You spend good money on Google Ads. You worked hard to make the phone ring. But if you’re not following up the right way, you’re throwing that money away. Most septic service businesses lose jobs, not because they’re bad at what they do, but because they don’t respond fast enough. A homeowner calls about a backed-up system or a full tank, but if they don’t get an answer, they’re calling the next company on Google. That could be a $500, $1,000, or even a $5,000 job—gone in minutes. If this keeps happening, you’re stuck with inconsistent work, slow months, and wasted ad spend. But here’s the good news: a simple fix can help you close more jobs without spending another dime on ads.
In this video, I’m going to share the biggest mistake septic service businesses make when following up with leads, how fast you actually need to respond to win more jobs, and a simple two-step follow-up system that can double your booked jobs overnight. If you’re tired of losing work to competitors who aren’t even better than you, stick around.
Think of leads like a clogged septic line. The longer you wait to clear it, the worse the problem gets. If a homeowner calls you, they’re not just looking for general information—they need help now. Every minute that passes, they get more frustrated, and they start looking for someone else. But if you’re the one who responds first, you’re almost guaranteed to get the job. That’s why follow-up speed and strategy matter so much.
The biggest mistake most septic service businesses make is waiting too long to follow up. A lot of business owners assume that if someone calls and doesn’t leave a voicemail, they weren’t serious. Or if they fill out a form, they’ll just wait for a response. But in reality, most customers won’t leave a voicemail. They’ll just move on to the next company. If you’re not responding within five minutes, you’re losing jobs. Even an hour is too long—people don’t wait when they need emergency service. The fix is simple: if you can’t answer the phone, have an automated system that instantly texts back and says, “Hey, this is [Your Business Name]. We saw your message and will call you right back.” That alone keeps them from calling someone else.
The second question is how fast you actually need to respond. The truth is, the faster, the better. If you can answer live, that’s the best-case scenario. If not, five minutes is your goal. Businesses that respond in under five minutes book 21 times more jobs than those that wait even an hour. That’s how much response time matters. If you’re running the business solo, set up a missed call text alert. If you have an office manager, make sure they call back immediately. The speed at which you respond directly impacts how much money you make.
Now, let’s talk about the two-step follow-up system. Step one: respond immediately, even if it’s just a text letting them know you’re on it. Step two: if they don’t pick up when you call back, send a second text that says, “Just tried calling—let me know when you’re free, and we’ll get you scheduled.” That’s it. Most people will respond to a text, even if they ignore a phone call. This keeps the lead warm and makes it more likely that they’ll book with you instead of your competitor.
If this video helped you, check out my other videos where I break down more ways to get more customers using Google Ads for your septic service business. There are simple changes you can make today that will have a big impact on your bottom line.
