How can contractors promote themselves and their services in 2019?

As a contractor, you are responsible for securing your next assignment, either through a recruitment agency or directly with the end-client. Our blog will provide you with tips on how to promote your services in 2019.

After a slow start in January, the contractor market has begun to pick up again as companies finalise budgets and begin to think about filling contracts. Now is the perfect time to take a look at how you could be marketing yourself and your business more productively. After all, doing so will increase your visibility in the market and attract new sources of work.

Always update your web presence

Nowadays it is so important to have a web presence – either in the form of a company website, a blog or a professional LinkedIn profile. You can use your online presence to showcase your service as a contractor and provide prospective clients with a portfolio of work you have done in the past. See it as an online CV where you can prove to potential clients that your skills match the requirements of the project.

If you have a website, ensure that it is user-friendly and always kept up-to-date. Make sure you have an SSL certificate, as Google now penalises websites that are not secure.

Support your website with social media

It is recommended that you set up separate social media accounts for your business, depending on your target audience. As a minimum you should use LinkedIn to network, but Facebook and Twitter can also be useful to raise the profile of your business. Social media helps you connect with clients and fellow contractors, increase awareness about your business and boost your prospects for work.

You should be aware that social media will not produce results overnight; you need to build up your following and engage with people in your industry for it to be effective. Like your website, you need to be updating your social media routinely to catch the attention of potential clients and engage with hirers.

Improve your contractor local SEO results

Search engine optimisation is important for businesses and contractors with their own website. It is highly recommended that you get your company to rank in Google’s Local Pack. Google’s Local Pack is a list of all the local businesses in the area which match your criteria for a specific service e.g. of somebody searches for your speciality in Leeds, it is important that your business appears highly on Google.

In order to rank within the pack, you will need to optimise your website to maximize your visibility by doing the following:

• Optimise your website content for the local area – or the areas in which you wish to appear in search results for
• Optimising heading tags on your web pages
• Optimising your Google My Business profile
• Optimise metadata (e.g. title tag and meta descriptions) for local searches
• Get clients to leave reviews on Google My Business and other sites like Trustpilot

Make sure information is consistent across all platforms. Social media and website information are major factors for Google and other search engines to determine how well your website ranks online. If the information is not consistent and regularly updated, then your brand will not be ranked to the best of its ability across the different sites and channels you are present on.

Review your email etiquette and email marketing campaigns

Email marketing allows you to keep in touch with previous clients which can drive repeat business. Email marketing is also a great way to place yourself and your business in front of future clients and improve awareness of your services. This form of promotion does not have to be fancy, but it does have to be well thought out and coordinated to put you at the forefront of clients’ and recruiters’ minds.

If you’re applying for a contract role or corresponding with a client via email, your messages must be professional. Subject lines are really important to alert the client as to what the email is about and to encourage them to open the email and continue reading.

Always stay connected

Stay connected via LinkedIn or other social media platforms. This will allow you to keep an eye on potential contract opportunities, keep those whom you connect with up-to-date on what you are doing and show off your skills and recent achievements.

Ask your clients for reviews

Reading a positive review builds trust and showcases credibility of the service you are offering. Where appropriate, ask your clients to provide reviews or testimonials on sites such as Google or Trustpilot. You can use reviews on your social media channels or website, or as recommendations for future clients or recruiters. Make sure you gain the permission of your client before using them as a reference or recommendation.

How can Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd aid your work in 2019?

Churchill Knight provides specialist accounting services to contractors and freelancers in London and all over the UK. We will help you to find the right payroll option for you whether it is operating through a limited company, umbrella company, CIS or sole trader. All you have to do is focus on selling yourself and your skills as a professional.

Our team of experts remove the hassle of running a business for you, giving you more free time to focus on finding new contracts and doing what you do best. Find out more about our contractor accounting service, or request a callback for more information.

* Calculator for illustration purposes only and uses assumptions. Limited figures based on 52 weeks, expenses £50 per week, £9,100 salary and accountancy fees included. As of 1st April 2023, there is no longer a single rate of Corporation Tax. The calculator uses assumptions and estimates and is designed to be accurate by individual circumstances will vary. Umbrella figures based on 52 weeks, £15 per week margin and holiday pay paid out. For a more accurate calculation tailored to your requirements, please contact Churchill Knight today by calling 01707 871 622 or contact us here.