As a painter and decorator, showcasing your skills is vital to attracting more clients and standing out from the competition. While word-of-mouth is still important, having a strong online presence can help you scale your business and get more consistent leads.
Here are some key marketing tips specifically for local painters and decorators to help you generate more business and establish your brand online.
1. Capture Timelapse Content of Your Work
One of the best ways to showcase your painting and decorating skills is through timelapse videos. Set up a camera and record your work from start to finish, whether it’s an interior room makeover or the exterior of a house. These videos are visually engaging and show your audience the effort, precision, and transformation involved in your work.
Tip: Post these videos on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Tag any tradesmen or scaffolders that helped you, and encourage them to share the post too, widening your reach!
2. Build a Professional Website
A professional website acts as your online business card. It’s where potential clients will go to check out your services, portfolio, and contact details. Make sure your website has clear navigation, showcases your portfolio, includes customer reviews, and is optimised for local SEO.
Key features your website should have:
- A portfolio of your best work (inside and outside projects)
- A contact form for inquiries
- A services page detailing the types of painting and decorating you specialise in
- A section for customer reviews
If you’re ready to have a website built or need a redesign to attract more local leads, JNB Marketing can help. Check out our website building service to get started!
3. Use Social Media to Showcase Your Work
As a painter and decorator, your work is visually driven, so it’s crucial to be active on the right social media platforms:
- Instagram: Great for posting before-and-after photos, timelapse videos, and showing off your painting projects.
- TikTok: Perfect for short, engaging video clips, like room transformations or time-lapsed exterior projects.
- Facebook: Good for interacting with local communities and sharing projects in groups.
- Nextdoor: A highly effective platform for reaching local residents looking for painters and decorators in their area.
Make sure to post consistently, engage with comments, and share projects regularly to stay top of mind. Tagging businesses or partners (like scaffolders) who worked with you on outdoor projects can increase visibility and help generate leads.
4. Join Local Groups and Communities
Local community groups are a great place to market your services. Whether it’s a Facebook group, a local Nextdoor forum, or a neighbourhood association, you can offer advice, show off your projects, and introduce your services to people nearby.
Tip: Share your before-and-after transformations or timelapse videos in these groups to generate more interest in your work.
5. Optimise Your Google My Business Profile
If you want to generate more local leads, you can’t overlook Google My Business (GMB). Having a fully optimised GMB profile will help you appear higher in local search results when potential customers are looking for painters and decorators near them.
Ensure your profile is complete with up-to-date business details, images of your work, and, most importantly, reviews from satisfied clients. Google My Business can significantly boost your local visibility and help generate calls directly from people searching for your services.
Need help optimising your GMB profile? JNB Marketing can manage it as part of our marketing support package, which helps local businesses rank higher in Google search results.
6. Ask for Reviews and Build Your Online Reputation
Getting positive reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Facebook, and even CheckATrade can significantly boost your credibility. Always ask happy clients to leave a review after you complete a project.
Here’s a simple strategy for gathering reviews:
- Send clients a message with a direct link to your review page (Google, Facebook, etc.).
- Explain that reviews help you grow and maintain your local business, and that their feedback is appreciated.
Reviews also help you rank better on Google, which means more people will find your business when searching for painters and decorators in your area.
Need help managing reviews? JNB Marketing offers marketing support packages to help you grow and maintain your online presence, from gathering reviews to ranking higher on Google.
7. Showcase a Portfolio of Your Best Work
Whether it’s through your website or social media, you need to create a strong portfolio. Clients want to see examples of your past projects, including inside and outside jobs. Show a variety of work that highlights your skills in different environments, from small interior rooms to large-scale exterior painting.
Don’t forget to mention the specifics – for example, if you’re skilled in painting feature walls, prepping surfaces, or working on exterior projects that require scaffolding. The more detailed your portfolio, the easier it is for clients to trust your expertise.
8. Target Specific Niches
Sometimes, being a general painter and decorator might not be enough to stand out in a competitive market. Think about targeting specific niches like:
- Interior design projects
- Exterior home or building painting
- Office and commercial spaces
- High-end decorative finishes
By marketing yourself as an expert in certain niches, you can position your business as a go-to option for particular types of work.
9. Make Use of Facebook and Nextdoor for Local Leads
While Instagram and TikTok are great visual tools, don’t forget the power of Facebook and Nextdoor to generate leads. These platforms allow you to engage with local communities, join groups specific to your area, and share your portfolio with people nearby who are looking for your services.
You can even run Facebook Ads targeting local homeowners who are looking to update their interiors or exteriors. Need help with that? Our marketing support package at JNB Marketing offers everything you need to boost your presence and generate more leads.
10. Stay Consistent with Branding
Your branding across all platforms – website, social media, and even business cards – should be consistent. Choose a logo, colour scheme, and tone of voice that reflects your work and stick with it. Consistent branding builds trust and makes your business more recognisable.
By using these marketing tips, local painters and decorators can build a strong online presence, attract more leads, and grow their business. If you need help getting started or taking your marketing efforts to the next level, JNB Marketing is here to help with website builds, social media management, and marketing support packages designed to grow your local service-based business.
