Case Study: Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing’s Explosive Growth with Billboard Advertising

August 14, 2024
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Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing, a Tulsa-based HVAC service company, has experienced tremendous growth since its inception.

At the helm of this success story is Justin Hendrick, whose strategic advertising decisions have played a critical role in the company’s rapid ascent. This case study explores how billboard advertising and a robust online presence have propelled Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing to new heights.

Justin Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing, shares his success story using billboard advertising to establish brand identity and generate leads.

Background

Justin Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing, launched his company with a clear vision. He understood the importance of establishing a strong brand presence while generating immediate business. With a strategic mix of online advertising and billboard campaigns through Whistler Billboards, Hendrick achieved remarkable results.

The Challenge

Starting a new business in a competitive market like HVAC services poses numerous challenges. Justin Hendrick knew that building a brand overnight was not feasible.

“I was familiar with Whistler. I had seen their billboards around town. I didn’t just start by using billboards with them but I knew when I was first starting out that there was not a chance in the world that I was going to build a brand overnight”

Justin Hendrick

The immediate need was to generate calls and secure business quickly while laying the groundwork for long-term brand recognition.

The Strategy

To address these dual objectives, Hendrick devised a comprehensive advertising strategy that combined heavy online advertising with strategic billboard placements.

Online Advertising

Understanding the urgency of generating leads, especially during peak seasons, Justin focused heavily on online advertising.

“We strategically created an advertising spend going heavy online, because in the heat and air industry, with it getting hot outside, we knew that we had to start generating calls immediately and by doing that we had to do it online”

justin Hendrick

This approach ensured potential customers searching for HVAC services could easily find Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing.

Billboard Advertising

While online ads addressed immediate needs, billboards were chosen to build brand recognition over time. Justin selected Whistler Billboards for their visibility and reputation in Tulsa.

“We also needed to build a brand over time and Whistler ended up being one of the smartest business decisions that I’d made in the twelve years I’ve been in the heating, air and plumbing business,” he states.”

justin hendrick

The billboards reinforced the brand’s presence in the community and complemented the online efforts by reaching a broader audience.

Execution

The execution of this strategy involved careful planning and coordination. The online campaigns were designed to be highly targeted, focusing on keywords and demographics likely to convert into immediate business. Simultaneously, the billboard placements were strategically chosen to maximize visibility and reinforce the brand message across Tulsa.

Billboard Design

The design of the billboards was crucial. They needed to be eye-catching, informative, and reflective of the brand’s values. Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing’s billboards featured bold visuals, a clear call to action, and the company’s contact information. The consistency in design across various locations helped in building brand recall.

Integrated Campaigns

Justin employed an integrated marketing approach to ensure cohesion between the online and offline efforts. The messaging in online ads was mirrored on billboards, creating a seamless experience for potential customers. This consistency helped reinforce the brand and make it more memorable.

Results

The results of this dual advertising strategy were nothing short of spectacular. Justin initially aimed to achieve $750,000 in sales in the first year. However, the combination of aggressive online advertising and strategic billboard placements led to an unexpected surge in business.

“In my first year of business I budgeted to do $750,000 in sales and my second month in business we did $700,000 the entire month. Now we’re just getting ready to finish up our entire first year and we’re going to be an $8 million dollar business.”

justin hendrick

This exponential growth underscores the effectiveness of the advertising strategy and the critical role billboards played in building the brand.

Analysis

The success of Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing’s advertising strategy can be attributed to several key factors:

  1. Targeted Online Advertising: The focus on generating immediate leads through targeted online ads ensured a steady stream of business from the outset. By understanding the peak times for HVAC services and capitalizing on them, Justin could quickly establish a foothold in the market.
  2. Strategic Billboard Placements: Billboards provided the long-term brand visibility necessary for sustained growth. The strategic placement of billboards in high-traffic areas helped reach a broader audience, including those who might not be actively searching for HVAC services but could recall the brand when the need arose.
  3. Integrated Marketing Approach: The consistency in messaging across online and offline platforms created a cohesive brand image. This integration made the brand more recognizable and trustworthy in the eyes of potential customers.
  4. Adaptability and Scalability: The strategy was adaptable, allowing for adjustments based on performance metrics. As the online campaigns generated more immediate business, the billboard strategy continued to build brand recognition, creating a solid foundation for future growth.

Lessons Learned

From this case study, several lessons can be drawn for other HVAC and service companies looking to leverage billboard advertising for growth:

  1. Diversified Advertising Spend: Balancing immediate needs with long-term goals through online and offline advertising can yield impressive results.
  2. Strategic Partnerships: Choosing the right advertising partners, like Whistler Billboards, can significantly impact the campaign’s success. Their expertise and market presence can enhance the effectiveness of your advertising efforts.
  3. Consistency is Key: Maintaining consistent messaging across all advertising channels reinforces brand recognition and trust.
  4. Measure and Adapt: Continuously measuring your campaigns’ performance and being willing to adapt can help optimize the strategy for better results.

Final Thoughts

The case of Hendrick Heat, Air, and Plumbing demonstrates the powerful impact that a well-executed billboard advertising strategy can have on a service business. By combining immediate lead generation through online ads with the long-term brand-building capabilities of billboards, Justin Hendrick achieved remarkable growth in a highly competitive market.

This success story inspires other HVAC and service companies, highlighting the importance of strategic advertising decisions and the potential for significant business growth through the right mix of marketing channels. With the right approach, billboards can be a game-changer in building a brand and driving business success.


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