More Jobs Without Buying More Leads

Get work from the people who already know you

Why start here

New leads are expensive. In some industries one search-ad lead costs over $200 (roofing: ~$228; home services: ~$91; LocaliQ 2025, US data).
You already have three cheaper sources:
quotes that never closed
customers who just finished a job
past customers

1. Wake up old quotes

Who: unsold quotes and proposals from the last 6–12 months. How: email first (add an unsubscribe line). Text only people who agreed to receive texts.

Message 1

Hi [Name], it's [Name] from [Company]. We gave you a quote for [job] back in [month]. Are you still thinking about it? If anything changed, I'm happy to update the numbers.

Message 2 (1 week later, no reply)

Hi [Name], just checking one last time. If [job] is still on your list, reply "yes" and I'll call you this week. If not, no problem at all.

Tip: start with the biggest quotes and the most recent ones.

2. Ask for the referral on finish day

People are happiest the day the job is done. Ask then, not with the invoice.

"Really glad this turned out the way you wanted. Quick question: do you know anyone else who's been talking about [the kind of work we just did]? I'd take great care of them too."

Then send a short text they can forward:

"[Company] just did our [job] and did a great job. Here's their number: [number]."

3. Get the review the same day

74% of US consumers look for reviews from the last 3 months (BrightLocal, 2026).
83% of people who were asked to leave a review say they left one (same survey).

Same-day text

Glad we sorted that out today, [Name]! Would you mind leaving us a quick review? It really helps a small business like ours: [link]

Reminder, 2 days later

Hi [Name], just a gentle nudge on the review. 30 seconds here: [link]. Thank you!

Google's rules

Ask every customer. Asking only the happy ones ("review gating") breaks Google's rules.
No gifts, discounts or rewards for reviews.
No pressure on-site. Don't push them to write it while you're there, and don't tell them what to say.
No staff review quotas, and don't ask for reviews that name a staff member.
Never write fake reviews or hide bad ones. The US FTC rule (since Oct 2024) and the UK DMCC Act (since April 2025) ban both.
Reply to every review, good and bad. The next customer is reading your reply.

4. Check in with past customers

Seasonal and simple. This is a marketing message, so text only people who agreed to texts, and email the rest:

Hi [Name], it's [Company]. Before [season / year-end / tax time], we're doing a quick [check-up / review] for past clients. Want me to save you a spot?

Put it on autopilot

Old quotes: pulled from your CRM every month, sent automatically, and stopped when they reply.
Finish day: marking a job "done" triggers the review request and the referral text.
Reminders: they go out on their own, and the owner only sees the replies.

Facts and rules checked October 2026. This isn't legal advice: texting, recording and review rules differ by state and country.