How To Market Yourself As a Contractor in Today's Digital Landscape
It’s rough out there for any business owner these days. Not only did every business from startups to multi-million dollar corporations have to deal with the ramifications and restrictions from COVID-19 during 2020, but every business also has to deal with competition at every turn.While the restrictions for businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been relaxed considerably as of 2021, correspondingly the competition has increased tremendously.Today, whether you’re a contractor or a music teacher, you simply have to know how to navigate the digital landscape in order to get ahead when it comes to marketing and promoting yourself as a business owner. This is extremely crucial for small businesses and for those who operate locally.We all have so much distraction in our lives these days. And, a lot of these distractions come from that smartphone that almost everyone stares into for hours on end.If you want to learn how to promote yourself as a general contractor, you not only have to promote yourself around town, you have to learn the digital space as well.
Professional Appearance
Before we get into the digital marketing aspect of contracting, you’ll have to get your appearance in check first. Yes, this means that you might need to spruce yourself up a bit, and tend to a few key elements that your clients look for when they seek out a professional.First, let’s start with your company vehicle. If you don’t have one then you’re probably riding around in that trusty old work truck of yours. While this is fine to use, and most of your clients probably haven’t given it a second thought, don’t think that other potential customers won’t be alarmed by a “contractor” pulling up in an old “rust-bucket.”If you need professional transportation, consider renting a truck for work. This option allows you to show up in a modern, professional vehicle and it gives your potential clients the look and feel of a professional contractor. In addition to this, you’ll be able to choose what kind of truck you’ll need for whatever job comes your way.So, take off that old, musty flannel shirt and put on a suit. Hop in your new truck and drive to meet your next client. Remember, appearance and professionalism go hand in hand.
Social Media
Now that you have a professional appearance, you’re ready to dive right into cyberspace. It’s also good to note that appearance on social media plays a critical role as well. You’ll want your profile photo to be clear and you need to ensure that your picture presents you in the most professional way.So, take off the work bandana and lose the Costas. It’s time to show the world who you are, and your profile picture is a window into your world.The first rule of social media and digital marketing is to keep it professional at all costs. For sites like LinkedIn, you’ll need to set up a professional page and list all of your certifications, licenses, work history, and education. Here, you’ll also be able to write content and post on the site directly, make new connections, and bid or apply for jobs.In addition, perhaps you have pictures of jobs you’ve completed. If this is the case, you can utilize Instagram or a Facebook business page. You’ll be able to engage with your followers and showcase your best work with these tools, and perhaps gain a job or two along the way.
Build a Website
If you’re going to be a professional, having a business website is critical for success. This is almost like an extension of your business card, except with a website you can add so much more information about who you are and what you do.Statistics show that the most frequently visited page of any business website is the “About” page. This is where you get to tell the world who you are and why you do what you do. So, you need to make this page engaging and thorough, but also short and to the point.People don’t like reading a lot in order to get to the point in this day and age. So, when writing an “About” page it’s more about being succinct than it is about telling a two-page story about how you just loved hammering nails as a kid.You’ll also want to link all of your social media accounts to your website, and have your contact information visible on every page. This way, when someone wants to verify your services and learn about you, they’ll be able to easily click on a link and contact you.Building a website and having a social media presence are only two simple steps that you can take in order to market yourself in today’s digital landscape. Beyond this, you have many other options but they take time to learn. Once you’ve established yourself as a professional and have a digital presence, you can always beef up your digital marketing efforts to gain more exposure.