Most tradies didn't pick up a tool to waste hours chasing leads. You started your business because you're good at what you do — not because you enjoy chasing people for work.
But here's the thing: top-shelf workmanship isn't enough to keep the phone ringing. Referrals is still gold, but it dries up - particularly when things get quiet.
How do the blokes who are always booked solid pull it off? Below are some no-BS things that shift the needle - without thousands of dollars.
Get Your Online Profile
If a homeowner Googles "plumber near me" - are you anywhere to be seen? Too many trades businesses haven't set up a proper online profile.
You don't need a $10k custom site. A simple page that has real job photos, lists where you work, and makes it dead easy to call or message - that's your minimum.
A basic landing page with your services, contact details, and a few photos puts you ahead of the blokes relying on Facebook alone.
Your Google Listing - Costs Nothing, Does a Lot
If you're not on your Google Maps listing, you're invisible to local searchers. Zero dollars to set up.
Those three local results that appears first when a homeowner needs a tradie - that's where you want to be. Showing up there comes down to not leaving your profile half-empty.
- Put up photos of your work - not stock images
- Build up your review count with genuine feedback - this is massive for trust
- Engage with what people write - it makes a real
difference
- Keep your hours and contact details up to date
All of this compounds over time. Tradies who stay on top of their profile beat out the competition that ignores it.
Posting Your Work Online - Keep It Simple
You don't need to become an influencer. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta aren't doing anything fancy.
Snap a photo when you finish a job. Side-by-side comparisons are absolute gold. A fresh switchboard - that's all you need.
Write a line or two about the job and move on with your day. Even once or twice a week is plenty. All of it shows potential customers you're the real deal.
Customers believe photos of real work. Real work on display beats a professionally designed ad campaign - because it's proof.
Online Advertising - When They Make Sense
Paid advertising gets results when it's set up properly - but you can't just throw money at it. The common mistake is boosting random Facebook posts.
If you're going to invest in ads: ensure there's a clear way for people to contact learn how you when they click through. Paying for eyeballs is pointless to a site that doesn't load properly.
Don't go all-in on day one. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Double down on the winners and cut what doesn't.
Your Online Reputation - More Powerful Than Any Ad
A fact worth paying attention to: the majority of homeowners will read your reviews before they pick up the phone. A tradie with 50 genuine reviews gets the call over a tradie with none - even if their prices are higher.
Make it a habit to ask for a review after every job. Most customers are happy to help - you just have to ask. Send them a direct link and the reviews will stack up faster than you'd expect.
Respond to negative reviews professionally - the way you deal with a negative review tells potential customers as much about you as the good reviews do.
Wrapping It Up
Getting more work as a tradie isn't a second full-time job. Blokes with full schedules haven't cracked some secret code - they set up a few things properly and keep showing up.
Sort out your web presence. Share what you do. Collect reviews. If you run ads, make sure the numbers add up before you scale.
The quality of your work speaks for itself - the growth stuff doesn't take as much as you'd expect once you get the ball rolling.