Engaging landlords and property managers takes more than awareness. It requires a thoughtful approach that removes friction, builds trust and clearly communicates value at every step.
For many energy and housing-related programs, engaging property managers is critical to increasing participation and reaching more properties.
Whether you’re promoting an energy efficiency program, retrofit initiative or housing-related offering, the challenge is often the same: how do you turn initial interest into meaningful action?
From simplifying processes and sharing real stories to working with trusted voices and adapting based on results, the most effective strategies focus on making engagement clear, accessible and worthwhile.
Drawing from our experience at UpHouse, here are the approaches that are making a real impact.
Make It Easy to Take Action
When forms are simple and submissions go straight to the right place, it’s much easier to keep things moving without headaches.
Clear calls to action play a big role here. People need to know exactly what to do next, how long it will take and what they’ll get in return. If any part of your process feels complicated, it’s worth breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
In the Clean Energy Center’s Weather the Future campaign, this meant building a dedicated microsite and making form submissions easy to complete and route directly to nearby agency partners. While the campaign focused on workforce recruitment, the same principle applies here: when you remove friction, more people follow through. In energy programs, that can mean more applications, more upgrades and stronger participation overall.
Your goal is to build a bridge from awareness to action, not a maze.
Lean on Local Champions and Targeted Media
If you want to earn trust, you need more than a polished message or official branding. Spotlighting regional experts, passionate advocates or landlords who’ve already participated in and seen results from your program tells your story with real credibility.
Go after media opportunities that matter, whether that’s regional news stories, presentations at industry events or community spotlights. Credible, relevant voices matter more than reach alone. Long-term, credible relationships with respected voices lead to deeper engagement and more qualified leads.
Rely on authenticity, regional insight and meaningful media to make your message stick.
Measure What Matters and Keep Adapting
Ongoing success comes from tracking your efforts and improving over time. We don’t “set and forget,” and we help you monitor everything from lead forms and audience analytics to media coverage.
We continually put our energy behind what’s effective and leave behind what isn’t. Tuning in to real-world research and testing different approaches, like A/B tests, helps you refine your strategy and keep improving over time.
Success comes from learning, adapting and taking the next step.
Wrapping Up
To attract the right people into energy initiatives, we have to think bigger than the next open role or opportunity.
The organizations seeing the most success are building strong recruitment and outreach ecosystems. They’re turning complex programs into clear, compelling stories, investing in community-led engagement and using data to refine their approach over time. This spirit of constant evolution drives stronger participation and more meaningful results.
The right marketing partner helps shape the future of your program, not just fill today’s gaps.
FAQ
Why do landlords and property managers sometimes hesitate to get involved?
It often comes down to confusing communication, lack of clear benefits and processes that feel complex or irrelevant. Smaller landlords, especially, can feel shut out by too much admin work or technical talk.
How can we clearly show our program’s value to landlords and property managers?
Focus on straightforward benefits, cost savings, reliability, fewer risks and happier tenants. Keep language simple. Share proof through stories and results everyone can relate to.
What makes human stories so effective for engagement?
Stories and testimonials from real people bring your program to life. When landlords hear from their peers and see successful outcomes, it makes it easy to picture themselves benefiting too.
What does an outreach ecosystem look like and why is it important?
It means using a mix of the right channels, partnerships and content rather than relying on a one-shot campaign. By meeting people where they already are, you keep your message relevant and visible.
How do we take down the barriers between interest and action?
We help remove any confusion or extra steps wherever possible. Simple forms, clear directions and plain language all go a long way. Fast, honest support gives landlords the confidence to get on board.
Why do trusted voices matter more than official messages?
People are more likely to listen to industry experts, local leaders or landlords who have actually succeeded with your program. Authentic recommendations land harder than anything that comes from a distant, official source.
What can we do to make sure our engagement keeps improving?
Keep a close watch on key numbers, leads, outreach performance and which methods actually work. Use every insight to adjust your approach, and don’t be afraid to try new tactics. The best results come from ongoing learning and regular updates.
