How to find consistent work when you're also offering free services?

Question

Hello. I have been struggling to find jobs. Any ideas?
I am trying to get enough jobs so I can continue to give free services to the elderly and so I can invest into the next generation of blue collar workers.
We have a career tech center for construction trades. The rate at which they actually go into a trades job is slim now. I want to hire some of them and teach and invest into them. When they graduate they would be gifted with their own company and I help them keep growing their companies and teaching them.
My goal is to have the next generation of the trades to have their own companies and to become Jack of All Trades.
I would pay for all their certifications if they choose that. But finding jobs to start this has been difficult. Any ideas?

hugehomepros · Answer

That's a noble cause - finding jobs and having a marketing funnel is a very large part of the business. It sounds like you have a really grand vision, which is important, but you need to focus in on your own ship before trying to correct someone else's. It's amazing to want to give so much to others BUT I'd be careful giving away the house before the foundation is poured. Here's my two cents on where to find leads.

Referrals - network like crazy. These are the best kind of jobs. Warm leads. Anyone you are trying to teach to run a company is going to need to know how to do this well
Pay for leads - I ONLY recommend thumbtack. Angi and angi leads are scams. Google LSA falls in this. You pay for the lead directly and it goes to a few other contractors. This is good initially because you can track your spend and really dial in what services
Pay for click - I would only do this if you have money to burn and a really solid web presence
Social Media - If you have a really visual trade like epoxy floors, this can be great. If you're something else, you gotta get comfortable being in front of the camera. This is a long play. It'll pay dividends in years, similar to referrals. Gotta be consistent.
Next Door/ Facebook - you can browse posts or pay a service to automatically send you leads coming from posts. This can be low cost and effective.
Door hangers - not sexy but it works

A couple other staples - Don't call your business "Marks Handyman" or something with your name. Have a memorable brand. And rock that brand ALL the time. Make hats that are cool and where them. Put a patch on a jacket. Make cool shirts. That is way more reasonable then you think and it does a lot for people knowing what you do in your circle. Don't hire an agency - put the time in learning yourself.

Pay for leads was the most effective when I first started out. Just keep you price low and you'll get all the jobs.

anthonysalazar · Answer

What are you doing to proceed leads or new job opportunities? What relationships are you building with companies or services that have high turn over?

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How to find consistent work when you're also offering free services?

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