Tradesmen once relied solely on word of mouth recommendations to find new work and build up a reputation in the local area. But times are changing and tradesmen need to consider better ways of marketing themselves as people turn to Google more than their friends for endorsements.
![Tradesman[1]](https://warehousenews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Tradesman1.png)
Here are five hot marketing tips for tradesmen, which should help that diary fill up quickly:
Don’t hold back on the traditional business cards and flyers
Still want to be well known in your local area as the reliable tradesman? Get busy posting your business card and flyers through people’s doors to let them know you’re available. You can pick up 500 Helloprint business cards for £15, which should help you get your foot in a few doors. Ensure yours is simple, easy to read and has all the correct contact information detailed.
Take another look at your online presence
How you appear online says a lot about you and having an up to date website and active social media account can do wonders when it comes to marketing your business.
Your website doesn’t need to do anything fancy, it simply needs your logo, a list of jobs you can carry out and some high quality images of work you have completed. Set up a Google+ account and ensure yours has all the relevant information for people searching for you. It’s also a good idea to showcase your qualifications and safety certificates on your site, so people know they are getting the real deal.
Utilise social media
Facebook and Twitter are the best platforms to set up a profile on for tradesmen. People can comment freely on Facebook and ask lengthy questions, and the site also allows you to create albums with images of your work. 48% of tradesmen are now claiming to win new business via social media channels and it’s a free way of reaching out to new customers. Be prepared to respond to queries on both sites and ensure you remain professional at all times – even if it’s just you working in the business.
Partner with another local business
If you are an electrician then buddying up with a plasterer or a plumber is a great way of attracting more customers, because they will recommend you for services you offer that they can’t tackle. Stick within your industry and make friends with other tradesmen who are also looking for extra work, through word of mouth recommendations.
Don’t shy away from going the extra mile
While not a marketing tactic in the main sense of the word, good customer service is a sure fire way of bringing in more work later. Prepare properly before meeting with customers, take your shoes off at the door, always arrive on time (it’s well known that tradesman can sometimes be a little lax in the punctuality department) and follow up with a courtesy call once a job is complete to check everything is in order.
Customers who receive good service are more likely to tell their friends and recommend you, so instead of being that plumber who grunts down the phone when a client tries to call, make an effort and appear professional at all times. Tradesmen get a lot of bad press, so try to turn things around for your business in your local area by being attentive and conscientious at all times.
Debbie Fletcher
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