Starting a handyman business can be challenging. There’s a lot on your plate when you’re getting set up, especially if you’re a sole proprietor doing everything yourself. Like other small business owners, you might need to become an “expert” in areas outside your comfort zone, including digital marketing.
Handyman digital marketing is an important part of promoting your business and reaching new customers. Social media plays a key part in most marketing plans these days, as more and more consumers turn to the internet to find and assess businesses. In the US, 82% of the population used social media in 2021. Adding a social media strategy to your handyman business plan may be essential to your success.
If you’re unsure if social media is the right fit your business, read the below handyman marketing guide on the subject for ideas, tips, and inspiration.
Finding New Customers
Social media can be an effective tool for finding new customers. People often expect companies to be on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms—even small businesses. Having well-maintained accounts on one or two sites can help you put your best foot forward with potential clients.
Social media sites also offer affordable advertising options for small businesses. Targeting options allow you to choose who you want viewing your ad, helping you reach your ideal clients. You could get your ad in front of the right eyes and start your phone ringing for relatively little money.
Build Your Email List
A social media profile could also help you grow your email list. Sending updates, discounts, and other information to your readers can be a good way for handymen to book new clients and earn repeat business from old ones.
Building an email list through social media can be done through targeted ads. Your ad’s “call to action” would ask people to sign up for your newsletter or to hear about future discounts. Once you’ve collected their website and other relevant information, you can add them to your email list and start marketing to them there.
Make Yourself An Expert
Building trust is essential to winning over new customers in any industry. As a handyman, you could do this by sharing simple tips and tricks that establish you as an expert in all things home maintenance. Though you may be sharing content to help people tackle small projects on their own, it can inspire people to give you a call for bigger projects or to take care of minor ones they don’t have time to do themselves.
Handyman’s “tips and tricks” content can be shared on many different social media sites. For example, you might share a video on YouTube, link to an article on your blog through Facebook and focus your Instagram on high-quality images.
Show Off Your Work
Social media accounts can act as an online portfolio of your work. Posting before and after photos or videos to your profiles is a great way to showcase your handyman skills and knowledge. This can also be an effective way to build trust with potential customers who are considering hiring you.
While you are likely proud of your work, don’t be too quick to post photos on social media. Always ask clients for permission to share pictures or videos of work you have done for them. It is also wise to share high-quality photos that present your talent in the best light. Consider searching photography tips online to help you create the best images possible.
Which social media platforms should handymen use?
There are dozens of social media platforms that small businesses can use to reach customers. However, it may not be appropriate or reasonable to sign up for them all. Digital marketing experts recommend creating profiles on just one or two sites but keeping them updated with new content on a regular basis. A quality-over-quantity approach to handyman digital marketing typically returns the best results!
The social media platforms you choose for your business will depend on where your target customers are. You may have researched this information while writing your handyman business plan. So, if your ideal client uses Instagram to find renovation and home decorating ideas, it may be worth your time and effort to build a business account and advertise there.
If you’re still unsure which social media platforms best suit your handyman business, here’s a list of popular sites in the United States that could help inspire you:
- YouTube – Best for videos, especially “how-to” instructional content
- Facebook – Great for ad targeting and sharing a variety of content (links, videos, images, etc.)
- Instagram – Excellent for showcasing your work, such as before and after images or videos
- Pinterest – Aspirational and DIY content works well here
- Nextdoor – Connect to people in your neighborhood and local communities
What if I need some help?
While small business owners often need to act like marketing experts, you probably can’t become one overnight. Mastering the basics could help get your handyman digital marketing plan off the ground; bringing in outside help could really drive your future success.
Hiring a freelance marketing manager or assistant could help you get better social media results. They can bring a fresh eye to your accounts, optimizing them to help bring in more customers and help you keep your old ones. They can also help free up your time to focus on other parts of your handyman business.
Spreading the Word About Your Business
Social media can be a great way to promote your handyman business. This part of your handyman business plan could help you find new customers, earn repeat business, and show off your skills. With the right content and maybe a bit of help, your handyman company could be off and running in no time!
As you’re building your handyman business, consider protecting it with business insurance. Learn more about insurance for handymen with BizInsure.
