In this episode of Trade Secrets, we pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood costs in contractor marketing: paid media management fees. Whether you’ve wondered why agencies charge 15-25% of ad spend or questioned what exactly happens behind the scenes, this conversation breaks it down in plain English.

From Google Ads optimization to negative keyword management, reporting transparency, and how often campaigns really need a tune-up, we cover what contractors should expect (and demand) when trusting someone else with their ad dollars. This is your guide to making sure every penny counts.

Episode Highlights:

• The 15–25% Rule: Why most agencies charge a percentage of ad spend and when flat fees make sense
• Under the Hood: Weekly tasks agencies should be doing in your account, from landing page tweaks to ad copy optimization
• Red Flags in Reporting: How to spot vanity metrics and insist on true cost-per-lead data
• Change History Check: A simple way to verify your agency is actually working on your campaigns
• Testing & ROI: Why you need at least 90 days to judge performance and why “set it and forget it” will burn your budget
• Hot Tip: Why decks (not roofs) are the current sweet spot in exterior contractor ads

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we look ahead to one of the most important decisions contractors will face in the coming year: shopping for a marketing agency. Choosing between productized services, full-service partnerships, or even AI-driven tools isn’t easy, and the wrong move can waste both time and money.

We break down how to evaluate whether you need lead generation, branding or both, and what to expect when you step into the agency world. If you already have an agency, we will go over how to know if you’ve partnered with the right one and what you need to do to make the most out of your investment in them.

Episode Highlights:

• Service vs. Product: Why “easy button” agencies rarely deliver and what it means to treat marketing like a true partnership
  
  
• Lead Gen or Branding? The first question you need to answer before hiring an agency
  
  
• AI Tools & Automation: Where technology helps and where it falls short compared to strategy
  
  
• Transparency & Reporting: What to demand from your agency beyond vanity metrics
  
  
• The Commitment Factor: Why a 6–12 month runway is essential for real results

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we tackle one of the most frustrating—and powerful—tools in contractor marketing: Google Local Service Ads (LSAs). What used to be a golden ticket for lead generation has become a minefield of missed calls, dropped rankings, and Google’s ever-changing rules. We break down how LSAs actually work in 2025, what’s changed, and what you can do to get back in Google's good graces.

From insider tips on profile optimization to the real consequences of missing one phone call, this episode is your blueprint for managing—and mastering—LSAs in today’s hyper-competitive landscape.

Episode Highlights:

• The LSA Decline: Why leads dried up overnight—and the hidden rules that may be punishing your profile
• Missed Call Mayhem: The harsh reality of one unanswered phone ringing and what it does to your LSA standing
• Responsiveness = Ranking: How fast and detailed you respond to LSA inquiries directly impacts visibility

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

Who is Elevation Marketing?

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we take a deep dive into the real engine behind high-performing SEO: content—not the generic, AI-scraped fluff, but the kind that moves the needle, drives leads, and builds long-term authority. We peel back the curtain on how truly impactful content is created, sharing insights from years of working with contractors and real-world success stories that prove the ROI.

You’ll learn what separates a $200 blog from one that generates thousands in revenue, why some blogs get 80,000+ Google impressions, and how the best content is always rooted in real client conversations. From EV charger blog breakthroughs to Google’s AI overview summaries, this episode will shift how you see Content forever.

Episode Highlights:

• Content is ROI - Content is an ASSET
• The human factor in making great content

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

Who Are We?

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trades Secrets, we take a fresh look at one of the most overlooked—but most visited—pages on your website: the About Us page. Inspired by insights from Marcus Sheridan and supported by real data from their own client base, the hosts break down how to turn a stale About page into a powerful trust-building, conversion-driving asset.

You’ll learn why a “me, me, me” approach falls flat—and how to write an About page that actually addresses what your customer cares about most: their problem, and how you solve it better than the rest.

“You want to use your About Us page to talk about how you're solving a pain point. You understand their problem. And this is what makes your company unique and the way that you solve the problem.” – Episode Highlight

Episode Highlights:

• The surprising 66% increase in About Us page visits (based on real contractor data)
• What people are really looking for when they click on your About page
• How to use your About page to show you understand the client’s pain points
• The difference between bragging and building trust
• How to make your unique selling proposition crystal clear
• The importance of outcome-based language: “Here’s what you get when you choose us”

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trades Secrets, we unpack the confusing world of website hosting and maintenance—what it really means, why it matters, and how skipping it can hurt your business more than you realize. Through easy-to-understand analogies (like bad neighbors and bandwidth hogs), you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes of your site—and how to keep it running smoothly, securely, and successfully.

“It’s not like get a website built and forget about it forevermore. You really do need to maintain it.” – Episode Highlight

Episode Highlights:

• The difference between hosting and maintenance, and why both matter
• What happens when your website shares server space with a “bad neighbor”
• Why regular website maintenance should be treated as a monthly business expense
• How poor server neighbors can slow down your site (and drive away customers)
• When to DIY vs. when to hire a developer (spoiler: don’t do it all yourself)
• Tips on finding reliable, local website maintenance support

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trades Secrets, we dive into a raw, real-life remodeling nightmare—and the powerful lessons it holds for both contractors and homeowners. Hear a firsthand account of a 6-week project turned 20-week disaster, and what contractors can do differently to win customer trust, communicate better, and deliver an exceptional experience. Whether you’re a solo pro or run a full crew, this episode gives you an inside look into how homeowners think—and how you can stand out by simply doing the basics better.

“Communication isn’t a fancy app—it’s telling people what’s happening and when. That’s what builds trust.” – Episode Highlight

Episode Highlights:

• The real story behind a $125K remodel gone wrong—and how it spiraled into a 5-month ordeal
• Why poor communication is the #1 killer of trust in construction projects
• The critical importance of on-site supervision and clear scheduling
• How contractors can lose trust through tone, defensiveness, and review responses
• The risks of sending “C crews” to do “A-level” work—and how that impacts your brand
• A powerful tip: Run your own contract through ChatGPT as if you were an unhappy homeowner
• How to use AI to vet subcontractors and protect your reputation

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this episode of Trades Secrets, we explore how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is revolutionizing contractor marketing. Learn how AEO can help trade professionals optimize answers to customer questions and dominate local search rankings. We dive deep into actionable strategies to maximize local leads, leveraging AEO to position your business as the trusted authority in your market.

“If you meet customers where they are with answers to their questions, you’re doing them a service—and building trust that converts leads.” – Episode Highlight

Episode Highlights:

• What is AEO, and why is it critical for trades professionals?
• How to leverage long-tail keywords and voice search for local visibility
• Creating AEO-friendly content that answers customer questions effectively
• Practical strategies for embedding videos to boost engagement
• The importance of transparency in pricing to build customer trust
• Why unique, non-AI content is key to standing out in search results
• Real-world examples of AEO success in contractor marketing
• The difference between SEO and AEO

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Inst agram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.