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4 minutes

Meet the Author

Lewis Vandervalk

Lewis Vandervalk

Lewis Vandervalk is an entrepreneur and strategist who helps business owners think critically, lead intentionally, and market with clarity. He’s passionate about challenging conventional ideas and guiding others toward practical, personalized solutions. Through this blog, Lewis shares lessons, insights, and bold questions to help you grow your business your way.

 

If you’re in the trades, junk removal, landscaping, contracting, roofing, you name it, there’s a simple marketing move that’s working insanely well right now.

And it doesn’t involve TikTok dances or complicated funnels.

It’s this:

Take your before-and-after photos and email them to your customer database once or twice a month.

That’s it. Simple. Repeatable. And highly effective.

Especially when you wrap it in an offer or pair it with a story-driven testimonial. These types of emails don’t just “remind” people you exist, they motivate them to act.

Here’s why it works, and how to start doing it right away.

Why Before-and-After Emails Convert So Well

Your past customers already know you. They’ve paid you. They trust you. But they might not think of you for new jobs, or even know what other services you offer.

Emails like this keep your business top-of-mind while showing exactly how you help people.

You’re not just saying “we do junk removal.”
You’re showing a garage that went from chaos to clean in 24 hours.

You’re not just saying “we can help.”
You’re showing proof and then giving them a clear reason to reach out.

 

email converts

What to Send (And How Often)

This isn’t a weekly newsletter with industry tips or home maintenance checklists (though there’s a place for that too).
This is lean, simple, and focused on action.

Here’s the strategy:

  • Send 1–2 emails per month
  • Use before/after photos of real jobs
  • Include an offer or a limited-time incentive
  • Keep the tone casual and human
  • Ask for a simple reply or phone call—no complicated buttons or links needed

 

weekly newsletter

Example #1: The Reply-to-Book Offer

This one’s short and punchy. It plays off a common situation and invites the reader to take quick action.

“We’re reaching out to select homeowners to fill up the remaining spots on our calendar for the month of July.

If you’ve got stuff that you keep saying you want to sell, but year after year goes by and you find yourself saying “this is the year”…

But all you do is continue to add to the pile instead of taking it away. Maybe it’s time to give us a call.

[insert before/after pic]

Reply back to this email with the word “HAUL” and we’ll talk about the details.

Or give us a call at (NUMBER) and we’ll schedule something quickly.

– [Email Signature]

This approach makes it easy to respond. No clicking through or filling out a form. Just reply and you’re on your way.

Example #2: The Testimonial-Style Email

This version tells a short, relatable story. It taps into a common emotional roadblock, clutter and overwhelm, and shows how you helped someone overcome it.

This family wanted to sell their home, but every time they thought about it… they looked around and were reminded of why they couldn’t get it on the market.

Junk.
Junk everywhere.

[insert before pic]

Their garage was packed higher than a warehouse during the Christmas season.
Their patio was overflowing with stuff that couldn’t fit in their garage.
And their eldest kid’s room became the next place to put the extra stuff when guests were coming over.

They gave us a call and asked if we could help them out.
Luckily, we did just that.

[insert after pic]

If you’ve been thinking about selling or you’re just looking to get rid of the things you’re no longer using and would like help…
Reply back with the word “HOME” and we’ll discuss your situation.
Or give us a call at [NUMBER] and we’ll schedule a time for a quote.

– [Email Signature]

People love stories. They can see themselves in this one, which makes them more likely to reach out.

sending emails

Don’t Overthink It. Just Send It.

Most trade businesses overcomplicate marketing.
But this method? It’s low effort, high reward.

You don’t need perfect writing. You don’t need to send it at the “optimal time” or get fancy with formatting.

You just need to show up in their inbox with something real.

If your offer is solid and you stay consistent, sending just 1–2 simple emails per month can lead to a steady stream of leads and booked jobs.

So dig up those before-and-after shots, open your email platform, and hit send.

The jobs are already in your database; you just need to unlock them.

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