Neighbors notice during an outage, but they may not ask until months later.
Generator play · Neighbor marketing
Generator neighbor marketing: same power lines, same outages, same need.
When one home on a street stays lit during an outage, the neighbors notice. Spur finds the homes around each install, on the same lines and in the same price range, and mails a short card while your crew's work is still the talk of the street.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Greg Foster3316 Holly Ridge RdRoanoke, VA 24018Scan to book a free sizing
Greg F. scanned your Holly Ridge card · 7 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
0.25 miis a good radius around each install
Same linesnearby homes often share the same distribution circuit
Weeklyneighbor mail runs automatically from your install list
The problem
Your best advertising is a home with lights on, and only one street sees it.
A sign lasts a few days, and it can't reach the owner by name.
A flyer on every door includes homes too small or too new to be a fit.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from one install to the rest of the street.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A neighbor list around one install
A sample Roanoke list around a new install on Holly Ridge, with similar homes. Names are partly masked.
Radius 0.25 miOwner-occupiedValue $350K+Owned 3+ yrsExcludes customers
- Greg F.3316 Holly Ridge RdBuilt 1987 · 0.5 acreSame streetOwned 13 yrs
- Ann & Dave M.3328 Holly Ridge RdBuilt 1985 · 0.6 acreSame streetOwned 20 yrs
- Priti S.3340 Holly Ridge RdBuilt 1990 · 0.4 acreHome officeOwned 6 yrs
- Lyle B.6104 Pinecrest CirBuilt 1983 · 0.7 acreOwner 72Owned 31 yrs
- Hannah & Sean W.6118 Pinecrest CirBuilt 1992 · 0.5 acreMature treesOwned 9 yrs
AI draft for Greg F. · 3316 Holly Ridge Rd
Hi Greg,
We recently installed a standby generator at a home on Holly Ridge. If you see our truck or notice the new unit, that's what it is. The owner got tired of losing power every time the wind picks up on the ridge, and you may have had similar experiences.
Since you're on the same lines, we'd be glad to size one for your home too. It's free, there's no obligation, and we can group it with other work in the area, which often means a sooner date.
Scan the code on this card to pick a time.
Sarah Dunn · Blue Ridge Standby · (540) 555-0156
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
Why neighbor marketing suits standby generators
Neighbor marketing works well for generators because neighbors really do share the problem. Homes on the same street are usually fed by the same distribution lines, surrounded by the same trees, and restored by the same repair crews. When one owner invests in a solution, the others on the street have a very good reason to take notice, and they can see the result.
Nothing sells a generator like the one home with lights on during an outage. You can't time that, but you can make sure that when it happens, the neighbors already know your name and have your number on the fridge. Sending cards soon after each install, then following up before the next season, puts you in position for that moment.
Protect your customer's privacy. A home's generator tells people something about it, including that it won't go dark, and some owners may prefer not to advertise that. Say 'a home on your street,' not the address or name, unless you have written permission. If a customer is happy to be named, a reference from a nearby neighbor is very powerful, so ask them after the install.
Filter by fit. A $400,000 home on a half acre doesn't mean the same as a smaller home next door with a tight side yard. Standby units need clearances, often around five feet from windows, doors, and vents, depending on manufacturer and local code. Very tight lots may need extra design work. Filtering by value and lot size keeps your list realistic. Remove any home you know already has a unit, and remove rentals.
Use the logistics to your advantage. Sizing several nearby homes on the same day cuts your drive time, and your electrician and gas contractor may be able to group work as well. Local permit offices also process similar work more easily when you know the requirements. It's fair to say that grouping work might mean an earlier date, which tends to be more compelling than a small discount.
Be a good neighbor during the install. Crews, trucks, gas line trenching, and concrete pads are visible, and noise is a question that comes up. Keep the site tidy and be ready to talk with neighbors who ask. Units run a brief weekly exercise cycle, so set that for a sensible time, and let your customer know. Some HOAs have rules on placement and screening, so check before you sell into a community, and help the owner with the approval.
17×+return on a year of Spur Team from one $10,000 neighbor install
One neighbor can cover years of mail.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 50 neighbor cards per install at $0.94 each = about $47 per install
- One extra $10,000 install covers the year many times over
Example math. Your results will vary by neighborhood. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual neighborhood marketing
What you needThe usual waySpur
Similar homes around each installFlyers on every door✓ Built in
Owner's name on each card'To our neighbors'✓ Built in
Copy that keeps your customer anonymousNaming the customer by accident✓ Built in
Triggered by every new installDone when someone remembers✓ Built in
Scans that show who's interestedNo signal at all✓ Built in
Neighbor Marketing by the numbers
What neighbors have in common
~11 hrs
of power interruptions per U.S. customer in 2024, and streets tend to feel them together
~5 ft
of clearance from windows, doors, and vents is common, depending on the manufacturer and local code
17×+
return on a year of Spur Team from one $10,000 neighbor install
FAQ
Generator neighbor questions
How far around a generator install should I mail?
About a quarter mile is a good start. Extend along the same road if outages in that area tend to follow the line.
Can I name the customer?
Not without written permission. Say 'a home on your street.' If they agree to be a reference, that's very helpful.
Which neighbors should I leave out?
Homes that already have a unit, rentals, and very tight lots where placement would be difficult.
Should I mention noise?
Be ready to answer questions. Modern units are relatively quiet, but they do run brief exercise cycles, and local rules may apply. Set the cycle for a sensible time.
How soon after an install should I mail?
Within a few days, so you can honestly say 'we just installed nearby,' and follow up before the next season.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
When one house stays lit, the whole street wonders how.
Set up neighbor mail once, and every install starts the next conversation. Free to start.
Mail around my next install — freeFree forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
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