Marketing your trades business is essential to make you stand out from a crowded field. When you go into business as a tradie, you often focus on performing your trade to the best of your ability, which you should. Over time, the quality of your work will speak for itself, which is the most valuable endorsement of all.
However, any tradie accountant or bookkeeper will tell you there’s more to it. While a good reputation is undoubtedly essential, there are other ways you’ll need to market your services to ensure that you have a steady stream of work. Continue reading to learn seven ways you can market your trades business.
Appear in directories
These days setting up a new business is typically a digital experience; it’s easy to overlook the step of ensuring you appear on a physical list where people can find you. Ensure your business is on whatever relevant trade directories run in your area.
Also, make sure you’re appearing on the online equivalent. Google, Yelp, and Facebook each have business directories. And let’s not forget the phone book. They are still valuable resources for some people looking to hire a tradie.
Have a website
Some website-building platforms are very user-friendly, but if you feel that’s beyond you, hire someone to do it. Most people will complete an online search before hiring a business, and not having a website is like waving a giant red flag that says you’re out of touch, old-fashioned, or even not legitimate. Meanwhile, by having a website, people are reassured that you are who you say you are and can provide what they need.
Leverage social media
You can’t beat a fantastic referral, and naturally, people turn to social media to find out what your customers think if they personally don’t know someone who’s used your services.
Ensure your social media presence is strong and engaged. If you’re not comfortable doing this, hire someone to do it for you. It’s critical when doing business today.
Offer referral promotions
When you wind up with a happy customer, provide them with a simple way to speak positively about your business and refer you to their friends. A pamphlet or thank-you email with a discount code usually does the trick.
Run ads
Marketing as a tradie can be tricky because, typically, your services aren’t always needed. But when required, it’s usually urgent.
If your trades business doesn’t appear on the first page of Google, taking out an online ad might be worthwhile. That way, when someone searches for a tradie in your area, your business advertisement will appear with their search. Someone can only click on your business if they see it, so make sure they have the chance, whether through a browser search or a paid ad.
Make yourself visible in the real world
Make sure your business’s name and logo appear on all the equipment you use, and create uniforms for your team to wear when they’re out and about in the world.
It may not be as big as a billboard, but walking and driving around letting people know who you are, what you do, and how to contact you goes a long way to market your trades business. If people become familiar with your business name, they’ll likely contact you when needed.
Good old-fashioned snail mail
Print campaigns are alive and well, and if you operate a trades business whose services are greatly needed in a specific area, consider making a print ad to pop into mailboxes. However, make sure your print ad is eye-catching, relevant and valuable. You don’t want to waste money producing something that will immediately go into the bin.
Final Thoughts
Marketing for a trades business is like any other type of business in that you must understand your customer base and their needs and be visible when they’re looking for you. With some research and planning, you can be sure your business will pop up in the right place and at the right time.
If you have any questions, feel free to Join the conversation…