3 Marketing Mistakes That Are Costing You Customers (And How to Fix Them)
So - you know you’re good at your home improvement services but your phone just isn’t ringing as much as you’d like? Your marketing is likely to blame. The home improvement industry is more competitive than ever, and standing out these days takes more than just a referral every now and then and a few social media posts.
The good news? Most marketing mistakes are easy to fix - once you know what they are. So, let’s dive into the three marketing blunders that might be costing you customers and exactly how to turn things around!
Mistake #1: Relying on Word-of-Mouth Alone
Why It’s Costing You:
Don’t get me wrong - Word of mouth is great! However, if that’s your only lead source, you’re limiting your business. What happens when referrals slow down? You need multiple ways to bring in new clients & to put you out there with your competitors.
How to Fix It:
✅ Claim & optimize your Google My Business listing (it’s free!)
✅ Run ads so that you have control over your message. THM Media can take care of both your print and digital needs, to ensure you have a reliable source of leads.
✅ Build a simple email list and send occasional updates & offers - or consider having THM Media create professional emails to local, affluent homeowners who are looking for your services.
✅ Offer a referral program—Give clients a small discount or gift card when they send new customers your way
✅ Get listed on an AI-powered platform like AskHomey.com, where users can envision your work in their space, without any additional work on your part!
Mistake #2: Not Following Up on Leads Fast Enough
Why It’s Costing You:
When a potential customer contacts more than one contractor, the first one to respond usually wins the job. If you’re slow to respond, they’ve probably hired someone else before you even check your messages.
How to Fix It:
✅ Reply to leads within an hour, or at least the same day.
✅ Use automated responses on social media & email to acknowledge inquiries
✅ Follow up multiple times—Most customers won’t hire you after just one message!
✅ Use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool to track and manage leads
👉 Fix this NOW: Set up a simple autoresponder on Facebook & Instagram to reply instantly when someone messages you. Make sure you have a friendly and reliable person to answer inbound calls!
Mistake #3: Trying to Do it All Yourself
Why It’s Costing You:
Marketing takes time, strategy, and consistency - all things that are incredibly hard to juggle yourself when you’re running a home improvement business! If you're trying to do it all yourself, chances are you're wasting time (& money!) on things that don’t work while also missing opportunities to reach the right customers.
How to Fix It:
✅ Let TheHomeMag & THM Media do the heavy lifting! With our affordable & proven marketing bundles, we take care of:
Print advertising that puts your business in front of thousands of local homeowners
Targeted email campaigns to keep your brand top of mind
Digital marketing strategies to drive more leads straight to your business
With a fully integrated marketing plan, you get better results without spending all your time figuring out what works. We’re the experts in home improvement marketing and know what works best.
Reach out to TheHomeMag today and let us handle your marketing so you can focus on what you do best—growing your business!
Final Thoughts: Small Fixes = Big Results
Your next big customer is already looking for you - are you going to let them find your competition first? Get out there in front of your dream clients today! Just fill out our quick form for a media kit and information, send an email to NorCalMarketing@TheHomeMag.com or give us a call at (866) 934-6115.
