Without customers, you won’t have any work, no matter how good you are at your job.
Many trade business owners face hard times and even fail before getting started, not because there are too few customers seeking their services, but because customers are not aware that their business exists.
This blog article looks at simple methods for getting more tradie jobs.
Ongoing partnerships and strategic relationships
Marketing is most commonly associated with traditional advertising, such as online advertising, direct mail, and radio. Strategic partnerships are often overlooked in marketing strategies – this is especially the case with tradies! It is often strategic partnerships that make the difference between the average tradie business and a thriving business with accelerated profits and growth.
A strategic partnership with another business can have huge benefits for a small business in the tradesman industry due to its highly competitive nature. An ongoing partnership can be anything from simple business relationships (such as working as a preferred plumber for a builder) to more formal arrangements (such as being a preferred tradie for a local real estate agent).
Referrals
A trusted method that’s as old as time itself, word-of-mouth remains one of the most effective marketing approaches. It is likely that a satisfied customer will tell people they know (and even strangers) about their experience.
However, do not sit back and wait for your customers to share details of your services with their circle of family and friends. Enquire as to whether any of their friends and family may benefit from your help and ask permission to get in touch with them.
List your business for free on Google My Business
Business owners are able to increase their online presence by listing their Google My Business listing, which customers can subsequently use to find their businesses and review their services. Having a Google My Business listing increases your online presence because Google My Business listings appear above normal search results. A further advantage is that you can also reply to reviews left by customers about your business. What’s more, your ranking on Google will increase if you get more reviews and positive ratings. Since it’s free and easy to set up, why not make use of it?
While on Google compare competitive online quotes for tradie insurance. Online insurance comparison websites can be a quick way to get a cheaper quote for your business.Â
Use social media
Even though it is great to meet up with local businesses in person, social media is the most popular channel for networking in the contemporary digital era.
By using social media, you can reach a larger number of prospective customers without spending any money. Social media also allows tradies to interact in real time with their clients, be it through sharing articles, displaying images of jobs, answering questions, and eliciting customer feedback. Best of all, sharing and liking your business will allow your followers to let other potential customers know about your business.
Promote your business using signs on your car and worksite
Traders are likely to own a car, ute, or 4×4 truck. This essential vehicle also doubles up as a very effective marketing tool. Place a promotional sign on your vehicle, and everyone on the road can see you when you’re driving to and from work or home. When your car is stationary at a work area or in a carpark, people walking by will see your advertisement and learn about your business. If you have a lengthy job to complete, ask the client if you can place a promotional sign detailing your services at the entrance to the site you’re currently working on.
Perform letterbox drops
Letterbox drops are a traditional advertising method that effectively exposes your business to local residents. By doing a 10–15-minute letterbox drop before or after a job, you could reach up to 50 residents in the neighbourhood you are working in.
Obtain customer reviews and testimonials
Feedback from customers can be used to improve your business, promote your services, and establish a strong reputation. The people you work with will recommend your services to others if they like you or the job you’ve performed. Contact them directly or through an email to ask for a testimonial. You can provide them with suggestions if they don’t know what to write; for instance, you clearly communicated your work requirements, cleaned up well after the job, or provided a competitive quote, etc. Share these outstanding testimonials online to reassure potential new clients of your work quality. If customers leave negative feedback, take the time to discover what it was they didn’t like about the job you performed and then take active steps to address any issues. Although bad reviews may sting, they can also help you to significantly improve your business practices.
Make it easy for your customers to contact you
The majority of customers are likely to have a busy schedule and may be unable to call you during your business hours. Even when they do, you may be busy on a job and unable to answer your phone. Customers should have other options besides mobile to contact you. Make sure you include an email address and contact form on your site and use social media messaging platforms to connect with customers.
