With 53% of the world’s population on social media, it is key that your business has an online presence. Social media can provide your business with an amazing opportunity to connect with your potential customers. As a tradesperson, you will always be on the lookout for customers and, if you make the most of the free platforms available, you may soon have customers flocking to you.
Why It Matters!
As you can see above, 85% of tradespeople do not know how to effectively use social media! This means that there are many skilled people out there potentially missing out on business. We appreciate that a lot of business for tradespeople comes from word of mouth referrals. However, 16% of tradespeople believe that social media is helping them just as much.
The main thing that stands out from all these facts and figures is that people do not choose a tradesperson by chance or without research. Social media platforms like Instagram allow you to show anyone interested in your skills some of the work that you have completed recently. For example, if you are a Plumber and you have just completed the installation of a boiler, all you need to do is take a quick snap of it and upload it with a caption describing what it is you have done in the image. Any potential customers may see this and enquire with you for their needs.
Another key factor of a social media account is that it allows any potential customers easy access to key information about your business. For example, your company address, website link and telephone number. On average, each person spends 2 hours and 45 minutes on social media in a single day. By advertising the key bits of information we mentioned previously you will be making your customers lives a lot easier. Thus making them more likely to enquire with your business.
What Platforms Should I Use?
There are a variety of free social media platforms out there for you to make the most of. However, the most common with consumers tend to be Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. All of these platforms have slightly different aspects and it will be up to you to decide which ones are best for your business and its needs.
You may find that Instagram will be the best platform to showcase your work. This platform is visually based and will also allow customers to see the quality of your work. It is expected that this type of visual verification will soon replace normal word of mouth validation. .
Results
With the UK finding itself in a skills shortage at this moment in time combined with the fact that so many tradespeople don’t make the most of social media means that there is a gap in the market for those willing to commit to exploiting it! If you make your business readily available to customers by using these free platforms you will almost certainly see an increase in business.