Are your quotes accidentally pushing good clients away?

In this 477th episode of The Site Shed, Matt sits down with sales and leadership expert Drew Norton to break down the real reasons tradies lose work and how a few simple mindset and process shifts can help you win better clients without relying on low prices.

Drew gives useful tips for making the discovery process better, leading with confidence, making sure people understand their options, and building a sales system that really works.

If you want to charge what you're worth and stop clients from ghosting after the quote… this one’s for you.

🕒 Key Chapters
00:29 Drew Norton's background and expertise
01:22 Changing the perception of sales & leadership
02:31 The shift away from old-school, pushy selling
03:45 Why mindset drives sales success
06:43 The two real barriers to business growth
13:11 Why documenting processes is critical
14:36 How to communicate benefits, not features
24:50 “Sales Inception” (Drew’s 3-step framework)
28:54 The discovery phase: qualify before you quote
40:59 Defining customer avatars & speaking to pain points

🔧 What You’ll Learn

• Why tradies struggle with sales (and how to fix it)
• The mindset shift that makes quoting easier
• How to create a sales process you can train staff to follow
• Discovery questions that uncover what clients actually want
• How to avoid giving away free expertise
• Why you MUST stop talking in features and start talking in benefits
• How to confidently present options without sounding salesy

📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen

🎙 About Our Guest: Drew Norton
Founder of The Everyday Sales Leader, Drew helps business owners improve their sales confidence, leadership skills, and communication. His frameworks have helped tradies grow their revenue, raise prices, and build stronger teams in the tradie industry.

CONNECT WITH DREW NORTON

The Everyday Sales Leader

Website: https://theeverydaysalesleader.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeverydaysalesleader/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theeverydaysalesleader/
Quiz: The Everyday Sales Leader Quiz

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
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👉 FREE tools, templates & resources for tradies: https://tradie.wiki/pod

In this 476th episode of The Site Shed, Matt Jones sits down with cybersecurity expert Ronnie Manning, Chief Brand Advocate at Yubico, to dive deep into best practices for protecting trade-based businesses and contractors like you in the digital age.

Discover the real risks of password reuse, why two-factor (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are a MUST for your team, and how passkeys and physical security keys are shaping the future of online security.

Key Chapters:
00:00 – Teaser
01:20 – What Yubico does & why authentication keys matter
02:35 – How hackers get into business accounts through admin access
04:18 – MFA, 2FA and the evolution of authentication
05:36 – Passkeys explained: the strongest form of login security
06:03 – How physical YubiKeys work in real life
12:04 – The most common cyber breach scenarios for SMBs
17:43 – Why password managers are essential for every business
25:12 – MFA as the “seat belt” of cybersecurity
31:27 – New global data: Gen Z most likely to fall for phishing

You'll learn:
✔ Why using the same password for everything is dangerous, and what to do instead;
✔ How password managers can simplify your digital life while boosting security
✔ The evolution of authentication: From SMS codes to passkeys and physical security keys like Yubikey
✔ What “phishing-resistant authentication” actually means, and why it matters
✔ How to protect your business accounts from hackers, even in collaborative teams
✔ Browser and VPN tips to keep your data safe (especially when traveling or working remotely)
✔ Real-world stories, practical policies, and step-by-step strategies for small businesses

📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen

CONNECT WITH YUBICO

Website: https://www.yubico.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCqkvjt06Q4hejDEo5PZt6zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yubico/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yubico/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yubikey

CONNECT WITH RONNIE MANNING:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronniemanning/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniemanning/

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod

CONNECT WITH LIZ CHISM
Website: https://www.lizchism.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_chism/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-chism-coaching
E-book: https://lizchism.com/ebook

Want to streamline your operations, improve your marketing, or close more jobs?
Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, guides, and insights that actually help your business!
👉 Check it out: https://tradie.wiki/pod

In this 475th episode of The Site Shed, Liz Chism, a contractor-turned-award-winning brewer, rebuilt her business and life by systemising everything. After working 100-hour weeks, Liz transformed her brewery into a business that ran smoothly without her, even while she travelled overseas with her phone off.

Today, she assists other tradies in achieving the same goals: eliminating chaos, increasing profit, and creating a business that provides them with a sense of relief.

This episode offers a wealth of practical strategies for contractors who may be feeling overburdened, underpaid, or lacking a clear path to growth, so make sure to watch until the end!

Key Chapters:
00:00 Liz’s turning point and escaping 100-hour weeks
02:26 Growing up in construction and early lessons
05:29 How systems saved her business (and sanity)
10:05 The 80/20 rule tradies ignore
12:16 Why SEO is changing with LLMs
15:58 Content, trust, and lead conversion
19:07 The follow-up gap costing contractors thousands
21:26 The “Chaos Tax” and hidden profit leaks
23:55 Estimating mistakes and the real cost of inaccuracy
27:25 Why more leads aren’t always the answer
30:30 Wearing too many hats and valuing your time properly
32:39 Cadence, routines, and becoming a true CEO
41:44 Scheduling mistakes that blow out jobs
46:24 Incentivising your team for performance
50:16 Final advice for overwhelmed contractors

CONNECT WITH US!
https://www.thesiteshed.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesiteshed
https://www.instagram.com/thesiteshed/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-site-shed/

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

#podcast #thesiteshed #tradiewebguys

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod

CONNECT WITH BRYAN CLAYTON!
Website: https://www.yourgreenpal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanmclayton/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GreenPal/495779490484818
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-clayton-a96b33214

Want to streamline your operations, improve your marketing, or close more jobs?
Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, guides, and insights that actually help your business!
👉 Check it out: https://tradie.wiki/pod

In this 474th episode of The Site Shed, Bryan Clayton dives deep into building predictable revenue for trade businesses by using Costco's membership model as a blueprint, and what he revealed was amazing value for tradies like you.

Learn the crucial steps for creating irresistible service agreements for your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC customers, and stop leaving money on the table!

Key Chapters
0:00 Teaser
1:05 Selling Memberships to Plumbers & Electricians
3:47 The "Steve Martin Approach" to Irresistible Offers
7:07 Why Are Trades Still Operating Like It's 1997?
10:33 The 'Insurance Model' for Plumbing and Electrical Service
13:30 How to Experiment with Your Best Customers First
15:07 Steal These Membership Secrets from Uber and Amazon Prime
22:14 The No-Brainer Membership Model for HVAC Businesses
27:38 Leveraging Seasonality
30:25 The Tech You NEED to Manage Service Agreements (Is it worth it?)

CONNECT WITH US!
https://www.thesiteshed.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesiteshed
https://www.instagram.com/thesiteshed/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-site-shed/

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

#podcast #thesiteshed #tradiewebguys

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

In episode 473, host Matt Jones sits down with Sean Samson, dialing in from Cleveland, Ohio, for the third and final part of their enlightening series. Today, they’re diving deep into the powerful world of service agreements—why they matter, how you can sell them effectively, and the massive opportunity they represent for electricians, plumbers, and other reactive-service businesses looking to build recurring revenue.

Matt and Sean break down the nuts and bolts of what a service agreement actually is, outlining the differences between commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, and sharing real-world tactics for turning a standard job into a long-term client relationship. From the importance of having a solid sales process, to insightful tips on targeting the right demographics, and how technology plays a key role in making service agreements work, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for business owners wanting to grow sustainably.

Timestamps:
00:00 "How to Sell Service Agreements"
06:12 NFPA Standards for Service Agreements
09:36 Residential Maintenance Membership Benefits
11:45 Selling Through Fear of Loss
15:01 Seasonal Maintenance Tips
16:53 Targeting High-Value Service Customers
22:14 "Technology Needed for Service Agreements"
24:45 Sean's Show Notes and Episodes

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

In this episode, host Matt Jones is once again joined by Sean Samson for the second part of their insightful series. If you missed the first installment where Sean shared the ten reasons your service and maintenance business will never grow, be sure to catch up, because today’s conversation builds on those foundational ideas.



Timestamps
00:00 Service Sales Process Benefits
04:34 "Scaling Requires Systems"
08:30 "Tracking Sales Process Metrics"
13:10 Sales Systems Enable Scalable Growth
14:09 Onboarding Requires Role Transition
20:09 "Discovery: Key to Problem-Solving"
23:44 "Process Guides Safe Problem Solving"
26:42 Job Walk and Verification Process
28:11 Outdated Residential Business Model
32:43 "Service Agreements & Recurring Revenue"

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

In Episode 471, host Matt Jones chats with Sean Samson, founder of Sean Samson Training to dig deep into the world of service and maintenance agreements for contractors. Sean shares his journey from an electrical service agreement sales rookie to training contractors around the globe, helping them transform transactional businesses into predictable, recurring revenue powerhouses.

⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 "Maximizing Lifetime Value in Marketing"
06:31 "Five Reasons People Don’t Buy"
07:16 "Optimizing Sales & Service Processes"
11:36 "Scaling Business Growth Strategically"
16:18 B2B to Residential Transition Challenges
19:39 "Improving Service Through Proactive Leadership"
21:40 "Undervaluing Service Expertise Hurts Business"
25:07 Clients vs. Customers in Contracting
28:48 "Trust Built on Intimacy"
32:20 "Transactional Revenue Lacks Excitement"
35:36 "Contractors as Sales Organizations"
41:22 Compounding Revenue Drives Business Success
43:02 "Importance of Trained Salespeople"
45:45 "Tech Selling vs Doing"
50:00 "Contracting Growth Challenges Unveiled"

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

In episode 470, host Matt Jones is joined by Ben Hansen from Profit Doctor for a straight-shooting conversation about what truly drives profitability in trade businesses. Broadcasting from Austin, Texas, Ben brings a wealth of experience working with business owners across the globe, breaking down how revenue and profit don’t always go hand-in-hand, and why so many businesses look healthy on paper but struggle to see any real financial reward.

⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 "Marketing Budget Essential for Growth"
04:07 "Misaligned Resource Allocation in Business"
09:02 Revenue Focus vs. Profitability Awareness
13:43 Profit Focus for Business Success
16:00 "Financial Clarity for Tradespeople"
19:51 Streamlining Cost Analysis
23:49 Profit-Focused Service Shift
26:46 Lacking Practical Financial Guidance
28:30 Misaligned Business Growth Strategies
32:54 "Unprofitable Clients Hinder Growth"
35:10 Cut Losses to Boost Success
39:02 Streamline Focus for Better Conversion
43:02 "Focus on Customer Lifetime Value"
45:51 Optimize for Ideal Clients
47:58 Targeting Diverse Customer Needs
53:32 Focus on Core Strengths
55:22 Self-Taught Financial Empowerment

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed