How to Get Customers on Facebook (Without Paying for Ads) - NZ Tradies Guide
Facebook has 3.4 million users in New Zealand. Your next customer is on there right now, searching for a tradie like you.
But here's the problem: Most tradies either ignore Facebook entirely or waste money on ads that don't convert.
There's a better way. In this guide, we'll show you how to get real customers from Facebook without spending a cent on ads.
Why Facebook Works for Tradies
The reality: When someone needs a plumber, electrician, or builder, they ask their Facebook friends for recommendations.
Example:
Sarah Johnson posted in "Wellington Locals":
"Help! Hot water cylinder is leaking. Anyone know a good plumber?"Within 30 minutes: 8 comments recommending local plumbers
Your goal: Be the plumber that gets recommended.
Strategy 1: Join Local Facebook Groups
The most underrated lead source: Local community groups.
Which Groups to Join
High-value groups:
- "[Your City] Locals" - General community groups
- "[Your City] Buy Sell Swap" - People ask for tradie recommendations
- "[Your City] Community Noticeboard" - Local services
- "NZ Homeowners" - DIY help requests
- "[Your Suburb] Neighbourhood" - Hyper-local groups
- Auckland Locals (50k members)
- North Shore Noticeboard (30k members)
- West Auckland Community (25k members)
- Search Facebook for "[your city] locals"
- Check the "Suggested Groups" sidebar
- Request to join (most approve within 24 hours)
How to Use Groups (Without Getting Banned)
Rule #1: Don't spam. Read group rules first.
What NOT to do: ❌ "Need a plumber? Call me 021 234 5678" ❌ Posting your services daily ❌ Only promoting, never engaging
What TO do: ✅ Answer questions genuinely ✅ Provide helpful advice ✅ Build reputation first, promote sparingly
Example of good engagement:
Post: "My tap won't stop dripping. Any tips?"
Your reply:
"Sounds like the washer needs replacing. If it's a standard tap, you can DIY with a $5 washer from Mitre 10.If it's a mixer tap or the valve is seized, you'll need a plumber. Happy to take a look if you need - I'm local to [suburb]. No call-out fee for quotes."
Why this works:
- Helpful first (builds trust)
- Shows expertise
- Offers service naturally (not spammy)
- Mentions you're local
Strategy 2: Create a Facebook Business Page
Why you need one:
- Customers can find you in search
- You can collect reviews
- Professional presence (not just personal profile)
- Can run ads later (if you want)
How to Set Up Your Page
Step 1: Create page (free)
- Go to facebook.com/pages/create
- Choose "Local Business"
- Category: Your trade (Plumber, Electrician, etc.)
- Profile photo: Your logo or professional headshot
- Cover photo: Before/after of your work
- About: "Licensed [trade] serving [city/region]. Specializing in [services]. Free quotes. No hidden fees."
- Contact: Phone, email, website
- Services: List your main services (e.g., "Hot water cylinder replacement, leak repairs, bathroom plumbing")
- 5-10 posts showing your work
- Customer testimonials
- Before/after photos
- Tips and advice
[Photo of new hot water cylinder installation]"Just finished installing this beauty in Karori. Old cylinder was 15 years old and on its last legs.
New Rheem 180L - should last another 10-12 years. Customer now has reliable hot water for the family 💧
Need a cylinder replacement? Free quotes - link in bio or call 021 234 5678"
Strategy 3: Answer Questions in Groups (Become the Go-To Expert)
The strategy: Answer DIY questions for free. Build reputation. Get referrals.
What to Answer
Look for posts like:
- "Can anyone recommend a good [your trade]?"
- "How much should [job] cost?"
- "Is this a DIY job or do I need a professional?"
- "Help! My [thing] is broken!"
For recommendation requests:
"I'm a [trade] based in [area]. Happy to give you a free quote - no obligation. I specialize in [service]. Feel free to check out my reviews on my page [link] or give me a call: 021 234 5678"
For "how much" questions:
"Depends on a few factors, but typically:
- Basic [job]: $500-$800
- Complex [job]: $1,200-$2,000
Happy to give you an exact quote if you send me a photo or give me a call: 021 234 5678"
For DIY vs professional questions:
"You can DIY if [simple scenario]. But if [complex scenario], definitely get a professional to avoid [risk].If you need a hand, I'm local and can take a look. No charge for quotes: 021 234 5678"
Why this works:
- Positions you as helpful expert
- Builds trust before selling
- Direct call to action (call or DM)
Strategy 4: Use Customer Capture Forms (Secret Weapon)
The problem: Someone messages you on Facebook at 11pm. You're asleep. By morning, they've booked someone else.
The solution: Customer capture forms.
How It Works
Traditional way:
- Customer messages: "Need a quote for bathroom reno"
- You reply: "Sure, what's your number?"
- They reply with number
- You call
- (If you're lucky, they answer)
- Customer messages: "Need a quote for bathroom reno"
- You reply: "I can help! Fill out this quick form and I'll get back to you with a quote ASAP: [link]"
- Form captures: Name, phone, email, job details, photos
- You get notification instantly
- You call them same day
- Captures leads 24/7 (even when you're asleep)
- Gets all info upfront (saves back-and-forth)
- You look professional
- Higher conversion rate
Option 1: Use Paymate's free customer capture forms
- Create form in 2 minutes
- Share link on Facebook
- Get instant notifications
- Leads saved automatically
- Create form with questions
- Share link
- Check responses manually
- Name
- Phone number
- Service area / suburb
- Job description
- Upload photos (optional)
- Preferred contact method
"Hi Sarah! I can definitely help with your hot water cylinder.To give you an accurate quote, can you fill out this quick form? Takes 2 minutes: [link]
I'll call you back today with a free quote 👍"
Strategy 5: Post Regularly (But Don't Spam)
The rule: Post helpful content 3-4 times per week.
What to Post
Content ideas:
1. Before/After Photos
"Bathroom transformation in Newtown! Old vanity was 30 years old and falling apart.New vanity, new taps, fresh paint. Customer is stoked 🔧
Need a bathroom refresh? DM or call 021 234 5678"
2. Tips & Advice
"❄️ Winter tip: Insulate your hot water pipes!Saves heat loss = lower power bills
Takes 30 mins, costs $20 from Bunnings
Or call me if you want it done professionally 😊"
3. Customer Testimonials
"Love getting feedback like this! 🙌'Mike was professional, on time, and did a great job. Highly recommend!' - Sarah, Karori
Thanks Sarah! Always a pleasure working with great customers."
4. Job Transparency
"Quick job in Thorndon today - replaced leaking tap washer. $80 all up.Could've sold them a whole new tap ($200+) but the old one just needed a $2 washer.
Honest service, fair prices. That's how we roll 👍"
5. Seasonal Reminders
"🍂 Autumn reminder: Clean your gutters!Blocked gutters = water damage = $$$
DIY or give me a call if you need help: 021 234 5678"
Posting schedule:
- Monday: Before/after photo
- Wednesday: Tip or advice
- Friday: Testimonial or job update
- Sunday: Seasonal reminder or FAQ
Strategy 6: Get Tagged in Customer Posts
The power of word-of-mouth:
Scenario: You finish a job. Customer is happy. They post:
"Just had our bathroom done by Thompson Plumbing. Absolutely stoked with the result! Highly recommend if you need a plumber in Wellington."
What happens:
- Their 300 Facebook friends see it
- Friends comment: "Looks great! I need a plumber too!"
- You get 2-3 inquiries from one post
At the end of every job:
"If you're happy with the work, I'd really appreciate if you could leave a review on my Facebook page or give me a shout-out. Really helps my small business!"
Pro tip: Make it easy by giving them your page link.
Strategy 7: Create a Pinned "Services" Post
On your Facebook business page:
Pin a post to the top that clearly explains:
- What you do
- Where you serve
- How to get a quote
📍 Serving Wellington & Hutt Valley
🔧 Services:
• Hot water cylinder replacement
• Leak repairs
• Bathroom plumbing
• Tap installations
• Gas fitting💰 Free quotes, no hidden fees
⭐ 5-star rated
📞 Call/text: 021 234 5678
📧 Email: mike@thompsonplumbing.co.nz
Or fill out our quick quote form: [link]
Why pin it: Anyone visiting your page sees it first.
Strategy 8: Run Competitions (Get Massive Reach)
Simple competition idea:
🎉 WIN a free tap upgrade! 🎉We're giving away a FREE kitchen tap installation (valued at $350).
To enter:
- Like this post
- Share to your timeline
- Tag a friend who owns a home
Winner announced Friday. Good luck! 🍀
Why this works:
- Shares = Your business shown to hundreds of people
- Comments = Engagement boosts reach
- Winner becomes customer + testimonial
Return: Hundreds of people see your business
Common Facebook Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ Mistake 1: Only Posting When You Need Work
Problem: Radio silence for months, then "NEED WORK, CALL ME!"
Fix: Post consistently (3x per week) whether busy or not.
❌ Mistake 2: Being Too Salesy
Problem: Every post is "Call now! Best prices!"
Fix: 80% helpful content, 20% promotional.
❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring Messages
Problem: Someone messages at 9pm, you reply 2 days later.
Fix: Enable notifications. Reply within 2-4 hours max.
❌ Mistake 4: No Photos
Problem: Text-only posts get ignored.
Fix: Every post needs a photo. Before/afters work best.
❌ Mistake 5: Arguing in Comments
Problem: Negative review, you get defensive.
Fix: Respond professionally: "Sorry to hear that. Please DM me so we can resolve this."
Real Example: How Mike Got 15 Jobs from Facebook (No Ads)
Mike - Plumber, Wellington
What he did:
- Joined 8 local Facebook groups
- Answered 2-3 questions per day for a month
- Posted before/after photos 3x per week on his page
- Used customer capture form in his replies
- 15 jobs booked (total value: $18,000)
- 450 page likes
- 4.8 star rating (12 reviews)
- Zero money spent on ads
Summary: Your Facebook Lead Generation Checklist
Setup (one-time):
- ✅ Create Facebook business page
- ✅ Join 5-10 local groups
- ✅ Set up customer capture form
- ✅ Add 5-10 posts to page before promoting
- ✅ Post 3x per week (Mon, Wed, Fri)
- ✅ Answer 2-3 questions in groups
- ✅ Respond to all messages within 4 hours
- ✅ Ask happy customers to leave reviews
- ✅ Run a competition or giveaway
- ✅ Review what posts got most engagement
- ✅ Update services/pricing if needed
Next Steps
Ready to start getting customers from Facebook?
Option 1: Follow the strategies above manually
Option 2: Use Paymate's free customer capture forms to automate lead collection from Facebook
Create Your Free Customer Capture Form →
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