Every home service business owner wants a better strategy for marketing that helps them get real calls instead of empty clicks. Chris Lonergan joins me to talk about marketing strategies like why the top three spots on Google Maps matter more than most people realize, why your old customer list is one of your most valuable assets, and how to guide your marketing team so they stay focused on what actually grows your business.
Chris also shares simple steps for managing reviews, avoiding common technology traps, and using AI as a helper instead of a replacement. If you want marketing that makes sense and supports the way home service businesses really work, this is a conversation worth hearing.
What You’ll Learn…
- Why focusing on calls instead of clicks protects your profit every season
- How a clear strategy for marketing helps your phone ring more often
- The one thing that will keep reviews working for your business instead of against you
- How to turn small review asks into steady social proof for your company
- Why your past customer list may be the most valuable asset you own
- How to build a simple strategy for marketing you can actually manage each week
- The one change that will stop wasted ads from quietly draining your bank balance
Key Moments…
[4:30] Why Marketing Feels Harder Today
[8:15] Building A Strategy For Marketing That Drives Calls
[12:40] Google Maps And Review Habits That Protect Profit
[17:20] Handling Negative Reviews With Calm, Confident Responses
[22:50] Turning Old Customer Lists Into Steady New Work
[28:10] Using AI Inside A Strategy For Marketing That Still Feels Human
Marketing is supposed to help your phone ring, not leave you staring at empty time slots. When you feel like you are spending money on marketing with nothing to show for it, that is a sign something is off. Sneaky Leaky loves that quiet gap between effort and results because it is easy for cash to slip away unnoticed. You can close that gap by slowing down and looking at what is really happening with your strategy for marketing. Then you can start guiding your team and your vendors toward the results your business actually needs.
Why Marketing Feels Harder Today
There are more places than ever for customers to see your business right now. That sounds helpful, but it often creates confusion and stress for owners who just want to serve people well. You might feel pressure to be marketing on every platform, even when that is not realistic for your schedule or budget. Instead, you can start by choosing a few key places where your ideal customers are already looking. Over time, that focus becomes the backbone of your strategy for marketing.
Building A Strategy For Marketing That Drives Calls
Clicks and views from marketing might look exciting, but if your bookings aren’t rising… something is missing. Each piece of marketing should have a strong call to action. A topic on your website or social page should always lead a homeowner toward a clear next step. That might be a call, a form, or a simple way to schedule a visit. When you know what you want each piece of content to do, you can measure whether it is working. That simple clarity is a big part of building a strategy for marketing that turns attention into real jobs for your business.
Google Maps And Review Habits That Protect Profit
An effective strategy for marketing has a clear purpose behind every platform or action it focuses on. For instance, I’ll bet you didn’t know that many homeowners make their choices based on the first few names they see on Google Maps. If your business drops out of the top three ranked there, you can lose a surprising number of calls without noticing it right away. Those Google Map placements are ranked based on new reviews. There is a purpose for focusing marketing efforts on reviews. Asking for reviews in person, then sending a short link by text, keeps new feedback coming in on a steady basis. This simple habit helps your business stay visible and trustworthy in a crowded field. When you plan your review habits on purpose, they become a key piece of your strategy for marketing.
Handling Negative Reviews With Calm, Confident Responses
Sooner or later, every business receives a review that feels unfair or painful. Your first reaction might be to defend yourself, but that often makes things worse. It works better to pause, breathe, and then respond with a short, calm message that shows you care and invites a private conversation. This helps other customers see that you are professional and willing to make things right when needed. Over time, this calm approach supports your strategy for marketing by protecting the trust you are building in your community.
Turning Old Customer Lists Into Steady New Work
Past customers already know your name and how you work, but they can easily forget you if you never reach out again. Simple touches like holiday cards, seasonal reminders, or short check in messages help them remember who to call next time. These small efforts cost far less than finding brand new leads. They also show customers that you see them as people, not just dollar signs. When you include regular contact with past clients in your strategy for marketing, you create a more stable base of work for your business.
Using AI Inside A Strategy For Marketing That Still Feels Human
AI can help you get past the blank page and organize your ideas more quickly. It can turn rough notes into cleaner drafts and give you starting points for website updates or emails. The key is to treat it like a helper, not a replacement for your voice or your judgment. You still need to read what it creates and make sure it sounds like your business and your values. Used this way, AI becomes a helpful tool inside a strategy for marketing that still feels real and personal to the homeowners you serve.
About Chris
Chris Lonergan has over 13 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries – helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR – Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Service Roundtable’s blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
Connect With Chris Lonergan:
Visit Chris’s Website
Check out Chris’s Podcast
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Diane’s Resources:
Profit Impact Call: https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall
Profit First Method: https://taxcoach4you.com/profit-first
15 Profit Leaks eBook: https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks
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