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In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with social media expert Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing. They dive deep into the power of social media, personal branding for contractors, and why business owners in the trades should start leveraging short-form video and organic content marketing today. Jen shares invaluable insights on creating authentic content, engaging with communities, and positioning yourself as an industry leader.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction
Eric kicks off the episode with a bit of Spanish flair in honor of Sarah calling in from Cancun. They introduce today’s guest, Jen McKee, a social media strategist specializing in the trades.
02:00 – Meet Jen McKee & Key Heart Marketing
Jen shares her journey from working in restaurants to becoming a social media marketing expert for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and roofing businesses. She explains how she transitioned into the trades industry and why social media is a game-changer for contractors.
08:00 – The Evolution of Short-Form Video & TikTok’s Influence
Jen discusses how TikTok and other short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels have transformed content marketing. She explains why video content builds trust and authenticity in ways that traditional content cannot.
12:00 – Where Should Trades Businesses Start on Social Media?
- Facebook: Great for community engagement and warm audiences.
- Instagram: Ideal for connecting with other businesses.
- YouTube: A powerful platform for evergreen video content.
- LinkedIn: Strong for personal branding and networking.
Jen emphasizes the importance of just getting started with organic content and not overthinking it.
18:00 – Why Personal Branding Matters for Contractors
Eric shares how his personal brand has helped Rival Digital secure major clients—some even called him after seeing Red Robin! Jen advises contractors to identify three to five key stories or interests they can consistently share to connect with their audience.
24:00 – Social Media Strategy Tips for Contractors
- Document, Don’t Create: Capture real-life moments instead of overproduced content.
- Repurpose Content: Tools like Repurpose.io and Metricool can help businesses distribute content across multiple platforms.
- Engage with Local Communities: Participating in Facebook Groups and local Reddit threads can organically grow brand awareness.
35:00 – The Power of Consistency in Social Media Marketing
Jen compares organic social media to a gym membership—results come with consistency. Contractors need to post regularly, engage with their audience, and commit long-term to see real growth.
40:00 – AI’s Role in Marketing & Social Media
The conversation shifts to AI-generated content and its potential impact on marketing. Jen and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of AI in content creation and why raw, human-centric content still wins on social media.
47:00 – Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts
- Contractors must stop overthinking social media and start posting.
- Authenticity wins over highly polished, stock-like content.
- LinkedIn articles & Reddit are untapped opportunities for brand growth.
- Your personal brand is just as important as your business brand.
50:00 – How to Connect with Jen McKee
Jen invites listeners to follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube (@KeyHeartMarketing) for more social media insights.
Closing Remarks
Eric and Sarah thank Jen for sharing her expertise and tease future episodes on personal branding and emerging social media trends for trades businesses.
🎧 Stay tuned for our next episode—more insights, strategies, and expert conversations to help you dominate marketing in the trades!
