How To Market Your Home Service Business During The Holidays
It’s that time of year again—holiday music on every station, lights going up around the neighborhood, and yes, businesses like yours are gearing up for the busiest or quietest season of the year.
Are you using the holidays as a chance to stand out from the competition?
Whether you’re a plumber, painter, HVAC, or any contractor - the holiday season is the perfect time to connect with your customers in ways that go beyond just selling your services.
The right holiday marketing strategy can help you book more jobs, build stronger relationships, and set yourself up for an even better start to the new year.
Let’s break down how to market your home service business during the holidays. We’ll share practical tips, real-world examples, and talk about why holiday specific contractor marketing matters.
The Personal Touch of Holiday Cards
At Footbridge Media, we’re big fans of sending holiday cards. Why? Because they’re simple, personal, and effective.
How often do you get a physical card in the mail these days? Probably not very often.
Imagine you’re a homeowner who’s used your services this year, and you open your mailbox to find a thoughtful holiday card from you. That small gesture can leave a big impression.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. A heartfelt “thank you” and a simple holiday message in a card goes a long way.
Bonus points if you can make personal—handwrite the client’s name if you can, or include a short note about the project you completed for them.
Even if you can’t do that, simply sending a professionally printed, customized holiday card can really help your business to stand out.
Send Out a Homeowner’s Holiday Checklist
Another great way to connect with your past and potential customers during the holidays is by offering them something they can use - like a homeowner’s holiday checklist.
Instead of selling your services directly, you’re positioning yourself as a trusted expert by helping your clients prepare their homes for the season. This could include small, practical tips about home care and seasonally appropriate advice.
If you’re a plumber, your checklist might include tips like “cover your outdoor spigots so they don’t freeze and crack” or “check your water heater before overnight guests arrive.” A roofer might suggest, “Clean your gutters before winter storms hit.”
Not only does this showcase your expertise, but it also builds trust. You’re showing clients you care about their homes and well-being, not just about booking the next job.
We use this tactic for Footbridge Media clients who use our email marketing services. Our November message includes some “Home Care & Thanksgiving Prep Tips” - including some Thanksgiving cooking tips and simple home maintenance, which ultimately ties into the services that each of our clients offer to their respective email lists. It is great, topical content that people will actually want to engage with.
Aside from email marketing, you can share your checklist as a blog post, a social media post, or even a PDF download on your website. It is timely content that helps you to maintain top-of-mind awareness without being overly salesy.
Use Social Media to Spread Holiday Cheer
Your social media should never be about 100% selling. The holidays are a great time to show off the human side of your business.
If you have a physical office space that you decorate for the season, show off some behind the scenes pictures. Share pictures of yourself or your team wearing a Santa hat or an ugly Christmas sweater. Give away candy canes after every job for the month of December and share some photos of you delivering holiday treats.
Do something silly that is seasonally appropriate and share it on social media. It will help to give your business a bit of personalty.
And don’t forget to thank your clients publicly. A quick “Happy Holidays from all of us at Company X” post can go a long way in building goodwill.
Build Community Goodwill By Giving Back
Small businesses are tightly knit into the fabric of their communities. The holidays are about giving, so you should demonstrate your connection to your community by taking time to give back.
It can be as simple as your office making a donation to a local food bank, finding a local “Angel Tree” program to help provide gifts to kids that may go without this year, contributing to a “Toys For Tots” gift drive or other toy drive.
There are easy ways to engage with your community and give back to the town that supports your business.
You can take photos and share details about your community engagement as part of your marketing efforts - but just make sure it is coming from a place of wanting to get others involved, not from a place of “look and see what good thing we did.”
So, to recap on how to market your business during the holidays:
- Send out holiday cards – They’re personal, memorable, and an easy way to stay connected with past clients.
- Send out a homeowner’s holiday checklist – Show people you’re an expert that cares.
- Leverage social media – Share holiday-themed content that showcases your team.
- Give back to your community – Work with local charities to show your town you care.
The holidays aren’t just a time for celebration—they’re an opportunity to connect with your clients and set yourself up for success in the new year.
Now, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start with your marketing plan, the pros at Footbridge Media are here to help.
Learn more about Footbridge Media's contractor marketing program and see if it is the right choice for you.
"Contractor Marketing Tips And Tricks" - The Footbridge Media Podcast
About Chris Lonergan
Chris Lonergan has over 12 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries - helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR - Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Service Roundtable's blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
