With society going more digital to find their vendors, the question is “Are you Listed”? 

How are potential clients suppose to find you?

Your business means alot to you, right?  Ofcourse it does, thats why it’s time to search your company on Google or Yahoo.  What did it say?  Many of you might be shocked to find out you aren’t listed or you might be listed incorrectly.  It’s time to make sure you are on the map this Holiday season, check out a couple links below to help you be found:

Google Places : CLICK HERE

Yahoo Local : CLICK HERE

Bing Local : CLICK HERE

It’s time to list your company and take advantage of the their free services.  Make sure you are listed on more than one search engine system. 

Good Luck this upcoming season!!

 As a professional holiday decorator, you need to be equipment with the right tools to help with any project.   It’s important to know your amperage on holiday lighting projects, especially working with incandescent lights.  In the past you might have used an amp probe to measure amps, with this new device it makes the job easier.

The Amp tester has a three foot male whip which plugs into any 100v outlet, the female is located on the back of the device.    All you have to do is plug in your lights to measure watts or amps.   It can be used on every Christmas lighting installation, plus throughout the year on outdoor lighting projects. 

Holiday Bright Lights recommends using this tool for future projects.  Plus, since it has both the mail and the female on it you can plug the device together which you can wear around your neck…don’t lose it and impress your customers by wearing it.  Kind of like a doctor wearing a stethoscope.  This information was provided by David Sloan of Accent Lighting (IL & NV)

For around $30 bucks on the below website:

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-THP103/p1080.html

It’s getting closer by the day on the holiday lighting decorating season, many might say it’s here now.  As a professional decorating service there are a couple steps in September which can score you success this season.

Step 1:  Marketing

New 2010 Postcard - Drop date November 3rd

Holiday decorating is about 6-8 weeks long, that doesn’t leave much room for error on your marketing plan & budget.  Over the years research has shown by participating in a direct mail campaign has the best results, averaging between 1% to 1.5% leads generated.  Holiday Bright Lights recommends sending out three different post cards on separate mail dates during the season.  First being before Halloween, next mail drop is the first week of November and the final mail date lands before Thanksgiving. 

When generating your lead list, make sure to set your demographics towards the top 1 % or 2% in your area.  Examples would look like house values of 400K on up and household income of 175K and up, certain regions you might have to raise this to capture the right prospect.  By setting your demographics this drives your business towards the potential clients which you need and avoid those “tire kicker” clients.

Holiday Bright Lights developed a direct mail program in which many of the members have seen success in the past.  With our simple approach to direct mail, provide us with the zip codes in your area we will create a listing of hits.  HBL mail dates are Oct 18^th, Nov 2^nd, and Nov 18^th…you participate in all one or all three.  Payments of the program will be 50% down, 25% Oct 1^st and 25% Nov 1^st. 

The next step is to visit the Member Center and fill out your Direct Mail flyer, email or fax it in to Mike or Tony so we can complete your direct mail campaign.

** Deadline is Oct 1st

Step 2:  Existing Clients

A question that always arises during this time of the season, how do I inform my clients about the Holiday lighting service?  It’s pretty simple!   On the member center there is a template introduction letter you can utilize.  It’s a starting point, as all of your clients from new to old should know all of your services. 

From your existing clients, who are your favorite or who are you biggest or who has been with you the longest?  All of those clients should receive a special phone call or appointment from your company explaining the holiday service and products.  This will help sharpen up your presentation skills as well create sales at the same time.

Renewal or introduction letters should be in the mail no later than the 20^th of September.  It’s time to look forward, let’s capture the business now!

Step 3:  Marketing Materials

After direct mail, what are some other effective marketing tips?  One of them is Yard Signs, a perfectly placed 18×18 or 16×24 yard sign can generate you 2-3 jobs for the

2010 Members Marketing Catalog

 season.  It comes down to location and message of the yard sign.  Design 8 has been partners with Holiday Bright Lights for many years, Design 8 provides yard signs, magnetics, decals, vehicle wraps, and banners for the members network.  They have provided a nice marketing flyer which is located on the Member Center.  Don’t have your login?  Contact Mike or Tony at the corporate office.

Other effective marketing ideas that have been successful for members are the Door Hangers.  With some added labor you can pinpoint your housing developments.  Hire a teenager to walk up and down the block…perfect approach to working a housing development you know is a perfect fit for professional holiday lighting.  By sending out post cards and hitting key areas with door hangers you are helping brand your company as a leader in holiday lighting.  There are downloadable door hangers on the Member Center.

Those are some key steps to be successful.  As many of you know there is a start and finish in everything.  Holiday Bright Lights is staff is here to help members reach their goals.  Contact Mike Marlow mike@holidaybrightlights.com or Tony Gomez tony@holidaybrightlights.com at (866) 932-9363.  It’s time to start now by exposing your clients and potentials clients of the wonderful service we like to call Holiday Lighting.