Issue #122: Government Shutdown = Fewer Calls? Here’s the Truth.
Hey Blue Collar Boss, Seeing fewer plumbing or HVAC calls the last few weeks? You’re not crazy. Two big macro shifts hit at once: 1) Google changed Local Services Ads trust signals Google replaced “Google Guaranteed / Screened” with a single Google Verified badge on Oct 20, 2025, and dropped the money-back guarantee. That little […]
Issue #121: Is Your Call Answerer Costing You Jobs?
Hey Blue Collar Boss, As a contractor, your marketing might bring in leads, but the person who picks up the phone can make or break that lead. They could be your biggest asset—or your secret weakness. Here’s how to make sure your call handling is on point. 1. Are All Calls Getting Answered? Every missed […]
Issue #120: Want More Calls? Start with This Simple Test
Hey Blue Collar Boss, Here’s a little secret most marketing agencies hope you don’t know.You don’t need to understand every fancy marketing term they throw at you. You just need to ask one question: “Can you show me a real client you’ve helped — in my industry?” That’s it. If they can’t open up a […]
Issue #119: Why Smart Contractors Don’t Panic in Month 1
Hey Blue Collar Boss, If you’re running Google Ads for your home service business, here’s the truth: It’s not instant.The best campaigns don’t hit full stride until around month four. Here’s what we see again and again: Month 1: Break-even (about 1x ROI) Month 2: Starting to grow (2x ROI) Month 3: Gaining speed (3x […]
Issue #118: Beware the Campaign Performance Pitch from Google Reps
Hey Blue Collar Boss, Here’s About The Day a Google Ads Rep Tried to “Fix” What Wasn’t BrokenEver had someone stroll into your shop and tell you how to do your job? That’s what happened this week to one of our best HVAC & plumbing clients—a big spender with campaigns running smooth as butter. Calls […]
Issue #117: Google vs. Facebook: What’s Really Worth It for Local Trades?
Hey Blue Collar Boss, “Google or Facebook? The Real Ad Platform Showdown for Local Trades”If you’re a local business—say HVAC, plumbing, or roofing—you’ve probably wondered: “Should I be running Google Ads or Facebook Ads?” Short answer? Both can work, but not for the same reasons.When your customer’s furnace dies at 9 PM, they’re not on […]
Issue #116: Even on vacation, business lessons sneak in
Today’s a special one for me, it’s my birthday. And I’m writing this from a cruise ship sailing from LA to Miami, cutting right through the Panama Canal. Now you might be wondering, “Why are you working on vacation?” Truth is, I’m not really working. I’m not on calls or juggling projects. I am, however, […]
Issue #115: Why our Facebook ads bring in more calls
Hey True Blue Collar boss,Most marketers will throw together a Facebook ad and hit “go.” We don’t work that way.Before we build a single ad for your plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or other service business, we take a harder look at the market. We comb through Facebook’s Ads Library and our own repository of ads to […]
Issue #114: Should you trust Google Ads “recommendations”?
Hey True Blue Collar boss,If you’ve ever run Google Ads, you’ve probably seen those “recommendations” Google keeps pushing in your account. Looks helpful, right? But here’s the truth: most of them are designed to make Google more money not you. We see this all the time when managing ads for plumbers, roofers, HVAC companies, and […]
Issue #113: The hidden cost of discounting your services
Hey True Blue Collar boss,Let’s be real. Running a home service business means you’ll get asked about discounts all the time. “Can you do it cheaper?” “Any deals if I book today?” Sound familiar?Here’s my take: Don’t discount your standard service. Ever. When you slash your normal price, two things happen. First, you devalue your […]
