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Spare time.
Sounds good in theory. But for service professionals, such as home cleaners, landscapers, electricians, HVAC techs, gig hustlers, and creative freelancers…it can feel spooky.
You’re freelancing and, wait, whatttt—you don’t have a next project to jump into?!?
A contractor who actually has time between jobs to fix equipment?
A service business suddenly stuck servicing itself?
Panic strikes the very second your client lead flow slows to a drip.
You grip. You wonder, “Is this the end?”
Because when the phone’s not ringing, business stops.
The good news: you don’t need a fat ad budget to fix it.
Here are five practical, fast ways to get more customers right now.
1. Call Your Past Clients
In the chase for new customers, many business owners overlook their most valuable asset: past happy clients.
Advertising and social media are fine. But nothing beats reaching out to people who already know your value. If you’ve done good work, trust is already there. That trust translates into repeat business if you ask for it.
Here’s the move:
Pull up a list of clients from the last 6–18 months.
Call or text them. Keep it casual:
“Hey [Name], I’ve got a couple openings this week. Do you or someone you know need [your service]? Happy to fit you in.”
Even reaching out to 5–10 people can land 2–3 bookings, sometimes the same day.
Why it works:
Low effort, no marketing cost.
You’re talking to people who already trust you.
Can spark both repeat business and referrals.
Smart tradespeople do this constantly. They work their existing list before chasing new leads.
2. Run a “This Week Only” Deal
Nothing moves people like urgency. A limited-time deal gets casual browsers off the fence and onto your schedule.
No need for fancy funnels or paid ads. Just:
Pick a simple, easy-to-deliver service.
Add urgency: “This Week Only,” “3 Spots Left,” “First Come, First Served.”
Post it everywhere—your social media, local community groups, and in direct texts to past clients.
Example:
“This Week Only: [Service] for $X. Just 3 spots left! Text [number] to grab one.”
That’s it. Clear, urgent, and easy to act on.
Why it works:
Urgency drives fast action.
Keeps slow weeks full without cheapening your service.
Works especially well in seasonal trades.
Consistency turns these promos into reliable business boosters.
3. Ask for Referrals (and Reward Them)
Marketing legend Dan Kennedy called it the “Endless Chain of Referrals.” The idea: your best customers already know more people just like them. You just need to tap into that connections. It’s a chain because each person referred to you can then refer someone else, and on and on.
Happy clients want to refer you. But they’re busy, so you have to ask and give them a reason to act.
Here’s how…
“Hey [Name], quick favor—if you know anyone who needs [your service], I’d love an intro. I’m offering $25 off your next visit for every referral that books.”
This reminder keeps you top of mind, makes sharing feel helpful, and adds a small reward to sweeten the deal.
Why it works:
Word of mouth is still the #1 way locals find service pros.
Incentives keep referrals coming steadily.
Builds both short-term and long-term lead flow.
Pros who systematize referrals, like leaving cards at every job, often never run dry on leads.
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See how easy that was?
Clearly, your referral request doesn’t need to be verbatim to our example. But you can certainly steal it if you like :)
4. Partner with Businesses That Share Your Customers
One of the easiest ways to fill your pipeline: partner up with businesses serving the same people you do.
Think:
Home cleaners + window washers or carpet cleaners.
Contractors + real estate agents, property managers, or home inspectors.
Dog trainers + pet groomers, walkers, or vets.
All it takes is a quick message:
“Hey, I’ve had clients ask about your services. Want to trade referrals and help each other out?”
It doesn’t need a contract. Just a mutual agreement to keep each other in mind. From there, you can swap flyers or business cards, cross-promote on social media, or even bundle services (deep clean + window wash, for example).
You hear about networking all the time in the C-suite. No reason you and your business can’t do the same.
Why it works:
Warm leads come from people customers already trust.
Costs nothing.
Instantly taps into a new customer base.
Many independent tradespeople stay booked year-round from these quiet partnerships.
5. Show Up in Local Facebook or Nextdoor Groups
Neighborhood Facebook and Nextdoor groups can be lead goldmines. But only if you treat your posts and interactions like conversations, not billboards.
Dropping one promo post and disappearing doesn’t work. Instead:
Show up consistently, like a neighbor.
Share real before-and-after photos from jobs.
Post every 2–3 days in different groups.
Respond quickly to anyone who comments or DMs.
Example:
“Hi neighbors! I’ve got two openings this week for [service]. I’m local, reliable, and happy to give free quotes. Here’s a photo from a recent job—DM me if you could use a hand!”
Over time, people start recognizing your name, associating it with quality and consistency. That familiarity builds trust. Trust builds business.
Why it works:
These platforms are where locals ask, “Anyone know a good [X]?”
Free, real-time visibility.
Builds your reputation fast.
Many pros get dozens of leads per post—if they show up regularly.
Final Word: Don’t Wait. Start Now. Keep Going.
The fastest way to get new business isn’t complicated. It’s about reconnecting with people who already trust you, putting clear offers in front of them, and showing up where your customers spend their time.
Don’t overthink it. Just pick one of these five moves and push it hard for the next 3–5 days. Be consistent. Follow up. Stay visible.
Once you find a system that works for you, keep it running to prevent your leads from drying up again.
The clients are out there.
But they won’t find you if you’re standing still.
So make the first move—today.
-Earner’s
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