I want to set up booths/tables in other businesses (pizza shops, hair salons, etc) to advertise my solar panels. What do you think of this idea?

I'm in concert with other responders...your ROI will be low. If you wish to target a different approach, spend time/$ on identifying and reaching the end user.  I would suspect that it's usually males that make this decision and while they may be picking up pizza, they likely are not the dominant profile in that arena.  I would target several demographics:  Developers of new housing developments (& esp. provide an incentive for solar panels to be part of the new home & already in the home price); sports events; homeowners associations - provide a special offer to all owners that meets architectural standards and is endorsed by the Board); do a seasonal pop-up in a busy shopping center. Also, may be able to work out something with local utility company to provide a stuffer in the monthly billing mailers...or put a banner on their website.

I think it's a waste of time and effort unless you target those businesses that are industry related to your product. Even then, it's thinking small and pretty cheesy! 

Think bigger! Perhaps a regular kiosk at a mall with professional display and marketing materials. Successful advertising/marketing often relies on the consumer seeing you a number of times before even making an effort to speak with you. 

Perhaps, you'd see better results from an opt-in, online marketing program. Once you have prof marketing materials and a display booth, you can go to any number of home shows, construction shows, etc., as an exhibitor. 

Good luck!

Marketing your products and services can be accomplished via many avenues. The most important aspect, effectiveness of marketing, is often overlooked. Measuring your marketing performs will tell you what type of marketing works best for you, exposes performance issues related to marketing personnel, exposes performance issues related to competition,... Each type of marketing needs it's own set of performance measures. Leads generated, quality of leads, lead conversion rate, cost of sale,...

Example

If its a business thats in a vertical market you would probably have great results but I know just as a consumer, when im ordering pizza i dont want some guy trying to sell me solar panels. But if Im at a hardware store, or a home improvement store or even real estate office,etc... i could see that fitting. Just my humble opinion :)

I don't think hair salons or gas stations would be a good location, but I am sure you can find some businesses that would be good places to position a table.  As you mentioned, it needs to be someplace people are waiting for food or service.  Providing a gift card to the business you set-up at will bring them future business.  You might consider offering a lower price gift card if the prospect schedules an in home consultation and you can give it to them after the consultation.  A bigger gift card given after the actual install.  What business wouldn't like that.

Also, I can help you with the table banners and/or displays.  These are some of the many products we can have the Eclipse Energy LLC logo, name and information printed on for you.

Regards,

Greg

If you want to really get in front of all of those people - do it online.  We run targeted ads (facebook and google)   to people based on location, if they own a home etc...  cut a deal with a local pizza place - in your ad offer the persona XX% discount at the local pizza place for filling out your form etc...   everyone wins in that scenario.  I don't see many stores wanting/letting you in there to 'disturb' their customers.   Market online.. follow up with emails and re-targeting ads - our clients have great success with this method.   Good luck! 

NO..i have been in the restaurant business as an owner and now as a RE Agent specializing in tenant rep for restaurants...setting up a table inside a restaurant will probably never happen...most owners will not want the potential interruption of business..getting restaurant owners interested in your product is possible ..but for the most part only if they own the property...if they are a tenant leasing space then you might want to present to the landlord...The smaller restaurants i.e pizza shops might allow you to put up a flyer or potential do something outside their shop ..but again if their lease prohibits solicitation that's a problem...

As an owner of a 65 panel solar "field", walking into a pizza place and having someone "chat me up" about the benefits of solar would repel me more than interest me. 1) Do you have any of these businesses as clients? Meaning the owner of Pizza Joe's is a customer so it would  make sense to hand out coupons for a FREE slice (sponsored by your company) to targeted neighborhoods IF they come to Pizza Joe's on Tuesday night at 7:00 where you and  Pizza Joe share the benefits of your  services AND get access to a bonus if they schedule an in home meeting with you. 2) If you are so confident this will work, why have you not yet tried it? 3) hosting non threatening Q & A and informational events where potential clients can learn the pros and cons for their particular situation would be in my opinion the better route. Partner with real estate companies and host with them.

Pizza shops use a lot of energy, hair salons use a lot of energy - most of those businesses use a lot of energy. There is an appeal, but you will need to get buy-in from the shop owners before you will convince any of their clients to look at your offerings.  Also - your exposure to large numbers of people is better at a pizza shop than it would be at one of those other shops. 

I think it is a great idea but I also agree with other commenters that a garden or home center would be better. 

At my firm, we showcase the products of our clients to help support their businesses. For example, we have a spice box courtesy of Mr. Frank's Spice Co. in our sitting area.