(Electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators, roofers, gardeners, handymen; this one’s for you.)
Introduction
When the phone is ringing off the hook, it’s easy to believe work will keep turning up forever. When enquiries slow down, blaming “the economy” doesn’t pay the bills.
The tradesmen who stay busy in tougher times are the ones who keep their name in front of people, even when they’re on a tight budget.
Below are ten free, low-effort marketing ideas you can use to get your phone buzzing again and keep your diary full.
- Sort Out Your Google Business Profile
Why it matters
When someone searches “plumber near me” or “electrician Ipswich”, Google shows local businesses first. If you’re not there, or your profile looks half-finished, you’re losing easy work.
What to do
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile (if you haven’t already).
- Add:
- Correct phone number and email
- Your services (e.g. boiler repairs, rewires, extensions)
- A simple description in plain English
- Upload photos: vans, team, before/after shots (no need for fancy cameras, your phone is fine).
- Ask happy customers to leave a genuine review (no bribing or fake reviews, it breaks the rules).
Result
You’ll show up more often when locals search things like “[trade] near me”, and you’ll look more trustworthy than the individual with no photos and one review from 2019.
- Use Facebook & Local Groups Like a Noticeboard
Why it matters
Your ideal customers are scrolling Facebook in the evening while watching television. Local Facebook groups are often where people ask, “Does anyone know a good [trade]?”
What to do
- Join local community groups (e.g. “Ipswich Community”, “Mums in [Town]”, “[Town] Trades & Services”, “IP4 Community”).
- Once a week, post something useful, not salesy, for example:
- “5 things to check before calling an electrician”
- “Simple tip to stop your gutters overflowing this winter”
- Share photos of recent jobs (with the customer’s permission and no addresses visible).
- When people ask for recommendations, reply politely with your name, what you do and your phone number/website.
Result
You become “that reliable person” everyone tags when somebody asks for a plumber, builder, decorator etc.
- Turn Happy Customers into a Mini Sales Team
Why it matters
Word-of-mouth is still the number one way trades get work. Most people are happy to recommend you, they just need a gentle nudge.
What to do
- After finishing a job and the customer is clearly pleased, say:
“If you know anyone who needs a [trade], I’d really appreciate you passing my details on.” - Give them a simple referral text they can forward, for example:
“This is Jem, the electrician who sorted our fuse board. Really good, turned up when he said he would: [phone number].” - Add a small line to your invoice or email:
“We grow through recommendations, if you’re happy, please pass our name on.”
Result
You’ll quietly build a network of people who send you work, for free.
- Make Your Van a Moving Billboard
Why it matters
You’re already driving around town every day. A clear, professional van sign turns every journey into advertising.
What to do
Even if you can’t afford a full wrap yet:
- Make sure your existing signage is:
- Readable from a distance (big, clear wording, not a paragraph of text).
- Includes: trade, main services, website/phone and area (e.g. “Plumbing & Heating – Ipswich & Surrounding”).
- If you don’t have signage yet, start small with simple, clean magnetic signs.
- Park where people can see you: on busy roads (safely), outside suppliers, or near jobs (with permission).
Result
Locals see your name repeatedly so when something breaks, they already know who to call.
- Collect Photos & Reviews as You Go
Why it matters
People don’t know if you’re any good until they see proof. Before/after photos and short reviews do the selling for you.
What to do
- Before a job, ask:
“Do you mind if I take a quick before/after photo for my website/Facebook?” - Store photos in a labelled album on your phone (e.g. “Bathrooms”, “Kitchens”, “Rewires”).
- Ask for short reviews on:
- Any trade directory you’re on (e.g. Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Rated People, etc.).
- Reuse reviews on your website, Facebook page and quote templates.
Result
When people look you up online, they see real work and real customers, not just your word for it.
- Use WhatsApp Properly
Why it matters
Most customers are more comfortable sending you photos and questions over WhatsApp than writing emails. Used well, it keeps communication clear and quick.
What to do
- Create a WhatsApp Business profile (free app):
- Add your opening hours
- Add a short description and website link
- Set up simple auto-replies for out-of-hours, such as:
“Thanks for your message, I’m on site right now but I’ll get back to you this evening.” - Ask customers to send photos before you visit so you can:
- Filter time-wasters
- Give rough estimates quicker
Result
Less phone tag, fewer wasted visits and a smoother experience for your customers.
- Claim Free Listings on Trade & Local Directories
Why it matters
Many customers still use local directories and trade sites to find someone “proper” rather than just scrolling social media.
What to do
- Search: “free [plumber/electrician/builder] directory UK” and “[your town] business directory”.
- Claim your free listing on:
- Local council/Chamber of Commerce directories
- Community/“shop local” websites
- Trade-specific directories that offer a free tier
- Make sure each listing has:
- The same name, phone, email and website
- A short, clear description of what you do
- A link to your Google reviews or website
Result
You gain extra ways for people to find you and more links pointing to your website and Google profile (which helps your search rankings).
- Share Simple Tips, Not Just Sales Posts
Why it matters
Nobody wants to follow an account that just shouts “BOOK NOW!” every day. Helpful tips keep you in people’s minds without annoying them.
What to do
Once or twice a week, share one short, practical tip, for example:
- Plumbers: “How to safely turn off your water in an emergency.”
- Electricians: “Why your sockets keep tripping and when to call someone.”
- Builders/roofers: “How to spot early signs of damp or roof damage.”
- Film it as a 30–60 second video on your phone.
- Post it on Facebook, Instagram and your Google Business Profile.
Result
People start to see you as the helpful expert, not just another advert and they remember you when a bigger job comes up.
- Make It Obvious How to Contact You
Why it matters
You’d be amazed how many trades lose work because people can’t easily find a phone number or don’t know what happens next.
What to do
- On your website/Facebook page, make sure it’s crystal clear:
- How to contact you (phone, WhatsApp, contact form, email)
- When you usually reply
- What happens next (e.g. “We’ll ask for a few photos, give you a rough estimate, then arrange a visit”).
- Add one main call-to-action everywhere:
- “Call now to book a free quote”
- or “Send photos on WhatsApp for a quick estimate”
- Check all contact buttons/forms actually work.
Result
Less confusion, fewer missed leads and more people actually getting in touch instead of giving up.
- Turn One Job into Several Pieces of Content
Why it matters
You’re already doing the work so you might as well get extra marketing from every job.
What to do
From a single job:
- Take a couple of photos before, during and after.
- Write two or three sentences:
“We helped a family in [area] by [solving problem].” - Turn that into:
- A Facebook post
- A short paragraph for your website
- A quick video talking through what you did
- A photo post on your Google Business Profile
Result
You build up a steady stream of proof that you’re active, reliable and doing good work locally without staring at a blank screen trying to think of what to post.
Conclusion & Next Steps
In the trades, it’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of: busy → quiet → panic → busy again. The trades that stay steady are the ones that treat marketing as part of the job, not something they only do when the phone stops ringing.
You don’t need fancy branding or big budgets. You just need to:
- Show up where your customers are already looking
- Make it easy for people to see your work
- Make it even easier for them to contact you
Call to Action: Business Planning Vision Days
If you’d like help turning these ideas into a simple, realistic 12-month plan for your business including pricing, profits and getting your evenings back, that’s exactly what our Business Planning Vision Days are designed to do.
We’ll sit down with you, look at your numbers, your goals and your current marketing and build a plan you can actually follow without needing a marketing degree.
If that sounds useful, book a free 30-minute chat to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Please see another An Accounting Gem blog: https://www.aag-accountants.co.uk/when-uncertainty-strikes-10-cost-free-marketing-ideas-for-small-trades-local-businesses/
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