Social Media Marketing for Painting Contractors Starting a New Business

A close-up of a person holding a smartphone.

When it comes to marketing for painting contractors, building up your social media and other digital platforms is an easy way to get started, especially when you want to make connections, show off your skills, and win new business.

Social media can do a lot for marketing a painting business—it can help you advertise, generate leads, and land jobs. But to really make it work for you, it’s important to know how to create posts that both showcase your artistry and keep your followers engaged. Read on to discover tips and tricks for social media marketing for painters—and learn how to promote your skills and attract clients.

1. Getting Started on Social Media Platforms

Even the most popular social media channels for painting contractors started at zero. Patience and practice are key to perfecting your painting contractor social media strategy. Even if you don’t have a lot of time or expertise to devote to digital platforms, a little effort spent on your digital presence can go a long way in showing you how to advertise your painting business. All it takes to be successful is choosing the right channels and following our best practices for creating social media content for painters.

A sample Benjamin Moore Instagram post showing a renovated kitchen.

2. Before-and-After Transformations: Tips and Best Practices for Painting Contractor Marketing

The before-and-after format—often seen on photo-driven platforms like Instagram—is an ideal way to advertise your painting business, as it makes the home improvement transformation strikingly clear. The photos help tell the story of the process, inspiring your followers to imagine what’s possible for their own homes.

When posting a before-and-after, keep the format in mind. Photo carousels are an easy way to show off your before-and-afters (we suggest showing the “after” as the first slide), but posting a video of the transformation can work too. The video format—growing in popularity as a method of marketing for painting contractors—is eye-catching and engaging, letting your followers see the job unfold in real time.

A sample Benjamin Moore Instagram post with before and after images of an exterior deck project.

3. Time Lapses: Capturing the Magic of Painting Contractors’ Transformations

A more modern take on the before-and-after video, the time lapse lets your followers see the overall effect of painting while also being an inventive way of marketing a painting business.

When writing a caption for your time lapse, pose a question that gets viewers thinking about their own potential projects (e.g., “What space in your home would you repaint if you could?”), and don’t forget to add your contact information so people can easily get in touch to schedule an estimate.

A sample Benjamin Moore Instagram post of an outdoor shed transformation.

4. Project Walk-Throughs: Showcasing Contractors’ Expertise

Put your knowledge on display by filming a project walk-through for your followers. Ideal for larger projects like an exterior repaint or a whole-home remodel, walk-throughs market your painting business by giving you a chance to showcase the finer details of your project and explain the ins and outs of painting.

Walk-through videos can be edited for different platforms and are an excellent virtual portfolio for anyone who is interested in hiring you.

A sample Benjamin Moore Instagram post of a person holding a gallon of Regal® Select Interior paint.

5. Behind the Scenes: Building a Personal Connection

It’s easy to get caught up in painting contractor social media marketing strategies: When should you post? How often should you post? What’s the best way to reply to followers? But one of the easiest things you can do to attract potential customers is use social media to build a personal connection.

To shine on social media, you need a great profile. Use your logo or professional headshots where you can, and be sure to include a well-written bio, your complete contact information, and lots of keywords that will help people find your business. When it comes to feedback, genuinely thank customers who have left positive reviews, and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Also, make sure your business name and contact information are the same on every social platform your business is listed on to avoid any possibility of confusion.

A sample Benjamin Moore Instagram post with highlights icons.

Now It’s Your Turn

Building your digital platforms will help you market your painting business by generating interest and new leads. Keep in mind that once you engage with any online platform, you must be ready to commit to regular two-way conversations. These channels are social by nature, and customers expect replies, updates, and more. Just as you reply to every email and phone call, you should expect to personally engage online. When prospective clients see high levels of engagement across your digital channels, they know they’re dealing with a pro.

For help getting started on creating your social channels and getting your painting business up and running, contact a Benjamin Moore contractor representative near you.


Frequently Asked Questions


Q. How do I advertise a painting business on social media to attract more clients?

A. No matter which social marketing channels you choose to work on, building up your social media is an ideal way to make connections, show off your skills, and win new business.

Post photographs of your best work, engage with potential customers by asking questions and replying to comments, and encourage past clients to share your work on their own social media. Even if you don’t have a lot of time or expertise to devote to digital platforms, a little effort can go a long way in advertising your painting business.



Q. How do you market a paint business?

A. When it comes to marketing for painting contractors, there are some tried-and-true methods for giving your business a boost, including referrals from past clients, traditional marketing like flyers and yard signs, and building a following on social media. If you’re interested in marketing your business, Benjamin Moore contractor representatives can talk you through our top marketing strategies and find the ones that will work best for you.



Q. What are some strategies for marketing painting businesses on social media?

A. One of our biggest painting industry social media tips is sticking to a consistent posting schedule. Whether you’re posting before-and-afters, videos, or time lapses, having a schedule that fits your day-to-day business routine will help you stay on top of your marketing endeavors while keeping you top of mind with your followers.



Q. Which social media metrics are important for new painting contractors?

A. Even the most popular social media channels for painting contractors started at zero. Follow the accounts of other painters you admire, past customers, and Benjamin Moore’s pro Instagram channel, and build your following from there. Keep an eye on your follower count and engagement with what you post. If you see that videos tend to get more likes and shares than static images, you’ll know to post more of them in the future.



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