DIY coaching means you run your own marketing while a senior strategist checks your work and tells you what to do next. It suits first-year trades owners who have a little time, not much budget, and want to learn the skill properly rather than pay someone forever. Each session ends with three specific tasks.
Who coaching suits
Coaching works for owners who would rather understand their marketing than hand it off. It is especially useful in the first year, when every dollar matters and you are still learning which jobs you want more of.
It is a good fit if you:
- can set aside roughly two hours a week
- are willing to keep a simple log of where calls come from
- want honest feedback, including "that is not worth your time"
- would like to make decisions yourself rather than wait for an agency
It is not a good fit if you are already so busy on the tools that you cannot find two hours, in which case a done-for-you plan through Trades.Agency may make more sense.
What a session covers
Every session follows the same simple shape so you always know what to bring.
- What you did. You show the tasks from last time: profile updates, review requests sent, website edits, posts.
- What happened. We look at your call log and the basic numbers from your Google profile together.
- What to fix. We point out anything missing, wrong or risky, and explain why in plain words.
- Your next three tasks. Specific and small enough to finish before the next session, with a written note so you do not forget.
Over the first few months the topics usually follow this order: Google Business Profile, reviews and referrals, a starter website, seasonal planning, and finally whether any paid advertising makes sense.
A sample first month
To make it concrete, here is what the first four weeks might look like for a new electrician working alone.
| Week | Tasks |
|---|---|
| 1 | Finish profile categories and service area; add 10 real photos; write a short business description |
| 2 | Text a review link to the last eight customers using a template with [Customer name] placeholders; start the call log |
| 3 | Reply to every review; add a services list to the profile; draft the home page text for a small website |
| 4 | Review call log with us; decide which two services to feature; plan next month around the slower season |
None of these tasks needs special software or a big budget. They need a steady habit, which is what the coaching keeps in place.
Timeline and how long people stay
Most owners see their basics in good shape within about two to three months. After that, many drop to a monthly check-in, and some stop entirely once they are confident. That is a good outcome, not a failure.
Coaching through a Trades.Agency plan is month-to-month with 30 days' notice to cancel. There is no long contract to get out of. The pricing page explains the plans and what the first free consultation covers.
How results are measured
We measure two things: whether the work is getting done, and whether it is bringing in booked jobs. The first is simple: are the tasks finished? The second comes from your call log.
By the end of the third month you should be able to say how many jobs came from your Google profile, from reviews and referrals, and from your website. If one channel is doing nothing, we stop spending time on it. If one is doing well, we put more effort there.
Common DIY mistakes we help you avoid
Owners doing their own marketing tend to fall into the same traps, and coaching is mostly about catching them early.
- Doing everything at once. Profile, website, three social networks and ads in one month leads to burnout. One thing at a time.
- Posting without a reason. A social post about nothing is not marketing. A photo of a finished job with the town name is.
- Ignoring the phone. The fastest way to waste marketing is to miss the calls it brings. Fix call handling first.
- Buying "packages" from cold callers. Be careful with anyone who phones you promising first-page placement for a fee. Ask what exactly they will do, and who will own the accounts.
- Messaging without consent. Commercial texts and emails fall under Canada's anti-spam law. The CRTC's CASL FAQ explains the basics.
To see whether coaching suits you, read the free DIY marketing plan for your first year and try a few weeks of it. If it clicks, contact us and we will set up the first session.
Frequently asked questions
How often are the coaching sessions?
Most owners do well with a short session every two weeks for the first two or three months, then monthly. We agree the rhythm on the first call based on how much time you have.
Do I need to be good with computers?
You need to be comfortable with a phone and a laptop, and willing to try things. Everything is explained in plain language, step by step, and nothing assumes marketing experience.
Will you do the work if I fall behind?
If you would rather hand it over, we can move you to a done-for-you plan. Coaching works because you do the tasks, so we will be honest if it is not fitting your schedule.
Can my partner or office person join the sessions?
Yes. Often the person who answers the phone or does the books should be there, because call handling and follow-up are a big part of the work.