Lead generation for damage restoration companies is all about investing your time and money wisely. Everyone’s marketing budget has limits, so getting the biggest bang for your buck is critical. To build the best lead generation strategy for your damage restoration business you will need to find the most effective combination of tactics for your unique goals. First you must understand the most commonly used channels, how they work and how they can bring you more water damage work.
In this article, we identify and rate the most common lead generation sources for local residential water damage work. We utilized information from the Cleanfax Restoration Benchmarking Survey Report as well as first-hand experience from our nation-wide network of More Floods Members to compile this list.
As you explore the Top 10 Lead Sources for Water Damage Restoration Work, you will gain insights into each major channel by comparing the Pros and Cons and discovering helpful tips for how to harness them. These tried-and-tested sources are waiting to be tapped, and YOU are about to get a sneak peek of how they work!
The largest source of residential water damage leads is plumber referrals. Makes sense, as most residential water damage is plumbing-related, and most homeowners turn to plumbers first when they have a water damage emergency. In fact, the majority of homeowners do not know damage restoration companies exist.
The largest source of residential water damage leads is plumber referrals. Makes sense, as most residential water damage is plumbing-related, and most homeowners turn to plumbers first when they have a water damage emergency. In fact, the majority of homeowners do not know damage restoration companies exist.
Fact: According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average home in the U.S. only floods once every 52 years!
TIP
Before you fire up the plumber marketing jets, make sure you are operationally sound. You must validate the plumber’s decision to refer work to you beyond the referral fee you pay them. Things like answering your phone live 24/7/365 and getting to the loss fast are critical so that the plumber knows they will never get an angry call or a bad review because they referred you!
TIP!
Before you fire up the plumber marketing jets, make sure you are operationally sound. You must validate the plumber’s decision to refer work to you beyond the referral fee you pay them. Things like answering your phone live 24/7/365 and getting to the loss fast are critical so that the plumber knows they will never get an angry call or a bad review because they referred you!
More Floods has a complete Plumber Marketing System to make you the #1 choice of plumbers in your area. We also offer Elite-level training for your Marketing Reps designed to help them foster long-term relationships with referring partners.
While agents don’t typically get involved in the claims process, those with a strong commitment to customer service or those who have had a poor experience with a contractor often will.
If you are looking to tap into Agent Referrals, More Floods can help you. We offer a complete marketing system with dozens of steps and tactics aimed at Insurance Agents.
TPAs work on behalf of the insurance carrier to manage claims. They are highly focused on keeping the severity of the claim down. Unfortunately for you, they achieve this by dictating pricing to any damage restoration company on their ‘program’.
TIP
Try to avoid becoming too ‘TPA heavy’ in your job mix. The age-old wisdom about not having all your eggs in one basket applies here.
TIP!
Try to avoid becoming too ‘TPA heavy’ in your job mix. The age-old wisdom about not having all your eggs in one basket applies here.
In today’s digital era, having a strong online presence is crucial for water damage restoration companies. Search Engine Optimization works by optimizing your website and content for relevant keywords so you come up higher when a flooded homeowner searches the internet for help.
TIP!
SEO for water damage leads will generally take longer, and require different approaches than other services, like mold remediation. This is because water damage is usually an emergency, as opposed to people ‘shopping’ and ‘educating’ themselves about mold or cleaning. Your SEO provider should know this. If they don’t, you’re probably talking to the wrong provider.
TIP
SEO for water damage leads will generally take longer, and require different approaches than other services, like mold remediation. This is because water damage is usually an emergency, as opposed to people ‘shopping’ and ‘educating’ themselves about mold or cleaning. Your SEO provider should know this. If they don’t, you’re probably talking to the wrong provider.
More Floods partners with a digital marketing firm to provide digital marketing (including SEO, PPC & more) at a discounted rate for More Floods Members. They are well-versed in SEO for water damage restoration.
Of all the lead sources, one of the quickest ways to get leads is Pay-Per-Click (PPC). Google Ads and similar services work by displaying your website when someone searches using specific keywords you define. You pay each time someone clicks on one of your ads.
The most instant solution for getting water damage work is using a lead generation service. These organizations sell leads to you.
If you haven’t considered marketing to carpet cleaners for restoration work, you may be missing out on a largely hidden source of water damage leads. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to call a carpet cleaner when their floors are wet so establishing relationships with them can pay off.
More Floods believes strongly in the power of referring partnerships. That is why we have a complete marketing system built to help you market to carpet cleaners.
Social media has become an indispensable tool for all sorts of businesses. While posting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. may not bring damage restoration leads in the form of new targeted clients, it can bring you leads in the form of referrals. It is important to stay top-of-mind with your referring partners as well as your past clients so when someone needs help, they will think of you.
TIP!
You want to be posting 3-4 times per week on each social platform.
TIP
You want to be posting 3-4 times per week on each social platform.
We understand Social Media can be a time-consuming lead source. Luckily, one of the exclusive member discounts that More Floods Members enjoy is discounted digital marketing (including social media posting, SEO, PPC & more).
By now you know the power of relationships when it comes to lead generation for water damage work. Networking through business groups, Chambers of Commerce, etc. is another way of developing key relationships in your area.
Last in the rankings is traditional media – print ads, billboards, TV and radio. For water damage, these are not likely to generate enough return to warrant the cost. Remember the average home in the U.S. only floods once every 52 years! Because homeowners do not need damage restoration on a regular basis, it is unlikely they will remember your name when an emergency comes up.
TIP!
If you do want to explore traditional media – like radio, TV or print – consider earned media outreach. Make yourself available to reporters during a surge. Provide tips for homeowners. Then feature the news story showcasing your company’s expertise on your website to super-charge your SEO.
TIP
If you do want to explore traditional media – like radio, TV or print – consider earned media outreach. Make yourself available to reporters during a surge. Provide tips for homeowners. Then feature the news story showcasing your company’s expertise on your website to super-charge your SEO.
When it comes to water damage leads, do not put all your eggs in one basket. We recommend using different marketing channels to generate leads so you are not overly dependent on any one channel. At More Floods, you will learn how to generate your own leads so you are not reliant on things like TPA programs that give you little control over your own business. If generating more water damage work is high on your list of goals, contact us today to see if your exclusive territory is available!
More Floods is a collaborative membership program for organizations dedicated to excellence in restoration. We specialize in helping our members grow their water damage business to new heights through specialized training, one-on-one coaching, marketing and operational systems.
Our program is built on best practices from top-performing restoration companies across the industry as well as lessons learned from building our own multi-million dollar restoration company. More Floods acts as your company’s strategic advisor to help you boost profits and dominate your market without franchising, TPA programs or expensive leads to buy.
Want to learn more? Email us at info@morefloods.com or give us a call at 866-931-4231.