Why What Got Your Trade to £500k Won’t Get You to £1M.
Hitting that £500k mark for your Trade and Construction business feels pretty epic, right? 🙌🏽
You've probably got a decent setup.
A team that (mostly) knows what they're doing, and enough work to keep the van running.
But here's the kicker.
What got your Trade to £500k is about as useful for getting to £1M as a chocolate teapot. 🫖
Think about it.
When you first started out, you probably took on every job that came your way.
Dave's mate's cousin needed their bathroom redoing?
You were there.
Mrs Jenkins needed her garden wall rebuilding?
Sign you up.
But now?
Now you're eyeing up those juicy commercial contracts and premium residential projects. 👀
The problem is, you're still marketing yourself like you're that same small operation from years ago.
Let’s unpack what might be holding your Trade back from breaking through to £1million…
1. Your Trade and Construction Marketing Identity Crisis.
Remember when you used to get excited about those £2k jobs?
They kept the lights on, paid the bills, and helped build your reputation.
But here's the thing.
If you want to hit the big league, you need to start acting like you're already in it.
Your website's probably still showcasing that garden shed conversion from 2022 (which, let's face it, was a lovely job), but it's not exactly screaming "we handle £250k commercial renovations," is it?
The Signs You're Stuck in Small-Time Marketing for your Trade.
❌ Your social media is full of before-and-after shots of small domestic jobs.
❌ Your website talks about "competitive prices" instead of "exceptional value."
❌ You're still using words like "reliable" and "affordable" instead of "premium" and "exclusive."
Breaking Free from the Small Job Mindset.
It's time to shift your thinking from "any job is a good job" to "is this job taking us closer to our goals?"
This means:
✅ Setting minimum project values and sticking to them.
✅ Turning down work that doesn't align with your new direction.
✅ Focusing your marketing on the clients you want, not the ones you've got.
You might find this Trade Spotlight helpful…
🍿How Ken Quit Attracting Small Jobs And Landed Quality Refurbs For His Construction Business.
2. Who's Your Trade and Construction Perfect Client?
(🚨Spoiler: It's Probably Changed since you started out).
When was the last time you sat down and thought about who you want to work with?
And no, "anyone with a pulse and a wallet" doesn't count.
The Client Evolution Timeline.
Let's break down how your ideal client probably evolved:
👨🏽🦱 Starting Out: Local homeowners, small repairs, basic renovations.
🏡 £250k Mark: Larger domestic projects, small commercial works.
🏬 £500k Mark: High-end residential, medium commercial projects.
🏢 £1M Target: Major commercial contracts, property developers, luxury home builds.
The New Perfect Client Checklist.
Your ideal client at £1M should tick these boxes:
✅ Has multiple projects in the pipeline, not just one-offs.
✅ Values quality and expertise over the lowest price.
✅ Has a clear understanding of project scope and budgets.
✅ Works with professional architects and designers.
Red Flags That Your Marketing Is Targeting the Wrong Crowd.
🚩 Your website mainly shows small domestic projects.
🚩 Your testimonials are all from individual homeowners.
🚩 Your social media content focuses on quick fixes and small jobs.
🚩 Your case studies (if you have any) don't showcase complex problem-solving.
Take a look at why uncovering your Ideal Client is most important thing you will EVER do when it comes to your Trade and Construction marketing…
🍿What Is An Ideal Client And Why Do I Need One For My Trade & Construction Business?
3. Looking Like a Million Pound Trade When You're Not Quite There Yet.
The Art of Professional Presentation.
First impressions count more than ever at this level.
Here's what needs updating:
👌🏽 Your Email Communication: Professional templates, proper signatures, branded documents.
👌🏽 Your Proposals: Detailed, well-designed documents that look like they're for six-figure projects.
👌🏽 Your Business Cards: No more Vista Print specials – invest in quality.
Digital Presence Overhaul.
Your online presence needs to scream "we handle serious projects":
👉🏽 Website Design: Clean, modern, focused on larger projects.
👉🏽 Project Galleries: High-quality images, professional photography.
👉🏽 Content Style: Less "local builder" more "construction specialist."
The Language of Success.
Words matter.
Here’s how your communication needs to evolve:
🖋️ Instead of "quotes," offer "project consultations."
🖋️ Replace "jobs" with "projects" or "developments."
🖋️ Switch "building work" to "construction solutions."
4. Portfolio Management: Your Shop Window to Success.
What Needs to Go.
Be brutal with your portfolio cleanup:
🗑️ Remove all projects under your new minimum value.
🗑️ Delete photos that aren't professionally shot.
🗑️ Cut out any work that doesn't represent your new direction.
What Needs to Stay.
Keep projects that demonstrate:
🙌🏽 Complex problem-solving abilities.
🙌🏽 High-end finishes and attention to detail.
🙌🏽 Collaboration with architects and designers.
🙌🏽 Large-scale project management capabilities.
Creating Case Studies That Sell.
Each case study should include:
🎯 The client's challenge (without naming them).
🎯 Your innovative solution.
🎯 The project scope and scale.
🎯 The value you added beyond just construction.
Try this one on for size…
🍿 The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Killer Portfolio for Your Construction Marketing.
5. Your Marketing Needs to Grow Up (Just Like Your Trade Business Has).
The New Marketing Essentials.
At £1M, you need:
👑 A content strategy that positions you as an expert.
👑 Regular updates showcasing your biggest Trade projects.
👑 Professional relationships with architects and designers.
👑 A presence at industry events and awards.
Building a Premium Brand Image.
Invest in:
🏆 Professional brand guidelines.
🏆 High-quality marketing materials.
🏆 Regular professional photography.
🏆 Video content of your larger projects.
Digital Marketing That Works.
Focus on:
📱 LinkedIn presence for commercial connections.
📱 Instagram for design and quality showcase.
📱 Email marketing to architects and developers.
📱 Regular blog content about larger projects.
Ready to plan? Give this a try…
🍿How To Create a Marketing Plan That Works For Your Small Construction Business.
6. The Investment in Growth for your Trade and Construction Marketing.
What You Need to Budget For.
Getting to £1M means investing in:
💵 Professional photography (£500-£1,000 per project).
💵 Website redesign (£5,000-£10,000).
💵 Brand development (£3,000-£5,000).
💵 Marketing materials (£2,000-£3,000 annually).
The Return on Investment.
Think about it this way:
💪🏽 One premium project can cover your annual marketing budget.
💪🏽 Better presentation leads to better clients.
💪🏽 Professional marketing attracts professional partners.
⬇️ Why What Got Your Trade to £500k Won’t Get You to £1million Rundown.
1. Break free from small-time marketing mindset.
2. Redefine and target your evolved ideal client.
3. Present yourself as a premium construction specialist.
4. Manage your portfolio strategically.
5. Invest in professional marketing materials.
6. Budget appropriately for growth marketing.
Need a little more help nailing your Trade and Construction marketing?
Course you do.
First. Let's work out where you are with your marketing.
Got 3 minutes?
Take our Trades Quiz to discover how you score with all things 'Off The Tools'.
We have heaps of tips, tricks and hacks for your Trade and Construction business in our cheat sheets, videos and ideas waiting for you on the other side... i.e., your results page.
So, you can improve your score. And NAIL your Trade and Construction business.
Nice.