How to Make Sustainable Living an Everyday Practice
Climate change has been in the limelight recently, with leading climate scientists appealing that we have 12 years to limit our carbon footprint before any damage we have caused is irreversible. This ultimatum caused quite a stir – and rightly so. But it’s not as simple as saying we need to recycle more, unplug our electronics, or swap to electric cars.
100 companies are to blame for about 71% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the role certain companies play in climate change. It is, therefore, drastically important for more green businesses to appear – or have pre-existing businesses reduce their carbon emissions through greener business plans.
As the climate stands, there is plenty of room for sustainable businesses to make their mark on the world, and because of this demand, many business owners may believe that having “eco-friendly” written across their brand name is enough of a selling point. This is not the case.
Owners instead need to actively promote their green businesses so that the target audience knows that you exist and, most importantly, your business can make a difference in the world.
Here’s a guide to help all environmentally-friendly businesses and organizations promote themselves.
Know Your Target Market
While you may want to convert people to a greener way of living, it makes better business sense to target those who are already conscious of the environment. Once you have established an area in the market and are generating a profitable income, you can then think about expanding your reach to an audience that may need more persuasion.
There are two areas you’ll need to reach when promoting your green business:
- People who are interested in what your business sells
- People who live an eco-friendly lifestyle
By combining the two, you will be able to create relevant and effective buyer personas of your ideal customers. A buyer persona can also benefit other sectors of your business, from finance to marketing to sales.
If you are unsure of how to home in on your target market and need help forming connections, digitalmarkgroup.com can help you establish such relations.
Include Green Logos or Insignias
Branding is incredibly influential; it can make your business recognizable, but it can also vocalize a business’ company culture and ethics. Usually, sustainable businesses will feature a green logo along with an insignia of a tree or the earth. Businesses can create their logo with a free logo maker, but to ensure a business’ logo is on point and does not have to be re-done (a re-brand can add confusion), it is wise to invest in a graphic designer.
Invest in Online Marketing
Traditional marketing strategies, such as flyers and direct mail, can have a devastating effect on the environment. Of course, businesses can use recycled paper and ask for their flyers to be recycled, but not all recipients are going to go the extra mile in recycling their materials. It is, therefore, best for businesses to invest in online marketing. What’s more, digital marketing is a successful and popular means of promoting businesses worldwide.
Social media marketing, content marketing, SEO, and SEM can all help to skyrocket your online visibility, plus you can use online marketing methods for local or global recognition. You can also counter-balance your online marketing carbon footprint by powering offices through sustainable methods (solar, wind) and green hosting.
Use Green Hosting
While the internet is not a physical entity like a car, the annual amount of carbon produced by the internet is equal to 31 million cars in the UK taking a road trip around the world. Servers not only run off electricity, but they also heat the rooms and buildings they are in. They must be cooled to prevent overheating, which takes a lot of power to regulate temperature, which is typically powered by fossil fuels.
Green hosting is the act of servers being powered and cooled by energy sourced from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, and water. Using green hosting can be a huge selling point for people and a great promotional tool for business.
P.S: We’d love to hear from you, so please add your comment in the comment box below. To learn more about sustainable options for your business, join our live webinar sessions at EAT Community where you can make a little money making the planet better.
Related Articles and Resources:
- Effects of Climate change on our Health and Wellbeing
- Turn Your Passion into a Green Business
- Simple Social Media Marketing Tips That You Should Consider
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