If you’ve ever slapped a magnet on the ute and thought, “Right, marketing sorted,” you’re not alone. It’s the tradie version of hanging a plant in the lounge room and calling it interior design. It helps… but it’s not the whole story.
The “magnet marketing” belief system
Magnet marketing is based on three very hopeful ideas:
- Everyone reads the side of your ute while driving 100km/h
- Everyone who needs you just happens to be behind you in traffic
- Everyone remembers your business name later when they get home
That’s a lot of pressure on a rectangle of plastic.
What marketing actually is (in plain English)
Marketing is simply:
helping people find you, trust you, and choose you.
And it usually fails because:
- people can’t tell what you do quickly
- you’re invisible until you need work
- you don’t follow up
- customers finish the job… and you never hear from them again
Practical marketing that suits real tradies (not influencers)
Here are 4 “no-fluff” moves that work even if you hate marketing:
1) The 10-second explanation
Can you say what you do in one sentence?
- Who you help
- What problem you solve
- Where you operate
Example:
“We help Logan homeowners fix leaking roofs fast — clear quote, tidy work, regular updates.”
2) Proof posts (once a week)
People don’t trust claims. They trust proof.
- before/after photos
- “here’s what we fixed”
- a customer testimonial
- a short video showing the result
One post a week beats a burst of 10 posts then silence for 3 months.
3) The follow-up that creates work
After you send a quote:
- 48 hours: “Did you get it? Any questions?”
After a job: - 48 hours: “All good? Anything you need?” + review request
Most tradie businesses don’t lose jobs — they lose follow-up.
4) The referral sentence that feels natural
At the end of a job:
“If you’ve got a mate who needs this sort of work, send them my way — I’ll look after them.”
Say it every time. Marketing becomes a habit, not a headache.
The ‘anti-marketing’ truth
Marketing doesn’t need to be loud.
It needs to be consistent.
And the easiest place to start is:
- your next quote
- your next job
- your next follow-up call
- your next “thanks for choosing us” message
Soft close
A magnet on the ute is fine. Keep it.
But if that’s your whole plan, don’t be surprised when your calendar looks like a rollercoaster.
Because the best marketing isn’t flashy.
It’s steady.
Behind every great tradie is a smart system that keeps things running smoothly. Get your copy here, Behind Every Great Tradie Book, and discover practical strategies to build confidence and take control of your business.
More insights & Connect with us!
For more insights on cultivating a successful mindset and improving your business, visit our website. We have an open and free online Q&A Discussion on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Grab your coffee or breakfast and enjoy the discussion.
Each month, you have a free opportunity to bring along your topic and discuss your challenge. You can join via our Coffee Catch-Up Event or book here for a more focused one-on-one discussion.
