Issue #125: Home Service Pros Are Being Hit by a New Google Maps Scam
Hey Blue Collar Boss, There is a new scam running through the home service world right now. It looks tempting on the surface. A vendor promises to shoot your Google Maps rankings to the top in seven days. They tell you they can do it without logging into your Google Business Profile. A lot of […]
Issue #124: From Our Team to Yours, Thank You
Hey Blue Collar Boss, Thanksgiving always feels like the right time to slow down for a moment and look at the people who make this whole industry work. And that includes you.You keep homes warm when winter hits, cool when summer smacks everyone in the face, dry when storms roll in, and safe when the […]
Issue #123: Google’s LSA Changes Are Killing Call Volume. Here’s How You Fight Back
Hey Blue Collar Boss, If your Local Services Ads have been feeling a little… sluggish lately, there’s a reason. Google quietly removed proximity from the LSA algorithm months ago, and the punch is finally landing.Here’s what it means: Your business might not appear in LSAs even if your next-door neighbor is searching for your service. […]
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, […]
