Podcast
Have you ever wondered how to start and grow a successful Christmas light installation business? Jason Geiman, known for his Pressure Washing Help Training and Marketing, shares his journey, experiences, and valuable tips to help you transform your seasonal venture into a profitable and sustainable business.
Starting a business is never easy, and this holds true for the Christmas light installation industry. But with the right strategies, approaches, and mindset, it's possible to achieve significant milestones. Jason Geiman and Chris Johnson offer a treasure trove of practical advice to help you navigate the intricacies of this business.
Jason Geiman opens his training sessions by emphasizing the importance of education. He strongly advocates for attending training workshops to grasp the nuances of running a business successfully. Knowing how to install lights is crucial, but understanding the business side is even more critical.
"The technical side is easy," says Geiman. "It's the business side that you need to master. This includes marketing, customer experience, and, most importantly, selling."
The first year might be tough, and Geiman recalls how challenging it was just to have sufficient supplies.
"Make sure you have enough SPT1 wire and V plugs. Running out of essential supplies can disrupt your operations and sales."
One of the most powerful marketing strategies involves leveraging the visual appeal of your work.
"If you can sell a big job in a high-traffic, affluent neighborhood, the visibility alone can bring in customers," explains Bonnie, Johnson's's wife and business partner. "People will stop and ask for quotes, allowing you to capture a market segment effectively."
Geiman also stresses the importance of having a diversified marketing approach:
“We did flyers, door-to-door marketing, yard signs, and social media posts across multiple platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor. Consistency is key.”
Geiman strongly recommends starting with premium pricing. It may seem counterintuitive, especially when you're just starting out, but staying true to this principle can make a significant difference.
“We never sold anything below $10 a foot,” Geiman asserts. "Price yourself high, and focus on delivering premium value."
After setting a solid foundation, the next challenge is scaling. For Geiman, this involved creating a performance-based pay structure for employees. This allowed him to incentivize and reward his team effectively.
One clever strategy employed by Geiman is to engage returning customers early in the season, thereby freeing up space for new customers later.
“Get your returning customers scheduled in October and leave November open for new clients,” Geiman advises.
Geiman underscores the importance of safety, particularly when working at heights or near power lines. He shares a sobering experience where two acquaintances suffered severe injuries due to falls.
“Safety isn't just about avoiding accidents; it's about sustaining your business long-term. If you're injured and cannot work, it can put you out of business.”
A Christmas light installation business offers lucrative opportunities, but success requires a balanced approach involving meticulous planning, effective marketing, premium pricing, and constant learning. As pressure washing and Christmas light installation entrepreneur, Chris Johnson, pointed out:
“Anybody can do it, but you have to decide to do it and put in the work. There’s nothing special about me, just the willingness to act.”
For those looking to get deeper insights and more hands-on training, Jason Geiman offers in-person classes and online courses that cover advanced business techniques.
“If you really want to take your business to the next level, consider attending our advanced training programs. Being around seasoned professionals who consistently hit high revenue targets can be a game-changer.”
Jason's last piece of advice is direct and motivational: “Don’t be afraid. Fear can paralyze you. Just take the leap and make it happen.”
With these invaluable tips and strategies, you are well on your way to building a thriving Christmas light installation business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, the principles discussed here offer a blueprint for success. Happy installing!
For more information on Jason Geiman’s training programs and resources, visit Christmaslights.io: Online & In-Person Christmas Lights Training and Supplies and check out their upcoming events and classes.
- Jason Geiman recommends starting with education. He advises attending training workshops to understand both the technical and business aspects of Christmas light installations.
- Geiman emphasizes the importance of having enough SPT1 wire and V plugs. Running out of these essential supplies can disrupt operations and affect sales.
- Leveraging the visual appeal of your work, especially in high-traffic, affluent neighborhoods, is a powerful marketing strategy. Also, utilize diverse methods like flyers, door-to-door marketing, yard signs, and social media across platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor.
- Geiman advocates for starting with premium pricing, even for new businesses, to differentiate and position your service as high-value, suggesting never to sell below $10 per foot.
- Implementing a performance-based pay structure to incentivize and reward employees effectively is crucial for scaling the business, according to Geiman.
- Geiman advises scheduling returning customers early in the season, such as in October, to free up space for acquiring new clients in November.
- Prioritizing safety, especially when working at heights or near power lines, is vital. Geiman highlights the importance of safety practices to prevent accidents and sustain the business long-term.
- Consistency in marketing, offering premium value, and maintaining a strong focus on customer service are key differentiators, as suggested by Geiman.
- Geiman’s advice is straightforward: "Don’t be afraid. Fear can paralyze you. Just take the leap and make it happen," encouraging potential business owners to overcome their fears and start their venture.
- Jason Geiman offers advanced in-person training classes that cover sophisticated business techniques, which can be pivotal for those aiming to reach higher revenue targets.