15 Tradespeople Tips

To be a self-employed tradesman is not easy. Although they may have the qualifications and the appropriate training, it's challenging to put time and effort into promoting your trades business. Regardless of your trade, it's important to consider promoting your business to attract new customers and be distinctive from your competition.

1.Set up a website 

71% of homeowners use Facebook to find tradespeople online. Now imagine the number of clients pouring in if you can establish a real online presence. Ideally, to save some pennies, you'd want to hire a freelancer that can make your logo and website. Your website should include:

• A home page that includes your industry (plumber, builder, painter, gardener, roofer, etc.), where you're located, your primary services, and some testimonials. 
• An 'about us' page to provide a brief description of your qualifications and company history. 
• A Contact page which will include some contact details and a form for the user to fill.

2.Join Online Directories

Its no secret that directory books are pretty much extinct. However, these days there are online directories that tradespeople utilise to advertise themself on. Online directories are beneficial as they allow you to create a profile and collect reviews and ratings that other potential customers can come across and consider. Some of the best online directories:

Thumbsupservices.com

Yelp.com  

Checkatrade.com  

RatedPeople.com 

MyBuilder.com 

TrustaTrader.com

3.Use your company vehicle as an advertising tool

Being in the gig economy increases the chances of you owning a van. If you do, you should consider using it as a marketing tool. Using magnetic signage to promote your company logo, trade services and contact details is an effective way to get noticed by thousands of people a day who may need your services. 

4.Form relationships with other tradesmen

Why would I associate with the competition, right? Wrong. Frequently overlooked, networking and forming relationships with other tradespeople is an excellent way of attaining more work. When you put your ego aside, not only will you gain new clients, you will also receive little gems that could transcend your business to new heights. Another reason why you might want to try networking is that if one of your regulars ever need an emergency job done and your unavailable, you could ask a fellow tradesperson to handle it.

5.Traditional methods still do the trick

Suppose you're looking to be a reputable tradesman in your local area. In that case, printing leaflets with some of your contact information and a few details about the services you offer is an effective way of establishing yourself. Doing letterbox drops daily could mean a potential 50 leads a day in the neighbourhood you want to work in.

6.Word of mouth

Word of mouth marketing is the process of actively influencing and encouraging organic word of mouth discussion about a brand, organisation, resource, or event. For years this was the most popular marketing method so when you complete a job, remember to charm your clients with your mannerism and professionalism.

7. Utilise social media

As mentioned earlier, 71% of homeowners use Facebook to find tradespeople online. This is how powerful a tool social media is for reaching new audiences who haven't contacted your business. According to Screwfix, 48% of tradespeople claim they attain new business solely with social media channels' assistance. This is great because social media platforms are free to use.

8.Send out business cards

Sometimes its the little marketing techniques which you think nothing of that seem to be the most effective. This is the case when it comes to business cards. Business cards are cheap and easy to distribute thanks to their size. They're also important for storing valuable information in one place. Ideally, your business card should include:

• Your name
• Your business name
• Your website
• Your email
• The industry you specialise in 
• Company Social media usernames
• A logo

9.Collect positive reviews

According to recent studies, 73% of consumers only trust local businesses after reading positive customer reviews. This is normal behaviour as everyone checks the reviews of a product before making the purchase. A good practice would be to use this positive feedback as your testimonials on your website to build credibility. 

9.Sign up for Google My Business

We cant stress to you how to important it really is to establish an online presence. We've mentioned online directories earlier; however, this is probably the biggest and most powerful listing. Google My Business filters your business and presents it to people in your area that need your kind of services. You will need to apply for this via google. 

11.Be proud of your work.

Showing pride in your work provides a sense of comfort to your clients. Sometimes telling clients that you're proficient in your field is not enough. That's why you should take photos of before and after the job. These images will come in handy when a client asks for a reference of if you worked on something similar. 

12.Invest in appropriate clothing

Depending on your trade, you can sometimes experience extreme weather. It can get bitterly cold, so it's probably good to start looking for affordable winter clothing. Also, remember to invest in some high visibility vests if you work outside past sunset. Health really is wealth in the gig economy; remember, sick days mean no pay.

13.Invest in the right tools

The right tools can help you complete jobs so much faster which is an upside. The faster you complete jobs, the more jobs you can take on. Also, clients appreciate tradespeople that complete jobs quicker as they might have things to do themself. 

14.Make sure you've got insurance in place

Public liability insurance is fundamental to any tradesperson's insurance policy. It can pay legal fees and compensation costs if your business is blamed for injury or damage. For example, you're working on a roof in icy conditions when you slip and drop a tool, causing damage to your customer's car. If your customer demands compensation, your public liability insurance could cover the cost.

15.Make sure you've priced your services well

There's nothing worse than a client asking a tradesperson for a price and then the tradesperson is struggling to put a quote together. It would be best if you had a price for every service you provide rather than thinking of one on the spot. If you attempt to think of a price on the spot, it will make your client feel highly uncomfortable.