In any business environment, you have to establish a solid reputation if you hope to land clients and secure a sustainable income. But if you don’t have the tools to do so, you’ll be floundering and closing your doors before you know it.
In the trade industry, reputation is everything. And as most contractors begin their careers via a word-of-mouth marketing strategy, it’s those who take the reins and market themselves aggressively who ultimately succeed in the industry.
Business isn’t all about having a great product or service. And though both of these are essential, having a successful business is about effective marketing solutions. Because without a marketing plan, you could be facing stormy weather.
If you’re in the trade business, or if you’re just beginning your career as a contractor, the following will provide helpful information for establishing yourself in the industry.
Become an Authority
If you want to be taken seriously as a contractor, you have to have solid authority in the field that you specialize in. And becoming an authority means that you’ll need verifiable proof of your education, expertise, and skills.
Getting licensed as a contractor not only shows that you have the qualifications and skills needed to complete the job, it positions you above your competition who can’t land the bigger paying jobs that you can.
For example, many states require a certification of some sort for specific types of trade work such as electrical work, plumbing or HVAC. And in many states, as a private contractor, you can’t work on jobs over a specified dollar value if you don’t have a license.
Unless you want to keep working small jobs and wearing yourself thin, establishing yourself as an authority by getting licensed is the best path forward.
Adopt New Technology
Staying up to date on the latest business technology is one way to edge out the competition, especially in the trade industry. And this is because many contractors don’t fully utilize the latest tech where they should.
For example, studies have shown that with development of AI resources, many contractors who have adopted these technologies have seen huge gains in productivity, and a better performance when it comes to safety compliance. And by adopting these new technologies, you could easily improve your business.
Today, we have remote sensing equipment that can help contractors stay safer when out on the job site. And providing for a safer work environment is always an attractive element to consider when seeking employment, and for potential clients as well.
With new technology at your side, you can boost your production rate and land new jobs faster. And this means more money in your pocket.
Market Aggressively
As mentioned, marketing is essential when it comes to turning a mediocre business into an established success story. And unless you’re able to go out and land new jobs and create greater visibility for yourself, you’ll be standing on the sidelines watching other contractors make all the money.
Having a marketing plan is one thing. But executing it strategically is another animal entirely. As such, if you hope to be successful in your marketing efforts, you might consider hiring a marketing professional.
Good marketing begins with local engagement, building relationships within your local community and branching out as you grow. But if you don’t have time to grow your business, this is where marketing professionals can be of great assistance.
Even starting small with search engine marketing is a great start. Or you may want to beef up your local advertising efforts. But no matter which approach you choose, consistency is key.
Every business needs to grow. Because without growth, you could find yourself being overshadowed by other contractors within your industry. With this in mind, it’s essential for you to boost your business with every tool at your disposal. And pretty soon, if you’re diligent, you may have so many jobs that you have to turn a few down.
