Cave Man - The Cutting Edge of Manufactured Home Marketing & Sales

Most of us are familiar with "man caves." You know, those rooms dominated by a flat screen TV where the guy hangs out to watch football, other sporting events or a movie while eating and drinking in the comfort of his home. But how many today think about the "Cave Man," in the context of communications, marketing and the related bottom line connection?

Before written or visual communications there was verbal communication. Those motivated enough could find the pictorial drawings on cave walls that were perhaps the earliest form of non-verbal communication. Where there some back then who thought that drawing or painting on cave walls would not catch on?

Fast forward from cave drawings through time to writing on parchments, carving or painting on wood, creating statues of stone, canvas painting, hand written books, stained glass used as religious or decorative communication, the printing press, mail, typewriters, radio, TV and the Internet. It seems clear we have – and still use – many forms of visual and audio communications.

So why do some today hesitate to embrace the latest forms of communications and marketing? Why do some go too far the other way, using only Facebook, tweets and texts as if all else was un-cool and thus not worthy of use?

What you need depends in good measure in where you are and how robust your business is. Is your business or organization missing something? If so, what are you doing about it? Who are you going to call to fix it, someone who doesn't know manufactured or factory built housing? Or someone that "gets it" our industry AND can help you get what you need and want online too?

I've met individuals who are – or once were – successes in retail, communities, installation or other aspects of the manufactured housing industry. Some of them resist embracing what is new. They might scoff at the cave man of thousands of years ago, but not realize that they have no reason to fear the modern forms of communication that could return their business or professional life to good financial health.

It is rare today to find a HUD Code or modular home retailer who doesn't use the Internet. But there are way too many who have a website that is 3-5 years old – or older! – and their website looks it. They may not stop and think that their website is the first – and perhaps only – impression they will make to a prospect who has good credit or could pay cash for a home. Retailers have to consider that such a good prospect may only briefly look once – statistically as brief as 5 seconds – at their website and then check that retailer on or off their list. All in those first few seconds; all because of the initial look and feel of their website.

Think about this fact. A good website may pay for itself in the very first sale. Doesn't that make having a good website a no-brainer??

It is sadly fairly common that manufactured home community owners have no web-presence of their own. They may be listed on someone else's website or online yellow pages. But they have no web presence that proclaims in a modern fashion why someone should call them vs. the other nearby community operator who has a great website. Then those souls with an older or no web presence wonder why they have vacancy issues…

If this is someone you know, take heart, take heed and do what others are doing!

When the parent body and management of the Louisville Show decided to have a website made, they turned to us to give them a modern look and a good presentation. Take a look at the link to the LouisvilleManufacturedHousingShow.com – then kindly return to finish this article.

Who you are in business is projected by your web presence; or lack thereof.

There is nothing wrong with having a man cave, but if you are not in step with the latest online marketing, then good business strongly tells us to step into the present!

Think about how hard it is to find that drawing made by a cave man, unless you find it online! If you do find that cave drawing, are you impressed enough to go see it in person?

Your web presence may be more important than your curb appeal. Some 94% of all home shoppers are online today hunting for their next home before they go and see an actual house, builder, retailer or neighborhood. 94%! Are you catching how important that could be for your business or that of a colleague of yours who may be struggling?

If you are fortunate and up to date online, but you have a friend or colleague in the business who needs help, please send them the link to this article.

If you have a great web presence but lack a social media campaign, that's important too! On any such marketing need, give us a call or send us a message. We know what that 'cousin of a friend' doesn't about both the Internet and the Industry.

Man caves can be cool. But don't be seen as a cave man by prospective customers who can afford to buy from you! ##

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L. A. "Tony" Kovach