Get Loyal Plumbing Customers With This KILLER Strategy
Hey, Tyler Williams here — owner of Mammoth Marketing for Plumbers, where our specialty is helping plumbing businesses stand out in a market that sometimes feels like a gladiator arena. You can find me over at Mammoth for Plumbers, where my crew and I help plumbers win the marketing game.
Let me take you back for a second. Once upon a time, marketing was easy. Fewer competitors. Cheaper clicks. Phones ringing off the hook. But if you’re running a plumbing business today, you already know that gold rush is long gone. The market is cutthroat, and if you’re not strategic, you’re invisible.
So here’s the big question: How do you get not just customers, but loyal plumbing customers who will call you again and again?
Stick with me, because I’m about to break down my three-step process — a system I like to call the Later Leads Strategy. By the end, you’ll know how to build visibility, capture “future customers,” and keep your brand top of mind so you’re the only plumber they think of when a pipe bursts at 2 AM.
Step 1: Visibility is Non-Negotiable
Let’s start with the obvious: nobody hires a plumber they don’t know exists.
If you’re hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect SEO strategy to magically kick in, you’re already behind. You need to get your name in front of thousands of people — not just once, but consistently.
Here’s what I mean: those first few months of any marketing campaign are all about trust-building and awareness. You’re not chasing immediate conversions; you’re priming the pump. The goal is simple — let people see your brand enough times that when they do have a plumbing problem, your company is the first name they think of.
This is why advertising isn’t optional. Whether it’s paid ads on Facebook, Google, or local radio spots — your budget should be working hard to keep you visible. The more times homeowners see your name, the more they’ll start to trust it.
Think of it like planting seeds. You don’t drop one seed in the ground and expect a full harvest overnight. You plant rows and rows, water them, nurture them, and then, when the season’s right, you reap the rewards.
Step 2: Capture “Later Leads”
Here’s where most plumbers drop the ball. They focus only on the people who need a plumber today. But let me tell you, the real treasure lies in the folks who will eventually need you — the “later leads.”
A later lead is someone who isn’t dealing with a burst pipe or clogged sewer this second, but you better believe they’ll need help down the road. And when that day comes, you want them thinking of you.
So how do you capture these later leads? Simple: you trade something valuable for their name, address, and phone number.
Now, don’t make the rookie mistake of trying to trade plumbing services. Nobody wakes up thinking, “You know what I’d love today? A free drain inspection!” That’s not exactly a hot ticket. Instead, align your brand with things homeowners actually care about:
Their kids
Their community
Their lifestyle
This is where giveaways, contests, and community causes come in. For example, maybe you give away tickets to a local sports game, concert, or family event. Or maybe you sponsor a community clean-up day. The point is to make your brand desirable by connecting it to something people already want.
And here’s a pro tip: if you’re going the concert giveaway route, skip the Taylor Swift tickets. Swifties are fun, but they’re not usually your core homeowner demographic. Aim for bands or events that appeal to middle-aged homeowners — think AC/DC, Weezer, or that throwback band people have been meaning to see for years.
By trading something they actually care about, you get their contact info — and now you’ve got a list of warm future customers.
Step 3: The Later Lead Incubator
Okay, so you’ve captured their info. Now what? Do you let it collect dust in a spreadsheet? Nope. That’s where the Later Lead Incubator comes in.
This is all about retargeting and nurturing. You can’t just capture leads and disappear. You need to stay in front of them so they never forget your name.
Here’s the beauty of retargeting: it’s way cheaper than your broad awareness campaigns. Instead of marketing to 50,000 strangers, you’re marketing to a smaller, warmer list of people who already raised their hands and said, “Sure, I’ll give you my info.”
Ways to incubate later leads:
Digital retargeting ads: Facebook and Google make this easy.
Quarterly mailers: Yep, the old-school kind still works.
Email campaigns: Share seasonal plumbing tips, reminders, or promotions.
Text messages (sparingly): If a big storm is coming, send a helpful text like, “Here are 3 things to do before heavy rain to protect your home — and if something breaks, we’re here.”
By layering these touchpoints, you create the feeling that you’re everywhere. You’re the plumber in their mailbox, inbox, Facebook feed, and neighborhood. And when the moment comes — whether it’s a leaky faucet or a full-blown disaster — who do you think they’re going to call?
Why This Strategy Boosts Your Prices
Here’s the hidden superpower of this strategy: it doesn’t just get you customers, it gives you leverage.
When homeowners see you everywhere, trust you, and recognize your name, they’re less likely to haggle on price. They’ll pay more because they’re confident you’re the right choice. You’re not just another plumber; you’re the plumber they already feel connected to.
And when you have that kind of brand presence, you can confidently ask for higher prices — because you’ve already done the work to show them you’re worth it.
The Long Game: Consistency and Patience
Look, I won’t sugarcoat it — this isn’t a quick-fix strategy. You won’t see results overnight. But if you stay consistent, this will become your marketing engine.
Think about it: you’re casting your net wide with visibility, capturing later leads through smart giveaways and community alignment, and incubating those leads with retargeting. Over time, this builds unstoppable momentum.
Marketing isn’t about quick wins anymore. It’s about showing up again and again, building trust, and making sure you’re the plumber people call when the unexpected happens.
Let’s Talk About Your Business
That’s the Later Leads Strategy in a nutshell:
Be visible.
Capture later leads.
Incubate them with retargeting.
If you want to dominate your local plumbing market, this strategy isn’t optional — it’s essential.
And here’s the deal: my team and I at Mammoth Marketing help plumbers put systems like this in place every day. If you’d like us to take a look at your business and figure out where you should focus first, I’d love to chat.
Schedule a consultation with me at TylerWilliams.net and let’s talk about how to get loyal plumbing customers with this killer strategy.
Because the truth is, when you play the long game with Later Leads, you don’t just win customers — you win the market.
