BlueRecruit is a direct-hire marketplace for skilled-trade workers and the companies that need them. Unlike traditional job boards, BlueRecruit removes the noise—no resumes, no job posts—just verified skills, certifications, and experience that match what employers are actually hiring for.
For employers navigating wage changes and evolving hiring standards, BlueRecruit offers a streamlined way to find qualified talent fast.
You’ve spent time writing a great blog post, now what? With countless methods to promote your blog, simply hitting “publish” isn’t enough. Promoting your blog is just as important as writing it, especially if your audience includes busy contractors or distributors in the skilled trades.
Tip #1: Send it to your email list
Whether it’s featured in a monthly newsletter or sent as a standalone, your blog deserves to be in front of an audience who keeps up to date with the company. If the content is specific to a niche like plumbing or HVAC, segment your list accordingly for better results.
Tip #2: Share it on social media
Schedule multiple posts across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X). Social media posts can highlight a stat, a quote or encourage your followers to check out the blog for more information.
Tip #3: Use industry-specific hashtags
Hashtags help expand your visibility beyond your followers. Use targeted ones depending on the blog post like #MarketingToTheTrades, #SkilledTrades or #ConstructionProfessionals. Using specialized hashtags for each blog can help to push the blog to the correct audience and increase engagement.
Tip #4: Repurpose it
One well-written blog post can do more than live on your website. Take that long-form content and break it down into short-form assets like social media carousels, short videos or even talking points for a podcast or webinar. Repurposing stretches the value of your content and helps you connect with your audience in the formats they prefer to engage.
Tip #5: Collaborate with industry partners
Share your content with manufacturers, distributor partners, or trade publications and encourage cross-promotion. You could also offer the guest post for their blogs, newsletters or websites and include a link back to your site. You can even pitch your blog as the foundation for a feature article in an industry magazine.
Promoting your blog doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. By using even a few of these practical tips, you can significantly increase the reach and impact of your content. Whether you’re targeting contractors or distributors in the skilled trades, making the most of each blog post ensures your message gets seen, shared and remembered.
CLEVELAND – December 2025 – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, received a gold award in the “B2B Campaign” category at the 23rd Annual Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Cleveland Rocks Awards competition, recognizing excellent communications programs and tactics.
The recognition celebrates Sonnhalter’s integrated public relations campaign in partnership with NIBCO to commemorate the company’s 120th anniversary and the grand opening of the Rex Martin Interactive Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.
The campaign blended strategic media outreach, social media engagement and storytelling to highlight NIBCO’s legacy of innovation, family leadership and commitment to education within the skilled trades. Through customized content, proactive editorial pitching, two key press releases and a high-visibility ribbon-cutting media event, the campaign amplified awareness among industry professionals, trade and local media, employees and the local community.
“We’re honored to once again be recognized by our peers at PRSA,” said Matt Sonnhalter, Vision Architect at Sonnhalter. “This campaign was incredibly special, not only because it celebrated a major milestone for NIBCO, but because it helped inspire future generations to explore careers in the trades.”
Annually, the PRSA-Cleveland Rocks Awards acknowledge Northeast Ohio’s outstanding communications programs, which incorporate research, planning, execution and evaluation. PRSA Cleveland Rocks Award winners demonstrate leadership in public relations and contribute to advancing the profession locally.
About NIBCO INC.
NIBCO INC. manufactures and distributes a full line of flow-control products and systems for applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, marine, irrigation and waterworks markets. NIBCO, a fifth-generation business with its headquarters in Elkhart, Ind., operates 15 manufacturing plants across the United States and around the world. Visit NIBCO.com for information on the complete line of NIBCO products.
About Sonnhalter
Established in 1976, Sonnhalter is the leading B2T marketing communications firm to companies that target professional tradesmen in construction, industrial and MRO markets. Sonnhalter’s brand identity highlights its expertise in marketing to the professional tradesmen. Its tagline, “Not Afraid To Get Our Hands Dirty,” promotes the employees’ willingness to roll up their sleeves and dig deep into clients’ businesses, also, it refers to the market it targets: the tradesmen who work with – and dirty – their hands every day. Sonnhalter developed the acronym “B2T,” which stands for “business-to-tradesmen” to capture the essence of its specialty. For more information, visit the company website at Sonnhalter.com.
About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals with nearly 32,000 professional and student members, and more than 100 Chapters nationwide. Serving nearly 300 members, the PRSA Greater Cleveland Chapter brings together public relations, communications and marketing practitioners throughout Northeast Ohio. Among the Chapter’s most important activities and duties is coordinating networking events and activities, developing and hosting professional development activities for members, serving as a resource for public relations students and providing recognition of excellence and best practices in all facets of the field of public relations. www.prsacleveland.org
Matt Sonnhalter gives his top five takeaways from NECA 2025! Matt reveals show attendance, giveaways that packed a punch and how attendees could view sports on the tradeshow floor.
Wage Growth Surges for Skilled Trade Workers as Labor Market Softens
This blog is based on the latest Q3-2025 report from BlueRecruit, revealing shifts in the skilled trades labor market. Two major insights define the quarter:
Skilled trade wage growth is outpacing the broader economy
The labor market is softening, and hiring requirements are tightening
Wage Growth in the Trades Is Outperforming the Economy
From June 2024 to June 2025, average wage growth across all U.S. sectors was 3.9%. But for skilled trades, the gains are significantly higher.
Electricians are seeing the biggest jump, now averaging $40.41/hour—up $1.93/hour in Q3 alone, a 5% increase in just three months. Demand continues to rise thanks to AI data centers and electrification projects nationwide, making electricians the most in-demand trade in the country.
Automotive Technicians also posted big gains, with wages up 10.44% from Q2, averaging $46.45/hour. While some hiring slowed due to parts shortages tied to ongoing tariffs, pay continues to climb in response to strong market demand.
Construction General Laborers experienced a smaller Q3 wage increase—just $0.18/hour—but since the 2024 Presidential election, pay has risen $3.48/hour, a 16% increase. As noted in previous State of the Trades reports, changes in immigration policy and enforcement are playing a major role in keeping these wages elevated.
Labor Market Softens, Hiring Requirements Tighten
While demand for trade professionals remains high, the labor market is shifting. More workers are looking for jobs, but employers are becoming more selective.
Job Seekers Are on the Move
July marked the highest number of skilled trade job seekers this year. Many are looking for more flexible schedules, better health benefits and higher pay. For employers, understanding these priorities is essential for running effective recruiting campaigns and building strong teams.
Hiring Requirements
As the job market loosens and immigration enforcement increases, employers are raising their hiring standards. Since the 2024 election:
58% of companies now require a clean criminal background (up 21 points)
72% require an active driver’s license (up 20 points)
For perspective, during the Q3-2022 labor shortage, only 20% of companies required clean records and just 33% required licenses.
This trend suggests a return to more traditional standards and a growing emphasis on long-term employability.
Meet BlueRecruit – Built for the Trades
BlueRecruit is a direct-hire marketplace for skilled-trade workers and the companies that need them. Unlike traditional job boards, BlueRecruit removes the noise—no resumes, no job posts—just verified skills, certifications, and experience that match what employers are actually hiring for.
For employers navigating wage changes and evolving hiring standards, BlueRecruit offers a streamlined way to find qualified talent fast.
