It’s that time of year again. The temperature is beginning to dip and for some, snow is on the forecast. It’s time you took a break. You also need to grow your business over the holidays – especially this year! But how do you balance the two? And who’s going to answer your customers’ calls and chats during the holiday season?
In home services, every customer counts – especially for small businesses. On average, 50% of people struggle to completely disconnect from their work during the holidays. But what if you could still be available for your customers and be able to sit down for dinner with your family?
Here are 7 ways you can grow your business over the holidays.
1. Be available
Why do you think twice about taking time off? Is it that you could miss customers?
Every missed call is a missed opportunity. And you can’t rely on voicemail to save you either. 80% of your customers will hang up when they reach voicemail, and go somewhere else. So become 24/7!
Having your phone with you at all times is one way, or you could have professional virtual receptionists answer for you. Whether it’s a burst pipe from the cold, a serious restoration emergency, or to schedule a routine service, you’ve got it covered.
No more missed calls or missed opportunities. For emergencies, your on-call team is alerted immediately. For less urgent calls you’ll get messages and updates sent via the AnswerForce app. So when you’re back at work, your immediate actions are stored in one place.
Related: 24/7 answering services
2. Improve your speed to lead
Customers live in a world where a pizza can be delivered to their door in 20 minutes and online orders the next day (if not sooner!). This expectation extends to your business as well. When they call or inquire on your website, they’re looking for an answer quickly. And with competition on the rise, being fast – and first – to respond is what will win you the job.
Improving your speed to lead – and being consistently able to respond quickly, even over the holidays – is a key way to grow. Knowing when they’re likely to call, what counts as an emergency vs an inquiry, the next step in the sales journey, and what details you need to capture are all key.
Related article: Speed to lead playbook
3. Know your customer
Your business is personal, so how can someone else give it the same care? You could save everyone’s name and number, ready for when they call, but so can an answering service.
When selecting an answering service, find one with a personal touch. It makes your business stand out and memorable the next time a customer needs you.
With AnswerForce Verified Contacts, customers only need to give you their information once. All you need to do is upload your customers’ information and our team will know exactly who’s calling.
It’s this kind of service that makes you stand out from the competition. Customers hate repeating their details over the phone and you risk losing them. This is why Verified Contacts are so important when answering your customers during the holidays.
Related article: How to use verified contacts with AnswerForce
4. Make the most of reviews
Almost everyone reads reviews before hiring a home service business. Over 90%, according to Power Reviews. Reviews are critical for building trust and showcasing the work you’ve done for other customers. Having clear requests to customers to review you, then showcasing these reviews on your website are both great for showing the quality of your service. Over the holidays, people will be researching businesses to do projects, so having visible proof of your reputation is key for growth.
Related article: Win more jobs with reviews
Related article: How to reply to negative reviews (with examples)
5. Qualify every lead
It’s difficult to have one ear on your customers and the other on the NFL. How else are you supposed to qualify every lead? There’s no point in agreeing to every job opportunity, only to find they aren’t a good fit.
A Virtual receptionist can qualify every lead. Receptionists are specially trained for your industry too. This leaves you with plenty of time to focus on your family or the game while also being able to grow your business.
Related: Lead qualification
6. Integrate your operations
Running a business is no simple task. Aside from doing the job you set out to do, there are employees to manage, customer service calls, marketing, and accounts to keep straight. It’s the same as a spinning plate act in the circus.
Letting any of these aspects fall behind can spell disaster for your business.
That’s why being able to integrate all your business software is vital to keep any company running. It’s even more important when you’re taking time off during the holidays, leaving your business unattended.
Services like AnswerForce help integrate your call data into your field service software and other business platforms. So while you’re catching up with friends this holiday season, your business is keeping up with every new update.
Related: Available integrations
7. Keep your calendar full
Time can slip away over the holidays. Whether it’s enjoying back-to-back football games or time with your kids, the pressures of your business become a distant memory. But when the holidays are over, it all comes flooding back. And it can be overwhelming.
Seamless appointment setting means your business stays up to date even when you’re away. When the follow-up on a call is an appointment, estimate, or call back, it’s scheduled directly into your calendar. So you’re ready and available for business as soon as the holidays are over.
Related: Appointment scheduling
How AnswerForce can help
AnswerForce understands how important time with your family is during the holidays. We also understand how important keeping your business running is.
That’s why with teams dedicated to the service industry, you can relax in knowing your business is answering customers 24/7.
Want to find out how we can help? Schedule a demo today and talk to our team about how your business can continue to grow this holiday season.