The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Marketing is the lifeblood of your business—without leads, you don’t have sales, and without sales, you don’t have a business. In this episode, Tom shares exactly how to market your brand-new contracting business without a big budget or fancy tools. Whether you're just getting started or trying to restart with the right foundation, these four actionable strategies will set you on the right path.

In this episode, Tom discusses:

• [00:00] Why no leads = no business—and how that reality fuels your success
• [00:21] Tom’s story as an “accidental contractor” and how that shaped his marketing mindset
• [01:16] The #1 focus for new contractors in their first 3 years
• [01:29] Strategy 1: Local networking – the power of building real-world relationships and referrals
• [03:10] Strategy 2: Social media – leveraging free platforms to create visibility and trust
• [04:45] Strategy 3: Neighborhood domination – boots-on-the-ground methods to stay top of mind
• [06:20] Strategy 4: Content and website – why your site is one of your most valuable tools
• [07:46] A reminder to invest wisely: equipment vs. a website
• [08:04] Marketing resource and how to take your strategy even further

Links from the episode:

• The Marketing System for Contractors – LEADS ON DEMAND

Resources:

💸 LEADS ON DEMAND

It’s time to OWN YOUR PIPELINE and become a master at MARKETING your contracting business. Stop the guesswork and get The Marketing System for Contractors today.

https://thecontractorfight.com/marketing

⚔️ WAR ROOM

Ready to scale your business to $5,000,000 or more? No theory. No fluff. Pure action.

https://thecontractorfight.com/war-room

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

Serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos?

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Steps to 5 Stars

How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads

https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️ BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers.

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 50% Gross Profit Worksheet

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job.

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast!

https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Winning the Contractor Fight Book

Just pay shipping and handling

https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Contractor Fight TV – 1,400+ free videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Podcast Archives

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In this episode of The Contractor Fight, hosts Tim and Derek dig deep into the concept of resistance—how it shows up in our lives and businesses, and how facing it head-on can lead to massive breakthroughs. Using relatable stories, tough love, and contractor-tested wisdom, they explore how resistance is often a sign that you're exactly where you need to be—and that it’s time to act.

Whether it's sending that quote, delegating tasks, or doing the hard but necessary things, Tim and Derek make a compelling case for why contractors need to stop resisting and start doing. This is your call to stop procrastinating and take ownership of your life and business.

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:

• How resistance often signals the exact thing you need to do next
• Why contractors procrastinate and how to break the cycle
• Letting go of perfectionism and learning to delegate effectively
• The emotional toll of holding onto tasks and how it impacts your time and energy
• Creating systems and teams so you can focus on what you do best
• Empowering others by letting go—and why that benefits everyone
• A hilarious Chuck Norris analogy that perfectly sums up the power of pushing through

Resources: 

⚔️ WAR ROOM

Ready to scale your business to $5,000,000 or more? No theory. No fluff. Pure action. Join nine other battle-tested contracting companies from across the country to tackle your biggest challenges head-on.

https://thecontractorfight.com/war-room

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace.

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads

https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast!

https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling)

https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight TV:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️ Listen to the podcast archives:

The Contractor Fight podcast now features nearly 1,000 episodes.

💬 Join over 18,000 contractors in the free Facebook group:

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In this episode of Contractor Intervention, Tom talks with Jimmy, a flooring contractor from Washington, who's feeling the pinch of slow lead flow. With a top line revenue of $245K and big dreams of hitting $1M+, Jimmy is building systems and dialing in his mindset—but right now, the leads just aren’t coming fast enough.

Tom walks Jimmy through a blueprint for ramping up lead generation without breaking the bank. From low-cost marketing strategies to tactical networking and mindset shifts, this episode is a crash course in taking control and growing past the plateau.

In this episode Tom and Jimmy discuss:

• (00:00) Jimmy's main struggle: not enough leads
• (01:18) Background on Jimmy’s business and his transition to WA
• (04:06) Why referrals aren't enough and the need to build a brand
• (07:53) Revenue breakdown: $245K top line and the need for capacity
• (10:50) Budgeting for growth: $581K projected overhead
• (11:13) Reverse-engineering leads: needing 126 per year
• (13:25) Local networking: BNI groups and carving out time
• (15:06) Strategic partnerships and the power of designers
• (16:14) Website tips: SEO and conversion matter
• (18:27) Why blogging weekly can drive massive traffic and leads
• (20:06) Google LSA and why reviews matter
• (22:32) Marketing to your database: emails + personal outreach
• (23:27) UITs: sending 3 texts a day could get 40 jobs a year
• (26:24) Real examples of $15K jobs landed from a simple check-in
• (29:22) Stack your marketing: ads, social, networking, and outreach
• (34:51) How to stand out with genuine Facebook ads
• (36:42) Authenticity > polish when it comes to ads
• (39:51) Humor in ads: testing out fun copy that converts
• (43:34) Mindset talk: breaking free of generational limiting beliefs
• (47:29) Daily habits: journaling and reading goals to feed your brain
• (50:25) Tom's personal affirmations and focus on positivity
• (52:23) Jimmy’s contact info and Tom’s final advice: use your “why” in your content

Resources:

⚔️ WAR ROOM

Ready to scale your business to $5,000,000 or more? No theory. No fluff. Pure action.

https://thecontractorfight.com/war-room

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

Serious about building a structured, profitable business? Start here.

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️ 5 Steps to 5 Stars: Premium Pricing + Endless Leads

https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️ BATTLEGROUND: Leadership. Communication. Numbers.

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 50% Gross Profit Calculator Worksheet

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast!

https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Get Tom’s book Winning the Contractor Fight

https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 1,400+ Free Contractor Training Videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber

🎙️...

In this episode, Tim and Derek dive into the importance of standards and values in contracting and business. They discuss why following through on commitments, celebrating wins, and maintaining high expectations can make or break a contractor’s success. Derek shares a personal experience about receiving an industry award and how it highlighted the difference between meaningful recognition and empty gestures. The conversation explores how setting and upholding standards impacts business relationships, team morale, and overall success.

In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss:

• The frustration of contractors and vendors not following through on their commitments
• Why so many business owners make things harder than they need to be
• Derek’s experience winning a Contractor of the Year award—twice—and why recognition should be meaningful
• The impact of broken processes on job timelines, customer satisfaction, and profitability
• The trickle-down effect of poor communication and lack of accountability in business
• How celebrating wins can create a positive, motivated company culture
• Why setting high standards and expectations for your team leads to better results
• The importance of aligning with people and businesses that share your values

Resources:

💸 LEADS ON DEMAND

It’s time to OWN YOUR PIPELINE and become a master at MARKETING your contracting business. Stop the guesswork and get The Marketing System for Contractors today.

https://thecontractorfight.com/marketing

⚔️ WAR ROOM

Ready to scale your business to $5,000,000 or more? No theory. No fluff. Pure action. Join nine other battle-tested contracting companies from across the country to tackle your biggest challenges head-on.

https://thecontractorfight.com/war-room

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace.

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads

https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast!

https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling)

https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥...

If you want to grow your business and sharpen your mindset, you need to fill your brain with the right knowledge. In this episode, Tom shares his top business book recommendations for 2024, along with must-read picks from the Battleground community. These books will help you simplify your focus, set higher standards, avoid costly mistakes, and improve your business strategy.

In this episode, Tom discusses:

• [00:00] The importance of reading to level up your business and mindset
• [00:46] The One Thing by Gary Keller – How to simplify your focus and maximize results
• [01:27] The Standard by Ben Newman – Winning every day by setting and honoring a high standard
• [01:55] Winning the Contractor Fight by Tom Reber – Mastering the mindset and strategy of success
• [02:36] The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz – Setting bigger goals to achieve more
• [03:19] The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham – Avoiding costly mistakes and implementing "thinking time"
• [04:57] Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday – How embracing discomfort leads to growth
• [05:25] Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller – Crafting a compelling brand message to attract more clients

Links from the episode:

👉 Join the Battleground waitlist: thecontractorfight.com/battleground

Resources:

⚔️ WAR ROOM

Ready to scale your business to $5,000,000 or more? No theory. No fluff. Pure action. Join nine other battle-tested contracting companies from across the country to tackle your biggest challenges head-on.

https://thecontractorfight.com/war-room

🧰 CONTRACTOR BUSINESS SCHOOL

If you’re serious about building a profitable, structured contracting business without the chaos, this is your shot. Get the tools, insights, and mentorship you need to level up—on YOUR time, at YOUR pace.

https://contractorbusinessschool.com/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grab our NEW course to grow your business

5 Steps to 5 Stars: How to Charge Premium Prices and Never Run Out of Leads

https://thecontractorfight.com/5-stars/

🛡️ Join us in BATTLEGROUND

Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program. Three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info visit:

https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground

💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially.

Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together!

https://thecontractorfight.com/50/

🎧 Get on the podcast!

https://thecontractorfight.com/intervention

📘 Grab a free copy of Tom’s book, Winning the Contractor Fight (just pay shipping and handling)

https://thecontractorfight.com/book/

🎥 Explore over 1,400 free videos on Contractor Fight...