Video Leads for Tradies: The Complete Guide (2026)
Video leads are customer enquiries where the customer records a short video describing the job instead of just filling in a form or making a call. They work because they let you see the problem before you drive out, quote faster, and cut wasted call-outs - and a video lead on your phone within minutes of the enquiry means you answer while you still win the job.
What is a video lead?
A video lead is exactly what it sounds like: a customer describes their problem on camera, and the video - along with their name and phone number - lands in your pipeline. Instead of "my hot water system is broken," you get a 30-second clip of the actual unit, the leak, the damage, the job.
Why video beats phone calls and forms
- You see the job before you drive out. No more quoting blind or sending a van for a job you could have priced from the footage.
- You answer faster. The lead arrives with context, so a real quote can go out in minutes - and leads contacted within 5 minutes are roughly 21× more likely to be qualified than after 30 (MIT/InsideSales.com study, 2007).
- Fewer tyre-kickers. Someone who records a video is invested. Written forms attract the cheapest enquiries; video attracts the serious ones.
- Customers prefer it. They describe the problem in their own words, in their own time, without playing phone tag.
How video leads work in practice
- You add a widget to your website (one line of code) or share a link and QR code.
- A customer opens the link and records a short video of the problem.
- The video, name, and phone number arrive in your dashboard - and a new-lead alert hits your phone.
- You watch the video, write an informed quote, and respond in minutes.
That's the whole loop. It's how Tradsiee works, and it's free during beta.
Where to put your video lead link
- Your website (embed the widget - one line of code)
- Facebook and Instagram bio + posts
- Email signature
- QR code printed on the van, flyers, and business cards
- Google Business Profile (link in the profile)
Common questions tradies ask about video leads
Worried about storage? Videos are processed automatically and stream from the cloud - they don't clog your phone. Worried customers won't record? They will - recording a video on a phone is easier than writing a paragraph, and most customers prefer it. Worried about the camera on a job site? The customer records, not you.
The competitive edge nobody else has
Almost every tradie still runs on forms and phone calls. A video lead lets you quote what you can see, respond while the job is still hot, and never waste a trip on a job you could have priced blind. That's not a feature - it's the difference between winning and guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a video lead?
A customer enquiry where the customer records a short video describing the job. The video arrives with their name and phone number so you can see the problem before you quote or drive out.
Why are video leads better than normal leads?
They convert better because they carry context: you can price the job from the footage, respond faster (speed correlates strongly with conversion), and avoid wasted call-outs on jobs you could have quoted blind.
Do customers actually record videos?
Yes - recording a 30-second video is easier for most customers than typing a detailed description. It works on any phone, tablet, or desktop with no app to install.
How do I set up video leads for my business?
Add a video-lead widget to your website (one line of code) or share a link and QR code. Tradsiee provides both and is free during beta.
Ready to see the job before you drive out?
See the job before you drive out. Customers send you a video - you quote from your phone.
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