With so much upheaval in the job market brought about by a global pandemic, a greater number of professionals than ever before are going into business for themselves. If you are looking to start a business as a handyman, there are a few things you need to accomplish in order to be compliant with UK laws and, just as importantly, to start getting customers!
Covered Topics
All the Legalities
The very first thing you need to do is to register to do business in the UK. Make sure you have all the proper documentation, tax forms, licences, and even insurance! You don’t want a single mishap on a job to cost you your newly started business as a self-employed handyman. You can visit the UK government business portal to get all the instructions needed for registering your company.
Gather Tools and Equipment You Will Need
You will quite often hear it said that the second step in becoming a self-employed handyman would be marketing/advertising. While this is important to line up jobs, you may not be quite ready yet to begin doing business. First, you will need to ensure you have all the proper equipment and tools you ‘may’ need on the most common jobs. Also, if you don’t have a vehicle well-suited to transporting your tools from job to job, you might want to invest in a used Vauxhall van Manchester that is reasonably priced at The Car Credit Centre. Look for a dependable vehicle in the size you need for your day-to-day work.
Now the Fun Begins!
It is finally time to start advertising your trade! The best advice here is to take a multi-approach marketing strategy. Use print media such as flyers and business cards, postpaid ads on Google, get busy on social media, use text messaging, email marketing, and any way possible to get the word out that you are in business. Don’t forget those introductory offers and discounts! They go a very long way when seeking new clientele.
Referral Bonuses
In the past, word of mouth advertising for self-employed tradesmen was one of the best ways to line up new gigs. It still is but in a different format. Offer your clients a discount, bonus, or some other perk for every referral they make that books a job from you. It could be a percentage off the next job you do for them, a piece of hardware for their home, a key fob, mouse pad, coffee cup, or anything that keeps your brand visible. At the same time, they will be rewarded for bringing new business to you. You might suggest they use social media to get referrals because those followers can quickly multiply exponentially. Just make sure to keep those rewards in stock!
As long as you are a skilled handyman, getting jobs is easy if you approach it from a marketing perspective. Also, make sure that you arrive at pre-arranged times diligently, so a dependable vehicle is a must. Give it 100% effort and you will be rewarded in kind.
