Imagine a homeowner’s pipes bursting at 2:00 a.m. Before they call anyone, they search how to shut off water valve, and your plumbing video pops up in their feed on TikTok, Instagram, or another platform.
Within a few minutes, they’re convinced you’re the right plumber for the job, so they call you for emergency repairs.
Video marketing is your new first impression, building trust amid urgency and giving plumbing contractors the power to stay top-of-mind before the phone even rings.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
What is video marketing for plumbers?
Why it’s important for boosting visibility
Tips for more effective plumbing video marketing
Content types to include in your strategy
Some creative examples
Let’s dive in!
» Want to grow your business? Click here to get a demo.
What Is Video Marketing for Plumbing Contractors?
Video marketing for plumbing contractors is a marketing strategy involving the use of video content to promote plumbing services, educate customers, and build brand awareness.
Video marketing is not just TV ads. Nowadays, it means YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and videos embedded in email and website landing pages. It might be a short clip introducing your team, a quick how-to on unclogging a drain, or a time-lapse water heater installation video.
Not only do these videos showcase your skills, they also humanize your brand in the eyes of your audience, making it easier for them to connect with you. They help you explain complex services in simple, visual ways, demonstrate professionalism, and highlight what makes your company unique.
And thanks to smartphones, free editing tools, and other user-friendly platforms, creating effective videos has never been easier.
Let’s talk more about the importance of video marketing for plumbers in the next section.
Why Is Video Marketing Important for Plumbing Contractors?
Here’s why video marketing is a great choice for plumbing contractors who want to grow their business:
Stand out in a saturated market: Visual content builds identity and trust faster than text, making your business more memorable in a market saturated with plumbing contractors in every zip code.
Demonstrate expertise: Position your brand as the go-to expert in the field through clips with before-and-after jobs, emergency repairs, or how-to videos. Videos don’t just tell, they show.
Build a personal connection: Potential customers hire people, not just a company. Videos can introduce them to your team, share your values, and put a face to the brand. This way, customers will feel more comfortable and confident in choosing you.
Boost SEO: Embedding videos on your website can increase dwell time, reduce bounce rates, and improve engagement, translating into higher Google rankings.
Increase conversion rates: Seeing your team in action builds trust. When a potential customer watches videos of successful jobs, happy clients, or your crew hard at work, they’re more likely to give you a call.
In a nutshell, video marketing gives plumbers a powerful edge in a highly competitive industry.
Is Video Marketing for Plumbing Contractors Worth It?
The short answer: absolutely.
Video marketing is a cost-effective and high-impact strategy that offers strong ROI potential. It helps generate more qualified leads, speed up the sales process, and improve customer retention.
Studies show that 38.6 percent of marketers say video is the #1 landing page element that impacts conversion. This is because a video works for you 24/7, answering common questions and showcasing your professionalism, slowly nudging clients toward the Book Now button.
Beyond these short-term gains, videos also represent long-term brand assets. Evergreen content like testimonials, service walkthroughs, or explainer clips stand the test of time and live on social media platforms for years, attracting clients with no extra effort.
And there’s no need to worry about production costs. You no longer need a film crew and a big budget. With just a smartphone, a tripod, and low-cost editing software, plumbers can create high-quality content in-house.
Now that we’ve convinced you video marketing is the way to go, let’s discuss some tips.
Tips for Better Plumbing Video Marketing
When done right, videos can solve a problem, attract attention, and pay your bills.
Here are some tips for creating effective plumbing videos:
Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
1. Know your target audience
First, you must understand who your audience is and what each audience segment wants. For example, Gen Z might want quick 30-second videos on TikTok, while DIY-curious millennials need a five-minute walkthrough on YouTube.
You can start by identifying common plumbing problems by demographics, region, or home age. After all, a 1970s ranch needs different advice than a modern downtown condo.
After you’ve analyzed your target audience, tailor the content to match what your audience needs or searches for. If people can’t find answers to why their basement smells like sewer gas, be the first one to solve the issue.
Make understanding your audience easier with ServiceTitan.
Inside Marketing Pro, you can use the audience segmentation feature, which allows you to target the right homeowners with the most relevant video content through targeted email campaigns.
By seeing which marketing campaigns are driving worthwhile ROI for your company, you can make better decisions with deeper insights.
2. Focus on solving real customer problems
The secret to video marketing success is creating videos that don’t just look to sell but also solve problems. Most of the time, customers aren’t looking for your brand name but searching for answers.
In that moment of frustration, when their bathroom is being flooded, your content should be their savior. Your videos should address common issues like clogged drains, leaky faucets, or water heater issues.
Break down these how-to videos into what, why, and how?:
What’s happening: Briefly explain the issue in plain language.
Why it matters: Share the risk of ignoring the issue, such as mold, water damage, etc.
How to fix or prevent: Give a clear visual demo.
To make it more authentic, show real equipment, real repairs, and real results, and end the video with a clear CTA (Book a free estimate, or Watch our next video on water heater maintenance).
3. Start with short, digestible videos
The truth is, people have short attention spans so they likely won’t take the time to watch an hour-long video, especially when their toilet is clogged and they’re in desperate need of an urgent fix.
Attention is your most valuable currency, and you only have a few seconds to earn it. Keep your videos short and digestible, ideally under 60 seconds. The key is to hook viewers early and avoid long, boring intros. Start with a clear, attention-grabbing line, such as Clogged toilet? Don’t grab the plunger just yet.
Pro Tip: Repurpose short videos across platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Wherever your audience hangs out, a great 60-second video can work anywhere.
4. Showcase your team and brand personality
Video marketing lets you put a face to your business and show potential customers that you’re not just a soulless brand that wants to take their money.
To make people feel like they’re making a good choice, let your team shine. This means having your techs speak on videos, introducing themselves or explaining what they’re fixing. For instance, you can create a ‘Meet the Tech’ series where each of your crew members introduces themselves and says what they love most about plumbing.
Or you can film a quick ‘Day in the life of a plumber’ clip and behind-the-scenes moments that capture honest conversations, not scripts. This level of authenticity builds connections, humanizes your brand, and showcases your values.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
5. Use customer testimonials and reviews
There’s no better marketing than a happy customer singing your praises, especially if they’re on video. Video testimonials are more convincing than text because they show genuine emotion, tone, and authenticity that text alone can’t capture.
Here’s why it works:
Builds trust: Prospects are likelier to believe someone’s personal account over a sales pitch.
Reduces buying hesitations: Seeing someone who had their issue solved by you makes customers feel confident in their decision.
Adds human proof: Adding a voice to the testimonial creates an emotional impact.
So, make sure to ask satisfied clients if they’d be kind enough to record a quick feedback clip after a successful job. Many will be more than willing to help, especially if they’re thrilled with your service. If possible, try to film right after the work is done, when the good feelings are fresh.
Post these videos on your website’s homepage or service pages, or post on social media with a catchy caption and call-to-action.
6. Optimize videos for local SEO
Creating a video is only half the battle. Getting them found is the other, which means optimizing them for local SEO. This helps your content rank higher in search results and attracts local leads.
Use relevant keywords and geotags in titles, descriptions, and transcripts. For instance, name your video How to Fix a Leaky Faucet | Orlando, Florida to attract people in that area. Focus on common phrases your audience might search for, like ‘emergency plumber in [city]’ or ‘water heater repair near me.’
Another great tip is to wrap your videos with a local call to action. Example: If you’re in the Denver area and need fast leak repair, call us today!
7. Repurpose video content across platforms
According to UK Trade and Investment, 94 percent of marketers repurpose their content. Why? Because repurposing maximizes your resources, improves SEO, builds brand awareness, and expands your reach.
For example, a three-minute YouTube guide on Fixing Low Water Pressure can be a 15-second reel on Instagram or TikTok or a great video to share in your email newsletter.
Speaking of email, ServiceTitan’s automated email campaigns feature lets you distribute these repurposed videos automatically.
And you don’t have to worry about creating audience lists from scratch.
With Marketing Pro, you can automatically create hyper-targeted audience segments and measure your campaigns' ROI. Plus, ServiceTitan offers plenty of email templates that you can fill out in seconds.
ServiceTitan’s plumbing contractor software helps plumbing contractors boost workflow efficiency and achieve maximum profit.
8. Use clear calls to action (CTAs)
You have a great video, and it attracts lots of views. But no one books jobs after watching it.
One reason could be that you forgot to add a CTA, or the instructions on the next steps aren’t very clear. You need to tell viewers exactly what to do next, like Call Now or Book a Service, etc.
Make the CTA impossible to miss by saying it out loud (end with a direct line), showing it on screen (animated text that lasts 5 to 10 seconds), or repeating it in the description (plus your phone number or booking link).
Remember to match the CTA to the viewer’s stage. If it’s a video testimonial, you can add a CTA that sounds like this: Call now for $20 off any repair. But if it’s an educational video on how to clean your ducts, a good CTA might be: Download our free checklist to see if your home needs duct cleaning.
9. Invest in basic editing and branding
When creating your videos, keep your branding consistent.
Use a quick branded intro (two to three seconds long) with your logo, slogan, and even a short jingle if you have one. Stick to your company’s color palette and typography in titles, overlays, and graphics so viewers recognize your brand across every platform.
And since most videos on social media are watched with the sound off (surprising, isn’t it?) don’t forget to add subtitles. Use auto-caption tools or upload custom subtitles to all your videos to make sure your message gets across, even on mute.
10. Track your results and adjust accordingly
Our last best practice involves tracking performance, not just leaving it to chance and guesswork. This allows you to identify which topics and formats perform best, helping improve your content over time.
For instance, do short how-tos get more clicks than testimonials? You can test different CTAs, thumbnails, and video lengths to see what yields the best results.
With ServiceTitan’s campaign analytics, you can see exactly which videos have the highest open and click rates from your paid ad campaigns (not organic video posts) and which customer segments respond best to each video.
Next up, let’s discuss what types of content to include in your plumbing video marketing campaign.
Content Types to Include in Your Plumbing Video Marketing Strategy
Not all videos are created with the same goal. But that’s a good thing!
A strong video marketing strategy blends different content types to guide your clients through every stage of their journey, from discovering your brand to becoming loyal advocates.
That’s why some videos educate while others build trust or drive action.
Here are a few examples.
Service explainer videos
Service explainer videos walk viewers through what to expect during a typical job, like a drain cleanout or leakage detection. You use real footage from actual jobs, narrated by the tech, or use a voiceover to highlight the process step-by-step.
The purpose of these videos is to build trust by positioning your team as true professionals.
How-to and DIY troubleshooting videos
Quick, bite-sized tutorials aim to resolve everyday headaches like unclogging a slow sink with baking soda and vinegar and to position your company as an expert in the field.
Remember to keep these videos to under two minutes and focus only on one problem at a time. If you want, create a playlist with these quick tutorials so viewers can go through the entire series.
Customer testimonial videos
It’s simple math: real people + real jobs + real results = boosted trust.
Customer testimonials are the social proof you need to make your brand credible in the eyes of potential customers. Hearing somebody else talk about their positive experience, especially on camera, makes your business relatable to people with similar problems.
Keep the videos short, around 30 to 60 seconds, and focus on the customer’s journey: what the problem was, how you solved it, and why they’d recommend you.
Meet-the-team introductions
A perfect way to humanize your brand in front of your customers is to make meet-the-team introduction videos. Getting to know the team puts people at ease before the crew even arrives at the door. Customers are reluctant to let strangers into their homes, so putting a name to the face makes them feel safer.
Feature short clips of your plumbers introducing themselves, sharing what they love about their job, or maybe even a fun fact. They build familiarity and trust and are perfect for your website’s ‘About’ page, social media, or even email campaigns.
Behind-the-scenes videos
Whether it’s prepping the truck in the morning or carefully cleaning up after a service, these behind-the-scenes videos give clients a glimpse at what you do during every job.
They’re meant to showcase your professionalism and how much you care about quality and customer satisfaction. They highlight your attention to detail, which builds trust with your clients.
Seasonal maintenance tips
Seasonal maintenance videos are a great way to stay top-of-mind with clients while also providing timely value. This means reminding customers to prep pipes for winter, flush water heaters regularly, etc.
Why are these videos important? Because they position you as a proactive partner in home care, not just someone you call in an emergency.
Promotional or offer-based videos
Drive quick action with clear, compelling offers using promotional videos.
These videos are great for announcing seasonal discounts, limited-time service bundles, and referral incentives. Keep your messages compelling by sounding upbeat and urgent, and highlight what’s included and how long the deal lasts.
Add clear instructions on how clients can claim the prize through bold on-screen text.
Now, let’s look at some examples to drive these points home.
Plumbing Video Marketing Examples to Inspire You
Not sure what good plumbing video marketing looks like? These real-world examples will show you how to craft high-impact content that fits your brand and audience.
1. Roto-Rooter
Roto-Rooter posts creative content that highlights the fun part of the plumbing industry. In this example, the video cuts straight to the technician at work, instructing people what not to throw in their toilets. The video has upbeat music to create a comical mood and subtitles for those who watch it on mute.
2. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
The video starts by describing the problem: a funky smell caused by damaged drain lines. Then comes the expert—in this case, Benjamin Franklin—who can diagnose and repair the problem with minimal damage to the property.
The CTA is bold and visible, and the phone number is clearly displayed for the client to see.
Not only is it a fun video, but it also encourages people to call.
3. Mr. Rooter Plumbing
Our last example is a customer testimonial video for Mr. Rooter Plumbing. It involves Lydia, a loyal customer of this plumbing company for about 10 years, who’s used its services for many issues, including leaking pipes.
It’s simple, professional, with real footage from the job, and effective in making people trust the brand, especially if they face the same problem.
Pro Tip: Learn more about plumbing advertising in this article.
Start Growing Your Plumbing Business with Strategic Video Marketing
Plumbers, don’t sleep on video marketing. It’s no longer an option to ignore it but an essential part of your marketing strategy.
From quick how-tos and service explainers to customer testimonials and behind-the-scenes, videos play a huge role in building trust, standing out locally, and driving conversions.
There’s no better time to begin using video marketing than today, so don’t hesitate to leverage it to connect with customers.
ServiceTitan is an all-in-one platform built for home service businesses to grow their business smarter and faster. With automated email marketing and effective campaign analytics, ServiceTitan gives plumbers the means to distribute video content effectively while tracking the ROI of every campaign.
ServiceTitan Plumbing Software
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive plumbing business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000+ contractors across the country.