It’s easy to think of social media as something that happens after the workday is over. Scroll through Facebook, check Instagram or watch a few videos on YouTube.
But for plumbing contractors, social media — and LinkedIn in particular — can be a valuable way to stay connected to the industry and improve your business.
I spend plenty of time on LinkedIn. It gives me a chance to see what contractors, manufacturers, associations and others throughout the plumbing industry are talking about. It could be talking about projects or new tools they are using, or what their company’s business model is. Those posts provide a pretty good picture of what’s happening across the industry.
Contractors like you can use that same connection to your advantage. You can follow manufacturers and suppliers to learn about new products and technology, or connect with other contractors and see how they approach recruiting, training, fleet management or difficult jobs. I’m a big supporter of following associations and trade publications — like Plumber — to keep up with educational opportunities and industry trends.
But don’t just scroll. Try to participate as well by commenting on interesting projects or ask a question about a piece of equipment. Share something your crew is working on and post photos of that project.
You don’t have to become an “influencer.” You just have to contribute.
SHOW PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE
An added benefit of being active on social media is that it gives customers and potential employees a look into your company.
A photo showing how your crew solved a difficult plumbing problem demonstrates expertise. A short video explaining preventive maintenance provides customers useful information. Photos from a training session show that you invest in your people.
And don’t underestimate that last audience.
When technicians are considering a new job, there’s a good chance they’ll look up your company online. What will they find?
Social media won’t replace good workmanship, customer service or face-to-face relationships. But used correctly, and it can extend all three. It can also connect you with people hundreds or thousands of miles away who are facing many of the same challenges you are.
STAYING CONNECTED IN THIS ISSUE
That idea of learning from others carries right into this month’s issue of Plumber.
Our cover profile takes us to Ames, Iowa, where we visit Behle Inc., a company that began with Randy Behle’s Roto-Rooter franchise in 1997 and has grown into a diverse operation offering traditional plumbing and drain cleaning along with pipelining, excavation, septic and other services. The company is a good example of how a strong plumbing foundation can create opportunities to expand into complementary services.
We’re also putting a spotlight on pumps, controls and alarms, with products and case studies highlighting equipment and applications that plumbers encounter every day.
And in our monthly NASTT Bulletin, we begin looking ahead to the 2027 No-Dig Show, scheduled for March 21-25 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s another opportunity for contractors to connect with people, technology and ideas from across the underground infrastructure industry.
Whether that connection happens at a trade show, through Plumber or during time spent scrolling LinkedIn between calls, there’s value in seeing what others in this industry are doing.
Better yet, join the conversation.
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