System 09: Reactivate past customers

Win back past customers and dormant leads with simple email/SMS campaigns for HVAC and plumbing. Encharge-ready reactivation that books jobs without more ad spend.

Curriculum system for HVAC and plumbing. Part of the Booked Job Machine. Work with Nef installs for founding clients.

New leads are expensive. Past customers already trust you — most shops never ask them back with a clear offer and calendar CTA.

At a Glance

  • Outcome: Book jobs from customers and leads you already paid to acquire
  • This week: Export last 12 months of customers; send one reactivation blast
  • Stack: CRM/export → segment → SMS/email sequence → calendar book → tag source reactivation
  • Related: Templates · Follow-up (System 08) · Reviews (System 10)

Do This Week

  1. Export completed jobs from the last 12 months (name, phone, email, service, date, city).
  2. Segment into 2–3 lists: recent (0–6 mo), dormant (6–18 mo), high-ticket past (water heater / system replace).
  3. Write one offer (example: AC tune-up $X, drain special, water heater flush, filter + safety check).
  4. Send SMS first (highest open rate); email second if you have addresses.
  5. Tag every booked job source = reactivation for System 12.

Simple Reactivation Sequence (7 days)

DayChannelMessage goal
0SMSOffer + book CTA (link or “reply YES”)
2SMSSoft bump — scarcity or season
5Email or SMSLast call + review social proof
14OptionalDifferent offer for non-openers

SMS skeleton:

Hi [Name] — [Company]. It's been a while since we [last service]. 
We have [offer] open [this week / this month] for past customers in [City]. 
Reply YES or book: [link]. Text STOP to opt out.

HVAC vs Plumbing Offers

TradeStrong reactivation offers
PlumbingAnnual drain clean, water heater flush/check, leak insurance-style maintenance, seasonal pipe check
HVACSpring/fall tune-up, filter plan renewal, “before the heat/cold hits” safety check, IAQ add-on

Platform Notes (DIY vs Nef)

  • DIY: Phone/CRM broadcast or a simple email tool is fine to start.
  • Managed: Founding / Full Acquisition Machine builds segments and automations on Encharge (and related tools) so reactivations run without you remembering.
  • Always honor STOP / unsubscribe and local messaging rules.

Red Flags

  • Blasting everyone the same “we miss you” with no offer
  • No source tag on booked reactivation jobs
  • Texting people who opted out
  • Promising prices you cannot hold on truck

How This Fits the Machine

Reactivation is a core differentiator of the Full Acquisition Machine. DIY owners can blast from a spreadsheet; founding clients get segments and automations on Encharge (and related tools) so past customers come back without heroics.

Next Step

Pair reactivation with System 10 · Reviews so every returning job also asks for a Google review.

Stuck building the machine? Founding free Full Acquisition Machine.

← System 08 · Booked Job Machine · System 10 →

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