, are beneficial for investor-owned, cooperative and municipal utilities.

Unite the Communities You Serve

Pledge programs work by emphasizing the collective power of individual actions. Sometimes saving the environment seems overwhelming, while making small behavior changes to reduce your environmental impact often feel insignificant. Pledge programs encourage individuals to make a small change within the context of a group or their community, making that small energy saving action more significant and meaningful in relation to the group.

Pledge programs drive participation and motivate behavior change by utilizing group dynamics. Individuals are influenced by the actions and behaviors of others. If you friends, neighbors, classmates or co-workers pledge to take energy efficiency action, then you are more likely to take the pledge and take action yourself.

Pledge programs provide investor-owned, cooperative and municipal utilities with data points that speak directly to the impact of their energy efficiency behavior change, program and education results. Beyond outreach and program results, pledge programs unite the energy efficiency actions of neighbors, businesses and organizations to community-wide environmental benefits. Unite the communities you serve through an energy efficiency pledge program!

Start The Energy Efficiency Conversation

Promoting pledge programs at community events, schools, libraries and community centers naturally starts the energy efficiency conversation. Utilize group dynamics to motivate people to learn more about the energy efficiency programs and educational resources available to them.

Starting the energy efficiency conversation with the individuals, households and communities you serve can be difficult. Pledge programs start the conversation, are easy to understand, give people a reason to take action and motivate people to look into energy efficiency programs and resources.

Educate and Motivate Households, Businesses and Organizations

People won’t take energy efficiency action on their own; you must educate and motivate them to take action. For most people there needs to be a benefit or incentive to adopt energy efficient behavior change, provide educational resources and energy efficient incentives with your pledge program.

Households are a unique energy education challenge, multiple people, varying ages and a variety of reasons to take energy efficiency action. Pledge programs allow every member of a household to join the effort by signing up to take energy efficiency action. In addition, pledge programs have the power to start the energy efficiency conversation amongst household members, motivating households to discuss their energy use and adopt energy efficient behaviors and changes relevant to their home.

Businesses can benefit from energy savings through pledge programs that promote company-wide energy efficient behavior change. Pledge programs encourage collaboration amongst co-workers to reduce energy use and environmental impact. Utilities have the opportunity to support local businesses through energy pledge programs, helping businesses of all sizes save energy and money, while reducing their environmental impact.

Support schools, libraries and community organizations by providing community outreach and energy efficiency education programs to the communities they serve. Promote friendly, community competition through pledge program competitions. Implement a competition between schools, libraries or community organizations to drive pledge participation, while motivating energy efficiency education and energy efficient behavior change.

You Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel, ENERGY STAR Resources for Pledge Drivers

Does the design, implementation and tracking of an energy efficiency pledge program seem overwhelming and time consuming? Don’t worry, you don’t need to start from scratch the ENERGY STAR Pledge program supports pledge drivers with informative resources, online tools, participation tracking and measurable results. In addition to supporting pledge drivers, the ENERGY STAR Pledge benefits from the brand recognition of the ENERGY STAR program, more than 80% of American households recognize the ENERGY STAR label.

Looking to implement a pledge or event marketing program? Energy Resources has implemented more than 250 events and workshops, with program sign-ups and pledge programs, for utility clients in the last three years. We design, implement and track event, outreach and education programs with a clear return on investment and measureable results for utilities of all sizes. Contact us at energy@energyresourcesmn.com to develop education and outreach programs that meet the requirements of regulatory agencies, while educating the communities you serve to promote behavior change and improve energy efficiency.

Learn more about Energy Resources and our Event & Outreach Marketing Services

What Are Your Plans for April 22nd?

by Sam Zastrow, Low Income and Online Marketing Manager

Are you ready for Earth Day? Each year Earth Day, April 22^nd, provides an opportunity to engage and motivate the communities you serve, your employees and your stakeholders in a robust dialogue about the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation.

Not sure where to start? Energy Resources has developed a checklist to serve as a staring point for Earth Day Community Outreach and Education Planning.

Know Your Audience: Plan displays, collateral and giveaways to address the education needs and program interests of your audience.

Know Your Goal: Define educational, participation or outreach goals to focus your Earth Day outreach messages, while determining criteria for outreach success.

Know Your Venue: Identify or create opportunities to deliver sustainability messages.

Plan Your Giveaways and Educational Materials: Support your energy efficiency messages and drive program participation with giveaways and educational materials that address common home energy inefficiencies.

Promote Your Plan: Announce your Earth Day events and programs early to encourage attendance and participation.

Track Your Results: Measure your energy education and program participation impact with selected event and outreach metrics to evaluate your behavior change success.  

Earth Day provides a natural opportunity to discuss energy use and environmental impact, while promoting the educational and energy saving programs you offer to the communities you serve!

Contact us to plan your Earth Day celebrations and outreach events! As a team, Energy Resources has designed and implemented over 250 events and workshops for our clients. We work with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipal utilities, corporations and professional associations to engage audiences in energy efficiency education and conservation outreach programs.

Learn more about Event & Outreach Marketing

Distribute giveaways that are relevant to your energy efficiency programs and customers. Learn more about our Display & Giveaway Solutions