Grow Your Trade Business Through Social Media: Nick Bundy Electrical

Nick Bundy has over a decade of experience running his own trade business and has built a massive following on YouTube and other social media platforms — over 100,000 subscribers —  by documenting real-world electrical work, business advice, and on-site challenges. In the first episode of Behind the Tools, Nick shares how he grew his electrical business alongside his social media presence, and how other could do the same. 

Watch the full interview here: 

Low on time? Skip ahead!

1. How do I choose the right trade industry?
2. What goals should i set when growing my trade business online? 
3. How can I start promoting my trade business on social media? 
4. Should trades businesses focus on authenticity online?
5. How do I stay motivated when running a trade business gets tough? 
6. How can a one-person trade business still look professional?
7. What can tradespeople learn from businesses overseas?
8. How do I find support as a trade business owner?
9. How do I handle criticism or negative feedback in my trade business?

1. How do I choose the right trade industry?

Nick didn’t start out as an electrician — he began in carpentry before realising electrical work suited him better. That switch changed everything. Not every trade is the right fit, and that’s OK. The key is figuring out what type of work you actually enjoy. Do you like detailed problem-solving or big visual transformations? Do you prefer working solo or leading a team? Your answers can help steer you towards a trade — or a niche within it — that plays to your strengths and keeps you motivated long term.

Try this: Ask yourself: Do I like finishing work people see? Or behind-the-scenes problem solving? Do I want to work alone or run a crew? Start with those answers, then match the trade.

Stuck on a decision? We've made a quiz to help you decide on a future trade!

2. What goals should I set when growing my trade business online?

The plan was simple: set a goal, stick to it. For Nick, that meant aiming for 1,000 YouTube subscribers in five months. It gave him a clear target to work toward — and kept him motivated when views were low or editing felt like a slog. The same mindset works in your trade business. Whether you're chasing more leads, better margins, or fewer admin hours, setting specific, measurable goals helps you track what’s working and where you need to improve. Without a target, it’s just guesswork.

"The plan was I'd like to hit a thousand subscribers within five months... You’ve got to set goals."

Try this: Set a monthly quote target or aim to reduce time spent on admin by 20%. Set realistic goals for your social media, can you start by posting once a week? Break it down — how many hours do you need each week to hit your targets?

Use our free Business Plan Template to set realistic goals for your trade business!

3. How can I start promoting my trade business on social media?

Start by showing the work you're already doing. Nick Bundy kicked things off with just a GoPro and a promise to film 10 simple videos — no fancy gear, no editing experience, just real jobs and real talk. One clip, where he explained how his van was broken into, took off because it was honest, helpful, and something every tradie could relate to. That kind of raw, useful content builds trust fast. You don’t need to be a content creator — just start small, stay consistent, and focus on sharing what you know best.

"I said I’d do 10 videos — just see if I liked it. I’d never filmed or edited before. But I got into it, and people started messaging me saying they tried what I showed. That was cool."

Try this: Share a short clip walking through a quote or explaining how you tackled a tricky install. Post a before/after photo. Answer a common customer question on video.

Need help getting online? Create a website before the kettle boils with Tradify's Instant Website!

4. Should trade businesses focus on authenticity online?

Authenticity beats polish every time. Nick’s videos took off not because they were perfect — but because they were real. No scripts, no sugar-coating. Just honest insight into the ups and downs of trade life. That’s what people connect with. Whether you're posting photos, filming installs, or sharing a tough day on the tools, don’t overthink it. Real talk builds trust with customers and credibility with other tradies. You’re not trying to win an Oscar — you’re showing that you know your stuff and care about doing a good job.

"The reason it catches fire sometimes is because it’s authentic… if it’s planned, people see through it."

Try this: Post a short clip of something going wrong on a job (and how you fixed it). Or a photo of a tough day with a short caption about what you learned. Customers — and other tradies — respect honesty.

Use this: Tradify lets you attach photos and notes to every job. That content is a goldmine for authentic social posts. Plus, it keeps your team and customers in the loop.

5. How do I stay motivated when running a trade business gets tough?

Running a trade business isn’t always easy — especially when you're doing it on your own. For Nick, filming videos gave him something to look forward to and reminded him why he loved the trade in the first place. It wasn’t about going viral or making money — it was about sharing knowledge, staying connected, and enjoying the process again. Motivation dips are normal, but they don’t have to derail you. Sometimes all it takes is reconnecting with what you enjoy: solving problems, helping customers, or even just organising your van for the week ahead.

"At work I wasn’t enjoying myself… but people would message me saying they tried something I’d shown, and it worked — that was really cool."

Try this: Do one small thing each week that reconnects you with your craft — mentor an apprentice, film a job walkthrough, or organise your tools.

Use this: SmartRead cuts down on admin. Simply snap a photo of your supplier invoice and let Tradify do the rest.

6. How can a one-person trade business still look professional?

Looking professional has nothing to do with team size. Nick built a reputation as a one-man operation by being consistent — clean branding, quality work, and a strong online presence. Whether you're quoting solo or running jobs yourself, customers notice the little things: branded invoices, polished quotes, and good communication. You don’t need a big crew to look sharp — just a system that helps you stay organised and deliver a professional experience from start to finish.

"Even if it's just a one-person company, you can make yourself look very professional and compete with some of the bigger companies."

Try this: Use a logo on all your quotes and invoices, create a Google Business profile with real customer reviews, and document your jobs with clear photos.

Use these:

• Tradify’s quote and invoice customisable branding keeps your paperwork tidy and on-brand.
• SmartWrite turns your line items into professional quotes. 

7. What can tradespeople learn from businesses overseas?

You can learn a lot by looking beyond your own backyard. Through his YouTube channel, Nick started chatting with tradies from all over the world — and quickly realised how different things can be. From tool setups to wiring standards, it opened his eyes to better, faster, or smarter ways of doing the same job. Watching how others operate, price work, or set up their vans can give you fresh ideas to level up your own systems. You don’t have to copy them — just take what works and make it your own.

"People from all over the world send me pictures of their installs — it’s crazy how different the standards and voltages are."

Try this: Follow a few international tradespeople online. Watch how they price jobs, communicate with customers, or set up their vans. Borrow what works.

Use this: Tradify modernises how clients book and confirm jobs. Stay competitive by making your service feel seamless — just like the top operators overseas.

8. How do I find support as a trade business owner?

Being your own boss can feel isolating — especially when you’re just starting out. Nick found support by connecting with other trade content creators who understood the daily grind: chasing payments, tricky installs, long hours. Your friends or family might not get it, but other tradies do. Whether it’s a group chat, a Facebook group, or just following a few legends online, having people to talk shop with makes a big difference. You’ll swap tips, solve problems faster, and realise you’re not doing it alone.

"It’s nice to have a YouTuber sparkie you can talk to — your friends, your partner, your parents don’t get it."

Try this: Start a message group with a few mates in the trade. Share pricing wins, bad customer stories, tools you rate, or just vent. You’ll learn faster and feel less alone.

Use this: Use the Employee Cost Calculator to figure out when it’s time to bring on help. Hiring a team member might be the support you actually need.

9. How do I handle criticism or negative feedback in my trade business?

Negative feedback comes with the territory — especially if you’re putting yourself out there online or quoting lots of jobs. Nick’s advice? Don’t take it personally. Some people just love to criticise, but that doesn’t mean they’re right. Learn to spot the difference between useful feedback and plain noise. The first helps you improve. The second? Ignore it. What matters most is how you respond — with professionalism, clear communication, and confidence in your work.

"If you put yourself out there, you're gonna get done — you’ve got to be emotionally robust or you’re asking for trouble."

Try this: Separate rude feedback from useful criticism. The first gets ignored. The second gets fixed. 

Use this: Tradify’s Warranty Template helps you clearly outline what’s covered. That way, if a customer pushes back, you’ve got proof and process on your side. 

Ready to build a business you’re proud of?

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, Tradify gives you the tools to stay organised, look professional, and get your evenings back. From quoting and scheduling to timesheets and job tracking — it’s all in one place.

Start your free trial today, or pop into a free demo and see how easy running your trade business can be.