I am not at the point where I am doing any marketing but I am still generating leads by word of mouth. People seem to really like me and my service and will recommend me to anyone who even mumbles about pest issues. I know being personable and liked isn't something you can teach as everyone is different, but if you start to think about every customer you get as a possible path to 2-3 more it changes your way of thinking. Offering discounts for every new lead a customer provides, follow up calls asking for references, thank you cards...making that human connection always makes a customer feel more appreciated and willing to recommend you. I like to put into my customers minds, that if they can send me 5-10 leads, you may get your services covered for the year!
Here is a cool story... a friend of mine is a real estate agent and works mainly in one area of the city. His neighbour opened a coffee shop in the area and my friend rented the shop for one Saturday morning and paid him set amount for, say 200 coffees. He went around the neighbourhood and handed out flyers and emailed his contact list, to come and get a free coffee on behalf of XxXxXx Reality. He met a ton of potential customers, became known in his community and also helped build up the small coffee shop. It was really cool.
One thing I really really love about having my own business is the freedom to get creative with these ideas and act on them. Working a corporate job, ideas like this are rarely allowed or encouraged and I never understood why. When I would come up with thoughts like this they were never supported or thought about it was always, "we have a marketing team for that kind of stuff, just go do your job".
