New here and looking for advise

[Aftershave]

After working for an employer and sub-contracting for the last 15 years, I'm now looking to work for myself. Was looking for some advise on advertisement. I already have my own website, on google places, advert on gumtree and vivastreet. I have also advertised locally and even though I have got some work coming in from these it's not enough to keep me going. I am fully qualified with my Gas Safe, Unvented, Water Regs etc.

Is there something I am missing or is it just a case of getting out there and keep plugging away?

Thanks

 

[erpkid]

Keep plugging away. It has taken us 10 years to establish ourselves here and was quite tough in the early days. Do good work and the referrals will flow. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Aftershave]

Thanks erpkid, Will keep trying then, was just hoping there was some magic trick I was missing!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

have you thought about leaflets? takeup isn't great in my experience but it gets your name out there.

 

[erpkid]

Thanks erpkid, Will keep trying then, was just hoping there was some magic trick I was missing!

If you do find one let us know :biggrin:

 

[lame plumber]

parish mags and local advertising mags, all I use, still working tho

 

[Whl4852]

Go and do a job for a member of the women's institute, they will always recommend you, quite a steady little number that on. And put an add on church notice boards, that's my best one!

 

[kay-jay]

How many keywords are you featuring on Google for. In my experience websites are great but you can't rely on just one or two search terms. You need to dominate

 

[Guest123]

Try signing up for Rated People. Only buy the small leads at a fiver and you'll not only make a wage but build up a good client base. I use them for day jobs, when I'm held up on an installation, and in most cases, I've found that small jobs lead to much bigger jobs from the customer.

Rated People is not for everyone, but I've found it to be excellent and saves wasting money on newspaper ads that don't work.

 

[Aftershave]

Thanks for your advice everyone, I shall get some adverts in the local parish magazines and on notice boards.

I have quite a few keywords on Google Ads but I find that you can end up with quite a bill at the end of the month if you use the cost per click option. I have got some nice jobs out of it though and hopefully a lot of repeat customers.

I joined rated people and went for a few jobs but nothing came out of any of them, when I rang to cancel my membership they changed it so that I don't have to pay the monthly fee just the cost of any leads that I go for. May go for a few of the smaller jobs but I get the impression that the customers on there want a lot done for not much money.

 

[Whl4852]

Thanks for your advice everyone, I shall get some adverts in the local parish magazines and on notice boards.

I have quite a few keywords on Google Ads but I find that you can end up with quite a bill at the end of the month if you use the cost per click option. I have got some nice jobs out of it though and hopefully a lot of repeat customers.

I joined rated people and went for a few jobs but nothing came out of any of them, when I rang to cancel my membership they changed it so that I don't have to pay the monthly fee just the cost of any leads that I go for. May go for a few of the smaller jobs but I get the impression that the customers on there want a lot done for not much money.

My mates a sparky and he wants to go with rated people, will pass your advice on. Nice on Aftershave

 

[dancinplumba]

welcome to the forums aftershave

 

[Aftershave]

Thanks for the help people, put an add in the local parish mag and have already had one job out of it. Well worth the £7 it cost me.

 

[benjohn85]

Don't bother with google! I used to sell adwords! And a lot of the customers in the trades, never kept up the subscription as it just didn't work! If you can get a leaflet done, then you can get it printed cheap as chips. i got 500 for about £15 on ebay, a5 glossy ones and then when you get a job, hammer all the houses around with leaflets. People will see you working there! You could also get a board done with you details on and stick it outside wherever your working!

 

[kay-jay]

Google works well fir me but with a good website on the organic listings and not on adwords