Home shows and local events put you in front of homeowners actively planning projects. Here is how to choose, set up, capture leads and follow up.
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Why home shows still work
Home and garden shows, county fairs and neighborhood events put you face to face with homeowners who are actively thinking about projects. In a few hours you can have conversations that would take weeks online, and people remember the contractor they met in person.
Pick the right event
Choose events where your ideal customers go. A home show in your service area is usually a better fit than a large regional expo two hours away. Ask organizers about expected attendance and what kind of visitors came last year.
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A booth that stops people
Large before-and-after photos, a short headline about what you do and one or two material samples people can touch. Keep the booth open and uncluttered, and stand in front of the table, not behind it.
Bring an offer
An event-only offer gives people a reason to act now: a free inspection, a discount for booking within 30 days or a drawing for a small project. Make sure the offer has a clear deadline.
Capture every lead
Collect name, phone, address, project type and timing on a tablet or a simple form. A pile of business cards in a bowl is hard to follow up on. Ask one question that shows intent: "When are you hoping to start?"
Follow up within 48 hours
Call or text every lead within two days while the conversation is fresh. Prioritize people who plan to start soon. Leads that wait a week often end up with another contractor from the same show.
Know your numbers
Add up booth fee, materials, staff time and the offer. Then track how many estimates and signed jobs came from the event. One or two mid-size jobs can pay for the whole weekend.
Train the people at the booth
Whoever works the booth should know your services, price ranges and next steps, and should be friendly without being pushy. Give them three questions to start conversations, such as "What project are you thinking about this year?". A well-prepared team turns visitors into real appointments.
Build on each event
Note what worked, which offer got the most interest and which questions people asked. Each event gets easier and more profitable when you improve on the last one.
Turn your work into your best advertising.
We help home service contractors turn real projects, videos and events into a steady flow of local leads and booked estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Are home shows worth it for contractors?
They can be when the event is in your service area, the booth shows real projects, you capture every lead with a form and you follow up within 48 hours. Track signed jobs against booth, staff and material costs.