Plenty of trades business owners didn't pick up a tool to spend half the day doing marketing. You went solo because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you enjoy chasing people for work.
The reality is: doing quality work won't fill your schedule on its own anymore. Word of mouth hasn't died, but it comes in waves - mostly when things get quiet.
How do the blokes who are always booked solid pull it off? Here are some practical strategies that get results - without a fancy agency.
Sort Out Your Online Profile
When someone searches for "plumber near me" - do you show up? Heaps of tradies haven't set up a proper online profile.
It doesn't need to be anything over the top. A simple website that has real job photos, lists where you work, and doesn't make people hunt for your number - that's where you start.
A basic landing page with your services, contact details, and a few photos outperforms the tradies who have nothing.
Google Maps - Still the Easiest Win
If you haven't claimed your GBP, you're invisible to local searchers. It costs nothing.
The map listings that shows up at the top when a homeowner needs a tradie - that's where you want to be. Ranking in the map pack is mostly about having a complete, active profile.
- Put up photos of your work - not stock images
- Get your happy clients to leave a review - people read these before they call
- Engage with what people write - Google notices and so do customers
- Make sure your phone number and service area are correct
All of this compounds over time. Tradies who stay on top of their profile consistently outrank the ones who set and forget.
Posting Your Work Online - Keep It Simple
Nobody's asking you to be an influencer. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta keep it dead simple.
Snap a photo before you pack up and leave site. Side-by-side comparisons get the most engagement by far. A fresh switchboard - that tells the story extra resources on its own.
Post it with a short caption and that's it, done. You don't need to post every day. Each post is another piece of proof.
People trust actual results over polished ads. An honest before-and-after beats a professionally designed ad campaign - because it's proof.
Google Ads - When They Make Sense
Spending money on online ads can absolutely work for tradies - but you can't just throw money at it. The tradies who get burnt is paying for clicks that go to a dodgy website with no clear call to action.
If you're going to invest in ads: have a landing page that works. There's no point driving traffic if people can't find your phone number.
Test with a modest spend. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Double down on the winners and cut what doesn't.
Customer Reviews - What People Check Before They Call
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 will win the job over the bloke with no online presence - regardless of price.
Get into the routine to send a quick message asking for feedback. People generally don't mind - you just have to ask. Make it as easy as possible and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
If you get a bad review, reply calmly and factually - how you handle criticism says more about your business than you'd think.
Wrapping It Up
Getting more work as a tradie shouldn't be complicated. The busy ones aren't marketing geniuses - they set up a few things properly and keep showing up.
Sort out your web presence. Post your work. Build your reputation with real feedback. If you run ads, do it with a plan, not a prayer.
You're already great at what you do - the growth stuff just needs a bit of attention to start working for you.