How to Get Commercial Holiday Lighting Accounts

Target homeowners and businesses to grow your lighting business.

If you have a commercial lighting business it is possible to increase your accounts by providing services beyond Christmas. Your business can offer to decorate for other holidays and special occasions including Halloween, New Year's Day, Easter and Fourth of July. Besides providing beautification, special occasion lighting can help companies gain new customers, retain current customers and increase customer traffic. If you put effort into marketing your business on a regular basis, you will see your commercial clients and revenues increase.

Instructions

1. Distribute promotional marketing pieces. Pass out brochures and business cards, post fliers on bulletin boards and car windshields and put door hangers doorknobs of homes and businesses. Include your business name, logo, phone number, website and services offered on all promotional material.

2. Network at business events. Pass out your business cards at your local Chamber of Commerce and trade associations. Look in the business section of your newspaper to find other business events. Go to Meetup to see if there are business events in your city. (See Resource 1) Meetup is a website where people with the same interests form groups and attend events worldwide.

3. Cold call businesses. Explain your business to managers or owners at retails stores, restaurants, shopping centers, assisted living facilities, hotels and other establishments. Tell them why they should do business with you, including increasing their customer foot traffic and creating a memorable holiday experience.

4. Use word of mouth marketing. Encourage neighbors, friends and business associates to refer you to businesses that would be interested in your services. Give them several business cards to pass out.

5. Promote your business in print. Place advertisements in your local newspaper and Yellow Pages. If you have never designed a print advertisement, ask the account representatives to help you. The ads should capture your intended customer's attention with a strong headline by stating why they should choose your business over your competition. Include a picture. Offer a discount to entice them to use your service. Print advertising costs vary depending on the newspaper. The cost is typically based on column inches or a fraction of a page.

6. Create a website for your business. Potential clients can view your company history, biography and experience. It is advantageous to have a website since you are seeking commercial accounts. Upload before and after pictures and videos on the website. Include prices on your website and a "Request a Quote" button. Allow site visitors to make an appointment.

7. Place online advertisements on CraigsList and Yellow Pages under the "Services Provided" section for your city or market area.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your county's business office to determine the legalities of passing out brochures and other promotional materials.

References

• Entrepreneur: Creating Print Ads
• Moe Graphix Design Studios: Business Print Ads

Resources

• Meetup
• Craigslist
• Yellow Pages