I Asked A Contractor Facebook Ads GOD 5 Burning Questions

Hi there contractor community! Reggie here from The Contractor Social Media Guru. It’s been months since I dropped a post on our D.I.Y contractor social media blog. ( You’re gonna need to forgive me for that. ) Things have been crazy on our side over the past few months so before we dive in I’d just like to thank everyone for their support. We’d also like to welcome all our new clients to The Contractor Social Media Guru family.

In today’s blog we’re going to be taking a look at 5 burning questions every contractor wants the answers to when it comes to Facebook ads right now. I called up my good friend Mat Smith from Mat Smith Consulting to hear what his take was

1. What should contractors look out for when hiring an agency or individual to run their ads.

We all know someone who recently spent $4000 on ads and didn’t get ONE DAMN LEAD! When you take a deeper look into this you find that there are always common denominators in these situations.  Let's take a look at a few of those below.

• The agency had ZERO experience running ads for your niche.

One of the first things Mat mentioned when I asked him the question was the fact that running ads for contractors was unlike running ads for any other niche. It’s one of those “You either have it or you don’t” situations. With that being said I think it's safe to say that you should be looking for someone who has niched down in running Facebook ads for your specific craft.

• The agency had no reviews

Reviews are THE BEST way of gauging whether or not you’re actually going to be getting what you paid for. In most cases you will find that an agency delivering on its promises will have great reviews the same way one which doesn’t would have bad ones. Keep your eyes open for any red flags like companies with their reviews turned off on Facebook ect.

• The agency had no references or clients you could talk to.

Here at The Contractor Social Media Guru we like to keep a list of references as well as their contact information ( with their permission of course. ). That way it’s easy for us to provide our potential new clients with a reference point in case they still weren't sure about working with us. All agencies should have some form of contactable references to help set your mind at ease. If they don’t then you should be asking yourself why?

2. What should contractors avoid when running Facebook Ads?

We’re always talking about the right things to do but we never actually take a look at what we should be avoiding. There are a whole world of mistakes you could potentially make when running ads for your contractor business but Mat thought that this one was the worst you could make by far.

DON’T COPY OTHER CONTRACTORS ADS!!!!!!!!

While it might seem like a smart idea, copying ads could land you in seriously hot water. Ads ( Copy + Creative ) are technically the Intellectual Property of whoever structures & runs the ad meaning copying = theft. Now you’re probably wondering what the implications could be? Let’s just say there’s a good chance you might get hit with a nasty bill for royalties & nobody wants that right?

Another thing to take into account is the fact that most ads are tailored to the service areas they run in. Most ads are compiled after thorough research has been conducted on the various demographics of the people living within these areas. Stealing an ad tailored to Texan homeowners might not always work for homeowners in Tennessee.

3. What does it cost a contractor to run ads with an agency with proven results?

This is a topic that gets discussed on EVERY SINGLE social media platform almost every single day! “What should I be paying for my Facebook Ads?” I really enjoyed Mat’s take on this one because it really brings a new perspective to the table in terms of Ads & what they are to your contractor business. Mat believes that running Ads should be looked at as if it was a financial investment of sorts.

Here’s a great example, working with Mat and his team means an investment of around $2500 - $3500 depending on various factors ( Excluding ad spend ). Singing the paperwork on just one roof a month means you’re covered.  On average right now, most roofers are averaging around 5 - 15 new projects a month so the numbers technically speak for themselves, you do the math.

We’ve all heard someone say” You gotta spend money to make money.” So where does the fear come from? I’ll tell you exactly where it comes from. It stems from the unknown. 

• “Is my investment going to turn me a profit?”

• Is the agency going to deliver on their promise?

• Am I working with someone who understands my brand, company & ethic.

4. The difference between a good ad and a great ad.

The long and the short of it all boils down to offer! Are you going to run a “book a free inspection” ad or are you going to work around your end result? The truth is nobody likes being told their stuff is broken. So why not approach it smartly.

Technically speaking, homeowners aren’t paying for the roof replacement so it makes sense to leverage that information in the copy. Here’s one of my favorite examples of exactly this. “Your Insurance Might Owe You A Brand New Roof!” That tagline is going to bring up a few questions so make sure to answer them all in the copy to follow.

Mat followed up on that by mentioning that you need to think of your roofing ad in a “MAFIA” way. “Make me an offer I can't refuse” - The homeowner

5. Any advice for small businesses without a reputation in their local service area.

As a contractor, building a strong online presence is essential for attracting new business. One effective way to quickly establish your presence is by posting content daily on social media platforms. However, it's essential to understand that people use social media to be entertained, not to be sold to. Therefore, it's important to share a mix of personal and professional content, such as updates about your family, your struggles, your wins, and most importantly, the results you've achieved for your clients.

Additionally, don't be afraid to reach out to your past clients and ask them for a review or testimonial. Reviews and testimonials are an excellent way to build trust and credibility with potential clients. Taking action daily is key to building a strong presence online, and it's important to remember that this process takes time. In around 60 days of consistent effort, you'll begin to see a significant increase in business.

As a contractor who has been through the process of building an online presence, Mat understands the importance of consistent effort in creating a successful marketing strategy. 

Social media is an excellent tool for contractors to connect with potential clients and showcase their work. By posting regular content, sharing personal stories, and highlighting your successes, you can build a loyal following of clients who trust your expertise. 

In Conclusion…

You really shouldn't be taking chances when it comes to your brand and the ads you run. At the end of the day you’re only tossing more money into the fire. I like closing my blogs off by saying thank you to each & every one of you out there for taking the time to stop by and learn with me. I'm passionate about contractor social media & I'd honestly LOVE to connect with you.

If you'd like to chat about your contractor business's social media then you can book a call with me by clicking the big "Book Now" button below.

Alternatively you can reach out to me directly on Facebook or LinkedIn at any time!

I look forward to connecting with you all soon!

Good luck out there.