Every roofer knows the feeling. One week your phone won’t stop ringing, the next it goes quiet. These slow patches happen for different reasons. It could be weather changes, the end of busy season, or just fewer homeowners needing urgent work. Whatever the reason, a lull in calls doesn’t have to mean a lull in business. Waiting around for the next job isn’t much of a plan. It’s time to get proactive and create your own momentum.
That doesn’t mean you have to overhaul everything. Small, smarter steps can spark real change. The key is to have a marketing plan that works even when the phone isn’t. With a few changes, you can turn slow weeks into chances to build your brand, stand out, and get the calls flowing again. Here’s how you can keep your roofing business steady and growing when leads dry up.
Assess Your Current Marketing Strategies
Before adding anything new, take a look at what’s working now. You might already be spending money on ads, signs, or websites, but it’s good to ask if they’re actually bringing in leads.
Ask yourself a few questions:
- What current tools or efforts are sending you the most calls?
- Where are you spending money, and what are you getting in return?
- Are those calls turning into paying customers?
Sometimes the issue isn’t a lack of traffic, but traffic not turning into action. Maybe your site looks nice but it’s missing clear steps to book an appointment. Or maybe you’re running ads that reach the wrong crowd. This is where a basic marketing audit helps. Nothing fancy needed. Even writing down a simple list of what’s paid off and what hasn’t is a good start.
Once you know what’s working, double down on it. Cut anything draining your budget with no results. That’s how you keep your plan lean and focused.
Leverage Online Reviews and Testimonials
When business slows down, trust becomes even more important. Most people won’t call a company without proof it does good work. That proof often comes in the form of online reviews.
Right after a job, get in touch with happy customers. Send a follow-up message asking for a review on Google or a local review page. Make it easy with a direct link. The easier you make it, the more likely it’ll happen.
Once you get positive feedback, put it to work. Try these ideas:
- Show short quotes on your website’s homepage or service pages
- Include first names and their city (with permission) to make the quotes feel real
- Add testimonials next to your contact or quote form
Reviews can also be used in marketing or social media posts. One example might be: “They came out fast, got the job done right, and left the place clean.” Simple, clear, and believable. That’s the kind of comment that builds confidence.
Other smart ways to use your reviews:
- Add a rotating review section to your site that changes daily
- Comment back and thank reviewers so others see you’re active
- Post review screenshots in your social media posts
Happy customers are your best salespeople. Make their voices easy to find.
Utilize Local SEO Tactics
If phones are quiet, it might be because people can’t find you online. This is where local SEO comes in. Local homeowners often search terms like “roof repair near me” or “emergency roofer in [Your City].” You want your name to pop up when they do.
Start with your Google Business Profile. Make sure everything’s accurate:
- Full business name
- Address and phone number
- Right categories, like “Roofing Contractor”
- Operating hours
- Photos of your actual jobs
- Clear service area settings
This builds Google’s confidence to show your business in search results. More eyes on your listing means more chances for that phone to ring.
On your website, use city or neighbourhood-specific key phrases. Add these naturally to titles, descriptions, and headers. Phrases like “metal roof install in [City]” or “leak repair service in [Neighbouring Town]” help Google connect your work to local searches.
Boost your local visibility further with:
- Blog posts answering local homeowner questions
- A clear FAQ section that helps solve problems
- Different pages for each city or community you serve
These help send the right signals and bring the right people to your business when they’re looking for help.
Engage Through Social Media
During dry spells, it’s easy to stop posting online. But showing what you’re doing, even through slow times, helps people remember you. Social media keeps your name active in your area.
Post simple things like:
- Pictures of your latest roofing job
- A quick behind-the-scenes photo of your crew working
- A time-lapse from install to clean up
You don’t need professional photography. Most folks prefer real images taken with a phone over picture-perfect stock shots. Just be yourself and let the work speak for itself.
Some low-effort post ideas:
- “How to spot damage on your roof after a storm”
- A customer thank-you card taped to your truck
- A poll asking: “Would you ever switch to metal roofing?”
- A tip on “What to watch for before winter hits”
Boost popular posts using paid ads. This helps you reach homeowners nearby without spending a ton. You can fine-tune exactly where the ads show up, by radius or interests. It’s like keeping a sign up in every neighbourhood, whether you’ve got a job there or not.
Plan Seasonal Promotions and Offers
Roofing is affected by the weather. But you can use that to your advantage. Different seasons bring different problems, and many homeowners don’t act until there’s an urgency.
Offer promotions that fit the time of year. For example:
- In fall, pitch a storm-check special before winter hits
- In spring, offer a post-snowmelt roof scan or free estimate
- Add time limits to encourage faster bookings
Deals that catch attention:
1. Free gutter inspection with every full roof replacement
2. Discount for jobs booked by the end of the month
3. Referral program with simple rewards
4. Early-spring checkups at a flat rate
5. Midweek appointment discounts when crews have open time
Don’t hide these promotions. Put them right on your homepage, pin them on your social media feeds, and include them in reminder emails to past clients.
Email marketing works well here, especially with customers who haven’t called in a while. A short message like “Spring storms are here—want us to check on your roof?” can bring old clients back into the fold.
Staying Visible, Even Through Slow Weeks
When phones stop ringing, staying visible is your most valuable move. The more often people see your name, the more likely they’ll remember you when they need a roofer. Whether it’s someone you’ve worked with before or a neighbour who’s just now getting that first leak, staying present means you’re more likely to get the call.
You don’t have to be everywhere at once. Just keep a regular rhythm going. One week it’s a job before-and-after photo. Next week it’s a promo shared on Facebook. The week after, it might be a printed flyer for a local board.
Take ten minutes at the end of each month to look over what worked. Which posts got reactions? What ad brought in good leads? Did anyone mention the promo you ran? Use that info to guide your next steps without guessing.
When you keep showing up, stay helpful, and stay consistent, your roofing business will be the one they think of first. That’s how slow periods stop feeling so slow. Shift the momentum back in your favour. Keep the calls coming all year long.
Elevate your roofing business by focusing on smart marketing. Consistency and strategy can help you get ahead and fill your call log with potential clients. At Funky Moose Digital, we specialize in roofer marketing services to boost your visibility and connect you with more homeowners. Find out how these strategies can turn your quiet periods into a busy season.