How to Use Text Marketing to Fill Your August Calendar

By Dipa Gandhi

 

 

Read it to me! Click the video below.

 

If your August schedule is looking a little too open for comfort, you’re not alone. The tail end of summer often brings a lull in demand for many home service businesses. Whether you're a roofer, landscaper, painter, or cleaner, the post-July slowdown can hit hard. And if you're not proactively filling your calendar, you're missing opportunities that are already sitting in your phone book.

Text message marketing is one of the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective ways to turn past leads into booked jobs. But it only works if you know how to do it right.

The Mid-Summer Slump is Real

August tends to be a tricky month:

• Families are squeezing in last-minute vacations.
• Parents are focused on back-to-school chaos.
• Many homeowners delay non-urgent projects until fall.

As a result, contractors often see:

• Fewer inbound calls.
• Slower conversion from ads.
• Empty gaps between scheduled jobs.

This downtime not only affects revenue but can also throw off team morale and cash flow. One landscaping contractor in Georgia described August as his "seasonal drought." His phones went quiet after a bustling June and July. Despite spending more on ads, results dipped.

So how did he turn things around in just three days? With one targeted text blast.

Why Past Customers and Leads Are Your Hidden Goldmine

You already have a list of warm contacts:

• Customers who’ve used your services before.
• Leads who requested estimates but didn’t book.
• People who clicked your ads or filled out a form but never followed through.

These contacts are up to 7x more likely to convert than cold prospects, according to industry data from Campaign Monitor. And text messages have open rates over 95%, far higher than email or social posts.

One pressure washing company in Tampa sent a simple message to past customers:

“Hey! We have a couple of openings this week. Want to get your driveway cleaned before Labor Day? Reply YES to book.”

They got 14 replies in two hours, filled 6 jobs in 24 hours, and added over $2,300 in revenue—without spending another dime on ads.

Make Your Message Count: Tips for Effective Text Campaigns

Here’s how to do it without annoying your list or violating spam laws:

1. Keep it short and actionable

People skim. You’ve got about 160 characters to get to the point.

Example:
“We’re offering 10% off gutter cleanings this week only. Want a spot? Reply YES and we’ll get you scheduled!”

2. Use urgency and limited availability

No one wants to miss out. Create a reason to act now.

• “Only 3 spots left this week.”
• “Limited-time back-to-school special.”

3. Personalize when possible

Use first names if your software allows it. A message that starts with “Hi John” will get more attention than a generic blast.

4. Follow up smartly

If someone doesn’t reply, send a gentle nudge after 24–48 hours:

“Just checking—do you still need that painting project done before school starts?”

5. Offer easy ways to book

Don’t make them call you. Include a link to schedule online, or simply ask them to reply “YES” or “CALL.”

Tools That Make Text Marketing Simple

You don’t need to be tech-savvy to run a successful campaign. There are dozens of tools out there that let you:

• Upload your customer list.
• Write and schedule messages.
• Track replies and bookings.

Platforms like Podium and High-Level are popular with contractors. Some even integrate with CRMs or Google Contacts.

If you’re a 99 Calls customer, ask about Database Reactivation—a done-for-you service that sends texts to old leads and books appointments for you.

Real Results: From Slow Week to Booked Solid

Let’s revisit that landscaper in Georgia. He was about to send his crew home early two days in a row. Instead, he sent a message to 97 past contacts. Within 6 hours, he filled all remaining openings for the week and booked two recurring lawn care contracts.

His total spend? Less than $15 on a text platform.

His takeaway?

“I realized I’ve been sitting on thousands of dollars in missed jobs. All I had to do was ask.”

Don’t Let August Slip Away

You don’t need new leads to stay busy—you need to re-engage the ones you already have. With the right message, sent at the right time, you can turn a slow month into one of your most profitable.

If your calendar looks empty for next week, take 20 minutes today to:

• Export your contact list.
• Write one clear, friendly message.
• Hit send.

You’ll be amazed at how fast the replies come in.