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Stuck between two paths for marketing my home decluttering service
I've been running a small home decluttering service for about a year now, and I'm torn on how to grow it. On one hand, I've tried Facebook ads targeting local homeowners, which brought in a few quick jobs but cost a lot. Recently, I spent $200 on ads and got three new clients, but one canceled. On the other hand, I've had more success with handing out business cards at community centers and getting referrals from past clients, which feels more personal and builds trust. From referrals, I got two clients who booked multiple sessions. The ads give me visibility, but the personal touch seems to lead to repeat business. I'm not sure if I should double down on digital marketing or focus on grassroots efforts. What do you all think works better for a service based on trust and word-of-mouth?
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sam71816h ago
My neighbor ran a vacuum repair shop out of his garage for twenty years. He never bought a single ad, not in the paper or online. His whole business was built on people telling their friends who to call when their cleaner broke. He said those customers came back every time and never questioned his price. There's something about a personal recommendation that money can't buy.
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paige16615h ago
That $200 you spent on Facebook ads is not a waste, it's an investment. Ads let you reach hundreds of people in your area who are actively looking for help but don't know you exist. Relying only on business cards and referrals means your growth is stuck at the speed of gossip. With ads, you can book more first time clients faster, and then turn them into repeat customers with your great service. Waiting for word of mouth is like hoping someone finds a needle in a haystack. If you want to grow beyond your neighborhood, you need to put your name where people are already searching.
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