Any business owners here initially pay for referrals? How did you get started?

[Arkitech]

I'm looking to start up a technology service company and I'm working on ways to advertise the business. I'm wondering if paying a small referral fee (for paying customers of course) is perhaps the way to initially build up my presence.

Some other strategies I've read about and plan to utilize:

- Writing and submitting useful technology articles to local township papers
- Free tech classes at the local library or similar community center
- Some type of free or discounted class/service at senior citizen/retirement homes
- Offering discounted repairs at beauty salons, barber shops and other high traffic businesses in exchange for the staff speaking about the company (maybe paid referrals to employees of those places)
- Speaking with smaller local radio stations about advertising (have the DJ plug the company)


Thanks for any advice. I would love to hear from any service related business owners and what steps you took to get your business established.

 

[alkemyst]

Best thing that always worked for me was word of mouth and being knowledgeable. So many 'kids' are IT consultants today. They show up and flounder away for 8 hours plus on issues that should have taken 1 hour or less and then want to bill all that time.

If you can afford advertising that is useful.

I am not sure how offering discounted repairs will get other businesses talking about your business though, for one it wouldn't be appropriate and two they are looking to sell their own wares/services.

 

[Markbnj]

Cold calls. Word of mouth, referrals, networking, all of that will also help, but if you want to get the business off the ground you have to go beat the ground for business.