Why Lehigh Valley Contractors Are Missing Easy Jobs (And How Social Media Fixes It)
Why I Respect Trades Like Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Work in the Lehigh Valley
Whenever a plumber comes to my home, I always tell him that I would trade my Master’s Degree to get a chance to work on projects like they do. I have always been fascinated that it is one of the professions that is always needed, no matter what is going on with AI. I will share with you how I would do social media if I was them.
A Problem Solver’s Perspective on Marketing for Contractors
I might be kidding about trading my Master’s degree, but I also see myself as a problem solver and willing to put in the hard work to help my clients with their online marketing presence. These folks are so great at doing the work that they might not have enough time to market their services or at least educate us with their knowledge.
What Contractors Can Learn from Storytelling in Marketing
Back where I moved from, I would hear one-minute radio commercials from the local plumber about case studies and how he could help you avoid the headache of trying to solve your plumbing issue on your own. I personally enjoyed the storytelling aspect, like if he was a dad or friend helping me understand the toilet issue a bit better.
Why Consistency and Strategy Matter in Social Media Marketing
I often see these people not have accountability or consistency with their marketing. They start posting but don’t have a strategy or a second opinion on what they could be doing to stand out. Maybe they have tried several different approaches but need someone to help them with strategy?
How Lehigh Valley Customers Actually Find Contractors Today
When someone’s AC breaks or they need a plumber, they usually ask their friends (online), or if they are new to the area (like I was recently), we look at Facebook groups. I personally pick someone that way or by looking at the reviews on Google.
Common Social Media Mistakes Contractors Make
I can’t say everyone is doing this, but what contractors get wrong is not posting consistently or not having a Facebook or Instagram page for people to see basic information like hours, contact, and website information. They also might only use stock photos and not use real pictures of staff or their physical location (i.e., posting pictures of landscapes that don’t resemble the area).
What Builds Trust Fast for Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Businesses
The posts that build trust quickly include having a pinned post stating the basics like hours, contact information, and website. It would be great to tell a story about a case study, such as using video to post on Instagram, before-and-after pictures on Facebook, and holiday celebrations or cause-related marketing (donating or participating in a cause). Again, I love storytelling and educational content that makes me appreciate their expertise. You don’t need to post daily, but enough to show you are in business, maybe a few times a month.
Why Your Team Should Help Create Social Media Content
The owner shouldn’t focus on doing it all themselves for the marketing. The receptionist or secretary should be responsible for the generation of content. Technicians and team members should grab pictures or video to help build the content for creating visibility online. The team must understand that creating content helps generate rapport with customers who are possibly window shopping for service providers as they browse social media.
How Marketing Impacts Jobs, Reputation, and Pricing in the Trades
It’s hard not to think about the potential job losses due to competition from marketing. Consistency in posting costs time and effort from teams, but it offers a competitive edge over other service providers. This also affects staffing from high turnover in these industries, reputation, and how the price varies from provider to provider.
Using the “Only I” Strategy to Stand Out in a Competitive Market
I taught business owners that you need to think about “only I.” I learned this technique from Mark Schaefer. He is a 10-time best-selling author on marketing. What do you do that no one else does in this industry? Is it the type of service you provide? Are you the only one that does ___? That causes you to be intentional on your social media because when you do post, there is a differentiator. You need to also think about neighboring businesses and partners. Are you intentionally liking and engaging with their posts so if someone approaches them, they think of you?
Why the Lehigh Valley Is a Huge Opportunity for Contractors Right Now
According to a 2025 NY Times article, “The Economy is on Fire,” the Lehigh Valley is “experiencing rapid population growth, exceeding 708,000 residents.” Because of this growth in the area (myself included), this provides a unique opportunity for contractors to separate their services from other providers.
How New Residents Are Choosing Service Providers in the Lehigh Valley
Again, like mentioned above, people like me who are new to the area are relying on social media, reviews, Facebook groups, and Reddit to make informed decisions. This is the best time to invest in stepping up your marketing campaigns.
What Happens If You Don’t Improve Your Marketing Strategy
If you don’t step up your marketing efforts, then people might not easily find your services while they search. If you had a consultant who consistently shows up for you and your staff to train, that would be instrumental to staying ahead of future trends. It would be a relief to know you are being represented online consistently in new and innovative ways.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “We know we should be doing more, but we just don’t have the time or a clear plan,” you’re not alone. This is exactly where I come in. I don’t take over your marketing, I train you and your team so that it actually gets done consistently and in a way that reflects the quality of your work. If you want your business to show up the same way you do in person, reliable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy, let’s have a conversation. My contact info is below:
855-880-5082
If you aren’t in this industry but find it useful, please share with others!
See my most recent articles here:
- Why Lehigh Valley Contractors Are Missing Easy Jobs (And How Social Media Fixes It)
- Recap of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s NAWBO speech
- [Video] Why Online Visibility Matters in 2026 (and How Leaders Can Stand Out)
- Big News: Became a Panelist this week
- Joined The Piyush Pawar Show and Talked AI, Social Media Strategy, and Authentic Branding
I used AI to help me brainstorm this article with questions to answer. I ran it through my messy draft and told it to just fix typos and grammatical errors but to give me the headlines, title, and a CTA paragraph at the bottom.
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