Are you a great contractor who’s tired of wondering where the next job will come from? It feels like you’re doing everything right, but the phone just isn’t ringing enough. You see your competitors’ trucks all over town and think, “What are they doing that I’m not?” Here’s a hint: it’s not magic. It’s just smart marketing, and it’s easier than you think.
Getting more jobs (lead generation for contractors) doesn’t have to be hard or cost a lot of money. You don’t need a fancy marketing degree to make it happen. You just need a simple plan with a few proven tricks. In this guide, we’re going to show you 8 super simple, powerful ways to get more customers. Think of this as your toolbox for finding new work. Each tool is easy to use, and we’ll show you exactly how.
You can totally do this! We’ll walk you through everything, from getting your business at the very top of Google to making friends with other local businesses who can send work your way. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear plan to keep your schedule full and your business growing. One quick tip: all your hard work can go to waste if you miss a call. A dedicated contractor answering service is a great tool to make sure you catch every lead, even when you’re busy on a job site.
Ready to get more jobs? Let’s go!
1. Get on Top of Google with Local Services Ads (LSA)
Imagine being at the very top of Google—even above the normal ads—when someone in your town needs a contractor. That’s what Google Local Services Ads (LSA) can do for you. These are special ads made just for local pros like you. The best part? You only pay when a real person calls or messages you through the ad. This is a fantastic way to get jobs for contractors.
Before you can use them, Google checks you out. They make sure you have the right licenses and do a background check. Once you pass, you get a special “Google Guaranteed” badge. This little green checkmark tells homeowners that Google trusts you, which makes them trust you, too!
Why LSA is a Game-Changer
Think of LSA as a direct phone line to customers who are ready to hire someone right now. When a homeowner searches “plumber near me,” they see your face, your great reviews, and that shiny Google badge right at the top. This isn’t just an ad; it’s like Google itself is telling them to call you.
One plumbing company in Seattle used these ads and booked over $180,000 in new jobs in just six months. Wow! It works so well because it puts you in front of people who need help now, not people who are just looking around. You can turn on these ads and start getting calls almost right away. We have a super simple guide to help you do it. You can discover how to get customer-generating ads running in minutes.
Easy Tips for LSA Success
Getting started is simple. To get the best results, just follow these easy steps. Don’t worry, you can do this!
- Be Super Quick: When someone calls or messages, answer them right away (like, within five minutes). People love a fast response and it shows you’re ready to work.
- Keep Your Profile Looking Good: Add new photos of your work, make sure your list of services is right, and check that your service area is correct. A full profile gets shown more often.
- Set a Budget: You decide how much you want to spend each week. You can pause the ads anytime, so you never spend too much. Easy peasy.
- Get Your Money Back on Bad Leads: Did a salesperson call you through your ad? No problem. You can tell Google it was a bad lead, and they’ll give you your money back.
2. Make Friends and Get Referrals
What if you had a team of other pros in your town who were always sending new customers to you? That’s the magic of making friends with other businesses. This isn’t about just hoping people talk about you; it’s about building real friendships with folks like real estate agents, painters, or store owners who can send jobs your way.
This creates a powerful team that helps your business grow. Instead of one person recommending you one time, you have a whole group of people sending you great customers. It’s one of the best and cheapest ways of lead generation for contractors because the customers already trust the person who sent them.
Why Making Friends is a Game-Changer
Think of these business friends as your own personal sales team. A kitchen remodeler who becomes friends with five real estate agents can get 15-20 great job leads every month. These leads are amazing because they come from someone the homeowner already knows and trusts. You’re not a stranger; you’re a recommended pro.
This really works. A roofing company we know gets over 30% of its jobs each year just by giving past customers a small discount when they refer a friend. Making friends is a key part of many successful local business marketing strategies. You can set this up easily, and you’ll love the results.
Easy Tips for Making Business Friends
Building a team of friends who send you work is simpler than you think. You just need a plan. You can do this!
- Make It Easy to Refer You: Give your friends a little “kit” with your business cards, some photos of your best work, and a few good reviews. The easier you make it for them, the more jobs you’ll get.
- Have a Simple Agreement: Write down what you’ll give them for a referral (like a gift card or a small fee). This makes it feel official and shows you’re serious about the friendship.
- Say Hello Often: Don’t let them forget about you! A quick email once a month or grabbing a coffee keeps the friendship strong and keeps you on their mind.
- Keep Track of Friends: Use a simple notepad or spreadsheet to see who is sending you the most jobs. This helps you know who your best friends are so you can thank them!
3. Use Facebook and Instagram to Find Customers
What if you could show off your best work to people in your town who are already thinking about fixing up their house? That’s the magic of Facebook and Instagram ads. These websites let you show your ads to the exact right people. You can choose to show them to homeowners of a certain age, who live in a specific neighborhood, and who even like watching home improvement shows! It’s a powerful way of lead generation for contractors that puts you right where they hang out online.
Instead of waiting for someone to look for you, these ads help you get them excited about a project. You can show them amazing before-and-after photos or quick videos of your finished work. This can inspire them to finally start that project they’ve been dreaming about. The ads even have a simple form so people can give you their name and number without ever leaving the app. How cool is that?
Why Social Ads are a Game-Changer
Think of Facebook and Instagram as the new town square. By showing your ads there, you’re not just yelling into the wind. You’re starting a conversation with the right people at the right time. You’re showing them what their home could look like while they’re relaxing and scrolling on their phone. It helps them remember your name and get interested in your work.
For example, a bathroom remodeler can use these ads to show a whole bathroom makeover. They can get a steady flow of over 60 good job leads a month for a very low cost. It works so well because your pictures and videos do all the talking. You can set up these ads faster than you think, and we have a guide that shows you how. You can learn how to run Facebook ads that bring in real customers.
This picture shows what you can expect.
These numbers show that for just a little bit of money, you can reach a lot of people and turn them into paying customers.
Easy Tips for Social Ad Success
Starting an ad is simple, but a few little tricks will turn your ads into a job-getting machine. You can totally do this!
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use great before-and-after photos and short videos. Pictures are everything on these websites. People love seeing a big change!
- Target the Right People: Show your ads to people who are most likely to be your customers, like homeowners between 35 and 65 years old in your town.
- Reply Super Fast: When someone fills out your form, try to call them within 15 minutes. Speed is super important before they get busy and forget!
- Use Short Videos (Reels): Quick, fun videos get way more attention than just about anything else. You can check out tools for analyzing Instagram Reels accounts to see what’s working for others.
4. Have a Website That Google Loves
Your website is like your online shop. But if nobody can find it on Google, it’s like your shop is hidden down a dark alley. Making your website easy for Google to find is called SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This is how you move your shop to the main street of Google so lots of people can find you. It’s a super powerful way of lead generation for contractors.
Instead of paying for every person who visits your site, you get free visitors by having a helpful website. When someone in your town searches for something like “how much does a new kitchen cost,” your helpful blog post can show up. You become the trusted expert they turn to for answers. When it’s time to hire someone, who do you think they’ll call first? You!
Why SEO is a Game-Changer
Think of SEO like planting a tree. It takes a little time to grow, but once it does, it gives you shade (or in this case, jobs!) for years and years. Once your website shows up at the top of Google for searches like “roof replacement Austin,” you get a steady stream of great job leads without paying for every single one. It’s like having a salesperson working for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
One contractor proved this by writing helpful articles on his website every week. After a year, he got 3 times more visitors from Google, which turned into 25 good job leads every single month. By simply answering people’s questions, he built trust and became the top contractor in his town online. A great website that is built to get you jobs is your secret weapon, and we can show you what one looks like. You can see how a lead-generating website is designed for home service contractors.
Easy Tips for SEO Success
SEO might sound like a scary, big word, but it’s really just a few simple steps. You can do this!
- Get Your Free Google Listing: This is step one. It’s called a Google Business Profile. Fill out every single part of it. This helps you show up on the map when people search for you.
- Use Specific Keywords: Instead of trying to show up for “plumber,” try something more specific like “cost to install tankless water heater in Columbus.” Fewer people search for it, but the ones who do are ready to buy!
- Make Pages for Each Service and Town: Have one page for each thing you do (like Roof Repair, Roof Installation) and each town you work in. This helps you show up when people search for exactly what they need in their town.
- Write Helpful Blog Posts: Write 2-4 short articles a month answering questions your customers ask all the time. This shows Google you’re the local expert.
5. Send Postcards to the Best Neighborhoods
Think sending mail is old-fashioned? Think again! Getting a nice postcard in the mail can feel way more special than getting an email. That’s why sending postcards works so well for contractors. It’s about putting your name and your great work right into the hands of homeowners in the exact neighborhoods where you want to work. This is a surprisingly good way of lead generation for contractors.
An online ad can disappear with a flick of a finger, but a postcard sits on the kitchen counter. This lets you pick the perfect neighborhoods to send them to, based on things like how old the houses are or if a big storm just came through. It’s like using a laser to target your perfect customers instead of a shotgun.
Why Postcards Still Work Great
Imagine a homeowner in a nice neighborhood is thinking about a kitchen remodel. Then, they get a beautiful postcard in the mail with a picture of a kitchen you just finished two streets away. That’s powerful stuff! This isn’t junk mail; it’s a friendly hello that shows off your quality work.
A roofer proved this works. He sent postcards to neighborhoods with older homes right before storm season. He got calls from 3 out of every 100 postcards he sent, which is amazing! It filled up his whole schedule. You can use postcards to find the exact families who are most likely to need and be able to afford your services. It’s a simple way to get great customers knocking on your door.
Easy Tips for Postcard Success
A great postcard is more than just a pretty picture. Follow these simple tips to make sure your mail gets you calls. You can definitely do this!
- Target Your Favorite Neighborhoods: Send mail to areas where you’ve already done great work. Put a picture of a project from that area on the card and offer a “Neighbor Discount.”
- Make it BIG and Colorful: Use bigger postcards (like 6×9 or 6×11 inches) that stand out from all the white bills and letters in the mailbox.
- Send More Than One: Don’t just send one postcard and stop. Experts say it takes a few times for people to notice. Plan to send a few postcards to the same houses over a few months.
- See if it’s Working: Put a special phone number or website address on the postcard. This way, you’ll know exactly how many jobs your postcard campaign is getting you.
6. Make Helpful YouTube Videos
What if you could become the go-to expert in your town just by sharing what you already know? That’s the power of YouTube. By making simple, helpful videos, you can connect with homeowners who are looking up information for their next project. You can build trust and get great job leads before you even meet them. This is a modern and powerful way of lead generation for contractors.
Instead of just telling people you’re the best, you can show them. A simple video of you explaining how to pick the right paint color or a quick tour of a finished project shows them you know your stuff. When people see your face and hear your advice, they feel like they know you. That makes them way more likely to call you for their project.
Why YouTube is a Game-Changer
Think of YouTube as your own TV show where you’re the star expert. When a homeowner searches for “deck design ideas,” they could find your helpful video. Just like that, you become the expert they trust. This isn’t just advertising; it’s teaching your future customers and winning them over.
One deck builder proved this works. He made simple videos showing off different “deck design ideas.” Now, his videos show up on the first page of Google and get him 15 to 20 free job leads every single month. He built a job-getting machine just by sharing what he knows. You can do the same thing, and it’s easier to start than you think.
Easy Tips for YouTube Success
You don’t need a fancy camera or a movie studio. Your smartphone is all you need to make great videos that get you customers. Don’t worry, you can do this!
- Just Use Your Phone: Don’t wait to buy a fancy camera. Just pull out your phone and record a quick tip, a tour of a project you just finished, or answer a common question. Being real is better than being perfect.
- Solve Problems: Make videos that help people. Think about the questions customers always ask you, and turn the answers into short, helpful videos.
- Tell Them What to Do Next: At the end of every video, tell people what to do. Say something like, “If you need help with your project, give us a call at…” and put your phone number on the screen.
- Show Your Face!: People hire people they know, like, and trust. Let your personality shine through. Just be yourself and you’ll make a real connection with people.
7. Go to Home Shows and Local Events
Sometimes the best way to get jobs is to go where your customers are. And nothing beats talking to someone face-to-face. Going to home shows, county fairs, and other local events is a classic, powerful way of lead generation for contractors. You get to meet homeowners who are looking for help, show off your best work, and build trust in person.
Instead of waiting for the phone to ring, you’re shaking hands and having real conversations. You can show them you’re an expert, answer their questions right away, and get the names and numbers of people who are serious about starting a project. This creates a personal connection that an online ad just can’t match, making it a great way to fill up your schedule.
Why Face-to-Face is a Game-Changer
Think of a home show as a giant room filled with people who want to hire someone. These aren’t just people browsing; they paid money for a ticket to find pros like you. By setting up a little booth, you put your business right in front of them. A weekend event can turn into a huge source of great job leads that can keep you busy for months.
For example, a kitchen remodeler went to a local home and garden show and got the names of over 120 interested people. Over the next few months, he turned 15 of those into projects that made him $285,000. Wow! This works because you meet people when they are most excited about their project. You can be that friendly, expert face they remember when it’s time to sign on the dotted line.
Easy Tips for Event Success
A great booth at a show doesn’t happen by accident, but a few smart moves can make all the difference. Don’t worry, you can easily make your next event a huge success!
- Make Your Booth Look Great: Use big, beautiful photos of your best projects. Make it look friendly and professional so people want to stop and talk to you.
- Offer a “Show Special”: Have a special discount that people can only get if they sign up at the show. This makes them want to give you their name and number right away.
- Have a Fun Contest: A simple giveaway, like a smart thermostat or a gift card to a hardware store, is a great way to get lots of names and phone numbers.
- Follow Up Fast: Don’t wait! Call every person you met within two days, while they still remember talking to you. A quick, friendly follow-up call shows you’re a real pro.
8. Get Great Reviews and Be the Star Online
Imagine a new customer is looking for a roofer. They find two online. One has two reviews. The other has over 200 amazing, five-star reviews. Who do you think gets the call? Your online reviews are like your digital handshake. They are one of the most powerful tools for lead generation for contractors. It’s more than just getting stars; it’s about building trust before you even talk to a customer.
This just means you need to ask for, manage, and show off your great customer reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, and Houzz. Lots of good reviews tell new customers that you are a safe, high-quality choice. It builds trust that money can’t buy and helps homeowners decide to call you instead of the other guy.
Why Your Reputation is a Job Magnet
Think of every five-star review as a tiny salesperson working for you all day, every day. When people see that their neighbors had a great experience with you, they are much more likely to call you. A great online reputation makes all your other marketing—from your website to your ads—work so much better.
For example, a plumber in Ohio started asking every happy customer for a review. He went from 15 reviews to over 200 on Google in about a year and a half. The result? The number of job leads he got went up by 150% without spending a single extra penny on ads. His great reputation did all the hard work for him, proving that happy customers are the best marketing you can have. You can learn more with our online reputation management tips.
Easy Tips for Getting Great Reviews
Building a five-star reputation is simpler than you think. You just need to do it consistently. Don’t worry, you can easily do this!
- Ask Right Away: The best time to ask for a review is right after you finish a job, while the customer is still super happy with your work.
- Make It Super Simple: Send them a text or email with a direct link to your Google review page. The easier it is, the more likely they are to do it.
- Reply to Every Review: Reply to every single review, good and bad. Thanking happy customers and offering to help unhappy ones shows everyone that you really care.
- Show Off Your Best Reviews: Put your best reviews on the front page of your website, on your service pages, and even at the bottom of your emails.
- Get Your Team to Help: Make sure everyone on your team knows that their great work is the first step to getting a great review. It’s a team effort!
Comparing Different Ways to Get Jobs
| Way to Get Jobs | How Hard Is It? 🔄 | What Do You Need? ⚡ | What Can You Expect? 📊 | Who Is It Best For? 💡 | What’s Great About It? ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Local Services Ads (LSA) | Medium – Google checks you out first | Medium – need money for ads | Great leads, top spot on Google, quality can change | Licensed pros like plumbers, HVAC, electricians, roofers who have good reviews | People are ready to hire, trust badge helps |
| Making Business Friends | Hard – takes time to build relationships | Low – just need to be friendly | The best quality leads, works for a long time | Contractors who are already known and want to grow steadily | Best closing rates, cheapest way to get jobs |
| Facebook and Instagram Ads | Medium – need to set up ads | Medium – need money for ads, good pictures | Reaches lots of people, some are ready to hire, some aren’t | Contractors with great pictures who want to reach lots of people | You can target the exact right people, very visual |
| A Website That Google Loves (SEO) | Hard – takes time and work | Medium – need to write content & do SEO | Free visitors from Google over time, builds trust | Contractors who want to grow for years to come | Cheap in the long run, builds trust |
| Sending Postcards | Medium – need to design and mail them | Medium – need money for printing and stamps | 1-3 out of 100 people call, great for nice neighborhoods | Contractors who want to work in specific, nice neighborhoods | Not as much competition, people remember it |
| YouTube Videos | Hard – need to make videos all the time | Medium – need a phone and time | Fun videos get leads, makes you an expert over time | Contractors who are okay on camera and want to be seen as the go-to expert | People watch and listen, cheap ads |
| Home Shows and Local Events | Hard – takes a lot of prep | High – booths cost money, takes your time | Great leads, everyone in town knows your name | Contractors who do big or fancy jobs and need to build a lot of trust | Builds trust fast, meets people ready to hire |
| Getting Great Reviews | Medium – have to ask and reply all the time | Low – maybe a tool to help | Can get 30-50% more calls with great reviews | Every single contractor; this helps everything else you do! | Builds trust, gets more calls, a must-do! |
You’ve Got the Tools – Now It’s Time to Build Your Business
See? That wasn’t so scary, was it? You just learned a bunch of simple, powerful ways to fill up your schedule with great jobs. Getting more work (lead generation for contractors) isn’t about some secret, hard-to-understand magic trick. It’s about doing a few proven things over and over that work for your business and your town.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t build a house with just a hammer, right? You need different tools for different parts of the job. Your marketing is the same way. It works best when you use a few of these ideas together. Maybe you start with Google Local Services Ads to get the phone ringing right away. At the same time, you can start asking all your happy customers for reviews to build up your strength for the long run. The most important thing is to stop just thinking about it and start doing it.
Your Simple Plan to Get Started
Feeling like there are too many choices? Don’t worry. You don’t have to do all eight of these things by next week. The goal is to just get started and build up steam. Here’s a super simple way to begin:
- Pick a “Quick Win”: Choose one thing you can start this week. For most contractors, turning on Google LSAs or just asking past customers for reviews are the fastest ways to see something happen.
- Pick a “Long Game”: Choose one thing that will build up over time. Writing helpful articles for your website or starting to make friends with other local businesses are perfect for this.
- Do It Every Week: Spend just a few hours each week on these two things. Making a little bit of progress is what will fill your schedule with jobs.
Remember, every single idea we talked about, from sending postcards to making YouTube videos, is something you can absolutely do. You’re the expert at your trade; marketing is just another skill you can learn. It’s all about showing people the same great work and care that you bring to every job. Your amazing skills deserve to be seen by more people, and you have the power to make that happen. You’ve got this. We can help, too.
Ready to get started but want a partner to do the heavy lifting for you? At The Cherubini Company, we help contractors just like you make their marketing simple and get them more jobs. We can turn these ideas into a steady stream of customers, so you can focus on what you do best—doing great work. Visit The Cherubini Company to see how we can help you build your business, one great job at a time.
