Submitting Projects to Manufacturers for Extra Promotion
Overview
As a deck builder, you have the opportunity to tap into the national authority of the manufacturers whose products you use. By submitting your completed projects to manufacturers for promotion on their websites or marketing channels, you can get additional exposure and increase your website’s domain authority. This is a win-win: the manufacturer gets to showcase their products in action, and you get the benefit of referrals, backlinks, and brand exposure to a wider audience.
Building strong relationships with manufacturers and their reps is a powerful tool, and when you use their platforms to showcase your projects, you're not just getting recognition—you're boosting your online presence.
Why Submit Projects to Manufacturers?
- Boost Your Online Visibility: Manufacturers often have stronger domain authority and greater visibility than small businesses. When they link back to your website, it improves your SEO rankings and helps drive traffic to your site.
- Strengthen Your Relationship with Manufacturers: Manufacturers love showcasing their products in real-world applications. By submitting your projects, you strengthen your relationship with manufacturers, which could lead to more opportunities like:
- Access to exclusive product updates or discounts
- Increased support from sales reps
- Future collaborations or sponsorships
- Leverage Manufacturer Audiences: Many manufacturers have a dedicated following of homeowners, contractors, and industry professionals who visit their website for inspiration, reviews, and resources. By showcasing your work on their platform, you gain exposure to a highly relevant audience that’s already interested in deck-building.
- Build Your Portfolio and Credibility: Being featured on a manufacturer’s website or marketing materials adds credibility to your business. It shows that you’re trusted by well-known brands and capable of using their high-quality materials in your projects.
How to Submit Projects to Manufacturers
The process for submitting your projects to manufacturers is fairly straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Identify the Right Manufacturer
- Use Manufacturer Materials: Make sure the project you’re submitting uses materials from manufacturers with which you have a strong relationship.
- Look for Manufacturers Who Promote Projects: Some manufacturers actively seek out projects to feature, while others may require you to submit a request or provide specific information.
- Check Their Website for Submission Guidelines: Many manufacturers have specific guidelines for submitting projects. Check their websites or contact their reps to understand the process and requirements.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Information
When submitting your project, make sure you have the following details ready:
- Project Description: Briefly describe the project, including key features and materials used (e.g., “Custom deck with Trex decking, railing, and lighting”).
- High-Quality Photos: Include several high-resolution, horizontal photos of the completed project. Showcase different angles, close-ups, and unique features.
- Product Details: Mention the specific products you used from the manufacturer (e.g., Trex Transcend decking, Deckorators railings).
- Client Testimonial: If possible, provide a quote or testimonial from the client, highlighting their satisfaction with the project and the materials used.
- Location: Include the city or region where the project was completed (some manufacturers may prefer local or regional projects).
- Your Website and Contact Information: Include your website URL, phone number, and email so they can link back to your site.
Step 3: Craft a Submission Email or Form
Reach out to the manufacturer or their representative using an email template or form. Below is a sample script you can use when submitting your project for promotion.
Sample Script for Submitting a Project to Manufacturers
Subject: Submission for Project Feature – [Project Name/Location]
Hi [Manufacturer’s Rep Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to share a recent project we completed using [Manufacturer's Name] products that we think would be a great fit for your website/marketing materials. We used [specific product name] for the deck surface and [other materials used], and the project turned out beautifully.
Here are the details of the project:
- Project Name/Location: [Project Name or City, State]
- Materials Used: [Specific Products Used]
- Description: [Brief project description, highlighting key features of the deck and any unique aspects]
- Client Testimonial: [Include a short quote from the client if available]
- Photos: [Attach high-resolution photos or provide a link to a shared folder]
- Website & Contact: [Your website URL]
- Phone/Email: [Your contact details]
We would be thrilled to see this project featured on your website or social media, and we believe it would be a great example of how your materials can bring a homeowner’s vision to life.
Please let us know if there are any further details or adjustments we need to make for submission.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Build Relationships: Maintain regular communication with your manufacturers’ reps. The more they know you and your work, the more likely they are to feature your projects.
- Leverage Multiple Manufacturers: Don’t just focus on one manufacturer. If you use materials from multiple manufacturers, reach out to all of them for possible project features.
- Be Strategic: Only submit high-quality, impressive projects that truly showcase your craftsmanship. Manufacturers want to highlight projects that make their products shine.
Conclusion
Submitting your completed deck projects to manufacturers for extra promotion is an excellent way to boost your SEO, increase exposure, and grow your reputation. By leveraging the domain authority of well-established manufacturers and their marketing platforms, you can enhance your online presence and gain credibility as a trusted professional in the deck-building industry.
Utilizing these relationships and creating a simple, repeatable process for submitting projects will create long-term benefits for your business, including more leads, better visibility, and stronger brand recognition.