Contractors: Stop Paying for Social Media (Use AI Instead)

Look, we get it. You're a contractor. You install roofs, pressure wash driveways, renovate kitchens—real work. The last thing you want to do after a 10-hour day is figure out what to post on Instagram.

So you've got two options:

1. Pay a marketing agency $2,000-5,000/month to handle it

2. Do nothing and watch your competitor with 10K followers steal your customers

But there's a third option nobody's talking about: Use AI to do it yourself for $20/month.

We're not saying you need to become a social media expert. We're saying you can use AI to create content that actually gets you jobs—without hiring an agency, without spending hours on your phone, and without feeling like a influencer wannabe.

Here's exactly how to do it.

The Reality Check

Let's talk numbers for a second.

There are 6,500 plumbing companies in Florida alone. Want to guess how many have active Instagram accounts?

800.

That's 12%.

Which means 88% of your competitors are invisible online. They're great at their trade, but when someone searches "roofer near me" or scrolls Instagram looking for a contractor, they don't exist.

Translation: The bar is incredibly low right now.

You don't need to be Mr. Beast. You don't need a production team. You just need to show up consistently with content that proves you know what you're doing.

And AI makes that stupid simple.

Why Most Contractor Social Media Sucks

Let's be honest about what's not working:

❌ Boring before/after photos - Everyone posts these. They don't tell a story.

❌ "Call us for a free quote!" - Cool, so does everyone else.

❌ Random posts with no strategy - You post when you remember, which is never.

❌ No personality - Your page looks like every other contractor page.

❌ Zero calls-to-action - People like your post and then... nothing happens.

Here's what does work in 2025:

✅ Quick videos showing your process - People want to see the work, not just the result

✅ Educational content that builds trust - "5 signs your roof needs replacing" positions you as the expert

✅ Personality and storytelling - Let people see the humans behind the business

✅ Consistent posting - 3-5x per week so you stay top of mind

✅ Clear next steps - "DM us for a quote" or "Link in bio for free estimate"

The problem? Creating this content used to take forever.

Not anymore.

The AI Workflow That Changes Everything

Here's the system. It takes 20 minutes once a month. Seriously.

Step 1: Generate 30 Days of Content Ideas (5 minutes)

Open ChatGPT and paste this prompt:

I'm a [your trade] in [your city]. I need 30 social media post ideas that will:

- Showcase my expertise

- Educate homeowners

- Build trust

- Generate leads

Give me a mix of:

- Educational tips

- Before/after transformations with storytelling

- Common mistakes homeowners make

- Seasonal advice

- Behind-the-scenes content

Format as a simple list.

Boom. You now have a month of content ideas in 30 seconds.

Example output for a roofer:

1. "3 signs your roof is failing (and what to do about it)"

2. "Why cheap shingles cost you more in the long run"

3. "This family's roof was leaking into their kids' bedroom—here's how we fixed it"

4. "What we check during a roof inspection (and why it matters)"

5. "The #1 mistake homeowners make with roof maintenance"

And 25 more. You get the idea.

Step 2: Turn Ideas Into Actual Posts (10 minutes)

Pick 5-7 ideas from your list. Copy them back into ChatGPT with this prompt:

For each of these post ideas, write:

- A hook (first line that grabs attention)

- 2-3 sentences of valuable content

- A clear call-to-action

Keep it conversational and under 150 words per post.

Make it sound like a real person, not a robot.

[Paste your 5-7 ideas here]

Now you have actual captions ready to copy-paste.

Pro tip: Tell ChatGPT to write in your voice. Add something like: "I'm a straight-shooter who doesn't sugarcoat things. Keep it real and friendly, like I'm talking to a neighbor."

Step 3: Create Visuals (5 minutes)

You have three options:

Option 1: Use your phone

• Film 15-second videos at the job site

• Show your team working, tools in action, the transformation

• Natural lighting, no fancy equipment needed

Option 2: Use AI for graphics

• Go to Canva (free version works fine)

• Pick a template, drop in your text

• Use Nano Banana (Google's free tool) to generate eye-catching graphics

Option 3: Mix both

• Film the work, add text overlays with Canva

• Takes 2 minutes per video

Step 4: Schedule Everything (5 minutes)

Don't post manually every day. That's a time suck.

Use a free scheduling tool:

• Meta Business Suite (free, posts to Instagram and Facebook)

• Later (free version lets you schedule 10 posts)

Upload your content, schedule it for the week, and forget about it.

Total time invested: 20-30 minutes to create a week's worth of content.

Cost: $0 if you use free tools, $20/month for ChatGPT Plus if you want better outputs.

The Hook-Retention-Reward Formula

If you're creating video content (which you should be—it gets 10x more engagement), use this simple formula:

HOOK (First 3 seconds): Grab attention

• "Is your roof ready for hurricane season?"

• "This driveway was disgusting..."

• "Here's what a $50,000 kitchen remodel actually looks like"

RETENTION (Next 10-15 seconds): Keep them watching

• Show the work in progress

• Use quick cuts and music

• Add text overlays with key points

REWARD (Last 3-5 seconds): Give them value and a CTA

• Share a tip: "Check your shingles twice a year"

• End with: "Need a roof inspection? Link in bio"

Example for a pressure washer:

• Hook: "This driveway hasn't been cleaned in 5 years" [show grimy driveway]

• Retention: [Quick clips of pressure washing with satisfying visuals, upbeat music]

• Reward: "Keep your driveway clean to prevent permanent staining. Want yours looking new? DM us for a free quote."

Film this on your phone. Edit in CapCut (free app). Post it. Done.

AI Tools That Make You Look Professional

Here's your toolbox. Pick what works for you.

For Content Creation:

• ChatGPT ($20/month) - Content ideas, captions, email follow-ups

• Claude ($12/month) - Alternative to ChatGPT, great for longer content

For Visuals:

• Canva (Free) - Graphics, text overlays, simple video editing

• CapCut (Free) - Video editing on your phone

• Nano Banana (Free) - AI-generated graphics from Google

For Scheduling:

• Meta Business Suite (Free) - Schedule Instagram and Facebook posts

• Later (Free version available) - Multi-platform scheduling

For Lead Capture:

• Typeform (Free version available) - Create simple quote request forms

• Google Forms (Free) - Basic but works

Total monthly cost if you go all-in: $20-32

What agencies charge for the same work: $2,000-5,000/month

You do the math.

The 30-Minute Weekly Routine

Once you have your content created, here's your weekly maintenance:

Monday (10 minutes):

• Check last week's posts—what got the most engagement?

• Respond to any comments or DMs

• Schedule this week's content if you haven't already

Wednesday (10 minutes):

• Film 2-3 quick videos at your current job site

• Post one immediately as a "day in the life" Story

Friday (10 minutes):

• Engage with local accounts (other businesses, community pages)

• Reply to comments

• Share a client testimonial or project completion

That's it. 30 minutes a week keeps your presence active.

What Actually Gets You Jobs

Here's the truth: Pretty content doesn't book jobs. Trust books jobs.

People hire contractors based on:

1. Proof you know what you're doing (educational content)

2. Evidence you've done it before (before/afters with context)

3. A reason to believe you won't screw them over (testimonials, personality)

AI helps you create all three consistently.

Educational content example: "3 Signs Your Deck is Rotting (And Why Waiting Will Cost You Thousands)"

This shows expertise. When someone needs deck work, guess who they call?

Before/after with context example: "This family's patio was cracked and dangerous for their kids. We demo'd it, poured new concrete, and now it's their favorite hangout spot. From unsafe to backyard paradise in 3 days."

This shows results AND tells a story people connect with.

Personality example: Film a 15-second video: "I've been a roofer for 20 years. Here's the one question you should always ask before hiring someone: 'Are you licensed and insured?' If they hesitate, walk away."

This positions you as trustworthy and looking out for homeowners.

The Local SEO Hack Nobody Uses

Here's a free strategy that takes 5 minutes:

Use location-based hashtags on every post:

• #JacksonvilleRoofer

• #TampaHomeServices

• #OrlandoContractor

• #[YourCity]Renovation

Geotag every single post with your city/neighborhood.

Why? Because when someone in Jacksonville searches Instagram for "roofer," your tagged content shows up.

Also: Optimize your Google Business Profile

• Add weekly photos of your work

• Ask every client for a review

• Respond to every review (good or bad)

• Post updates like "Just finished a roof in [neighborhood]"

This is free advertising that most contractors ignore.

The Follow-Up System That Converts

Creating content is step one. Capturing leads is step two.

Here's the simple system:

1. In your bio, add a link to a Typeform or Google Form
   
   
   

2. The form asks for: Name, email, phone, and "What project do you need help with?"
   
   
   

3. In your posts, use CTAs like:
   
   
   

   • "Ready for a new roof? Link in bio for a free estimate"

   • "DM us to schedule your free inspection"

   • "Want a quote? Click the link in our bio"

4. When someone fills out the form, follow up within 24 hours
   
   
   

Use ChatGPT to write your follow-up emails:

Write a friendly follow-up email for someone who requested a roofing quote. 

Include:

- Thank them for reaching out

- Confirm we'll call them within 24 hours

- Add a tip about roof maintenance

- Keep it under 100 words

Boom. Professional follow-up without paying for a CRM or marketing automation.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Posting inconsistently Solution: Batch create content once a month, schedule it all at once.

Mistake #2: No clear CTA Solution: Every post should end with "DM us," "Link in bio," or "Call for a quote."

Mistake #3: Only posting when you remember Solution: Set a calendar reminder or use scheduling tools.

Mistake #4: Generic content that could be anyone Solution: Add personality. Show your face. Tell stories. Be human.

Mistake #5: Not responding to comments Solution: Set aside 5 minutes a day to reply. Engagement builds trust.

Real Talk: Why This Works

You might be thinking, "This sounds too simple. Does it actually work?"

Here's the reality:

Most of your competitors aren't doing ANY of this. They're either:

• Posting randomly when they remember

• Paying an agency who posts generic stock photos

• Not on social media at all

By simply showing up consistently with valuable content, you're already in the top 10% of contractors in your area.

And here's the kicker: The clients who find you through social media are usually higher-quality leads. Why? Because they've already been watching your content, learning from you, and trusting you before they ever reach out.

They're not just price shopping. They're looking for you specifically.

Your Action Plan (Do This Today)

Don't overthink this. Here's what to do right now:

Today (30 minutes):

1. Open ChatGPT (free version is fine to start)

2. Use the prompt from earlier to get 30 content ideas

3. Pick your 5 favorites

4. Have ChatGPT write the captions

5. Schedule them in Meta Business Suite for the next week

This Week (1 hour total):

1. Film 3-5 short videos at your job sites (15 seconds each)

2. Edit them in CapCut with text overlays

3. Schedule them for the next two weeks

This Month (2 hours total):

1. Create a simple quote request form (Typeform or Google Forms)

2. Add it to your Instagram bio

3. Write 3 follow-up email templates with ChatGPT

4. Set up your Google Business Profile if you haven't already

That's it. That's the whole system.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to become a social media expert. You don't need to hire an expensive agency. You don't need to spend hours every day on your phone.

You just need to:

1. Show up consistently

2. Provide value

3. Make it easy for people to contact you

AI makes all three ridiculously simple.

The choice is yours:

• Keep doing nothing and wonder why your competitor is fully booked

• Pay an agency thousands of dollars to do what you can do yourself

• Spend 20 minutes a month using AI to build a presence that books jobs

We know which one we'd pick.

Want to see how other contractors are using AI to grow their businesses? Check out our latest episode on YouTube where we break down real examples from real business owners. No theory, no fluff—just what's actually working.

Got questions about implementing this? Drop a comment on our latest episode and we'll answer it in our next Q&A show.

P.S. - If you implement this system and it works (or doesn't), let us know. We want to hear real results from real people. That's what The Hey Chat Podcast is all about.