To feel frustrated on Dh behalf at these sites

[Tevion10]

Dh a tradesman uses job lead sites where if he sees a customer advertise something they need doing he can purchase the lead.
The problem is that customers are not responding to calls texts messages etc after he has forked out money.
He has had some work and all good reviews are posted. Where are we going wrong I feel depressed abt it.

These sites are not cheap either.

He has been shortlisted for jobs then the customer doesn't get in touch and doesn't answer his follow up.
Each time he has got some work the customer has been pleased with him and he has had more work thru word of mouth.
Problem is that it's not enough work to sustain us.

How long has he been working this job? Could he or you take on evening/weekend work doing something else?

Probably better to go through local facebook sites, theres loads of trade ones where people post jobs up. He can advertise on there too.

Local paper, leaflets, make a cheap website, make a business Facebook page... there's lots of free and cheap ways to advertise.

I think that’s just how it goes unfortunately. You quote for 10-20 jobs and maybe get 1 of them. You need to price high enough to cover all the unpaid advertising and quotes that inevitably have to be done before you get a job. Maybe there just isn’t enough work around to sustain full time employment?

Part of the job. My OH spends time actually going to see jobs and never hears back because people don’t realise how expensive what he does is.

I’m having the same problem on the opposite side of the fence. Need a builder and no one gets back to me, even ones who have been out and promised prices

It seems such a frustrating system from both sides and really inefficient. Wish I could come up with the solution. Fingers crossed for your hubby for the future

What sort of tradesman is he?

A lot of these 'lead sites' are desgined to make money for the actual site, not the individual IYSWIM. When my DH was self employed he was inundated with 'invitations' to use those sort of sites, buy lists of 'leads' etc etc.

Is it worth your DH look at more old fashioned ways of advertising, lots of people still get tradesman from signs in windows, Parish Magazine adverts, leaflet drops, etc. the best advertising is, of course, word of mouth and personal recommendation.

Over the past year I have had a lot of work done. I have used some of these sites for some jobs or facebook recommendations for others.

Once I have made a choice I try to get back to those who have contacted me.

The trades I have had range between good(ish) and absolute sh!t but with most being mediocre. The self build site I am on recommends not using these sites but getting someone by personal recommendation which isn't always possible.

The things that have persuaded me are - A pleasant and approachable sounding intro. Do they mention that they specifically cover the job I need doing. Good references also count. Some trades are more competitive than others. What is your OH particular trade

It's plastering. So many jobs coming through and I don't understand why the people don't respond. Don't know if his introduction is at fault.

It’s just how it goes. People are busy, if you don’t get back straight away then they drop off, it’s not convenient etc, or they might have 25 plasterers get in touch and suddenly they are overwhelmed and you just miss out. We advertise in a similar fashion, different industry, and it’s the same.

Give it a set trial period to work out if you get a decent return on investment from it. If not, then just drop it as a form of advertising and chalk it up to experience.

Plastering is generally very much in demand - and I have found is quite pricey. It could be many reasons. One of the things when looking for someone is people being too cheap as well as too expensive (although I have definitely found paying more doesn't always equate to a better job.
I have just built (LOL had built) my own home and have come across so many trades, many of whom I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy - including one of the most expensive.
I'd like to help if I could as it's quite clear to me that people with better people skills often do better than the better skilled people. If you wanted to let me know the site (trusted trades, my builder or whatever) I'd be very happy to have a look.