Best Marketing for Subcontractors

I was talking to two different clients  that are subcontractors today about content on the new website we’re developing for each and a great marketing tip came up. If you are a subcontractor or your company has a division that can be a subcontractor, a basic step in marketing that you shouldn’t ignore is making sure you’re listed in the area’s general contractors’ sub database. Many general contractors (GC) have a subcontractor and supplier form on their website where subs can submit their company for consideration on future job. When a GC gets a new project, they immediately start thinking of what subs they can tap for that project. Many times, they have an admin person run a report from their database based on the services needed per the project’s scope. If you’re not on that list, you’re not on their radar.

To make sure you’re on their lists, follow these steps:

1. Create a list of area or industry GCs that you could work for.
2. Visit each of their websites and fill out their subcontractor form.
3. If they do not have a website form or you submitted one a while ago, call them to ensure your information is correct. In particular, make sure they have your services correct because they may only have you listed under one trade.

I suggest adding a reminder to your calendar to do this annually. This time next year, there may be new GCs you can work with, you could expand your services, or they may have purged their lists.