The Sunshine Coast isn’t just a slice of paradise; it’s a rapidly growing market ripe with opportunities for tradies. In fact, in the 2022/23 financial year, the Sunshine Coast Council reported over 10k building applications and $2.2B worth of building approvals.
The growing trades industry makes it more important than ever to stand out. But gone are the days of relying solely on word-of-mouth or local directory listings. Now you have to compete online, and face the digital marketing battle to reach your target market.
To be the best of the best requires effectively navigating this digital marketing landscape to stand out and hook your ideal clients. Here you'll find some ideas and strategies to skyrocket your marketing and get the results you're looking for!
Pictures speak a thousand words. If you're trying to demonstrate that you do a quality job, then you need quality photos to prove it. Taking professional photos of your work will:
Video is the peak content type for digital marketing. Reports show that 66% of consumers consider video the most engaging type of content.
Types of videos that tradies can use for marketing include:
Social media isn’t just a playground for fashionistas and foodies; it’s a bustling marketplace where everyone, including tradies, can shine.
Misconceptions, like Instagram being unsuitable for plumbers or carpenters, undersell its potential. The truth? Every trade has a story, a process, and results worth sharing. If you're not sure it's for you - read more on our blog about why social media marketing is important for business.
Some of the benefits of having your trade business on social media include:
A pro social media management team will help you put together a strategy that will work. They'll help you use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook to showcase your craftsmanship and connect you to new clients. Finding the right social media managers is important to make sure you get the ROI and results you're looking for!
Your website acts as your digital front door, a place where potential clients can explore your services, assess your professionalism, and get in touch. It's more important than your business card used to be!
But a website alone isn't all you need. You need your website to be searchable on Google, with search engine optimised (SEO) pages that ensure that when people are searching for you, they find you first.
Think about it - when was the last time you searched for a Sunshine Coast business and went past the first page of recommended search results?
As a trades business, you need a website that can be found before your competitors, that then converts your traffic into sales and bookings. It's a two-fold process, and one is not more important than the other. If you have a high-converting website that no one can find, it's not going to work. And if you have a website that doesn't convert customers, then it doesn't matter who finds it, it also won't work!
So how do you get both? We recommend working with a digital marketing agency, with experts in both web design and SEO. Keep in mind, however, that though they are similar services, they are extremely different skills!
If you've got all of the above marketing tools already flowing, with great visuals, videos, social media strategies and a good website, then your next step is to boost your content with ads!
Platforms like Meta and Google ads are like the high-precision tools in your marketing toolbox. They enable you to craft advertisements that speak directly to your target audience.
Through Meta and Facebook Ads, you can tap into the vast social network to showcase your projects and connect with customers who value your craftsmanship. Google Ads propels your services into the spotlight when potential clients search for your tradie expertise.
These platforms can deliver extremely high results, but keep in mind you need to use them correctly! Otherwise, the ad spend money you are shelling out could be going to waste.
The best way to make sure that your ads are high-quality, client-converting power tools is to work with someone who knows how to use ads for tradies. Even better, get a local Sunshine Coast ads manager to help, who knows the area and comes with the extra insight of being a local!
While we could write all day about how important your digital marketing is, there is still a time and place for your 'old school' traditional-styled marketing.
For example, use well-designed picket signs out the front of your projects so people know who it is that's doing the work. While you're there, letter-box the neighbours with some fliers so that when they find themselves wondering who is making their neighbours house, garden or construction project look so good, they'll know it's you! And never underestimate the power of a good car wrap while you're stuck in the Nicklin Way traffic!
Just make sure you put the same effort into designing your printed marketing as your digital, keeping a consistent style across both the digital and traditional spaces. This is where high-quality project photos remain imperative!
Running a trades business can be all-consuming, with so many tasks to juggle. From quote enquiries to invoices and ordering supplies, it's easy to let marketing slip to the bottom of the list. Especially in an area like the Sunshine Coast that is growing so quickly!
You don't have to do it all! In fact, if your marketing is done right, the results should easily pay for themselves while still expanding your business and profits. Get help from a good marketing agency to take the weight off your shoulders.
Get the best Sunshine Coast content marketers working on your trades marketing so you don't have to!
At All In Creative, we specialise in crafting tailored strategies that resonate with the Sunshine Coast community. We’ll elevate your business, with a serious focus on meaningful results.
Our team is small enough that you aren't working with an agency where you are just another number, but big enough that you have access to a range of specialists, like our Sunshine Coast video experts, local graphic designers and website builders.
With a finger always on the pulse of marketing trends and a deep understanding of the local commercial ecosystem, we are here to elevate your trades business.
Experience marketing mastery with All In Creative. Get in touch with us today!
