In the service business—especially softwashing and pressure washing—getting a customer to say “yes” once is great. But getting that same customer to hire you again (and again) is where long-term wealth is built.
In a recent video on the Lean and Mean Academy YouTube channel, Aaron Parker sat down with Chris Lteran from Footbridge Media to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of building a high-performing softwash business: repeat customers. This blog breaks down their conversation and gives you a step-by-step look at how you can build recurring revenue, keep your clients loyal, and stay top of mind all year long.
The Secret to Long-Term Success: Repeat Customers
“If a customer gives you money one time, the chances of them doing it again go through the roof.” – Aaron Parker
The truth is, customers who already trust you are the easiest and cheapest ones to sell to. Yet too many contractors complete a job, collect the check, and never follow up. That’s like pouring money into a leaky bucket.
Here’s how to plug those holes.
🔑 Step 1: Capture Customer Data Purposefully
This is where the gold is.
You must have a reliable way to capture and organize customer data. Pen and paper might work for your first few jobs, but if that contact information gets balled up and thrown on the floorboard of your truck, it’s useless.
Chris from Footbridge Media nailed it when he said:
“So many contractors complete a job, get paid, and never speak to the customer again. It’s a huge waste.”
You need a CRM (Client Relationship Management tool) that stores names, emails, addresses, phone numbers, quotes, invoices, and follow-ups all in one place. That way, you can easily reach out to schedule future cleanings or ask for reviews and referrals.
The new Footbridge Dashboard makes this easy—and if you’re a Footbridge customer, it’s included in your monthly package. More on that below.
🔑 Step 2: Proactive Follow-Up (AKA Don’t Wait for the Phone to Ring)
Customers aren’t sitting around thinking about their dirty driveway or algae-covered roof… until it’s bad enough to bother them.
That’s why you need to follow up before they think to call you.
Set reminders to reach out in spring, summer, or fall. Offer a maintenance plan. Send a friendly message or email saying:
“Hey, we cleaned your home last April. Let’s get you on the schedule again this year before the algae returns.”
It’s not a cold call—it’s a warm follow-up to someone who already knows and likes your work. And it shows you care.
Future casting—scheduling next year’s cleaning while you’re still on-site this year—is one of the most powerful strategies to lock in repeat business.
🔑 Step 3: Stay Top of Mind Without Being Salesy
If the only time your customers hear from you is when you want money, they’ll tune you out.
Chris recommends adding non-sales touches into your communication. Things like:
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Christmas cards
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Social media posts
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“Thank you” emails
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Newsletters
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Helpful seasonal tips
These types of communications build relationship equity. They keep your brand and your face top of mind without asking for anything. And when the time comes to book again, guess who they’ll remember?
Game-Changer: The New Footbridge CRM Dashboard
If you’ve ever looked at high-end CRMs like Jobber, Housecall Pro, or HubSpot, you know they can get expensive—from $100 to $1,000/month depending on your setup.
The Footbridge Dashboard, however, is built specifically for contractors, and it’s included in the Footbridge Media monthly package if you're a Lean and Mean viewer.
For just $199/month (a $600/year savings from the regular price), you get:
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A full-featured CRM to track leads, customers, quotes, and invoices
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Online payments through Stripe
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Automated lead capture from your website
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Access to Footbridge's expert marketing team
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Review management tools (BirdEye included!)
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Website and hosting built for converting local customers
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Google Business Profile support
👉 Already a Footbridge user? Just call your rep (like Aaron’s guy Kevin Melton) and ask to switch over to the dashboard—no extra cost.
👉 Not signed up yet? Visit footbridgemedia.com or call 888-818-7215 and mention Aaron Parker to lock in the $199/month deal.
Bonus Recommendation:
Attend the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp | June 27–28, 2025
If you’re new to softwashing or want to systemize your business for maximum growth, there’s no better place to start than the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp with Aaron Parker himself.
When: June 27th–28th, 2025
Where: [Location TBA – Stay tuned to Lean and Mean Academy channels for updates]
Who: Perfect for beginners or pros looking to get serious about scaling
At the boot camp, you’ll learn:
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How to set up your softwash equipment
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What chemicals to use and how to apply them safely
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How to market your business and get leads fast
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Sales techniques that convert
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System-building strategies that let you grow and delegate
If you’re serious about building a six-figure service business, this event is non-negotiable.
🎯 Spots are limited and it’s one of the most hands-on softwash training events in the country.
Final Thoughts
Recurring revenue is the difference between owning a job and owning a business.
To make that leap, you need:
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A system for capturing and organizing customer data
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A process for staying in touch and offering value
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A tool that makes it easy to manage it all in one place
That’s exactly what the new Footbridge Dashboard delivers—and it’s included for just $199/month if you mention Aaron Parker.
👉 Call 888-818-7215 or visit footbridgemedia.com to get started.
👉 And don’t forget to reserve your spot at the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp this June.
Let’s get lean, mean, and make 2025 your best year yet.
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