Does Video Marketing Actually Get More Work?

If you are a painter, landscaper or roofer, you want one thing from your marketing: more jobs in your schedule.

Video can help real customers trust you and call you, but it is only worth it if it brings in real work, not just clicks or comments.

A 60-second video that shows you repairing a roof, washing a home or transforming a yard is much more convincing to a neighbor watching online than any stock photo ever could be.

But just posting a video on Facebook or YouTube does not guarantee the phone rings, especially if those viewers do not live in your area or have no need for your service.

Results are what matter, so ask yourself: Have videos brought in new customers you would not have met otherwise?

How Can You Track if Video Marketing Is Worth It?

You are busy, so tracking every Like or Share is not your top priority.

The numbers that matter most are real calls, form submissions and actual customers booked, not views or impressions.

Here is how you can tell if video marketing is paying off for your business:

  • Count the people who mention your video when they call or fill out your contact form.
  • Track how many leads come directly from your website after you post a video update.
  • Check if your best jobs come from people who saw your face or work in a video before hiring you.

If you cannot pin down at least a few new jobs because of your video, then it is not generating real ROI for you.

How Much Should You Spend to Get Results?

You have worked hard for every dollar, so wasting money on high-priced video ads that do not bring in real, local customers makes no sense.

Agencies can charge thousands for a single video and even more to run online ads, but this only works if you are seeing more jobs booked than you were before.

A good guideline is never to spend more than you could make back quickly through new work, especially when options like free websites and pay-per-lead services now exist for service businesses.

One solid video showing a before-and-after, if placed on your website and Google Business Profile, can generate more calls than a $2,000 ad campaign if it builds trust and answers the customer’s real question: Will this person do the job right?

What Types of Videos Actually Bring in Jobs?

Not all videos get results.

The videos that work best for small service businesses cut through the fluff and show what you really do for real people in your area.

  • Work in Action: Show yourself painting a house, cleaning gutters or laying down fresh sod.
  • Customer Testimonials: Let a happy homeowner talk about the job you did for them and why they would recommend you.
  • Before-and-After: Quick clips that show the difference you made, with your phone camera, speak louder than any paid advertisement.
  • Who You Are: Show your face and tell people why you care about quality and customer service, so new customers trust you.

Fancy production is not needed.

In fact, authentic, simple videos made with your phone often work best, because people see that you are the real deal.

Is Video Worth It Compared to Flyers, Direct Mail, or Big Agency Ads?

Old-school ads like mailers and door hangers are expensive, slow, and can blow your budget for the season without clear results.

Agency-run online ads promise a lot but rarely guarantee leads, and you are left with fancy reports but not necessarily more work in your calendar.

Your website and Google listing should do most of the heavy lifting by answering questions for homeowners 24/7.

Simply adding videos to your free website and profile can make you stand out without needing to gamble with expensive marketing services that do not guarantee anything but a big bill.

If you want more reliable ways to get leads, choosing performance-based platforms that do not charge for empty promises is the smarter path.

How Do You Actually Use Video to Win More Local Jobs?

Most service professionals get the best results by showing real jobs done in real neighborhoods, not scripted ads.

Record short clips with your phone while you work or after you finish a job so people see actual results, not just a logo.

If you want more calls from the right customers, pair your video with clear, easy-to-find contact details on your website and Google profile.

Many business owners forget this: if your phone number or text option is hard to find, people will move on to the next company.

Avoid overthinking production value because a simple, honest video posted to your free website or shared in local Facebook groups can outperform fancy commercials.

Make sure to mention the neighborhoods, towns or local areas where you work right in the video so viewers know you serve them.

Do not forget to use the words homeowner, neighbor or the type of customer you want so the right people know to pay attention.

What Are the Most Common Video Marketing Mistakes?

A lot of small businesses spend time on videos but get nothing for it because of a few avoidable mistakes.

  • Making the video too long or boring, so people leave before they learn what you do.
  • Talking only about yourself instead of showing how you solve customer problems.
  • Using confusing language or not making it clear what services you offer and where you work.
  • Posting only on social media but not on your own website or Google Business Profile.
  • Forgetting to add a clear call to action like Call for a free quote or Message us today.
  • Advertising to everyone instead of to people in your service area who are ready to hire.

The secret is to keep it simple, honest and focused on helping local people solve their problems.

Where Should You Share Your Videos for Maximum Results?

The more places local customers see your video, the better your chances for real work.

  • Your business website is the best place to feature videos, especially on the home page or before-and-after gallery.
  • Your Google Business Profile allows you to add video clips so people see you are active and trustworthy.
  • Local Facebook groups and community pages are useful, but only if you are helping, not spamming.
  • Sharing with previous customers by text or email can generate repeat business and referrals.

Most important, never rely on a single platform like TikTok or Instagram, which may send your video to the wrong audience.

A free, mobile-optimized website that you control gives you a central place to post and update your best videos any time, which maximizes return on the time you put in.

If getting started or knowing where to post bogs you down, there are simple steps for getting your website and profile set up the right way.

Do You Need Fancy Equipment or Big Budgets?

No one hires a painter, roofer or handyman because they filmed a commercial with a drone and studio lights.

Using your phone is more than enough, as long as the light is decent and your message is clear.

  • Use your phone in landscape mode for wider shots and better quality on most websites.
  • Ask a friend or customer if they would say a few words after a job is done. People trust real voices.
  • Keep it to under 60 seconds unless you are showing a big project transformation.
  • Be yourself. People hire those that they feel they can trust, not someone who sounds like a TV pitchman.

High-cost agencies and equipment rentals rarely pay off for local service businesses unless you already have more work than you can handle and just want to look flashier online.

Most professionals get better results by investing their time in recording honest videos and making sure their website and Google listing show recent work and real reviews.

What If You Are Not Comfortable on Camera?

If speaking to the camera feels awkward, remember that customers care more about seeing your finished work than your performance as a spokesperson.

You can let your hands and skills do the talking by filming walk-throughs of the job or pointing out the details that make your service special.

If you prefer, ask a happy client to say something instead, or show before-and-after shots while narrating what you did in simple language.

Some of the most effective videos are just a 360-degree sweep of a fresh paint job or a quick explanation of the problem solved with your phone pointed at the work, not your face.

How Does Video Fit with Your Website and Google Business Profile?

Your website and Google Business Profile are your strongest online assets, and videos make them work harder for you.

When people search for a painter or roofer nearby, they want proof that you do good work, and short, real videos answer their questions faster than words or pictures alone.

Adding a video to your home page or a gallery lets new visitors see your skills in action and gives them a reason to trust you over a faceless competitor.

Your Google Business Profile accepts video uploads, which gives you an edge in local search because customers stay on your profile longer and are more likely to call.

This works even if your website is only one page, as long as it has a clear way to watch your videos, read reviews, view past jobs and reach you directly.

What Does Real Return on Investment Look Like for Service Businesses?

The real test for any marketing, especially video, is whether it brings in leads that become paid jobs, not just vanity numbers.

If you can say a video brought you at least one job you would not have landed otherwise, you have proof that your time or money spent made a difference.

For local businesses, good ROI is simple and measurable:

  • More calls or texts from your service area after a video goes live
  • Specific mentions of your video when new customers contact you
  • Repeat work or referrals from clients who say your video convinced them
  • Less time spent chasing cold leads because your video filtered in people ready to hire

If none of these things happen, do not keep pouring money into video just because you think you should.

Shift your focus to what actually fills your schedule with real jobs, which often means making your website and Google listing clearer, simpler and more up-to-date.

How Does a Performance-Based Website Save You Money and Get Results?

Most service pros have wasted money on sites or marketing that just collect dust and do not send qualified leads their way.

A results-first approach like Good Stuart offers flips that model upside down: you only pay for actual leads and never shell out for design, hosting or any technical setup.

This keeps your overhead low and your marketing flexible, letting you put resources back into tools, equipment or hiring more help for the busy season.

Instead of expensive agency video packages or ad campaigns, your website becomes your main marketing tool—no guesswork or monthly bills for things that do not increase your workload.

If you are considering switching up your online presence, starting with a free, well-built site and a simple onboarding process makes sense because it trims out waste and delivers proof of real value.

Why Video Matters but Should Not Replace the Basics

Videos are a great tool for showing your skill, but they only work if you have the basics in place: a website people can find, a filled-out Google profile, and an easy way for customers to reach you.

If you are just starting out or putting your energy into video for the first time, remember to update your business details, show off your recent projects, and respond quickly to inquiries—these things still convert the most leads.

Video is the next step to boost trust and show off your local expertise, not a replacement for the core things that build your reputation day in and day out.

A Simple Plan for Local Service Businesses Who Want Results, Not Hype

Start with a one-page website and your Google Business Profile, using your own project videos and clear contact info to stand out.

Keep your videos short, honest, and focused on solving customer problems—do not overthink production or try to copy big companies.

Track new jobs that mention your videos or website, and do not be afraid to ask every customer how they found you or what made them choose you.

If a tool or tactic is not bringing in real work, do not be afraid to drop it in favor of what does.

The right mix of handy videos, a trustworthy online presence, and a performance-based model means you get steady, local leads without gambling your budget on fancy marketing that does not deliver for hardworking local businesses.