How to Make Your Phone Ring Without Blowing Your Ad Budget
- Sabline Carbaugh
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
“If you don’t market your business, it’s like winking in the dark. You know what you're doing… but nobody else does.”
Let’s be real: Running a home service business is hard work. You’ve got jobs to manage, quotes to send, trucks to gas up, and let’s not even talk about that one customer who swears they paid you but can’t find the receipt.
But here's one thing you can't afford to ignore:
You need leads. Real ones. Like, “ring-ring!” not “like and follow us!”
💥 Rule #1: You Need at Least 3 Marketing Tactics Working at All Times
Think of marketing like tools in your toolbox. Would you build a house with just a hammer?Nope. You’d be standing there with a nail in your mouth and a lot of regret.
Same with advertising. If you’re only using one tactic—like boosting a Facebook post or dropping a few postcards in the mail—you’re gambling with your business.
What you need is a 3-tool combo that keeps customers coming in from multiple directions.
🧠 The “Top 3” Tactics Look Different for Every Business
Some tactics work better for roofers than they do for HVAC.Some work for plumbers but fall flat for landscapers.
So the real question is:
“Which 3 tactics should YOU be using?”
We’ve got a free tool to answer that
You’ll get a custom plan based on your service, ZIP code, and customer type.
But first, let’s meet the top marketing tools on the job site.
The 5 Most Reliable Marketing Tactics
(That Won’t Break the Bank)
1. Google PPC (Pay-Per-Click)
When someone’s toilet explodes or their AC dies in July, they’re not scrolling
Instagram—they’re Googling.
“Emergency plumber near me!”And boom—you show up right when they need you.
Why it works:
You only pay when they click
The leads are 🔥 hot
You get to the top of the page, not buried under your competitors
Pro tip: Use call-only ads so they can hit “dial” without even thinking.
2. Social Media Ads (Facebook & Instagram)
Ah yes, where everyone scrolls at night instead of sleeping.Social ads are perfect for building your brand and staying in front of people before they need you.
Why it works:
Great for before/after shots (hello, landscaping and pressure washing)
Lets you target homeowners by zip, age, income, and even home type
Easy to run promos like “$25 off your first service”
Pro tip: Never just “boost” a post—run a real ad with a real goal.
3. Print Ads (Postcards, Flyers, Door Hangers)
Print is not dead. In fact, print wakes up every morning, sips its coffee, and laughs at all the digital noise.
Why it works:
Gets into real mailboxes of real homeowners
Feels more trustworthy
Easy to target specific neighborhoods or income levels
Pro tip: Use a bold headline like:
“YOUR NEIGHBOR JUST GOT THEIR GUTTERS CLEANED… DID YOU?”
4. Targeted E-blasts
Not spam. Not junk.
Targeted emails sent to the right list = gold.
Why it works:
Great for special offers or seasonal services
Helps you stay top-of-mind
Gets right into the inbox (where decisions get made)
Pro tip: Keep it short, punchy, and add a photo of your crew. People like doing business with real humans.
5. Programmatic Advertising
Sounds fancy, huh? That’s because it is. But it’s also affordable and super smart.
What it does:
Follows your audience around online after they see your ad
Reminds them of your brand again and again (kind of like a loyal dog… but digital)
Works great for services with longer decision times—like remodeling, roofing, or solar
Pro tip: Use it to retarget website visitors who didn’t call you… yet.
Sample 3-Tactic Plans by Industry
Need help building your ad toolbox? Here are some ready-made combos:
Plumber
Google PPC (emergencies!)
Print postcards (drain specials)
Targeted eblasts (seasonal plumbing checks)
Landscaper
Facebook ads with before/afters
Programmatic ads (to keep showing off your work)
Direct mail to specific zip codes
HVAC Company
Google PPC for “AC repair”
Text blasts to past customers
Programmatic to retarget website visitors
Pest Control
Social ads with “gross bug” images
Eblasts with seasonal tips
Postcards with “no bugs allowed” themes
Roofing or Remodeling
Programmatic ads to stay top-of-mind
Direct mail to high-value homes
Google PPC for “roof repair near me”
Don’t Guess. Get Your 3.
If you’re just trying random tactics and hoping for the best, that’s not marketing—that’s fishing in the dark.
Instead, let us help you build your top 3—based on data, not feelings.
👉 Get your FREE custom marketing report here
You don’t need a bigger ad budget—you just need a better plan.
And hey, if you’ve made it this far—you’re already smarter than half your competition. Let’s build your lead machine and get those phones ringing
Comments