Every tradesman hits those quiet patches. The phone stops ringing, jobs dry up, and suddenly you're wondering where the next bit of work is coming from. The good news is there are a few things you can do right now that will keep enquiries coming in more consistently.
1. Get a Google Business Profile
If you haven't done this yet, stop reading and go do it now. It's free. When someone searches "plumber near me" or "roofer in Durham", Google shows a map with local businesses. If you're not on that map, you don't exist as far as local search is concerned.
Fill it out properly. Add photos of your work, your service area, your opening hours. Ask happy customers to leave reviews. Businesses with more reviews and better ratings show up higher. It's that simple.
2. Have a proper website
A Google Business Profile gets you on the map, but a website backs it up. When someone finds you on Google, the first thing they do is click through to your website. If there's nothing there, or it looks like it was built in 2010, they'll hit back and call someone else.
Your website doesn't need to be fancy. It just needs to clearly show what you do, where you work, and how to get in touch. Photos of your work help massively. A contact form or click-to-call button makes it easy for people to reach you.
3. Ask for reviews and actually follow up
After every job, send a quick message asking for a Google review. Most people are happy to do it, they just need a nudge. The more reviews you have, the more Google trusts you, and the more potential customers trust you. It's a cycle that compounds over time.
Keep it simple. A text message with a direct link to your Google review page works better than anything else.
4. Post your work on social media
You don't need to be a social media expert. Just take before-and-after photos of your jobs and post them. Facebook and Instagram work well for trades. People love seeing transformations, and it keeps you visible to people who might need your services down the line.
You're not trying to go viral. You're just staying in people's heads so when they need a roofer or a plumber, you're the first name they think of.
5. Get listed in local directories
Sites like Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Bark, and Yell still send decent leads for some trades. They're not free, but they can be worth it if you're starting out and need to fill your diary. Just make sure your details are consistent everywhere: same name, same phone number, same address.
6. Word of mouth still works, but give it a boost
Referrals are brilliant, but you can make them work harder. Leave a few business cards after every job. Offer a small discount or priority booking for anyone who refers a friend. Make it easy for happy customers to spread the word.
The tradespeople who stay consistently busy aren't necessarily better at their trade. They're just better at making sure people can find them. Get the basics right and the work follows.