The Problem: Clients Don’t Search Until It’s Too Late
Restoration jobs hit like a storm—floods, leaks, or disasters catch homeowners off guard, and that’s when they scramble for help. But if they don’t have your name saved, you’re not the first call. Waiting for the crisis means competing with every other pro in the search results.
I’ve seen great crews miss jobs because clients start searching only after the damage is done. Today, we’re tackling how to get ahead with email or direct mail campaigns—so your business is “saved for a rainy day” and ready when they need you.
Let’s get proactive.
The Trap: Relying on Last-Minute Searches
It’s easy to assume clients will find you on Google when disaster strikes. But most people don’t think about restoration until their basement’s underwater, and then it’s a frantic search. 80% of restoration clients find pros through online searches (BrightLocal), but if your name isn’t already familiar, you’re lost in the crowd.
I’ve watched pros depend on reactive marketing like PPC during storms, only to lose to competitors with pre-built trust. Others do nothing, hoping word-of-mouth saves them, but 75% of consumers choose businesses they’ve heard of before emergencies (Edelman). You need to plant your name early.
The Fix: Use Campaigns to Get Saved Before the Storm
Here’s how to run simple email or direct mail campaigns that get your restoration business saved for emergencies:
- Create a “Rainy Day” Checklist
Design a short checklist like “5 Ways to Prep for Floods” with your contact info at the bottom. Email it to past clients or mail it to local homeowners—it’s cheap and positions you as the expert they’ll remember. Campaigns with useful content get 60% higher open rates (Mailchimp).
Action: Write a 4-bullet checklist today (e.g., “Check sump pumps, seal windows, save our emergency number”). Email it to 10 past clients by tomorrow with “Keep this handy!”
- Send a Direct Mail Postcard
Mail a postcard with “Storm Season Ahead—We’re Ready to Help” and your number, plus a QR code to your site. Target neighborhoods with high flood risk—it costs pennies per piece and gets saved on fridges. Direct mail has a 29% ROI for small businesses (DMA).
Action: Design a simple postcard template (use Canva, free) with your contact info and a tip. Print 20 and mail to local addresses by Wednesday (check USPS for bulk rates).
- Follow Up to Stay Top-of-Mind
After sending, follow up with a quick email or text: “Did you get our prep tips? Save our number for emergencies.” It reinforces your name without pushing. Follow-up campaigns boost response rates by 20% (Salesforce). A coach can help you automate this to save time.
Action: Text 5 recipients from your checklist email with “Hope the tips help—save our number: [your number]” by Friday.
This is about being the pro they think of first—not the one they search for last.
Want to Get Saved for a Rainy Day?
Here’s how to start this week:
- Write a 4-bullet checklist and email it to 10 past clients by tomorrow—add “Save our number!”
- Create a postcard template and mail 20 to local addresses by Wednesday—keep it simple.
- Follow up with a text to 5 checklist recipients by Friday—remind them to save your info.
You don’t need fancy campaigns—just get your name in their hands early. If you want help building these proactive strategies, we’re here to support you at RestorationBoost.com. Our tools and coaching are built for restoration pros like you.