Whether work is flowing in or you’re still wondering where the next job will come from, it’s essential to ensure that you have a constant pipeline of work coming through from one week to the next and beyond.
The biggest mistake many busy businesses make is slowing down, allowing competitors to creep in and steal business away from you. While the biggest mistake quiet businesses make is not doing enough to get the ball rolling.
Here are our top 7 ways builders and tradesmen can generate more work.
Social Media
In this digital age, everyone is either on their phones, laptop, or desktop scrolling. If you have an existing business page, keep it active, post relevant content, and engage with your followers. Show off your on-going and completed projects. If you don’t have one yet, it’s time to set it up.
Consider how each of the social media options could work for your business. Finishing trades, or builders do really well on visual mediums like Pinterest and Instagram. Other trades can share more of their stories on Facebook.
Google Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free, easy-to-use tool that helps businesses manage their online presence and appearance in Google Search and Google maps.
With Google taking over the world wide web. What else can beat this in getting you in front of your ideal clients?
Regular posting on your GMB page, will allow your page to rank higher than your competitors. Use it as a mini blog, or to share you picutres to keep the content flowing.
Website
A website is your storefront and certainly one of the best tools in your box to generate more work. This is one of the best ways to showcase your business. You can also create blogs relevant to your audience.
Your about page is the most important part of your website. Ensure that it not only introduces you as the business owners, but speaks directly to your customers pain that you solve with your business.
Email marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple email to let customers know what new services you offer or promotions you’re running can generate new work.
Even a simple monthly email out to existing customers talking about the work you’ve been doing, or reminding them of maintenance that needs to be done, will help keep you top of mind.
Referral sites
Airtasker, Oneflare, Service Seeking, HiPages, and the list goes on. Are they worth trying?
Well, in short, yes. They spend a lot on SEO, meaning they will almost always outrank a local website. If you’re fairly new to the building game and looking to inject immediate leads then these sites can be some of the best initial ways to do so.
Partnerships
If you’re in the trade business then the chances are you’ll know someone else who is. And that’s good because it means you can share work with each other. For example, what builder doesn’t need an electrician or plumber to wire and plumb a new extension?
Working together to pass around leads often drives additional work, not to mention reduced costs and a few new mates down the pub!
SMS
A little more personal than email, but an SMS campaign can generate new business very quickly. SMS tools are generally easy to use with minimal investment to get started.
SMS campaigns work especially well when you can perform regular maintenance works. For example, you might be a builder who offers years window and door checks, or a plumber who offers yearly water compliance checks. Using this system works as a reminder and to keep your name first in mind.
Our biggest tip, regardless of how busy you are, keep some form of advertising going! It doesn’t take long for a busy rush to turn into a drought.
Want more ideas on getting regular business? Download our 101 Ways to Get More Business.
