For some holiday lighting professionals, the end of the holiday season feels like the end of the relationship with their customers; however, it’s a great time to plan for next year’s festive holidays! As you work to grow and sustain your holiday lighting company, remember that nurturing your current customer relationships is extremely valuable. Maintaining relationships with current customers creates a more predictable, profitable future and reduces the number of new leads you need to acquire in the coming year. Learn how to entice current customers to rebook for next year and enjoy the benefits you and your customers can get from early booking.

How to Encourage Current Customers to Rebook for Next Holiday Season

Offering customers the chance to rebook your services for next year while this year’s lights still shine is valuable because the brilliance of holiday lights is still right in front of them. Homeowners may be enjoying their holiday lights, and they may also be receiving compliments from family, friends, and neighbors. While the holiday festivities are happening, the timing is perfect to discuss next year’s schedule and book customers for next season. You can offer: 

• Priority Scheduling 
• Price Stability 
• Same Design or Alternative Options 
• Small Upgrade for Early Booking 
• Convenience and Worry-Free Planning

Benefits of Planning Ahead

Customer benefits include flexibility in planning for next year’s installation services, ease of working with a known lighting group, relief from planning next year’s holiday lights, and predictable pricing during the busy holiday season.

Benefits the lighting professional can expect include predictable scheduling, the ability to plan lighting supplies and equipment, fewer new leads to seek next year, fewer Christmas lighting ads to run, and a strong starting point for the next holiday season.

Conclusion

Talking with customers as you and your team disassemble this year’s lighting display is a good time to make a sales pitch for next year, if you haven’t already. Ask customers if they enjoyed their lights and service this year, and encourage satisfied customers to rebook for next season. This is the time to see whether they like the current display and want the same option for next year, or want to mix things up a little with different lights, colors, or arrangements. You have more time now to listen to their wishes, take notes, and plan accordingly for next season. While the holidays are still fresh in your customers’ minds, you can ask them to commit to your services for next year, relieve their stress when the next holiday season arrives, and build a predictable future for your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the best time for a holiday lighting professional to ask a customer to rebook for next year?
A natural time to “plant the idea” is to start the conversation while this year’s holiday lights are still on display. You can mention next year’s lighting services as you install lights and decorations this season, and aim to secure a booking before the lights are completely removed. Holiday lights bring joy to homeowners, and the timing is perfect to plan for next year when this year’s are still brilliant.  

Why is it beneficial for lighting experts to seek rebooking services before this year’s lights are removed?
Homeowners benefit from rebooking with your team because you already know what type of lighting design they want and you have the specific measurements for their property. Lighting professionals benefit from rebooking for next year by reducing the number of new customer leads they need to generate, planning ahead for supplies, equipment, and trained employees, and enjoying a predictable schedule and revenue for next year.  

What should I do if a customer wants a different lighting design for next year?
Embrace the challenge of creating and working with a new lighting design. If a customer wants to change things up a bit next year, keep thorough documentation in your records so you’re prepared for their various needs.  

Do I need to offer a discount for customers who rebook for next year’s services?
You may want to offer an early-bird discount, but it may not be necessary. Some customers will be delighted to already have their plans set for next holiday. Instead of offering a discount, you could provide the same services for next year at the same price or a minimal discount. You can also offer priority booking or a small upgrade that will enhance their lighting display.