When customers fall behind on payments, it puts your propane business in a tough spot. You want to keep serving your community and supporting loyal clients, but unpaid accounts can create real problems for your cash flow. Credit issues aren’t always caused by bad intentions; sometimes people go through hard times, and that’s when they… Continue reading Managing Credit the Smart Way
Many propane companies focus their time and energy on finding new customers. But often, the most significant growth opportunity is right before you – the customers you currently serve. These customers already know your brand, trust your team, and rely on your services. That puts you in a strong position to increase your revenue without… Continue reading When Growth Doesn’t Mean More Customers—Just Better Service
Keeping customers long-term is often more difficult than winning them in the first place. In the propane sector, customers want reliable service, fair prices, and a sense of trust with their provider. One smart way to build that trust and strengthen customer retention is through tank upgrades. While upgrades can create sales opportunities, their true… Continue reading Keep Clients Committed: The Role of Propane Tank Upgrades in Retention
When a customer meets your propane company for the first time, whether through a phone call, website, technician, or delivery driver, they decide, often without saying a word, if they’ll stay with you. That first impression sets the tone for everything that follows. And in this industry, where word of mouth referrals, trust, and reliability… Continue reading More Than Just a Delivery: What Customers Notice First
No propane company wants to pull a tank and lose a client, but sometimes, leaving equipment on an inactive property costs more than it’s worth. Tanks take up space, tie up capital, and can become a liability. Pulling a tank too soon – or doing it without care – can damage the client-company relationship and… Continue reading Innovative Ways to Free Up Tanks Without Losing Customers
Expanding your propane business often means finding new ways to serve customers and increase sales. One option that more companies are considering is offering financing for propane equipment. Providing financing allows customers to purchase tanks, heaters, and other propane-powered appliances without the burden of paying the full cost upfront. This can make your services more… Continue reading Making Equipment More Accessible with Smart Financing Options
As more large corporations enter the propane industry and small businesses are bought up or merged into national chains, many local propane providers find themselves asking the same question: “How can I compete?” The answer may not be in size or scale, but in something you’ve already built – your local relationships. In an industry… Continue reading Your Local Advantage Is Stronger Than You Think
When propane companies compete for customers, most of them focus on lowering prices or pitching better deals. But there’s another approach that often wins – offering better service. While the price may get immediate attention, good service builds long-term loyalty. If you’ve ever lost a customer to a competitor, they likely didn’t just offer a… Continue reading The Art of Outserving, Not Outselling, Your Competitor
Building customer loyalty starts from the very first day someone signs up for your propane service. While long-term customers often run on habit and well-established trust, first-year customers are still figuring out if they made the right decision by choosing your company. They are looking at everything you do, judging how you treat them, and… Continue reading The First Year Matters Most When Building Customer Loyalty
The energy industry is shifting. What once was a transaction-based service – deliver, bill, repeat – is being slowly replaced by something more familiar to modern consumers: subscriptions. Just as consumers now pay monthly for streaming services, software, and groceries, many are becoming more open to subscription-based energy models. For propane businesses, this change might… Continue reading Is Propane Ready for Subscription-Based Energy?
In the evolving landscape of the propane industry, private equity firms are increasingly seeking platform companies – businesses that serve as a foundation for growth through acquisitions. For propane business owners aiming to attract such investment, understanding what makes a company appealing to private equity is crucial. Key Attributes of an Attractive Platform Company Private… Continue reading Positioning Your Business for Private Equity Investment
The propane industry is more competitive than ever. Growing demand over the years has attracted more propane marketers, raising customer expectations beyond just receiving fuel. Today’s customers expect reliable service, seamless communication, accurate billing, and safe, on-time deliveries. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane consumption reached 1.48 million barrels per day… Continue reading Six Propane Sales Strategies You Can Implement Now for Long-Term Growth
When your propane business starts seeing a dip in commercial sales, the reaction can range from mild concern to full-on panic. But before you change pricing or chase new markets, it’s worth stepping back to ask one key question: Where exactly is the breakdown happening? Diagnosing a decline in commercial sales takes more than looking… Continue reading Losing Commercial Clients? Here’s What to Check First
Propane businesses operate in a market where price fluctuations create uncertainty for both companies and customers. Offering programs that lock in rates is one way to provide stability, but many retailers limit these options to a short seasonal period. Extending pricing stability throughout the year can offer significant benefits, helping businesses improve customer retention, manage… Continue reading Expanding Pricing Stability to Strengthen Your Business
When the busy season wraps up, and the winter rush slows down, your propane business might see a welcome boost in cash from those high-demand months. But that extra profit can slip away quickly if there’s no clear plan to put it to work. Reinvesting wisely during the off-season is one of the best ways… Continue reading Smart Ways to Put Off-Season Profits to Work
If you’ve been serving the same propane customers for years, chances are some of them are still using tanks that no longer match their needs. As usage patterns change – due to larger families, new appliances, or seasonal business spikes – it becomes important to evaluate whether their current tank size is still a good… Continue reading Bigger Tank, Smarter Move: When Upsizing Makes Sense for Your Customer
Even if your propane company prides itself on top-quality service and strong customer loyalty, that doesn’t mean you can ignore what other businesses are charging. Keeping an eye on competitor pricing isn’t just for companies trying to be the cheapest in town. In fact, watching price trends can help you protect your position, build smarter… Continue reading Staying Competitive Through Informed Pricing Decisions
Every propane company hears it—”No thanks, we’re good.” It’s part of the job. You reach out, offer your services, and the prospect turns you down. But just because someone says no the first time doesn’t mean the door is fully closed. In fact, many propane clients who said no at first often end up switching… Continue reading Second Chances Start with the Right Message
It can feel personal when a long-time propane customer suddenly starts shopping around. Maybe they’ve been loyal for years, always paid on time, and even referred others. But now they’re calling to ask about rates – or worse, they’ve already gotten quotes from other companies. It’s a situation no business owner enjoys, but it’s also… Continue reading The Subtle Signals Indicating Your Best Customers Might Leave
In propane operations, verbal agreements often happen during quick phone calls or on-site visits. Long-time clients may confirm delivery schedules, pricing, tank swaps, or service expectations in passing. While these relationships are based on trust, they also introduce risks when the terms aren’t properly documented. In a regulated industry where compliance, liability, and customer satisfaction… Continue reading Propane – From Words to Proof: Why Documentation Matters
Many businesses focus on delivery and equipment services, but one area that often goes unnoticed is the rental market for propane tanks. These containers are essential for end-users and offer a steady and long-term income stream for propane suppliers. Tapping into this rental market could be a smart next step if you want to grow… Continue reading The Hidden Revenue Stream Fueling Long-Term Growth
Building a loyal customer base is one of the most important aspects of running a propane business. While gaining new customers is always a goal, keeping existing ones is just as crucial. Many propane companies focus on service quality but overlook one key factor in retention – consistent follow-ups. Regular communication helps clients stay engaged,… Continue reading The Secret to Keeping Customers Coming Back Again and Again
The propane Business industry is changing as larger companies continue to acquire smaller businesses. Market consolidation, where a few big players control more of the market, is becoming more common in propane distribution. While some propane business owners see consolidation as a challenge, others view it as an opportunity. Understanding how market consolidation works and… Continue reading How Market Consolidation Affects Propane Business Owners
Running a propane business has many challenges, from managing operations and logistics to staying competitive in a changing market. As your company grows, decisions become more complex, and finding the best way forward isn’t always easy. This is where a business consultant can make a key difference. An experienced consultant brings outside expertise to help… Continue reading The Role of a Business Consultant in Driving Growth and Efficiency
With so much focus on digital marketing, many businesses overlook traditional advertising methods. However, direct mail remains one of the most effective ways to reach propane customers. Unlike emails or online ads that can be ignored, a physical piece of mail gets placed directly into a customer’s hands. Whether you’re trying to attract new customers,… Continue reading Reviving Traditional Marketing with Direct Mail Strategies
Many propane customers worry about rising fuel prices, especially during peak seasons. A propane pre-purchase plan can help them lock in rates, avoid sudden price spikes, and ensure they have enough fuel when needed. While these plans offer great benefits, some customers may not fully understand how they work or why they should sign up.… Continue reading Helping Customers Lock in Savings with Pre-Purchase Plans
Buying a home for the first time is an exciting but overwhelming experience. Many first-time home buyers are unfamiliar with propane services and may not know where to start when setting up their fuel supply. This presents a great opportunity for propane businesses to build relationships with new homeowners and establish long-term customers. By reaching… Continue reading Attracting First-Time Home Buyers to Your Propane Services
When a customer decides to switch to a competitor, it can be frustrating. However, you can often win them back by focusing on their needs, understanding what went wrong, and showing them how you have improved. This guide details some practical strategies for regaining those lost Customers and Strengthening your business. Find Out Why They… Continue reading Winning Back Customers and Strengthening Loyalty
Every service call in the propane industry provides an opportunity that involves more than just fixing a problem; it’s actually a great chance to increase your sales. Here, we present a guide detailing some key ways to make the most of these opportunities: Build Trust First Start with excellent customer service. When you fix issues… Continue reading Turning Propane Service Calls into Sales Opportunities
Small propane businesses often deal with many obstacles and challenges. One of the most common hurdles facing them is having to compete with larger companies on price. Here are some key strategies small businesses can implement in order to keep their prices competitive. Know Your Costs First, understand every single cost involved in running your… Continue reading How Small Businesses Can Compete and Win on Pricing
