When work is flowing in, you can afford to let word of mouth do most of the work. When enquiries slow down and money feels tight, blaming “the economy” won’t fill your diary.
The most successful trades and local business owners don’t just wait for the phone to ring, they go out and get the work.
Here are ten free, low-effort marketing ideas to get your name out there, keep you seen locally and generate more enquiries.
- Optimise Your Google Business Profile
- Why it matters: Most people now use Google to find local trades and services.
- Quick wins:
Make sure your profile is claimed and verified. Add your correct opening hours, areas you cover, the type of jobs you do and clear photos of your work. Ask happy customers to leave honest reviews. Don’t offer rewards for good reviews, that’s against platform rules and UK advertising guidance. - Result: You show up more often when people nearby search for things like “plumber near me” or “electrician in [your town]”.
- Use Social Media to Stay Visible
- Why it matters: People like to see the person behind the business before they get in touch.
- Quick wins:
Pick one main platform your customers actually use, for many trades that’s Facebook or Instagram (LinkedIn can help if you deal with landlords, letting agents or other businesses). Post once a week: before-and-after photos, a short tip or a common question you get on the job. Reply to comments and messages quickly. - Result: You stay in front of past and future customers without spending on ads.
- Team Up with Other Local Businesses
- Why it matters: Working together puts you in front of more people who already trust the person recommending you.
- Quick wins:
Partner with non-competing businesses who share your customers, for example, a builder with a plumber, electrician and decorator; or a gardener with a fencing company. Swap recommendations, share each other’s posts or put each other’s cards in your vans and on your websites. - Result: Regular referrals both ways, at no cost.
- Run a Simple “Spotlight” Email
- Why it matters: A short email to people who already know you can bring in repeat work and referrals.
- Quick wins:
Collect email addresses from customers who are happy for you to contact them. From time to time, send a short email with a recent job story, a seasonal reminder (for example, boiler checks before winter) or a simple checklist. Use free email tools and always include an easy unsubscribe link. - Result: You stay in their mind so they think of you first and pass your details on.
- Freshen Up Your Website for Google
- Why it matters: Google prefers up-to-date, useful pages.
- Quick wins:
Look over your main pages; home, services, about, contact. Update any old information, add the areas you cover and mention the jobs you most want more of (for example, “bathroom installations in Ipswich” or “emergency electrician in Colchester”). - Result: Better chances of showing when someone nearby searches for the type of work you want.
- Host a Short Q&A or Demo Online
- Why it matters: Seeing you explain things builds trust before you ever visit a home or site.
- Quick wins:
Use free versions of tools like Zoom or go live on Facebook/Instagram for 20 minutes. Answer common questions (for example, “What to ask a builder before you sign a quote”). Tell people how to sign up and be clear about how you’ll use their details, giving them simple options for future contact. - Result: People see you as helpful and knowledgeable and are more likely to call you for paid work.
- Get on Free Directories
- Why it matters: Many customers search trade and local directories before they pick up the phone.
- Quick wins:
Search for “free [your trade] directory UK” or “free local business directory [your town]”. Claim your listing and fill it in properly; short description, areas covered, phone number, website and photos. - Result: Extra places for people to find you online and more links pointing to your website.
- Ask Customers to Share Their Experience
- Why it matters: Real photos and stories from customers are more powerful than any advert.
- Quick wins:
After a job, ask if you can take a quick photo (with permission) and share it, tagging the customer if they’re happy. You can also invite customers to share their own photo or a few words about the job on your page. If you offer any kind of thank-you, keep it small and clear, with simple terms. - Result: Free, genuine content that shows the quality of your work and builds trust.
- Make Your Website’s Next Step Obvious
- Why it matters: People are more likely to get in touch if you tell them clearly what to do next.
- Quick wins:
Check every page on your website. Does each one clearly say what you want people to do? For example: “Call now for a free quote”, “Send us your job details” or “Request a call back”. Use simple words and buttons or links that stand out. - Result: More visitors turning into phone calls, messages and bookings.
- Turn Your Best Tips into Short Videos
- Why it matters: Short videos get more attention than long blocks of text.
- Quick wins:
Take common questions you get on jobs and record a 30–60 second video on your phone explaining the answer. You can edit with free tools or post straight to Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Add a short caption and your contact details. - Result: More people see your face, hear how you talk and feel comfortable contacting you.
Conclusion & Call-to-Action
In today’s stop-start economy, standing still is the quickest way to slow down your work. The trades and local businesses that keep showing up, talking to customers and trying new things are the ones that stay busy.
If you’d like help turning these ideas into a simple 12-month plan you can actually follow, we can help:
- Book a free 30-minute discovery call to talk through your business, your goals and the type of work you want more of.
- If we’re a good fit, we’ll discuss how a full Business Planning Vision Day can help you bring in more of the right jobs and build steady, profitable growth.
Please see another An Accounting Gem blog: https://www.aag-accountants.co.uk/%f0%9f%8e%84-christmas-parties-and-staff-gifts-whats-tax-deductible/
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