5 Smart Marketing Strategies to Boost Your Business This Back-to-School Season

By Dipa Gandhi

Preparing Your Home Services Business for the Back-to-School Season

As the summer heat winds down and children head back to school, home service businesses have an incredible opportunity to capture the attention of families looking to spruce up their homes before the cold weather sets in. But how can you make sure your business stands out during this busy time of year? Let’s dive into how you can prepare your home services business for the back-to-school season and maximize your chances of success.

Understanding the Seasonal Shift

The back-to-school season isn’t just for retailers; home service contractors also see a shift in demand. Families are preparing for the upcoming months, tackling home repairs, and tackling projects that they’ve put off during the summer. The kids are back in school, and parents have more flexibility to focus on home improvements.

During this period, homeowners may be seeking services such as:

• Roof repairs before the rainy season.
• Plumbing checks for potential leaks or winterization needs.
• Electrical inspections to ensure safety with added energy use in the fall and winter.
• Cleaning services to freshen up before the holidays.

Agitating the Opportunity

However, getting your share of this seasonal demand isn't as easy as waiting for the phone to ring. Home service contractors often face fierce competition from local businesses trying to secure their piece of the pie. The question is, how do you ensure that your business stays top-of-mind for potential customers?

The typical challenges contractors face during the back-to-school rush include:

• Increased competition as families rush to book services before winter.
• Lack of time to market your services effectively.
• Pressure to maintain quality while dealing with a high volume of clients.

With many businesses focusing on the same time-sensitive tasks, your marketing efforts need to be sharper and more strategic. It's crucial to be visible when people are looking for services that you offer.

Solution: Stand Out with Strategic Marketing

To capture more leads during this competitive time, you'll need a multi-faceted marketing approach. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:

1. Leverage Local SEO to Boost Online Visibility

The key to attracting local customers during this season is ensuring your business shows up when people search for home services in your area. Make sure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is optimized with accurate, updated information. This includes:

• Correct business hours.
• Correct category.
• Relevant service descriptions.
• Real-time photos of recent work.
• Customer reviews and ratings, and your responses.

Consider running local Google Ads targeted at parents and homeowners. You can create specific campaigns for fall-related services, like roof inspections or plumbing services, and target keywords such as “home service contractor near me” or “plumbing fall prep.”

2. Offer Back-to-School Discounts or Packages

Create special promotions or packages that cater to the back-to-school theme. This could be a discount for first-time customers or a bundle deal where customers can get multiple services (e.g., plumbing and electrical inspection) at a reduced rate. You might also consider offering a “Fall Home Tune-Up” special, which could include a comprehensive inspection and a discount on any services that need immediate attention.

3. Create Engaging Content for Your Audience

Your customers are actively researching what needs to be done in their homes. By offering valuable, educational content, you not only help them make informed decisions but also establish trust and authority in your field.

• Blog articles: Write about how to prepare a home for winter or the importance of routine roof maintenance.
• Email newsletters: Send out seasonal reminders and special offers to your customer base.
• Social media posts: Share before-and-after photos of recent projects or seasonal tips.

Consider hosting a live Q&A or webinar on common home repair issues that arise as the seasons change. This gives your audience an opportunity to interact with you, ask questions, and book your services directly.

Get more tips on creating engaging content.

4. Retarget Past Clients and Leads

The back-to-school season is a perfect time to re-engage past clients who may have used your services in the past. Send out personalized emails or make phone calls offering a discount for repeat business or a free inspection. Retargeting ads on Google or Facebook can also remind potential leads who have shown interest in your services but haven’t yet converted. Start a database reactivation campaign.

5. Prepare Your Team for Increased Demand

Don’t let a rush of bookings catch you off guard. Ensure your team is ready to handle the influx of work by:

• Streamlining your scheduling system.
• Hiring temporary staff if necessary.
• Ensuring your workers are trained and prepared for the upcoming season.

By managing your workforce efficiently, you can maintain high-quality service while scaling up during this busy season.