Want more leads in the trades? Marcus Sheridan joins host Andrew Brown to talk self-service tools, pricing estimators, and trusted brand building strategies.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with marketing expert, speaker, and former pool contractor Marcus Sheridan to break down what it really takes to build a trusted brand in the skilled trades today.

They cover everything from using AI in the trades industry to designing self-service sales tools that boost conversions. If you’re in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or any other blue collar business, this episode is a roadmap to standing out—and staying relevant—in a rapidly changing world.

Whether you're a new contractor or a seasoned tradesperson looking to grow your brand, you’ll walk away with clear, tactical advice you can use right now.

IN THIS EPISODE:

● (02:10) – “Just a Pool Guy”: Why the trades get overlooked—and how Marcus flipped the script.

● (11:45) – AI in the Trades: Why blue collar work isn’t going anywhere—and how AI helps, not hurts.

● (23:30) – Pricing Estimator Tools: Why every contractor website needs one (and how it converts).

● (35:55) – The 4 Pillars of Brand Trust: Say, show, sell, and be human.

● (43:40) – Self-Service Sales Tools: How to let customers educate themselves (and love you for it).

● (51:20) – Building a Personal Brand: Why people follow you before they follow your business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

● A trusted brand in the trades starts with saying what others won’t—and showing how you do it.

● Self-service sales tools increase lead volume and improve customer experience.

● AI in the trades industry isn’t replacing you—it’s giving you time back.

● A simple pricing estimator for contractors can triple your conversions with the same traffic.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Marcus Sheridan is the author of They Ask, You Answer and The Visual Sale, and a partner at Impact, a marketing and sales consultancy. He’s also the co-founder of River Pools, once a small local pool company that became the most trafficked swimming pool website in the world. A longtime advocate for trusted brand building, Marcus now helps contractors and tradespeople scale their companies using video, content marketing, and disruptive strategies rooted in transparency.

KEYWORDS:

Trusted Brand Building, Self-Service Sales Tools, Pricing Estimator for Contractors, AI in Trades Industry, Blue Collar Business Marketing

Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Marcus Sheridan, Andrew Brown, Impact, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Contractors, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Advocacy

RESOURCES:

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcussheridan/

Website: https://marcussheridan.com/

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