In the world of local trade businesses, especially for electricians, building and nurturing relationships isnât just beneficialâitâs essential. The S.P.A.R.K.S. Blueprint⢠by James Dewane emphasizes relationships as a cornerstone of business success. This concept is central to achieving repeat business, word-of-mouth referrals, and establishing trust within the communityâ.
In trades, reputation travels fast, and positive connections lead to steady work without the need for constant marketing. Dewane notes that people prefer to hire an electrician they consider a "friend" rather than a stranger. By fostering a friendly, approachable persona and staying in touch, electricians can become the go-to choice for clients in their local areas.
According to the S.P.A.R.K.S. Blueprintâ˘, a key strategy for electricians is creating a âfriendshipâ with clients. Small, thoughtful gesturesâlike checking in after a job or sending a se...
If youâre a self-employed electrician struggling with inconsistent work, feeling like you have to constantly undercut the competition, or wasting money on ads that never seem to bring in the right customers, I get itâIâve been there too. These challenges can stir up a lot of stress and uncertainty, and make you wonder if thereâs a better way to do things.
But hereâs what I discovered: there is a way to attract steady work without bending over backwards or undercutting yourself into the ground. Today, Iâll share the approach I teach through the ToolBox and the SPARKS Blueprint, a method thatâs specifically designed to bring more consistency, control, and respect to electricians like you and me who want to fill our diaries with work we actually want to be doing.
In our line of work, it can feel like competing on price is the only option. How many times have you been in the frustrating position where clients call several electricians,...
In the world of local trades, especially for electricians, achieving business success is not simply about skill; itâs about visibility. Awareness is the cornerstone of any thriving business because, as the saying goes, âIf they donât know you exist, they canât hire you.â Yet, many in the trade overlook this crucial aspect, focusing on delivering top-quality service while hoping word-of-mouth will naturally bring the work in. However, to stay competitive in todayâs market, building intentional awareness within your local community is essential.
Awareness sets the stage for trust. Imagine youâre a homeowner in Manchester needing an emergency electrician. Youâre likely to reach out to a name you recognise, maybe one that youâve seen on local vans, heard of through a neighbour, or noticed in online recommendations. Establishing awareness ensures that your name is the one that comes to mind in these critical moments.
Lever...
For many self-employed electricians in the UK, the domestic electrical market can feel like an unpredictable rollercoaster. One month your diary is jam-packed, with new customer calls every day, while the next, you're staring at an empty calendar wondering where the next job will come from. This "feast to famine" cycle can be a real headache, but itâs also a common challenge for electricians working in the domestic sector.
So, what's behind this cycle, and more importantly, how can you manage it?
Feast: The Boom Times
The "feast" periods usually come when the demand for electrical work is high. This might be due to factors like seasonal surges (think about the increase in demand for installations before Christmas) or a local building boom. If youâre lucky, youâll have several referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations keeping you busy. At times like this, it can feel like you're turning away work, with more jobs on your plate than you can handle.
Famine: The Slowdown
The "famine"...
Running your own electrical business can feel like youâre spinning platesâone wrong move, and everything comes crashing down. You might be the best electrician in your area, but if your business isnât growing, itâs time to take a step back and evaluate whatâs going wrong. Here are five common reasons electrical businesses stall and, more importantly, how to fix them fast.
The Problem: Youâre relying solely on word-of-mouth or the occasional newspaper ad. While referrals are fantastic, they wonât always keep your calendar full. Many electricians think that once theyâve set up a website or signed up with Yell, the leads will just roll in, but without regular and targeted marketing, itâs easy to fall off the radar.
The Fix: Invest in a proper marketing strategy. Create a consistent presence online, whether through Google Ads, SEO, or even local Facebook groups. Consider joining the ToolBox where we show you exactly how to market yourself, so you donât...
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The truth is, there will ALWAYS be someone who will be cheaper than you. And if you start off competing on price, youâll have no choice but to continue to drop your price. How low? As low as you can to win the business? Possibly. And if you do win the business then you are going to be a busy fool.
So the question you may need to ask yourself is;Â do you want to be âthe cheapestâ?
Iâm guessing not otherwise youâll always be in business to âjustâ make ends meet so lets take a look at just how the price you charge not only pays for the value you give but also keeps your business flowing
I often speak to electricians who ask me how they can be a cut above the rest in their local area. There are some very simple ways you can position yourself a cut above your local competition by making a few small changes to the set up of your business.
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One of the common questions I get asked is âeveryone is qualified and registered in my area, how can I beat that?â Whilst all electricians have to meet minimum industry standards â there are things you can do even in this area which will seed in your customers mind that you are the better choice.
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By following these examples below, you will be seeding in your customers mind that you go the extra mile, not just meeting the minimum standards that other electricians do in your area.
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I turn up in a marked van
Over the years I have spoken to many electricians who drive around in unmarked vans. Sign writing your van is one of the easiest methods of advertising your business. If you don't sign write, you are missing an esse...
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