Picture this: the holidays are over, your ladders are packed up, and your phone has gone quiet.
What now?
The truth is, your lighting business doesn’t have to go dark after December. With the right strategy, you can turn your holiday hustle into a profitable, year-round operation. Whether it’s commercial installs, summer patios, or permanent lighting solutions—there are huge opportunities waiting.
This guide will show you how to expand your offerings, boost your off-season income, and keep the momentum going strong all year long.
Table of Contents
- Why the Off-Season is Actually Your Secret Weapon
- Summer Lights, Big Profits: Outdoor Decor That Pays
- ChromaGlow: Permanent Lighting, Permanent Revenue
- Going Big: Landing Commercial Contracts and Sculptures
- Building Referrals, Rentals, and Repeat Business
G50 Bulbs with Metal Shades
Why the Off-Season is Actually Your Secret Weapon
It’s tempting to take a breather once the holiday chaos ends—but this is prime time to build your pipeline for the next season. Municipalities and commercial property managers are planning their winter budgets in spring and early summer. If you’re not in front of them now, you’re missing out.
👉 Pro Tip: Register for RFQ/RFP notifications with local governments and commercial districts. It’s often free and puts you on the radar for six-figure lighting jobs.
Take it a step further: build your own list of hotels, malls, plazas, and BIAs. Start cold calling, dropping by with a brochure, or attending networking events. If you've already done stunning residential work (and pictures to back that up), that'll be your greatest calling card.
👉 Pro Tip: When meeting new prospects, your goal is simple: leave them with a smile. People remember how you made them feel more than what you said.
Summer Lights, Big Profits: Outdoor Decor That Pays
As the weather warms up, so does demand for patios and event lighting. Restaurants, golf clubs, and even HOAs want to make outdoor areas shine.
Remember: consumers don't visit restaurants just for the food. They visit them because of the ambience. Your lights won't simply beautify commercial spaces. You'll also make them more competitive.
Our heavy-duty post systems make patio installs easy and profitable. Whether clients want something permanent or a short-term rental for an event, you've got options. One rental can bring in over $1,200 in a weekend.
And don’t forget weddings. Instead of working directly with wedding parties, connect with venues and planners. They’re easier to work with and lead to repeat business.
👉 Pro Tip: Become a preferred vendor by visiting venues in person, learning the space, and showing that you install safely and professionally.
Commercial spaces and homeowners love patio lights. Opt for an Edison style bulb for a traditional look or a G50 bulb for a modern twist.
S14 Edison bulbs strung up on patio
Want a deep dive into summer lighting? Check out our blog on Summer Outdoor Lighting Solutions.
Chromaglow: Permanent Lighting, Permanent Revenue
Permanent lighting is exploding, and it’s not just for Christmas anymore.
About 30% of lighting inquiries are now about permanent installs. This trend is reshaping the industry, and installers who act now will lead the charge.
For the first time ever, you can give homeowners the ability to app control their lights and modify their lights for different holidays. Christmas? Diwali? St. Patrick's Day? Valentine's Day? No problem.
Clients love the clean, architectural look and the convenience of year-round control. You’ll love the 50–60% gross margins.
Our Chromaglow system is easy to install, white-label ready, and comes in two flavors: a vinyl track version for fast installs, and a pro-grade aluminum track version for high-end jobs.
👉 Pro Tip: Walk your neighborhood. Homes with fresh paint, clean gutters, and tidy driveways? Those are your permanent lighting clients. Drop a door knocker.
Want to test it? Join our pilot program for ChromaGlow Pro and get 20% off, no minimums, and access to installer-only perks. Call our sales line at 1-888-444-4081.
Going Big: Landing Commercial Contracts
Commercial lighting isn’t just big. It’s business-changing. Contracts can range from $10K to $500K+. Locking in a great client during the summer can result in a six-figure deal extension by Christmas.
Start small. One well-lit tree at an entrance can be enough to close the deal. Then expand.
And don’t sleep on illuminated sculptures. These high-impact pieces draw crowds, generate buzz, and lead to even more lighting work.
👉 Pro Tip: Sell the outcome, not the product. You’re not just lighting a plaza—you’re helping them draw visitors, boost revenue, and wow the community.
Building Referrals, Rentals, and Repeat Business
Want to keep that revenue flywheel spinning?
- Offer summer sample kits to show off your off-season decor
- Upsell permanent lighting to seasonal customers
- Rent your patio systems to weddings and festivals
👉 Pro Tip: Ask your best clients for referrals (seriously—just ask!)
With the right approach, your "off-season" can become your biggest growth opportunity. Let’s turn that December momentum into year-round success.
Ready to get started? Check out our summer catalog today!