Partner Incentives

When developing your communications plan and materials, you should always keep your target audience in mind. Think about how to appeal to your target audience - your future partners. Consider what needs and desires motivate your target audience. What are the audience's top priorities? Think from the audience's point of view, not your own.

• Determine the top two to three drivers that motivate your target audience and make a clear connection to the benefits of Weatherization
• Show them the specific benefits of partnering with Weatherization
• Do not stun them with a flood of benefits
• Stick to the main issues and keep your message focused
• Bolster your message with appropriate facts and figures
  

This document presents a number of "big picture" priorities and suggests possible incentives to appeal to these areas. Be sure to carefully consider your target audience and the primary drivers for that audience. Remember: Your message should be succinct and compelling.

Target Audiences

If Your Target Audience Prioritizes:

Energy, then you should highlight:

• Energy savings - in BTUs or dollars
• Reduction in national energy demand
• Avoided need for new power generating and distribution capacity
• Cost-benefit ratio (for energy-related savings)

Economics, then you should highlight:

• Dollars saved per household
• Jobs created in community
• Decline in export of energy dollars and corresponding multiplier effect (every $1 retained produces $3 in multiplier benefits)
• Cost-benefit ratio (for energy and non-energy savings)

Environment, then you should highlight:

• Improvement in local air quality
• Reduction of harmful air and water emissions
• Additional emissions avoided by reducing demand for new power generating capacity
• Carbon, lead, asbestos, and other environmental pollutants mitigated

Affordable Housing, then you should highlight:

• Agency's experience in local housing stock
• Increased life of housing stock
• Measures remain in house and benefit future tenants
• Reduction in homelessness and mobility
• Risk of fire damage decreased

Education, then you should highlight:

• Improved school performance when children live in warm, safe housing
• Reduction in energy burden allows parents to spend more on food, books, clothing and other necessities
• Reduction in mobility keeps children in same classes and promotes stable learning environment

Social Services, then you should highlight:

• Improvement in self-sufficiency, providing a hand-up not a handout
• Reduced reliance on public assistance programs
• Reduced risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other health concerns
• Improved quality of life

Senior Citizens, then you should highlight:

• Increase in self-sufficiency and independence
• Safer living conditions
• Reduced demand for nursing home care

A Few Ideas for Specific Partners...

Other Government Programs

Weatherization's established, well-trained delivery network can be a valuable asset for other programs. Weatherization technicians have experience in low-income housing stock, are highly technical, and are familiar with the community they serve. Weatherization crews can deliver services for other programs while they are already in the homes and/or meeting with the clients. This can provide substantial cost-savings for other programs and streamline delivery mechanisms. A wide range of agencies and programs may benefit from this partnership. Examples of some federal agencies include the following:

• Department of Housing and Urban Development - Many Weatherization agencies have proven success in partnering with HUD for rehab and other work
• Department of Health and Human Services - Most agencies already interact with HHS to deliver LIHEAP
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Pilot programs underway to deliver risk identification and mitigation services during weatherization
• Environmental Protection Agency - Weatherization benefits environment through reduced emissions, waste, etc.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Crews can deliver lead paint mitigation services or assist with testing protocols for other health hazards
• Department of Defense - Crews can deliver energy-efficiency services for military family housing
• Department of Labor - Agency can provide job training and technical skills in low-income communities

Utilities

Utility companies can realize direct energy savings and cost savings through the promotion of energy efficiency. Weatherization reduces arrearages and avoids costs associated with cut-offs. Partnering with Weatherization can provide positive, community-oriented press for the utility.

Local Businesses

Weatherization crews can deliver energy-efficiency measures for small businesses and may provide operation and maintenance support for multi-family buildings. Partnering with Weatherization can provide positive, community-oriented press and improve public perception for private companies.

A Good Source for Detailed Information and Resources...

Web sites

www.weatherizationplus.org

Content updated on 10/3/2008