Podcasts aren’t just for true crime junkies or comedians with too much time on their hands—they’re a powerful way for tradespeople to share expertise, build trust, and attract clients. Imagine your voice piping into a potential customer’s headphones while they’re walking the dog or commuting, giving them handy tips about boilers, block paving, or electrics. By the time they need a tradie, who do you reckon they’ll call? Yep—the person they’ve been listening to every week.

If you’ve ever thought, “Who’d want to hear me ramble about drains or decking?”—the answer is simple: your potential clients. They want reassurance, expertise, and a bit of personality. And a podcast is the perfect tool for all three.

Let’s break down some pro tips for tradies starting a podcast—from kit and content to promotion—so you can start attracting clients with nothing more than your voice, your experience, and a half-decent microphone.

1. Why Podcasts Work for Tradies

• Trust Factor: Hearing your voice creates a stronger connection than reading text.

• Local Authority: You can become the go-to roofer in Leeds or electrician in Essex just by talking about common problems in your area.

• Evergreen Content: A podcast recorded today can bring in clients for years.

• Low Cost, High Impact: You don’t need a studio—just a microphone, laptop, and a quiet space (the van parked on a quiet street works wonders).

Think of podcasts as the modern version of word-of-mouth marketing, just amplified.

2. The Gear: Don’t Overcomplicate It

You don’t need to fork out thousands on kit. Start simple:

• Microphone: USB mics like the Blue Yeti or Samson Q2U (£80–£120) are brilliant.

• Headphones: Any over-ear set will do—helps you hear if you’re muffled.

• Recording Software: Free options like Audacity or GarageBand.

• Hosting Platform: Buzzsprout, Podbean, or even Spotify for Podcasters.

Skip the fancy mixers until you know you enjoy it. Think cordless drill—you don’t start with the £500 one until you’ve mastered the basics.

3. Pick Your Podcast Theme

The biggest mistake? Being too broad. You don’t need to cover “everything trades.” Stick to what you know and what your clients care about.

Ideas for tradies:

• Plumbers: “Water Woes with Dave: Plumbing Tips for Homeowners”

• Electricians: “Wired Right: Everyday Electrical Safety and Advice”

• Builders: “From Bricks to Beams: Building Tips for Homeowners”

• Painters & Decorators: “Colour Talk: Design Trends & DIY Mistakes”

Your podcast doesn’t need to impress fellow tradies—it needs to solve customer problems and showcase your know-how.

4. Keep It Conversational

This isn’t the BBC. Customers don’t want lectures; they want easy listening.

• Talk like you’re chatting with a mate in the pub.

• Keep jargon to a minimum. If you must use it, explain it simply.

• Inject humour. A funny story about falling off a stepladder (safely!) makes you relatable.

Aim for 15–25 minutes per episode—long enough to show expertise, short enough to keep attention.

5. Content Ideas to Get You Started

Struggling to think of what to say? Try these:

• Seasonal Advice: “How to stop pipes freezing this winter.”

• Top 5 Mistakes: “5 DIY electrical jobs that go horribly wrong.”

• Behind the Scenes: “A day in the life of a bricklayer.”

• Local Trends: “Why everyone in Essex is going mad for grey decking.”

• Client Questions: Use FAQs as episodes.

Pro tip: Keep a notepad in your van. Every time a customer asks you something, jot it down—it’s podcast gold.

6. Branding Your Podcast

Your podcast name and artwork matter. Make it:

• Clear: “The Colchester Plumber Podcast” beats “Trades Talk.”

• Local: Include your area if you want to attract regional clients.

• Simple: No one remembers clever puns they can’t spell.

Create free artwork on Canva. Use your logo, a headshot, or an image that reflects your trade.

7. Promotion: Getting Ears on Your Episodes

Recording’s only half the job. You need listeners.

• Social Media: Clip 30-second highlights for Instagram Reels or TikTok.

• Website Integration: Embed episodes on your blog.

• Google Business Profile: Share your latest podcast as a Post.

• Email Newsletter: Drop episodes into monthly updates.

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with other trades—invite them on as guests.

The more places people see your podcast, the more likely they’ll listen.

8. Consistency Wins

Don’t drop three episodes, then disappear for 6 months. That’s like putting your tools down halfway through a job.

• Pick a realistic schedule—monthly, fortnightly, or weekly.

• Batch record when you’ve got downtime (rainy days are perfect).

• Stick to it. Reliability builds loyal listeners.

9. Turn Listeners into Leads

Remember: the end game is more work in your diary.

• Always include a call-to-action:

  “If you’re in Manchester and need a boiler service, give us a ring on 01234 567890.”

• Link your booking form in podcast descriptions.

• Share case studies: “We fixed a burst pipe in Leeds last week—saved the client hundreds.”

That constant reminder makes it natural for listeners to turn into paying clients.

10. Track Your Results

Use hosting dashboards to track downloads, locations, and trends. If 80% of your listeners are in Essex, double down on Essex-specific content.

Check if website visits or calls go up after episodes drop. Even if you get 100 downloads a month, that’s 100 potential clients hearing your voice. Not bad for a bit of chat in the van.

Wrapping It Up

Podcasts aren’t just for influencers—they’re a tradie’s secret weapon. With minimal kit and a bit of banter, you can build trust, showcase expertise, and make sure when someone needs your trade, you’re the first name they think of.

Think of it as word-of-mouth on steroids—you’re not just telling one mate in the pub; you’re telling hundreds of locals at once.

Final Call to Action

At SEO For The Trade, we don’t just help with websites and SEO—we can help you turn your podcast into a client-winning machine. From topic planning and branding to promotion and integration with your site, we’ll make sure your voice reaches the right ears.

👉 Fancy becoming the go-to voice for your trade in your area? Give us a bell today and let’s get your podcast up and running.