Introduction
Most moving company owners know the struggle of attracting new business. Traditional ads cost more, referrals are harder to maintain, and consumers are increasingly skeptical of salesy tactics. But there’s one tool that still remains free, powerful, and underused in the moving industry: social media.
Clients rarely scroll through Instagram or Facebook looking specifically for movers. Instead, they engage with authentic content, stories, and personalities. That’s why companies that master social media for movers often find themselves standing out in their local markets, building trust before customers ever pick up the phone.
In this episode of the Moving Letters AI Podcast, host Matt Young sat down with Austin Yarborough, owner of Central Coast Moving & Storage. Austin has built a brand that consistently grows 30% year over year—even during economic uncertainty—by using social media intentionally.
This blog post breaks down his strategies so that moving company owners, franchisees, and industry professionals can apply them today. From the 5–5–20 Rule to video messaging, you’ll learn how to shift from just movers to being marketing and sales companies that happen to move people.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Social media for movers is non-negotiable. Think like a marketing and sales company first.
- Quantity beats quality. Consistency and frequency outperform polished, expensive production.
- Use the 5–5–20 Rule daily. Five friend requests, five comments, and 20 likes keep your brand top of mind.
- Video messaging increases close rates. Personal, authentic videos to clients and referral partners can raise conversions by 5–10%.
- Hunting and farming matter. Hunt for new relationships but farm existing ones with consistent engagement.
Table of Contents
Why Social Media Matters for Movers
Focus Keyphrase: social media for movers
When Austin addressed the audience at the Moving Revenue Summit, his first message was clear: you are not just a moving company anymore—you are a marketing and sales company.
That’s a powerful mindset shift. Too often, movers treat marketing as an afterthought, relying only on Google Ads, word of mouth, or referrals. But in a market where customers scroll on their phones for hours each day, ignoring social media for movers is like refusing free billboards across town.
The truth? Platforms are free. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) all allow movers to connect with audiences daily. The only investment is time, creativity, and consistency.
Austin explains that this is no longer optional. If you want consistent leads, trust-building relationships, and 30% growth, you must act like a media company that moves people.
Austin’s Golden Nuggets from the Revenue Summit
At the Moving Revenue Summit, Austin delivered six strategies movers could apply immediately. The audience voted for the tactics they wanted to dive into, and four stood out:
- Social Media 101: Simple frameworks for starting, staying consistent, and finding your style.
- The 5–5–20 Rule: A practical daily activity plan for movers.
- Hunting vs. Farming: Knowing when to chase new business and when to nurture existing relationships.
- Video Messaging: Personalized client and partner engagement that boosts conversions.
One participant later told Matt their top takeaway was “send a video.” They had already started recording videos for clients the next day. This highlights how powerful these small but consistent actions can be.
The 5–5–20 Rule: Daily Social Selling
The 5–5–20 Rule is Austin’s cornerstone strategy for social media. It’s designed to be simple, repeatable, and measurable.
- 5 Friend Requests/Connections: Add realtors, builders, or local business owners. These are your potential referral partners.
- 5 Comments: Write thoughtful, genuine comments like “Congrats on your sale,” “Great looking truck,” or “That’s awesome—keep it up.”
- 20 Likes: Likes are free and notify people you engaged with them.
This adds up quickly. Done daily, that’s 245 touchpoints per week and more than 12,000 touchpoints a year. Over time, people begin to recognize your name and brand—without you ever running a paid ad.
Austin even recommends tying this rule to bathroom breaks—making it lighthearted but consistent.
Hunting vs. Farming: Relationship Building for Movers
Another key framework Austin shared is hunting vs. farming.
- Hunting is the active search for new opportunities—attending networking events, scrolling Instagram for local professionals, and adding 30–40 new contacts per day.
- Farming is nurturing those relationships over time with thoughtful comments, encouragement, and interaction.
Both are necessary. Hunting fills your funnel, but farming deepens trust and turns contacts into referral sources. Compliments, likes, and consistent engagement are free tools that many movers overlook.
Austin cautions: too many movers only hunt and never farm. The balance between the two creates long-term success.
Quantity Beats Quality in Moving Company Marketing
One of Austin’s boldest claims is that quantity beats quality on social media. In other words, posting daily raw content outperforms waiting for the perfect video.
“I can do ten videos in an hour at average quality. Those ten touches reach more people than one perfect video ever could.” — Austin Yarborough
Consider the cost comparison:
- $30,000 professional shoot: Five staged videos.
- Same budget for casual content: Thousands of authentic clips filmed on phones.
The numbers make the choice clear. Customers connect with behind-the-scenes content, moving-day excitement, or short video shoutouts far more than staged advertisements. Authenticity builds trust.
Case Study: Central Coast Moving’s 30% Growth
Austin’s Central Coast Moving has grown 30% year over year—a remarkable achievement in an industry where many companies report 20–30% declines. How?
- Client Video Messages: After booking estimates, Austin records thank-you videos. These add a human touch and increase close rates by 5–10%.
- Realtor Thank-Yous: He sends personalized video shoutouts to agents who refer clients. Some repost them to Instagram, amplifying reach.
- Consistency: Austin shows up daily across platforms, no matter what.
He estimates that over 50% of his business now comes directly from relationships built or nurtured on social media. That includes new leads, repeat business, and referrals.
Austin explains: “In 2008, more millionaires were made than lost. You decide if you shrink or grow. Social media lets movers create their own economy.”
Why Choose Movified
Movified isn’t just another podcast. It’s the leading content hub for movers who want to grow smarter, scale faster, and stay connected with industry peers.
- Hosted by Mark Hirschi, mover, speaker, and owner of Salmon’s Moving & Storage.
- Features industry leaders like Austin Yarborough, Winston Davis, TM from Let’s Get Moving, and many more.
- Covers actionable insights on sales, marketing, recruiting, operations, and leadership.
With Movified, movers don’t just listen—they learn, implement, and grow.
Conclusion
Social media is no longer optional—it’s the engine driving growth for today’s movers. Austin Yarborough’s success at Central Coast Moving proves that consistent engagement, video messaging, and frameworks like the 5–5–20 Rule can fuel 30% annual growth.
Movers who adopt these strategies aren’t just waiting for the phone to ring—they’re creating their own demand.
Meet The Host
Mark Hirschi is the founder and host of Movified. With over a decade in the moving and storage industry, Mark combines real-world leadership experience with a passion for mentorship and elevating industry standards.
