Your Christmas Light Business | Systems, Marketing, Pricing, Make Money, Start a Business

Cory Adams
  • 5.0 (39)
  • Entrepreneurship

If you’re ready to make more money with Christmas lights, stay busy year-round, and finally run a smoother, more profitable lighting business… If you want simple, real-world strategies that actually work — from pricing and marketing to building crews and systems… And if you’re tired of the chaos, undercutters, and feeling like everything depends on you — this podcast is for you. So grab your ladder, load up the truck… it’s time to get to work!

  1. Sep 30

    17: Christmas Light Business Advice — Stop Listening to Everyone Online

    There are more Christmas light contractors online sharing advice than ever before—and a lot more contractors criticizing how everyone else runs their business. In Episode 17, Cory talks about a recent interaction with another contractor who criticized Paradise Lights' work and why it brought up a much bigger issue: there isn't one right way to run a Christmas light business. Some companies want to create huge, elaborate displays. Others focus on clean, professional installations that can be installed quickly, serviced efficiently, and remain profitable. Neither strategy is automatically right or wrong. Cory talks about balancing craftsmanship with profitability, why a bigger job isn't always a better job, the problem with blindly following advice online, and why contractors need to understand the business they're actually trying to build. In This Episode Why there's so much Christmas light business advice online right now A contractor publicly criticizing Paradise Lights' work Why different markets require different installation strategies Doing professional work without overcomplicating every installation Are you trying to be an artist—or run a profitable business? Why a $4,000 job isn't automatically better than several smaller jobs Looking at labor, time, efficiency, and margin—not just revenue Why simple and repeatable can be a legitimate business strategy Different Christmas light companies can have completely different business models Why criticizing another contractor's work rarely tells you how successful their business actually is Choosing who you take business advice from Why Cory doesn't expect listeners to agree with everything he says Key Takeaway Different doesn't mean wrong. You can build a company around massive custom displays. You can build one around simpler, repeatable installations. You can specialize in commercial work, residential work, palms, rooflines, or something completely different. The important question isn't whether another contractor approves of your work. Does your customer like it, and does the business model actually make money? Connect with Cory Adams Website: YourLightingBusiness.com TikTok: @c0ry.adams Instagram: @c0ryadams YouTube: Your Lighting Business Free Facebook Community: Your Lighting Business Podcast: Your Lighting Business

  2. Sep 14

    16. Stop Overcomplicating the Sale — What Christmas Light Customers Actually Care About

    Christmas light contractors love talking about LEDs, Kelvin temperatures, commercial-grade products, wire, bulbs, clips, and all the technical details. But is that really what the customer cares about? In Episode 16, Cory talks about why Christmas light companies sometimes make the sales process more complicated than it needs to be. Most customers aren't looking for a technical education—they want to know what their house will look like, when the lights are going up, whether they're on a timer, what happens if something goes wrong, and when everything comes back down. Knowing your product is important. But selling isn't about proving how much you know. It's about understanding what your customer actually wants and making the entire process feel simple. In This Episode Why Christmas light contractors tend to overcomplicate the sale What customers actually want to know before hiring you Why technical knowledge matters—but doesn't always need to be part of the sales pitch Explaining timers, installation, service, takedown, and the overall process Why customers are buying convenience, not just lights Listening to the questions your customer is actually asking Why simple communication can build more trust than technical jargon The difference between sounding knowledgeable and making a customer feel confident   Connect with Cory Adams Website: YourLightingBusiness.com TikTok: @c0ry.adams Instagram: @c0ryadams YouTube: Your Lighting Business Free Facebook Community: Your Lighting Business Podcast: Your Lighting Business

  3. Sep 7

    15. Christmas Light Season Has Started — The Reality of Running a Christmas Light Business

    Christmas light season has officially started — and the problems didn't waste any time showing up. In Episode 15, Cory gives a real-time update from inside his Christmas lighting business. All three company vehicles have already broken down, two new hires didn't work out, and two promising new employees have joined the team. After months of preparing for the season, it's a reminder that no matter how much you plan, running a Christmas light business means dealing with problems as they happen. Cory shares what's gone wrong, what's gone right, and why the goal isn't to build a business where nothing ever goes wrong — it's to build one that can handle it when it does. In This Episode Why Paradise Lights has already started Christmas light installations All three company vehicles breaking down Dealing with unexpected problems during a busy season Two new hires that didn't work out Why it's hard to judge an employee from an interview Finding two promising new team members What the start of the season is revealing about the business Preparing for problems you can't predict Why adaptability matters in a seasonal business The reality of running a Christmas light company during the season Connect with Cory Adams Website: YourLightingBusiness.com TikTok: @c0ry.adams Instagram: @c0ryadams YouTube: Your Lighting Business Free Facebook Community: Your Lighting Business Podcast: Your Lighting Business

  4. Aug 31

    14: Yard Signs, Door Knocking & Truck Wraps — What Works for Christmas Light Businesses?

    Do yard signs, door knocking, and truck wraps actually work for a Christmas light business? In Episode 14, Cory shares his experience with three old-school forms of local advertising that can still produce results. He talks about why yard signs have worked for him but can also make a company look cheap when they're used irresponsibly, why door knocking and door hangers can be effective around existing jobs, and why he believes every lighting company should have professionally branded trucks and trailers. This episode is about more than getting your name in front of people. It's about marketing your Christmas light business in a way that gets attention without hurting the reputation of the company you're trying to build. In This Episode Do yard signs still work for Christmas light companies? Why Cory has mixed feelings about street and yard signs Using signs responsibly and following local rules Door knocking when you're just getting started Using door hangers around existing customers Why you shouldn't sneak into neighborhoods or ignore solicitation rules Turning every installation into an opportunity to reach the neighbors Why truck wraps are one of Cory's must-have marketing investments Using vehicle magnets when a full wrap isn't in the budget Why your trailer can be one of your best moving billboards Building visibility while still protecting your company's image Connect with Cory Adams Website: YourLightingBusiness.com TikTok: @c0ry.adams Instagram: @c0ryadams YouTube: Your Lighting Business Free Facebook Community: Your Lighting Business Podcast: Your Lighting Business

  5. Aug 17

    13: Best Marketing Practices for your Christmas Light Company using Google and SEO.

    How do you get your Christmas light business to show up when customers are searching on Google? Google has consistently been one of the best forms of advertising for Cory's lighting business. In this episode, Cory breaks down the difference between Google Ads and SEO, why both are important, and how your Google Business Profile and customer reviews can help you stand out in your local market. This isn't an SEO masterclass. It's a simple, real-world look at what's worked for Cory and why he believes Christmas light businesses should start building their presence on Google long before the busy season begins. In This Episode Why Google has been Cory's most consistent source of advertising Google Ads vs. SEO: the simple difference Why Google search leads can be so valuable Using Google Ads to get found now Using SEO to build long-term visibility Why you should be doing both The importance of your Google Business Profile Why Google reviews matter Adding photos and keeping your profile updated Why you shouldn't wait until Christmas season to start 📲 Connect with Cory Adams Website: Your Lighting Business on Apple Podcasts

  6. Aug 10

    12: How I Gained 2,000 Followers in 15 Days Growing My Christmas Light Business

    Can social media actually help grow a Christmas light business? Just a few weeks after recording an episode about his frustrations with social media marketing, Cory gained around 2,000 new followers in just 15 days. In this episode, Cory gives an honest, off-the-cuff update on what changed. He talks about creating The Office-style content, improving hooks, posting consistently, showing more personality, and learning to stop overthinking every post. This isn't a formula for going viral or a promise that the same strategy will work for everyone. It's a real-time look at what's currently working, what's still frustrating, and what Cory is learning about using social media to market and grow a Christmas lighting business. In This Episode How Cory gained 2,000 followers in about 15 days Social media marketing for a Christmas light business Why The Office-style videos started gaining traction Creating better hooks and more entertaining content Consistency vs. chasing viral videos Why some posts still completely flop The challenge of turning followers into actual customers Not obsessing over views and analytics What Cory plans to keep doing moving forward Why sometimes you have to keep posting before something finally clicks 📲 Connect with Cory Adams Website: Your Lighting Business on Apple Podcasts

  7. Aug 3

    11: Social Media Marketing for Christmas Light Businesses: What's Actually Working

    Social media has changed—and so has the way Christmas light businesses attract customers. In this episode, Cory shares what's actually working on social media today, what's no longer effective, and the lessons he's learning while building his own Christmas lighting brand. From creating The Office-style videos and testing trending content to the frustrations of chasing views and finding consistency, this is an honest conversation about marketing in today's world. If you're trying to grow your Christmas light business through social media, this episode will help you think differently about creating content that builds trust, gets attention, and keeps your company top of mind. In This Episode Why social media has changed for Christmas light companies Why video beats photos The strategy behind The Office-style series How to find your company's personality online Why consistency beats chasing viral videos Common social media mistakes contractors make The difference between social media and Google marketing What's working for Paradise Lights—and what still isn't Why authenticity matters more than perfection 🌐 Connect with Cory Adams Website: Your Lighting Business on Apple Podcasts

  8. Jul 27

    10. I Left My Christmas Light Business for a Week—Here's What Happened

    What really happens when you step away from your Christmas light business? In this episode, Cory shares what he learned after taking a week-long vacation away from the business. While getting away with family was refreshing, it also became a real test of the systems, employees, and processes that had been put in place. From the questions that still came through to the things that worked without him, Cory shares honest lessons about leadership, delegation, communication, and why every business owner should occasionally step away to expose weaknesses before the busy Christmas season begins. If your goal is to build a Christmas light business that doesn't depend on you every minute of every day, this episode is for you.   📲 Connect with Cory Adams TikTok: @c0ry.adams Instagram: @c0ryadams YouTube: Your Lighting Business YouTube Facebook Group: Your Christmas Lighting Business Facebook Group Podcast: Your Lighting Business on Apple Podcasts

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5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

If you’re ready to make more money with Christmas lights, stay busy year-round, and finally run a smoother, more profitable lighting business… If you want simple, real-world strategies that actually work — from pricing and marketing to building crews and systems… And if you’re tired of the chaos, undercutters, and feeling like everything depends on you — this podcast is for you. So grab your ladder, load up the truck… it’s time to get to work!

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