5 ways to get more work for your trade business

Starting a tradie business and running your own trade services small business can be challenging at times, and competition for jobs can be high. As such, putting the time, effort, and investment into resources that can help create a steady pipeline of work coming into your business from week to week and month to month may be high on your priority list.

So, how can you easily and efficiently find tradie work and increase your chances of securing job leads for tradies?

1. Embrace digital resources for finding trade jobs

Today there are more avenues than ever to find work for your trade business – which is certainly a good thing for tradie small business owners looking to grow their business.

As well as referrals and trade jobs you may hear about through word of mouth, there are now many, many online job boards and other digital resources where individuals as well as businesses will post their needs for the services of a professional tradesperson.

Online destinations such as HiPages, Gumtree, Airtasker, Houzz, and Service Seeking all offer handy online services whereby trade small business owners can find new trade jobs that they may have otherwise not been aware of. These services are used by individuals who are seeking professional tradespeople, as well other businesses who are in the market for quality trade services.

2. Keep an eye out for offline trade job offers

In terms of ease and efficiency, finding trade jobs online is great. But it can still be worth your while to keep an eye out for physical requests for qualified tradespeople. Whether the source is the local newspaper or community magazine, signage at a bus stop, or word of mouth from someone in your social circle, it can be worth your while to keep an eye and ear out for potential offline trade job offers.

3. Optimise your company website

Having an attractive and easy-to-navigate company website that ultimately adds tangible value to your audience can be a great way to get more work for your trade business. To make your website a powerful tool for getting more tradie work for your trade business, ensure that your company website clearly explains:

• what you do (your services);
• who you do it for (your customers and the geographical area your trade business services); and
• your unique value proposition (also known as your unique selling proposition, or USP).

Remember that the ultimate goal for your company website is to convince potential customers to reach out to you for their tradie needs. So make it easy for them to do so by having clear and compelling calls to action on your website.

4. Leverage social media to find more tradie jobs

Popular social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram can be effective tools for raising the profile of your trade business and promoting your trade services to those looking for qualified tradespeople.

To maintain an active presence and visibility for your business on social media, post once or twice a week if you can. And your business has won a notable contract or has been nominated for a local business award, be sure to share the good news via your company’s LinkedIn page.

5. Introduce a referral program

Even in today’s age of digital technology, people will still listen to what others have to say about your services. Some may even treat what they read online as the absolute truth without giving it a second thought. This is where a referral program may be a great option for your trade business.

It can be as simple as asking happy customers for testimonials and gaining their permission to publish their feedback on your company website, in your company emails, and on your company’s social media pages. And remember to ask for their permission to use their real names, as doing so will add extra credibility to your trade business.

Reducing your risk with business insurance* may help you secure more work for your trade business. At BizCover we help tradie small business owners compare competitive trade business insurance quotes from leading insurers online fast, enabling you to get covered in minutes and get on with your day. If you prefer to pick up the phone, you can reach us on 1300 920 864.