Most tradies didn't get into the game to sit around doing marketing. You got into it because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you wanted a career in chasing people for work.
Here's what nobody mentions though: doing quality work isn't enough to keep the phone ringing. Word of mouth is still gold, but it comes in waves - mostly when things get quiet.
How do the blokes who are always booked solid pull it off? These are the practical moves that get results - and none of them need thousands of dollars.
Set Up a Proper Digital Presence
If a homeowner Googles "local roofer" - are you anywhere to be seen? Too many trades businesses haven't set up any real web presence.
Nobody's saying you need a $10k custom site. A simple page that displays what you actually do, mentions the suburbs you operate in, 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 already beats the blokes relying on Facebook alone.
Google Business Profile - Still the Easiest Win
If you're not on your Google Business Profile, you're missing the easiest free leads going. It costs nothing.
That map pack that appears first when someone searches for a trade - that's where you want to be. And getting there starts with filling out your listing properly.
- Upload real photos - real before-and-afters from site
- Get your happy clients to leave a review - reviews are everything for local
search
- Engage with what people write - Google notices and so do customers
- Make sure your phone number and service area are correct
This stuff adds up month after month. The ones who keep it updated end up above the competition that ignores it.
Posting Your Work Online - Keep It Simple
Forget about being a content creator. What works for trades businesses online keep it dead simple.
Take a quick pic when you finish a job. Side-by-side comparisons get the most engagement by far. A fresh switchboard - that's all you need.
Add where the job was and what you did and that's it, done. You don't need to post every day. Each post shows potential customers you're the real deal.
Customers believe what they can see with their own eyes. A genuine job photo outperforms a professionally designed ad campaign - because there's no faking it.
Paid Ads - When They Make Sense
Spending money on online ads is effective for trades businesses - but it needs to be done with a plan. Where most people waste their budget is boosting random Facebook posts.
If you're going to this article invest in ads: ensure there's a clear way for people to contact you when they click through. 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 kill the duds quickly.
Your Online Reputation - What People Check Before They Call
Here's something worth paying attention to: most people will read your reviews before they pick up the phone. A tradie with 50 genuine reviews gets the call over a tradie with none - regardless of price.
Make it a habit to send a quick message asking for feedback. Satisfied clients will do it - they just don't think of it. Make it as easy as possible and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
Don't ignore or argue with bad feedback - the way you deal with a negative review tells potential customers as much about you as the good reviews do.
What It All Comes Down To
Getting more work as a tradie shouldn't be overwhelming. The busy ones aren't marketing geniuses - they set up a few things properly and keep showing up.
Sort out your web presence. Let your jobs do the talking. Collect reviews. And if you go the paid route, be strategic about where the budget goes.
Your skills aren't the problem - getting found online doesn't take as much as you'd expect once you get the ball rolling.