Mastering Work Generation: How Chris Gelonesi Turned His Business Around
Running a trade business can sometimes feel like an endless grind.
I remember sitting down with Chris Gelonesi, and he explained those early days—working around the clock, answering every call, and saying yes to every job, hoping it would all pay off.
He told me, “I was flat out, just trying to keep up with the workload. I thought that if I just worked harder, the jobs would keep rolling in, but it wasn’t happening.”
Despite the long hours and constant effort, Chris was still waiting for the phone to ring. The inconsistency was frustrating, and he knew he had to make a change.
Chris realised that while doing great work is essential, it’s not enough to rely solely on word-of-mouth. He needed a proper system to generate leads consistently.
That’s when everything changed.
1. Building a Marketing System
Chris’s first breakthrough came when he realised that a good reputation wasn’t enough in today’s world—you need a system in place to attract clients.
He started by getting intentional about his marketing. He developed a plan to consistently promote his business, both online and offline.
Chris shared, “Once I dialed in my marketing, the phone just didn’t stop ringing. It was like turning on a tap.”
By creating a system that worked for him, rather than waiting for referrals to roll in, Chris unlocked the secret to consistent work.
2. Creating a Referral Network
One of Chris’s smartest moves was leveraging his happy clients as his best marketers. He knew that clients who were thrilled with his work would be eager to refer him to their friends, family, and networks.
But instead of hoping referrals would come in, Chris made it a priority to actively build and nurture his referral network. He encouraged clients to share their experiences and rewarded those who sent new business his way.
“I realised that happy clients were my biggest asset,” Chris said. “I made sure every job was top-notch, and the referrals started coming in faster than I expected.”
3. Getting Visible Online
Chris didn’t stop at referrals. He knew that to truly build a reliable lead generation system, he needed to get visible online.
He built a website that showcased his best work and used social media to engage with potential clients. By consistently posting updates, photos, and testimonials, Chris created an online presence that attracted leads.
“I used to rely just on word-of-mouth, but once we started showing up online, we started getting noticed by a whole new audience,” Chris shared.
This shift helped him reach more clients and generate work without having to chase down every lead.
4. Tracking Results and Optimising
One of the key things Chris learned was that success in marketing is about more than just getting started—it’s about tracking your results and optimising what’s working.
Chris started monitoring where his leads were coming from and which strategies were bringing in the best clients. He fine-tuned his approach and doubled down on the tactics that were delivering results.
“Once I started tracking what was actually working, I was able to stop wasting time on things that didn’t matter and focus on what was bringing in real business,” Chris said.
This allowed him to work smarter, not harder, and continue growing his business.
5. Staying Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to generating leads, and Chris made sure that once his marketing system was set up, he stuck to it.
By keeping his referral network, online presence, and lead generation systems running smoothly, Chris created a steady flow of work that allowed him to grow his business sustainably.
He said, “It’s not just about getting the jobs—it’s about making sure the phone keeps ringing. That’s what building a system does for you.”
Ready to Generate Consistent Work?
Chris’s story is proof that relying on word-of-mouth isn’t enough if you want to grow your trade business.
You need a work generation system that brings in clients consistently.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for the phone to ring and start generating leads like a pro, our High-Value Business Sales Masterclass is designed to help.
Learn how to build a lead generation strategy that keeps the work flowing—without the grind.