Plenty of trades business owners didn't get into the game to sit around on the phone quoting. You got into it because you're good at what you do — not because you love chasing people for work.
The reality is: being great at your trade isn't enough to keep the phone ringing. Word of mouth hasn't died, but it's unpredictable - especially when the market slows.
So what actually works? Here are a few no-BS strategies that shift the needle - no a fancy agency.
Sort Out Your Web Footprint
If a homeowner Googles "plumber near me" - can they find you? A surprising number of owner-operators are running without a proper online profile.
You don't need a $10k custom site. A simple website that displays what you actually do, mentions the suburbs you operate in, and has a clear way to get in touch - that's where you start.
A basic landing page with your services, contact details, and a few photos outperforms the tradies who have nothing.
Your Google Listing - Costs Nothing, Does a Lot
If you've been sleeping on your GBP, you're handing work to your competition. It's completely free.
That map pack that pops up before everything else when a homeowner needs a tradie - those spots get the most calls. And getting there is mostly about having a complete, active profile.
- Add pictures from actual jobs - real before-and-afters from site
- Build up your review count with genuine feedback - reviews are everything for local
search
- Engage with what people write - Google notices and so do customers
- Keep your hours and contact details up to date
These small things adds up month after month. Blokes who put 20 minutes a month into this consistently outrank the ones who set and forget.
Social Media - Keep It Simple
Nobody's asking you to be a content creator. The tradies who get results from social media aren't doing anything fancy.
Grab a shot before you pack up and leave site. Transformation shots perform better than anything. A fresh switchboard - that tells the story on its own.
Write a line or two about the job and that's it, done. You don't need to post every day. Each post shows potential customers you're the real deal.
People trust photos of real work. Real work on display outperforms any amount of fancy marketing - because there's no faking it.
Paid Ads - When They Make Sense
Spending money on online ads gets results when it's set up more properly - but it's not a set-and-forget situation. Where most people waste their budget is boosting random Facebook posts.
If you're going to invest in ads: have a landing page that works. There's no point driving traffic if your site looks like it was built in 2005.
Don't go all-in on day one. Measure results, not just impressions. Put more behind what works and kill the duds quickly.
Reviews and Reputation - The Stuff That Actually Sells
One thing worth paying attention to: nearly every potential customer will read your reviews before they pick up the phone. Someone with a stack of real feedback gets the call over a tradie with none - every single time.
Make it a habit to send a quick message asking for feedback. Most customers are happy to help - you just have to ask. Send them a direct link and most will do it on the spot.
If you get a bad review, reply calmly and factually - your response to complaints is just as important as the positive ones.
The Bottom Line
Marketing your trades business doesn't have to be complicated. Blokes with full schedules haven't cracked some secret code - they set up a few things properly and keep showing up.
Get your online profile in order. Let your jobs do the talking. Build your reputation with real feedback. When you put money into advertising, do it with a plan, not a prayer.
The quality of your work speaks for itself - getting found online doesn't take as much as you'd expect once you get the ball rolling.