Paying for referrals

[data farm 26]

I'm starting up a new biz and strategizing in different ways. One idea I've had is to pay customers cash for any referrals that lead to work, or donate to charity in their name or credit towards their friends work. Is this weird?

When I started my first biz I used things like thumbtack, home advisor and google ads to get leads. That was a part of getting the initial momentum, but I'd rather give the cash to people in the community as opposed to these apps and GOOGLE! Thoughts?

I have some other more holistic things cooking up as far as getting new clients, but I want to give it a shot in the arm with some spending perhaps.

 

[ATH]

Instead of cash payment, I'd do discount off of invoices for reviews or following you social media (if you are going to use social media to market).

I'd pay for referrals from other home service providers...like the lawn mowers, realtors, even plumbers and electricians working on houses see trees that need managed.

I like the idea of contributing to a charity for customer referrals. Maybe list 3-4 local options and let them direct it where they want it to go...I'd do drastically different things like a pet shelter, city mission, and local youth sports for example. Or is there a local park where you can partner and plant trees...maybe 1 (small) tree for every 10 referrals, for example???

 

[data farm 26]

Great ideas! Thank you! Why no cash though? Is it sleazy or something? I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it myself. But I do like your ideas.

 

[southsoundtree]

Cash isn't deductible.