how i built my handyman rep with google reviews in the seattle area

been doing handyman work around seattle for 8 years now, and focusing on google reviews has been a game changer for steady leads. i make it a point to ask every satisfied customer for a review after jobs like deck repairs or bathroom vanities, and it costs me about $50 in coffee gift cards as incentives but brings in $3k a month extra. if you're just starting, get that google business profile set up right away and respond to every review, good or bad.

goddamn google reviews are a cesspool, every picky asshole leaves a 1-star over nothing while the good jobs get ignored. we handymen bust our asses fixing their leaky faucets and busted shelves, and then yelp or angi floods us with fake lead fees on top. screw the whole system, time to go back to word of mouth only.