Some thoughts for everyone to consider --
I don't advertise. (The things I post on this thread is the closest I come to advertising.) So, potential customers arrive at my doorstep entirely due to word of mouth.
If you were to drive by my place, you probably wouldn't see any indication of my capabilities and what I do.
People have mentioned I actively avoid taking on new jobs, so I usually have to be talked into it. There's valid reasons for this ... mostly because there's other things I want to more. (Plus, I'm semi-retired ... and my wife sometimes makes pointed mention that I work harder now than I did before I retired.)
Money is NOT a major incentive for me. So, offering more money doesn't work as a convincing argument. (Unless you happen to catch me on the rare occasion when I actually need more money for some project.) Invariably, time is my most precious resource.
I can just about guarantee there's people like me located near you. They may experienced older people who are semi-retired. Others may be capable young people who are just getting started. So, use the grapevine ... talk with other people about what you need and want done.
I tell potential customers that the more they can do themselves, the less I have to charge them. People who are unwilling to do things themselves get charged premium rates, if I'm even willing to take the job. (People who are truly unable to do something tend to get a discount ... especially if it's apparent they recognize they may get in over their heads.)
Word of mouth is talk over a project with me before starting. I probably know the 'tricky' aspects that are best left to experience. (I frequently 'farm out' tasks because I lack the tools or experience ... and, for whatever reason, am unwilling to purchase the tools or gain the personal experience needed to do a good job.)
Enough rant ... mull these over.
