Why word of mouth alone isn't enough
Word of mouth is powerful, but it has a ceiling. You can only get referred by people who know you — which limits your reach to your existing network. If work slows down, you have no lever to pull.
The electricians who never worry about a quiet patch have built multiple ways for customers to find them. Each channel feeds the next — a Google review leads to a call, the call leads to a job, the job leads to a referral. Build the system once and it keeps working.
8 ways to get more customers as an electrician
1. Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile
This is the single highest-leverage thing you can do. When someone searches "electrician near me" or "electrician [your town]", Google shows a map with local businesses. If you're not on it, you don't exist for that search.
Go to business.google.com, claim your profile, fill in every field — services, hours, photos, service area — and start collecting reviews. It's free and it works.
2. Get serious about Google reviews
More reviews means more calls. It's that direct. After every job, ask the customer to leave a Google review. Text them the link while you're still on site — it takes 30 seconds and converts far better than asking in person and hoping they remember later.
Aim for 20 reviews as your first milestone. At that point you'll start seeing a meaningful difference in how often your phone rings from cold searches.
We've written a full guide on this: How to Get More 5-Star Reviews as a Tradesperson.
3. List on the right trade directories
Checkatrade, Rated People, MyBuilder and TrustATrader all drive real enquiries — especially for homeowners doing due diligence before a bigger job. Pick one or two to focus on rather than spreading yourself thin. Keep the reviews topped up and respond to every enquiry quickly.
Speed matters on these platforms. The electrician who calls back within 10 minutes gets the job over the one who calls back next day.
4. Build relationships with builders and contractors
One good relationship with a busy builder can keep you in work for years. Builders always need a reliable electrician — and "reliable" is the key word. Show up on time, do good work, communicate clearly. That's it.
Introduce yourself to local building firms, kitchen and bathroom fitters, and property developers. A simple "if you ever need an electrician, here's my card" conversation can turn into a long-term flow of referrals.
5. Ask existing customers for referrals — explicitly
Happy customers want to help you. They just don't think to unless you ask. At the end of a job, try: "If you know anyone who needs an electrician, I'd really appreciate you passing my number on." Simple, not pushy, and it works.
Consider offering a small thank-you for referrals — a discount on their next job, a gift card. Most people won't take you up on it, but the gesture makes them more likely to refer.
6. Be active in local Facebook groups
Almost every area has a local community Facebook group. People post asking for electrician recommendations regularly. If you're a member and seen as helpful, your name comes up. You don't need to post ads — just be present, answer questions, and let your name become familiar.
You can also run a small Facebook ad targeting homeowners in your postcode. Even $5–10 a day can generate consistent enquiries for a local service business.
7. Follow up on quotes that go quiet
Most electricians send a quote and never follow up if they don't hear back. That's leaving money on the table. A simple message 48 hours after a quote — "Just checking you received this okay and happy to answer any questions" — wins jobs that would otherwise go to whoever followed up first.
This is exactly what our upcoming Quote Chaser tool will automate — follow-ups go out automatically so you never miss a warm lead.
8. Keep your van and your work visible
Van signage is old-fashioned but it works. Every time you're parked outside a job, neighbours see your name and number. A branded van in a street is a passive ad running all day. If you don't have van signage yet, it's one of the best value marketing spends available to a tradesperson.
The compounding effect: Each of these on its own makes a small difference. Two or three together starts to build real momentum. The electricians who are never short of work usually have all of these running quietly in the background — they didn't build it all at once, they added one thing at a time.
How to convert more of the enquiries you already get
Getting more enquiries is only half the picture. The other half is converting them into jobs. A few things make a big difference here:
- Call back fast. Within an hour if possible. Speed is one of the biggest differentiators in the trades.
- Be professional from the first contact. Clear communication, accurate quotes, and turning up when you say you will — these things get noticed.
- Send a confirmation message. When a job is booked, send the customer a quick confirmation. It sets expectations, reduces no-shows, and makes you look more professional than 90% of your competition.
- Follow up after the job. A quick text a day later — "just checking everything is working well" — leaves a great impression and is often what prompts a review.
Win more jobs. Lose fewer to no-shows.
The Toolbox automatically confirms bookings and sends reminders — so your professionalism shows before you've even arrived.
Try free for 14 daysThe bottom line
Getting more customers as an electrician isn't about one magic trick — it's about building a few reliable channels and keeping them ticking over. Start with your Google Business Profile and reviews, then add one more channel at a time. Within six months, you'll have more work than you can handle.