Most tradies didn't pick up a tool to waste hours doing marketing. You went solo because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you love marketing yourself online.
But here's the thing: doing quality work isn't enough to keep the phone ringing. Referrals is still gold, but it dries up - mostly when things get quiet.
So what actually works? These are the straightforward strategies that shift the needle - without massive budgets or marketing degrees.
Get Your Online Profile
When someone searches for "plumber near me" - can they find you? Too many tradies haven't set up a proper online profile.
You don't need something complicated. A straightforward site that shows photos of your work, covers your service area, and doesn't make people hunt for your number - that's where you start.
A one-page setup showing your work and how to reach you already beats the blokes relying on Facebook alone.
Your Google Listing - Costs Nothing, Does a Lot
If you haven't claimed your Google Business Profile, you're handing work to your competition. It's completely free.
The map listings that shows up at the top when people look for local
services - those spots get the most calls. Showing up there comes down to filling out your listing properly.
- Put up learn more here photos of your work - real before-and-afters from site
- Build up your review count with genuine feedback - reviews are everything for local
search
- Reply to every review - it shows you're active and approachable
- Update your info when anything changes
All of this adds up month after month. The ones who keep it updated end up above the competition that ignores it.
Facebook and Instagram - Don't Overthink It
You don't need to become an influencer. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta keep it dead simple.
Take a quick pic when you finish a job. Transformation shots get the most engagement by far. A freshly painted room - that's all you need.
Add where the job was and what you did and you're sorted. Even once or twice a week is plenty. All of it shows potential customers you're the real deal.
People trust what they can see with their own eyes. Real work on display outperforms a professionally designed ad campaign - because there's no faking it.
Paid Ads - Not a Magic Bullet
Paid advertising can absolutely work for tradies - but it's not a set-and-forget situation. The common mistake is running ads with no clear target.
Before putting budget behind anything: make sure your website actually converts. There's no point driving traffic if your site looks like it was built in 2005.
Start with a small budget. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Double down on the winners and kill the duds quickly.
Your Online Reputation - The Stuff That Actually Sells
A fact worth paying attention to: the majority of homeowners looks at what other people have said about you first. A tradie with 50 genuine reviews gets the call over someone with zero social proof - regardless of price.
Build it into your process to follow up with a review request. Satisfied clients will do it - they just need a nudge. Make it as easy as possible and the reviews will stack up faster than you'd expect.
Respond to negative reviews professionally - how you handle criticism tells potential customers as much about you as the good reviews do.
Wrapping It Up
Growing a trade business isn't overwhelming. Blokes with full schedules aren't marketing geniuses - they've just covered the basics and stayed consistent.
Sort out your web presence. Let your jobs do the talking. Build your reputation with real feedback. And if you go the paid route, do it with a plan, not a prayer.
Your skills aren't the problem - the growth stuff doesn't take as much as you'd expect once you get the ball rolling.