As a tradesperson in the UK, finding new customers is essential if you want to grow your business and stay competitive. People need to know who you are! In this blog, ‘8 Ways to Win More Work: A Guide for UK Tradesmen and Tradeswomen,’ we’ll look at the best options to help you get seen and get more clients.
1. Do I need a website for my trades business?
In today’s world where everything is digital, a professional website is one of the first things people will look for. A great website should be the hub for everything you do, and make it easy for clients to contact you. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, or joiner, give potential clients a showcase of your services, including pictures and videos of past projects that you’ve worked on. It’s also a great place to build trust and highlight reviews that previous clients have left for you. Make sure that your contact details are clear and that there are plenty of ‘calls to action.’ (We’ll look at calls to action in another blog post!)
Invest in search engine optimisation (SEO) to help your website rank well on Google and other search engines. This makes it easier for people to find you online and is worth the initial outlay for it to be done properly. There’s nothing better than being at the top of that page in a Google search.
2. How do I promote my business with email marketing?
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to connect with people and convert them into clients. You can collect email addresses via your website, at networking events, and even from your previous clients. Then, using clever email campaigns that can be set up to run automatically, you can get in touch, stay in touch, and share valuable content and information with people to promote what you do.
I can’t stress enough how valuable email marketing really is. Remember a little while back, when we lost access to Facebook, Instagram, etc for a few hours? What would you do if disappeared permanently? I’m not saying for one minute that it ever will but if you’ve built a strong email list, you can still get in touch with everyone. If you rely on social media alone and it suddenly vanishes, what would you do? Something to think about. 😉
3. What social media do tradesmen and women use?
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to social media. To win more work, tradesmen and tradeswomen need to be visible where their customers are. That being said, it also needs to work for you. For example, if you love Facebook but you’re not a fan of Twitter, then it’s a given that you’re more likely to engage with people on Facebook. You don’t need to be on every single social media outlet to win clients. Consistency is key; in my opinion, you’re more likely to be consistent on a platform you like to be on and know how to use.
As a tradesman or tradeswoman, social media is a great place to find clients. Share photos and videos of your work, chat with people through comments and messages, and join local groups where your target market is likely to be. Your existing clients will likely be in these groups too and will be only too happy to recommend you to others if you’ve done a great job!
4. Are flyers still a good way to advertise?
A more traditional way of marketing your trade business, flyers haven’t quite died out just yet. Doing a leaflet drop in your local area is reasonably cost-effective and lets you reach people who might not necessarily have access to the internet. An eye-catching design highlighting what you’re trying to sell with clear contact details encourages people to get in touch and find out more about you. It’s a great way to let people know if you have a special offer too. Many local shops, cafes, etc. will let you put some flyers on the counter so don’t forget to drop some in with them.
A quick tip that a wise man once told me! Carry flyers in your van and always post one to 5 or 10 houses on either side and opposite a client. Thank me later!
5. Should tradespeople use text messages or WhatsApp
Reaching out to people directly through text messages or WhatsApp can be a great way for tradesmen and tradeswomen to win more work. You can gather phone numbers in the same way as email addresses. (Just always be mindful of GDPR rules)
Personalised messages can grab attention and start conversations you might not otherwise have. Introduce yourself, find out their needs, and offer your services.
6. Are paid ads worth it for tradespeople?
If you’re ready to take on more work, consider investing in online advertising such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads to target specific people who are actively searching for your services. Create direct ads and visually appealing graphics to grab attention, solve pain points, and drive your ideal target market back to your website or landing pages.
If you’re not sure what you’re doing with paid ads, you may as well just set fire to your cash. You can’t just put an ad out there and expect results. There’s a skill involved in getting it just right and having a specialist online advertising expert onboard to do it for you will pay for itself over and over here. There’s a strategy behind it, and an ad expert who knows what they are doing, will monitor performance and adjust your ads to make sure you’re getting the best results possible for your money. Done right, it could be huge for your business! If you want some help with your ads, check out Kelly Worrall who is a marketing strategist, certified ad expert and construction business owner!
7. Is networking for tradespeople?
Yes, that word fills me, and so many other business owners with dread too! The anxiety I get before I get to one of these meets is unbelievable but I’ve yet to go to one where everyone has been anything other than nice and helpful. There are lots of networking events that are tailored with tradespeople in mind and nobody will bat an eyelid if you turn up in your workpants and a hoodie. It’s not all suits and briefcases. Be brave. It will pay off.
Networking isn’t really about directly selling to the people you meet, though you might be able to do this in some instances. Meet people, talk to them, find out what they do, show your expertise in your trade, and share knowledge. The people you meet at networking events will all know another huge circle of contacts, and once they know about you, they’ll share your details with others. You can do the same for them in return. The key to good networking is the follow-up. Grabbing everybody’s business cards and then doing nothing with them is a waste of time. Contact them a day or two afterwards and continue the conversation. See what they thought of the meeting and thank them for chatting etc.
8. Have I got to have a Google business profile
Signing up for a Google business profile should be up there with the first things you do as a new business but the amount of people who don’t have them always shocks me. It’s free! It’s also one of the best ways to be seen on Google. When Mrs White heads to Google to search for plumbers in Bradford, or landscapers in Halifax, she’s not going to find you if you don’t have a Google business profile.
For it to be effective, you need to optimise it so that potential clients see what services you offer, your contact information, your opening hours etc. You can even use it like another social media platform these days, adding posts with updates, and pictures of your work. When you finish a job, ask your clients to leave you a Google review. It’s the first place people will look to find out how good you are at what you do.
Tip: Always respond to any reviews that are left, good or bad. Be professional and thank people for taking the time to leave you a review.
How can Kettlewell Virtual Assistance help your business?
It’s a common view that tradespeople in the UK find clients easily but that’s not always the case. A lot depends on your trade, your target market and how much competition there is in your area. Hopefully this blog ‘8 Ways to Win More Work: A Guide for UK Tradesmen and Tradeswomen’ will give you some pointers that will help you to stand out from the crowd.
If you’d rather not tackle email marketing, building a website or setting up a Google business profile yourself, Kettlewell Virtual Assistance is on hand to help. I understand the challenges of running a busy trades business whilst trying to gain new clients and grow your business. Book a quick call online and let’s have a chat about the help you need.