Utility Marketers Deploying Data-Driven Solutions to Lead Wallet-Weary Customers Beyond Billing Blues and Meter Frustration

Customers expect higher service, are questioning costs, and are often struggling to make ends meet -- and they expect their utilities help-out by providing information on savings, conservation, bill management and even rewards. A new study by the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council has found that utility marketers must turn an eye towards relevant, targeted content delivery and improved segmentation and targeting measures to improve outcomes, maximize profitability and effectiveness.

According to the findings of What's Critical in the Utility Vertical, consumers are making active decisions about bill payment priority, necessitating a shift in how utility marketers activate loyal consumers who would never consider late or skipped payments. Nearly one in four consumers admitted that they have had to delay payment of bills, largely because funds were not available. An almost equal number indicate that their power bill is among their highest expenses alongside of their rent/mortgage, credit card and transportation costs.

Looking to address the wallet-challenges of the customer, utility marketers are identifying key value-added communications and engagements to address key points of customer pain and need. Marketers intend to add value to the relationship by providing tips and ideas for conservation (62 percent), educating customers about charges, costs and service solutions (34 percent) and proactively addressing issues, complaints or concerns (34 percent). But only 19 percent of marketers are looking to deliver promotions, coupons or direct savings opportunities, despite a call from consumers for more opportunities to save.

The study, based on insights from an online survey of North America-based consumers (1,425) and global utility marketers (120), reveals that while general messaging about green practices are nice to receive, specific conservation, reduction and savings tips are better received, recalled and actioned upon. When asked to recall messages sent by utilities:

• Nearly 45 percent of consumers surveyed recalled receiving information about how to reduce consumption
• 40 percent of consumers remember receiving information on how to lower or manage payments through various payment options
• Only 30 percent of consumers recall receiving general information about going green

"Relevant, targeted and trusted content is moving the needle for customers," said Donovan Neale-May, executive director of the CMO Council. "Marketers must move towards ensuring that the multitude of channels reacting customers leverages the most relevant, fresh and targeted content possible to maximize Content ROI."

Utility marketers, as the report reveals, have a significant opportunity to impact solution adoption and even purchasing decisions through the delivery of relevant, targeted communications. An impressive 40 percent of customers indicated that they purchased the products recommended to them by their utility companies. And, among consumers who recalled receiving communications from their utility companies, 73 percent took action based on messages offering specific offers, tips or solutions compared to 67 percent of consumers who were compelled to respond or react to general messages around green practices. Of the consumers who did not act on the messaging, 36 percent felt that the messages were either unrealistic, impossible to implement, or that not enough information was provided. Twenty-five percent rejected the recommendation or solutions because they felt no real advice was offered -- just an abundance of marketing messaging.