Build Your Home Service Business’ Brand on YouTube

This article about YouTube marketing for home services is by Geoff Henshaw, a marketing advisor to home services franchises and former VP of Marketing of O2E Brands (1-800-GOT-JUNK, 1-800-WOW-1DAY- PAINTING, ShackShine). If you have questions about YouTube, reach out to Geoff.

You might be surprised that YouTube, not Netflix is the most-watched streaming service in the US – and yes, your home service business can benefit from having a presence on it.

First, the facts

The average American spends more than 5 hours per day watching TV and streaming:

 

Where it gets interesting, at least for marketers, is YouTube, not Netflix is the most-watched streaming service:

And here is where it gets very interesting: YouTube’s success isn’t Mr.Beast; it’s the long tail creators:

  • More than 550,000 YouTube channels have at least 100,000 subscribers, according to data firm Social Blade
  • Around 60,000 YouTube channels have at least 1 million subscribers

How is this relevant for a Home Service Business?

It’s a relatively easy platform to get started on and can be a significant driver of brand awareness for your business. Here’s a top 10 list of how you can participate:

  1. Demonstrate Skills: Create videos showcasing your team’s skills in action.
  2. Tutorials and Tips: Offer helpful advice on common home maintenance issues.
  3. Behind-the-Scenes: Give viewers a glimpse into your operations.
  4. Customer Testimonials: Feature satisfied clients sharing their experiences.
  5. SEO Optimization: Use relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.
  6. Location-Based Videos: Create content that includes your city or region.
  7. Google Business Profile: Optimize your GBP listing with relevant videos.
  8. Seasonal Tips: Share advice on how to prepare for different weather conditions.
  9. DIY vs. Professional: Explain when it’s best to hire a professional.
  10. Industry Trends: Keep customers informed about the latest developments.

How can this relate to specific industries?

  • Plumber: How to unclog a drain, DIY plumbing tips, common plumbing emergencies.
  • Electrician: Electrical safety tips, how to replace a light fixture, common electrical problems.
  • HVAC Technician: HVAC maintenance tips, energy-saving advice, troubleshooting common issues.
  • Cleaning Service: Cleaning hacks, organizing tips, deep cleaning techniques.

You can clearly see how by leveraging YouTube, home service businesses can increase visibility, attract new customers, and establish themselves as trusted experts in their field.

If your main challenge is recruitment — well, YouTube can help you there too, here is a top 5 list of content you can produce:

  1. Showcasing Your Team: Highlight your employees and their experiences.
  2. Company Values: Convey your company’s mission, vision, and values.
  3. Benefits and Perks: Showcase the perks of working at your company.
  4. Day in the Life: Give potential candidates a glimpse of what it’s like to work at your company.
  5. Company Events: Showcase company culture through events, team-building activities, or celebrations.

Bottomline: YouTube is a fantastic platform to drive a number of great outcomes.

field service technician, smart home

How can you get started?

There are a ton of online resources to reference, but here are some basic ones to consider:

1. Create a YouTube Channel

Choose a relevant channel name that reflects your business.
Customize your channel with a professional profile picture and banner.
Write a compelling channel description that highlights your services and values.

2. Plan Your Content Strategy

Know your target audience and their interests.
Determine the type of content you want to create (e.g., tutorials, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes footage).
Create a content calendar to schedule your video uploads.

3. Consider investing in basics

Invest in Equipment: A good camera, microphone, and lighting can significantly improve your video quality.
Have someone on your team learn Basic Editing: Use free or affordable video editing software to edit your videos.
Keep it Concise: Aim for videos that are 5-10 minutes long.

4. Optimize Your Videos

Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords related to your services in your titles, descriptions, and tags.
Create Engaging Thumbnails: Design visually appealing thumbnails that grab attention.
Add Captions: Make your videos accessible to a wider audience by adding captions.

5. Promote Your Videos

Share on Social Media: Share your videos on your social media channels.
Embed on Your Website: Embed your videos on your website to drive traffic.
Collaborate with Other Businesses: Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other’s videos.

6. Engage with Your Audience

Respond to Comments: Interact with your viewers by responding to their comments.
Encourage Subscriptions: Ask viewers to subscribe to your channel for more content.
Run Contests or Giveaways: Offer incentives to encourage engagement.

7. Analyze Your Performance

Use YouTube Analytics: Track your video views, watch time, and audience demographics.
Make Adjustments: Use analytics to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to your content strategy.

YouTube, like anything, gets easier once you get started; the key is getting started.

 

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