#37 most asked· 2× cited on Reddit· Recurring service, retention & referrals
The easiest sale you'll ever make is a customer you already have
Win back customers who went quiet, automatically, 18 months later
By Daniel Hall · Automation builder at Made 4 Tradies
When a customer hasn't booked in 18 months, most tradies just forget about them. This automation does the opposite: it quietly tracks how long it's been since each customer's last job, cleans the contact list so only real, contactable people get messaged, then sends a warm "we'd love to see you again, here's $50 off" SMS or email. The customer already knows you, already trusts your work and already has you in their phone, so there's no cold-lead effort and no ad spend. They just need a nudge and a reason to book. One owner's retention program reported 73% of customers responded positively to the early check-in and 41% had re-booked a service by Day 90. The demo shows exactly what an old customer sees: a friendly, specific message from the tradie who did their switchboard a year and a half ago, an honest opt-out line, and a re-booking that lands the same afternoon.
See it in action
The flow, end to end
What your old customer sees
Step 1 — clean the list
Before a single text goes out, the list is scrubbed: drop bad numbers, opt-outs and one-off tyre-kickers. Reddit reactivation advice is blunt about it — “clean the list first.”
Reported re-engagement
41% re-booked a service by Day 90
Reported by one owner's retention program in the cited Reddit thread. Your real numbers depend on your customer mix and how recently they last booked.
Why it's the easiest sale you'll make
These people already know you, already trust your work and already have you in their phone. You're not buying a new lead — you're reminding someone who liked you that you're still around.
How it works
Trigger → actions → outcome
- 1
Trigger
The system flags any past customer who hasn't booked a job in 18 months and is ready for a gentle nudge.
- 2
Action 1
It cleans the list first, dropping dead numbers, opt-outs and one-off tyre-kickers so only real, contactable customers get a message.
- 3
Action 2
Each remaining customer gets a personal SMS or email referencing their last job and a $50-off offer on their next booking, with a one-tap STOP opt-out.
- 4
Action 3
When they reply, a booking link lets them pick a time and the discount is applied automatically to that job.
- 5
Outcome
Customers who'd quietly drifted away re-book a downlight install, safety check or extra power points without you chasing a single cold lead.
What this means for your business
The numbers behind it
73%
responded positively to the early check-in
Reported by one retention program in the cited Reddit thread
41%
re-booked a service by Day 90
Reported, same Reddit thread; depends on your customer mix
$50 off
offer that reopens the conversation
Illustrative, matches this automation's example offer
Questions
Common questions
- What does the "Dormant-customer reactivation campaign" automation do?
- Customer hasn't booked in 18 months → automatic 'we'd love to see you again, here's $50 off' SMS / email.
- Why would a tradie business want this?
- Easiest sale a tradie can make.
- How many Reddit threads asked for this?
- 2 verified Reddit threads cite this automation, sourced from trade-owner subreddits.
The evidence
2 verified Reddit threads
Every quote is traceable to a real Reddit thread. Click any source to read the original tradies asking for this.
- r/Emailmarketing
'Don't forget to clean the list first via list cleaning tools.'
- r/growmybusiness
'73% responded positively to the Day 30 call' and '41% scheduled follow-up services by Day 90.'
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