Early in the year, most people are not thinking about the winter holidays, but as a business owner or manager of a holiday lighting company, you might want to reconsider. Studies show that the earlier in the year you promote your holiday lighting services, the more prepared you and your customers will be as the next few months pass. Many retailers and media outlets showcase “Christmas in July” themes. As a holiday lighting professional, summer is a good time to begin your marketing campaign so you can connect with early planners who do not want to wait until November or December to book their holiday lighting services.

Why Should I Begin Marketing Holiday Lighting During the Summer Months?

Since holiday lighting services are seasonal and the season is relatively short, it is vital to market your services and fill your schedule this winter. When you promote your services early, you beat the rush and often face less competition from other competitors. Additionally, you ensure customer awareness and encourage new and past customers to book early, enabling you to have more flexible, reliable scheduling when the rush season arrives later in the year.

What Timeline is Recommended for Marketing Holiday Lighting Services?

Ideally, you should begin marketing your holiday lighting services in June or early July. Use this time to develop a strong marketing foundation for the upcoming season. Ensure your website includes holiday lighting services, attach lighting photos to your website and social media, gather customer reviews to showcase your expertise, and review your budget for the upcoming holiday season. 

August and September are the ideal times for contacting previous customers through email, text, or phone to remind them of your holiday lighting services and encourage early bookings before the calendar begins to fill up. You may decide to offer early-bird specials or promotions to encourage more secure installation dates. This time of year is also a good time to engage in Google Ads, social media advertising, and direct mail campaigns.

October and early November are peak booking months. Your holiday lighting calendar will fill up quickly during these months, so you must be prepared for the influx of connections. Your focus should be on maximizing your lead conversions, providing attentive follow-ups to secure bookings and complete your holiday schedule, and showcasing completed projects to customers. The holidays are just around the corner at this point, and you will probably find that the time goes by quickly when your calendar is full.

Bottom Line

Beginning your marketing campaign early in the year for holiday lighting services requires organization, planning, and patience. As you market your company through enhanced SEO, you showcase your business to customers through your website, social media sites, and related content. Your company name will be at the forefront of customers’ minds when they begin thinking about their own residential or commercial lighting services, and you save money by being proactive with early holiday lighting marketing instead of being reactive by waiting until the last minute to advertise your business. Early marketing is a win-win for your company and your customers, too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How soon before December should I begin advertising my holiday lighting business?
Ideally, you should begin marketing your holiday lighting services as early as June or July. Many companies run “Christmas in July” marketing, and you want to be part of this mid-year wave to promote your holiday lighting services effectively. Full-fledged marketing does not need to begin this early in the year, but a strong marketing foundation should be developed during this time. 

What should I do to encourage repeat customers?
Reach out to customers from previous years via email, text, or phone. It is a good idea to contact past customers early in the year to offer priority scheduling, customer incentives, or just as a reminder of your transformative and festive services. When you contact customers early, you remind them of your expertise and encourage them to re-engage with you this upcoming season. 

Should I begin advertising to my commercial customers at the same time I reach out to residential customers?
Yes! Commercial customers may have to work through a few internal loops to plan and budget for their holiday decorations, and you must promote your holiday lighting services early so prospective clients can plan accordingly. Commercial customers also want to get on an early installation schedule so their businesses will be ready for the holiday season.