Winning municipal and commercial holiday lighting jobs can have a significant positive
influence on your revenue. Here are some helpful tips to educate and prepare you on how to gain these jobs.
To be successful when bidding, bring your portfolio and show pictures of your work.
If you need guidance when creating a quote, use our Estimation Tool. Our
Estimation Tool is a great resource when organizing and customizing a company’s
special needs and costs.
Municipal
Get in early! Government entities typically establish their annual budgets around
January or February. We recommend going in around this time and offering a bid.
This will increase your chances of being chosen when they sort through bids.
Work to figure out who the decision maker is and communicate directly with them if
possible. Keep in mind that it can often be more than one person. Communicating
with the correct personnel is critical because it can help you to get your foot in the
door. Learn the criteria they are looking for, what they would like to see done, and
what their deadlines are, etc. Seeing your interest in these details will increase their
trust in you and be a start to a great relationship. If you are selected to do the holiday lighting job, establish when you will be back, we recommend you return in October.
CoMMERCIAL
It is still important to get in early when offering bids on commercial jobs, however, it
doesn’t have to be as early as municipal since commercial business timelines and
budgets are typically more flexible.
When making your pitch, make sure to highlight and talk about how it will draw
attention to their business. Explore and explain commercial products, like spheres
or ribbon lights, that you normally wouldn’t use in residential or municipal jobs.
Mention how including these features will add a wow factor to their holiday lighting
install.
Again, if you are selected to do the holiday lighting job, establish when you will be
back, we recommend you return in October.
Pro Tip – When selected for municipal or commercial holiday install jobs, consider
writing a thank you card thanking them for their business and confidence in you.
