When you are in the throes of a busy holiday lighting season, you may not place much emphasis on documenting the work you do because you have deadlines and other projects to attend to in a short time period. Although it may seem like a lot of work, documenting your actions provides many benefits to a growing company and should be included in every project checklist for a holiday lighting service. If you have wondered what types of information to include in your documentation, then you are in luck. Below, learn more about 3 topics that should be included in your documentation that will help your holiday lighting company thrive and grow.

1. Document the Finished Installation Project.

Just before your crew leaves a home after finishing the holiday lighting project, stop and take a variety of photos of the entire installation. Take photos from different angles so you can capture multiple details. Take a photo of the entire display, plus close-ups of other decorated areas, such as the roof, entryway, driveway, trees, shrubs, and any other places you helped illuminate for the holidays. You can place photos in customer records to help you prepare for next season, or they may become part of your marketing plan if the customer agrees. You may also take photos of fine details, such as extension cord placement, mounting locations, or other personalized installation techniques.

2. Document Individual Installation Details and Customer Preferences.

In addition to photographic documentation, it is valuable to document specific details regarding individual properties. Include details like equipment used for each display, measurements around the property, customer preferences regarding lighting displays, and other details that make each project unique. Thorough details help you rebook customers in the future and will provide a nice guideline for reselling individual lighting displays.

3. Document Recommendations and Issues to Remember for Future Holiday Lighting Opportunities.

Once you have gathered documentation information with photos and installation details, further the process by including notes about areas that need improvement and ideas on how you can enhance a customer’s experience for next year. A simple note in your records can help reduce stress next season and support a proactive approach when rebooking customers in the future. For example, if a strand of lights broke during removal, record that so next season you know to replace the strand with a working set of lights. A simple list of issues or recommendations can significantly improve your preparation and time management when the holidays come again next year.

Conclusion

A useful, simple documentation checklist can add value to your Christmas light advertising campaign. Potential and current customers want to know their holiday lighting company takes the job seriously and aims to please during the busy time of year. When you take the time to document your processes, equipment, and other practical information, customers appreciate your effort and become loyal fans of your services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it really a valuable task to document during and after a holiday lighting installation service?
Yes. Documentation is beneficial for many reasons. The holiday lighting industry often has repeat customers; therefore, you can benefit from documenting your customer’s lighting options, services, preferences, and other unique project features. Documentation gives you a history to work with year after year, offers marketing sources, and helps you improve services and customer satisfaction. If you document throughout the installation process, you have a full range of facts and information you can use later.  

How do photos help my documentation process?
Photos of the holiday lighting project should be taken before the project begins, throughout the process, and after the final task is complete. Before-and-after pictures help you and your customer visualize the enhancements you’ve made by adding holiday lights and decorations to the property. If the homeowner gives permission, you can also use these photos in your marketing campaigns. Photos remind you and your team of the services you provide for each customer and highlight any specific needs that will improve the customer experience next year. Additionally, photos help protect you by providing visual references that show the safety procedures you followed during the installation process.  

Is it necessary to document individual customer preferences?
Documenting individual preferences helps you provide a more personal experience for return customers. When you document details such as preferred light design, bulb color choices, lighting placement around a specific property, or details about individual services, you will be ready to provide reliable service next season, and your customers will appreciate your attentiveness.

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