Yellowbook/YellowPages managed to generate mostly sales calls, the few customer calls are usually pretty useless.
Newspaper/Print usually requires a lot of patience unless your the only guy advertising your specialty.
Church bulletins will generate leads if it's your church and everybody knows you.
Service Magic and the lot are a waste of time.
Never tried cards in stores,
Depending on what you do there's property managers, condo associations, Realtors (who have proven to be profitable bird dogs to me in the past).
There's always flyers placed directly in the neighborhoods you want to work in.
But the most reliable is referrals. For any business repeat or referred customers are they most lucrative. I put most of my marketing effort into developing that source. But I have a real small outfit that does mostly higher end stuff. I can't sell price and am picky about what I bid.
I do Painting Wallpapering and small home improvements and an assortment of repairs.
But I've had people call me and be willing to pay me for all sorts of things. From putting together a store bought Desks and bookcases. To hanging Window treatments. Usually the phone call starts with. "I know you dont usually do this, But..."
As for advertising
I've tried about all of them.
The single two that have worked better then all the rest combined is word of mouth.
And business cards in the Hardware/Paint stores where I buy my supplies.
Yellow Pages, Newspapers and Service Magic generated mostly either as you say, Sales calls (people looking to sell me something) Or people just price shopping. Though I have a buddy that swears by the little township weekly newspapers.
They just havent worked for me.
Service Magic was a HUGE waste of time and money.And seem to think they are like the mafia when you try to cancel. I think I posted a story about it about a year ago
Tried Yellowbook.com this past year and since January I've received exactly 1 phone call..yep..1
Another price shopper.
Like you I'm small and tend to do more high end quality stuff. Rather then be a Gob & go (Gob it on and go onto the next one)
So selling by price can sometimes be difficult. I always tell people to make sure they are comparing apples and apples
Another area where I've gotten work is in retirement communities bulletins Where my customers have actually volunteered to put my name up.
Another thing I'll do is create my own luck.
Often when Im in one of the stores. Homeowners will come in looking for this or that. Or will just be buying some paint.
I'f they seem like they need help I'll ask them a few questions then give them my advice and then hand them a card and ell them if they have any problems,call me.
I this past year did a 6K job for the daughter of a lady I helped in the store a year prior.
Amazing how many jobs i've gotten over the years just by helping people in the store and then handing them my card.
Saved my arse during some dead times on several occasions.
Another thing Im about to try is some door to door flyers Im working on.
There is a relatively new housing development that was built between 1 and two years ago just a few blocks form me.
I figure I'll print out some flyers. Then hire my daughter and one of her friends to go around depositing them on peoples houses.
I find that after about a year in new homes people want to start personalizing their places with color.
My approach is going to be simple.
just a Basic flyer advertising my name and type of work I do. The downside of construction grade paint. The quality materials I use yadda yadda yadda. etc etc etc
But with the Opening line in bold letters.
"Tired of White Yet?"The most common thing people tell me when they paint a newer house is.
"I'm just so tired of looking at white"
I figure at worst. My kid and one of her friends make a couple bucks spending money.
But to be honest. I've found my best success in advertising has also been the cheapest.
Simple Business cards and word of mouth.
