The Complete Lead Generation Guide for Construction Contractors in 2024

Let’s talk about the topic that keeps business owners up at night… getting more leads. Without leads, you don’t have a business and construction is no different. If you’ve ever wondered how to get more leads for your construction business, look no further, because we’ve created the ultimate guide for construction lead generation. 

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Why does lead generation matter? ‍Here’s a cold hard dose of truth…

1. No leads = no business. Ask anyone who has no leads, they’ll tell you. 
2. High quality leads = better projects, happier clients and a more profitable business.
3. Consistent lead flow = steady and predictable cash flow (who doesn’t want that?)

The 2024 construction market is cutthroat. Sitting by the phone and waiting for it to ring just doesn't cut it anymore. You need to be proactive, or you’re going to be left in the dust by your competitors. 

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Remember back when all you needed to generate consistent leads was a Yellow Pages ad and a few business cards? Those days are over. Here’s a breakdown of what’s working today:

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Old school lead generation (still works, but limited):

• Word-of-mouth referrals
• Local newspaper ads
• Handing out business cards

New school lead generation (essential in 2024):

• Digital marketing (e.g. Local SEO, social media).
• Content marketing (blogs, videos, etc.)
• Building letter lead campaigns 

Pro tip: the most successful contractors are using a blend of the old and new lead generation methods. It’s not about choosing one or the other, it’s about finding the right mix for your business. 

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Your 2024 Lead Generation Gameplan

Alright, you want more leads for your construction business, here’s exactly what you need to do to fill your pipeline with valuable projects and happy clients: 

1. Know your ideal client

Who is your dream customer? Residential homeowners? Commercial property developers? Get specific here. The more you know about who you’re targeting, the easier it’ll be to find and market to them. Where do they hang out online and in person? 

2. Craft your unique selling proposition (USP)

What makes you different from every other contractor out there? This will help make you the “only” solution to your ideal clients. Is it your speedy service? Your eco-friendly policies? Figure out your USP and shout it from the rooftops. Pro tip: choose ONE thing or it’ll get confusing. 

3. Build a conversion-optimised website 

A conversion optimised website is a 24/7 salesperson that never eats or sleeps. Most construction contractors have out-of-date, ugly looking websites, or even worse, no website at all… 

When building your website, make sure it’s: 

• Mobile friendly (most website traffic comes from mobile devices, not desktop)
• Fast-loading (slow sites destroy your leadflow)
• Packed with useful and insightful content, more on this later…
• Easy to navigate with a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA)

A conversion-optimised website directs search engine traffic to your business and gets you leads, so don’t sleep on it. 

4. Content marketing

Don’t worry, content marketing is way simpler than it sounds. Simply upload blog posts, how-to-videos, project galleries, and before and after pictures to your website and social media profiles. Start small and commit to one post per month. It won’t be long before your content is getting you leads while you sleep. 

Content marketing positions you as an industry expert, builds trust, and keeps people coming back for more.

5. Social media strategy 

You cannot ignore social media for lead generation in 2024. Choose a platform you enjoy such as instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook and start posting a mixture of valuable content and visual social proof. 

Video before and after comparisons and project galleries will bring you more leads than you can count. The key with social media is consistency and authenticity, it takes time to really get moving but it’s worth it. 

6. Try paid advertising

Google and social media ads can be a fast way to get in front of potential clients. Don’t rush into starting an ad campaign if you don’t know what you’re doing. Start small, test what works, and iterate from there. Consult an expert if you’re unsure. 

7. Building letter leads 

Letter leads is a new lead generation method that is working amazingly well for hundreds of contractors. The best part? This method is relatively new so not many contractors are using it. Letter leads are kind of like having a crystal ball that tells you exactly who needs your services. 

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Here’s how it works…

1. Using a platform like Buildscout, you get a list of property owners who’ve just been granted planning permission. You can filter by job type and distance from your home postcode. 
2. You choose a conversion-optimised letter from our library of templates (or upload your own) and send personalised letters offering your services to all property owners matching your criteria.
3. You sit back and wait for the leads to call you back. Track your campaign inside our simple platform and run concurrent campaigns to test and iterate. No need to follow up with leads, we do that for you automatically. 

Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is. But it gets better, if you decide to run a letter leads campaign using our platform and you don’t get at least one project in the first 90 days, we’ll give you a full refund on your subscription. Yes, we’re that confident in our service.

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We automate the whole process from finding leads, customising your letters, posting your letters, and tracking responses. It’s like having your very own office intern on 24/7 lead generation duty. 

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Why you need to send customised letters in 2024:

• Laser targeted (no more wasted advertising budget on people who don’t need you)
• Personal touch (in a digital world, physical letters stand out like a sore thumb)
• Perfect timing (you land on someone’s doorstep when they’re ready to start building)
• Easily scalable (you can start small and ramp up as you see results)

You can start your first letter leads campaign in less than an hour. Want to start getting construction leads with personalised letters?

Click here to start sending customised letters and filling your pipeline with quality projects 

Your lead generation action plan

1. Audit your current lead generation strategy. What's working? What's not?
2. Pick one new strategy from this guide to implement this week (you can start your personalised letter campaign in less than an hour and you’ll get a full refund if you don’t get any projects within 90 days)
3. Set up a system to track your leads so you can monitor your results 
4. Commit to consistently working on lead generation. A little bit every day beats a massive push once a year.

Remember, lead generation is the lifeblood of your construction business. If you want to thrive, not just survive, focus on getting quality leads. The contractors who get the best leads get the best projects, clients, and profit margins. What are you waiting for? Get out there and start getting those leads!

If you’re ready to start your first personalised letter campaign so you can fill your pipeline with quality projects, click here and get started today.