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By Mike Burke, Captiv8Marketing
In the window tinting and auto detailing industry, I like to think of the year in two halves: Daylight Savings Time to Daylight Savings Time. That’s our peak season. When the days are longer, the sun is hotter, and customers naturally think about protecting their vehicles and homes, business comes easier.
But when fall rolls in, the game changes. Just like fishing, you can’t use the same bait year-round. If you want to keep catching customers, you’ve got to adjust your strategy.
Start Earlier, End Smarter
In summer, long days allow you to book appointments later and still have plenty of daylight to finish jobs. In fall and winter, daylight fades fast. A smart adjustment? Open earlier.
Instead of starting at 9 a.m., try opening at 8. Get your first appointment in the books earlier and take advantage of the daylight. A small change like this can keep productivity high even when the sun sets sooner.
Competing for Attention
Fall doesn’t just bring shorter days—it brings competition for customer attention. October means Halloween, followed closely by Thanksgiving and Christmas. Social media ads get more expensive, retail promotions flood the market, and customers are budgeting for gifts, family travel, and entertainment.
It’s not that people suddenly have less money in the fall—it’s that they’re allocating it differently. High school football games, college football, NFL Sundays, school activities, and holiday events all take priority. That means less disposable income for window tint, paint protection, or detailing—unless you give them a reason.
Enticing Customers with Value
To win in the fall, you need to adjust your offers. Competing for dollars means adding more value and giving customers a reason to say yes. Maybe it’s throwing in a windshield coating at a discount, or offering 30% off a windshield when they purchase tint. Bundled promotions and seasonal deals can help tip the scales in your favor.
The key takeaway is this: every season requires a different approach. Summer may fill your shops without much effort, but fall and winter demand strategy. Adjust your hours, sharpen your offers, and recognize where your customers’ attention and money are going. If you change your bait, you’ll keep catching customers year-round.
