How Minimal Ad Spend Fueled Heavy Word-of-Mouth Growth

Andrew went from a $13/hour manual labor job to a six-figure sales role at his corporate job. But decided to quit after a feud with a manager who called him “replaceable”. He then took a massive risk, liquidating his 401(k) to buy into his friend's tree-cutting side hustle. That gamble paid off, scaling the home services business into a powerhouse now earning over $180,000 a month with a near-zero marketing budget.

In this episode, Andrew joins Ryan Atkinson to share the playbook for his business growth. Learn his unconventional marketing strategies, like using Reddit for free lead generation, plus actionable sales tactics for customer acquisition and crafting an irresistible offer to scale your small business.

Takeaways:

- A negative corporate experience can be a powerful catalyst for entrepreneurship; being told he was "replaceable" pushed Andrew to leave his stable, six-figure job.

- Investing in a friend's existing business can be a viable entry into entrepreneurship; Andrew liquidated his 401(k) to buy a partnership stake, viewing it as a more active investment in his future.

- For new home service businesses, the first sales should come from your immediate network of friends and family before expanding outward.

- Use every job as a marketing opportunity by approaching neighbors (a "Four Corners" strategy) to let them know you're in the area and ask existing clients for referrals.

- Leverage online communities like Reddit by providing genuine expert advice, not just advertising. This builds authority and can lead to organic referrals and top search engine rankings for free.

- A strong, simple offer like a "satisfaction guarantee" can be more powerful than complex discounts. It builds trust and ensures customer happiness, which fuels word-of-mouth growth.

- Focus marketing efforts on platforms where potential customers are actively searching for a solution (e.g., Google Pay-Per-Click) rather than passively scrolling (e.g., Facebook ads).

- Don't underestimate "outdated" sales tactics. When business is slow, personally calling a list of past clients is a highly effective way to generate immediate leads.

- In a commoditized industry, differentiate your business with superior quality and expertise. Having a certified expert perform the work was a key selling point for Tree Amigos.

- Maintain a lean marketing budget by focusing on high-ROI, organic strategies. Andrew's company spends almost nothing on ads, relying on word-of-mouth, referrals, and his Reddit strategy.

Tags: Side Hustle, Service & Consulting, Home Services, Tree Cutting Business, Small Business

Resources:

Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast

Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-anstrom-50441294/