Social media is no longer just a space for sharing holiday snaps and cat videos—it’s a powerful marketing tool that can help tradespeople and estate agents attract new clients, build credibility, and grow their businesses. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, builder, or estate agent, your potential customers are online, searching for services and engaging with businesses on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
But simply having a social media account isn’t enough. To stand out in a competitive market, you need a clear strategy. In this blog, we’ll cover 10 effective social media strategies to help UK tradespeople and estate agents build an online presence that converts followers into paying customers.
1. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all social media platforms are created equal, and not all of them will suit your business. Focus your efforts on the ones where your target audience spends the most time:
- Facebook – Ideal for tradespeople and estate agents. Local community groups, business pages, and Facebook Marketplace can drive engagement.
- Instagram – Great for sharing property images, before-and-after projects, and behind-the-scenes content.
- LinkedIn – A must for estate agents and B2B tradespeople looking to network with professionals.
- TikTok – Surprisingly effective for short, engaging property tours or DIY home improvement tips.
- Twitter (X) – Useful for sharing industry updates, customer testimonials, and quick service updates.
Focusing on 2-3 key platforms ensures you can maintain consistent and high-quality content without spreading yourself too thin.
2. Optimise Your Profile for Maximum Impact
A half-filled social media profile isn’t going to inspire confidence. Make sure your profiles are complete, professional, and optimised for visibility:
- Use a high-quality logo or headshot as your profile picture.
- Write a compelling bio with keywords (e.g., “Expert Plumber in Manchester | 24/7 Emergency Callouts”).
- Include a call-to-action (CTA) (e.g., “DM us for a free quote” or “Click the link to book a viewing”).
- Link to your website or contact page so customers can easily get in touch.
A polished, professional profile sets the tone for how potential customers perceive your business.
3. Share High-Quality Photos and Videos
Social media is a visual platform, so blurry, poorly lit images won’t cut it. Whether you’re showcasing a newly listed property or the results of a recent home renovation, high-quality visuals make a huge difference.
Tradespeople:
- Share before-and-after photos of your work (plumbing jobs, carpentry, roofing, etc.).
- Post time-lapse videos of projects in progress.
- Use short explainer videos to offer DIY maintenance tips (e.g., “How to Fix a Leaky Tap”).
Estate Agents:
- Upload professional property photos and virtual tours.
- Share local area highlights (e.g., best cafes, schools, or parks near a listed property).
- Post client testimonial videos showcasing happy buyers or sellers.
The better your visuals, the more engagement and inquiries you’ll generate.
4. Engage with Local Community Groups
One of the best ways for tradespeople and estate agents to gain traction is by joining and actively participating in local Facebook groups. Many UK towns and cities have community groups where people seek recommendations for services like plumbing, electrical work, or estate agents.
How to engage effectively:
✅ Answer questions and offer helpful advice without being overly promotional.
✅ Comment on posts seeking recommendations for services you offer.
✅ Share valuable tips or local market insights (e.g., “5 Things to Check Before Buying a Home in Brighton”).
Building trust before pitching your services makes people more likely to hire you.
5. Use Hashtags and Location Tags
If you’re not using hashtags and location tags, you’re missing out on free visibility. Adding these to your posts helps potential customers in your area find you.
- Hashtags: Use industry-specific hashtags like #UKPlumber, #LondonEstateAgent, #HomeRenovation.
- Location Tags: Always tag your town, city, or service area so local customers can discover your posts.
- Trending Hashtags: If there are trending topics relevant to your business (e.g., #NewHomeOwners, #PropertyInvestment), use them!
6. Post Testimonials and Reviews
Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing tools, and social proof plays a huge role in building trust.
Ways to showcase customer testimonials:
✅ Share screenshots of Google or Facebook reviews.
✅ Post a video or photo of a happy customer (with their permission!).
✅ Create a weekly or monthly “Customer Spotlight” feature to highlight successful projects.
Potential clients trust real feedback, so make reviews a regular part of your social media strategy.
7. Go Live for Real-Time Engagement
Live video is one of the most engaging formats on social media. Whether you’re an estate agent or a tradesperson, going live can help humanise your brand and connect with potential clients.
Ideas for Live Videos:
- Estate Agents: Host live virtual property tours.
- Tradespeople: Demonstrate quick DIY fixes (e.g., “How to Bleed a Radiator”).
- Q&A Sessions: Answer common customer questions in real time.
Live videos increase engagement and help build relationships with potential customers.
8. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Partnerships with other businesses can expand your reach and help generate leads.
Collaboration Ideas:
✅ Estate Agents & Mortgage Brokers – Create joint posts or videos about the home-buying process.
✅ Plumbers & Bathroom Retailers – Cross-promote each other’s services.
✅ Builders & Interior Designers – Feature each other’s work on social media.
Tagging and promoting each other benefits both businesses and attracts more followers.
9. Post Consistently (But Don’t Spam)
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is posting inconsistently. A quiet, inactive social media account makes it look like your business isn’t operational.
Best Posting Frequency:
- Facebook & Instagram: 3-5 times per week.
- LinkedIn: 2-3 times per week.
- TikTok: 3-5 times per week (if using it for video content).
Use a social media scheduler (e.g., Buffer, Hootsuite) to plan posts in advance.
10. Use Paid Ads to Reach More People
While organic social media is valuable, investing in paid ads can accelerate your reach.
Best Paid Ad Strategies:
✅ Facebook & Instagram Ads – Target specific locations and demographics.
✅ Google Local Service Ads – Appear at the top of search results.
✅ Retargeting Ads – Show ads to people who visited your website but didn’t contact you.
A small budget (even £5-£10 per day) can bring in quality leads.
Final Thoughts
A strong social media presence can help tradespeople and estate agents attract more customers, build trust, and grow their businesses. By following these 10 strategies, you’ll set yourself apart from competitors and turn followers into paying clients.
Start today by optimising your profile, posting great content, and engaging with your local community—small steps can lead to big results!
