How I’d Get My First 100 Jobs Without Running Ads| Junk removal marketing without ads
- Chantee Lackey
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
If I woke up tomorrow and had to start a junk removal company from scratch, I would not spend my first $2,000 on ads.
I would not obsess over SEO.
I would not sit around waiting for Google to bless me.
I’d go straight to the people who already talk to my future customers every single day.
Because before someone searches online, they usually ask somebody they trust:
“Do you know a good junk removal company?”
That’s the conversation I’d want to be part of.
First, I’d Stop Chasing Homeowners
Most new businesses aim all their marketing directly at the customer.
That makes sense on the surface.
But homeowners are not the only people who matter.
A homeowner who needs junk removal may already be talking to:
A realtor
A property manager
A moving company
A house cleaner
A restoration company
An estate sale company
A contractor
A storage facility
A senior move manager
Those businesses are already standing near the problem before you ever get called.
That makes them powerful referral partners.
My First Goal Would Be 50 Local Relationships
I would not try to meet everybody.
I would pick 50 businesses that regularly cross paths with people who need junk removal.
Then I’d make it my job to become familiar.
Not annoying.
Not pushy.
Familiar.
Because familiar gets remembered.
And remembered gets referred.
My First Month Plan
Week 1: Realtors
I’d visit 10 real estate offices.
Realtors deal with cleanouts, downsizing, moving, staging, and homes that need to be cleared before listing.
I’d introduce myself, leave a card, and make it clear:
“If you ever need someone reliable for a cleanout, I’d be happy to help.”
Simple.
No begging.
No weird sales pitch.
Week 2: Property Managers
I’d meet 10 property managers.
They deal with move-outs, evictions, abandoned items, rental turnovers, and commercial cleanouts.
They need people who show up, communicate, and make their life easier.
That’s the angle.
Not “hire me.”
More like:
“I help make turnovers less stressful.”
Week 3: House Cleaners and Movers
I’d connect with 10 house cleaners and 10 moving companies.
House cleaners see garages, basements, rentals, and homes that need more than cleaning.
Movers deal with people who realize they have too much stuff at the worst possible time.
Perfect referral lane.
Week 4: Restoration Companies and Estate Sale Companies
I’d meet 10 more businesses.
Restoration companies deal with damage, debris, and cleanup.
Estate sale companies deal with families trying to clear homes during emotional situations.
These are not random contacts.
These are connector businesses.
I Would Make Referring Me Easy
This part matters.
People do not refer businesses that make them look bad.
So I’d make sure my business looked referral-ready.
That means:
Clean logo
Clear website
Professional Google Business Profile
Good photos
Simple service list
Clear phone number
Service area listed
Reviews as soon as possible
A short introduction they can send by text
Because when someone refers you, they are attaching their name to yours.
If your online presence looks sketchy, you make them hesitate.
I’d Follow Up Without Being Weird
Most people introduce themselves once and disappear.
That is not a referral strategy.
I’d follow up every few weeks.
Nothing complicated.
A quick message.
A useful tip.
A thank you.
A referral sent their way.
A comment on their post.
A simple “Hope business is going well.”
Relationships do not grow from one visit.
They grow from repeated, respectful contact.
I’d Ask One Smart Question
When meeting potential referral partners, I would not lead with:
“Can you send me business?”
That is lazy.
I’d ask:
“What kind of customers are usually a headache for you?”
That question opens the door.
Because now you understand their world.
If you can solve a problem for them, referrals become natural.
How This Turns Into 100 Jobs
Let’s keep the math simple.
If I build relationships with 50 local businesses and only 10 of them send me consistent referrals, that can turn into serious work.
If each of those 10 sends one job a month, that’s 10 jobs a month.
In 10 months, that’s 100 jobs.
And that is conservative.
A good property manager, realtor, or restoration company can send more than one job a month.
One strong relationship can be worth thousands over time.
The Mistake I Would Avoid
I would not run around handing out cards and calling it networking.
That is not a strategy.
The strategy is becoming useful.
Be easy to refer.
Be easy to remember.
Be easy to trust.
That is how you become the company people mention when you are not in the room.
The Blue Collar Perspective
At The Blue Collar Creative, we believe blue collar businesses do not need to rely only on ads to grow.
Ads can help.
SEO can help.
A strong website can help.
But trust is what makes people choose you.
If your business is built on good work, strong relationships, and a professional online presence, you give people a reason to remember you, refer you, and hire you.
Ready for the Next Lesson?
Read these next:
The Referral Ecosystem Every Blue Collar Business Should Build
75 Referral Partners Every Junk Removal Company Should Build
Why Relationships Beat Google Ads
How to Become the Company Everyone Recommends
Work With The Blue Collar Creative
If your business is getting referrals, your website needs to back you up.
I help blue collar businesses build websites that look trustworthy, explain what they do clearly, and help more visitors become customers.
Book a free strategy call and we’ll look at where your website may be helping or hurting your lead flow.
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