Navigating Facebook groups can be a great source of leads for small construction and service companies looking for new projects.

But it’s not just about advertising your services; it’s about being a valuable community member so that people come to you when they need help. 

Networking and relationship building are key to building a small business, and Facebook is one of the most effective places to do it. 

4 Steps to Find Project Opportunities

1 - Set Up A Facebook Profile to Represent Your Business

You are your brand.

People who see you commenting in groups will likely get curious and click on your profile. 

You will want to make a good first impression and get them to associate you with your business.

Have a good professional profile picture, get an action shot of yourself in the field or on the job. As a bonus, you can also use the header image to show a project you are working on.

2 - List Your Company As Your Job

You can also use this in your bio to mention your business.

Don’t go overboard with it. Make it look natural.

Facebook isn’t a business networking site like LinkedIn, but your craft and business are a big part of who you are.

You don’t want to turn your Facebook profile into a full-blown advertisement.

3 - Find The Right Facebook Groups

When identifying the right Facebook groups, consider that industry-specific groups may be filled with peers trying to sell their services.

While these are great for networking, local community groups unrelated to construction could offer better project-sourcing opportunities.

For these types of groups, try keyword searches like: 

• “[Your City] Community,” 
• “[Your City] Homeowners” 
• “[Your City] Parents”
• “[Your Neighborhood] Events”

These groups are full of local residents sharing different  needs, including construction and home improvement. They’re less likely to be saturated with competitors pitching their services. 

For industry-related groups try:

• “[Your City] Home Improvement” 
• [Your City] Construction & Contractors”

Once you’re in the right Facebook groups, ensure you have these marketing strategies ready to help you grow your brand and engage in your community.

4 - Provide Value & Build Relationships

Try out a “give to get” mentality. Provide value first before pitching your services. 

Engage authentically with group members. Instead of jumping straight into advertising, focus on contributing valuable insights. Contribute to your community and engage in genuine networking. Have fun with it. Answer questions, offer advice, share your expertise, and congratulate successes. This approach establishes you as helpful and knowledgeable, which can lead to trust and, eventually, potential projects.

When people ask for help directly, you can tell them about your services, but be aware that others will do the same. You can stand out by providing value along with your contact information and explaining what makes your services unique. 

Building genuine relationships can make people more likely to think of you when they have construction needs. You’d be surprised how many people are connected to a construction project.

If people like you, they will even recommend you to their friends. Being helpful without expecting immediate business in return can lead to long-term gains.

Special thanks to Melissa at IdealRev for writing this post.