🏁 ROT #15: R&R the hidden gold in your junk biz

Justin Hubbard
Aug 24
3 min read

TL;DR: More junk doesn’t always mean more money — smarter marketing does.

The easiest cash you’ll ever make? Your past customers.They already know you, trust you, and will hire you again if you just reach out.

Text them. Offer a small “we love our customers” deal. Ask for referrals.Then reward anyone who sends you business — every single time.

Referrals and retargeting cost less, convert faster, and build long-term profit.Stop chasing strangers when your goldmine’s right behind you. Stay consistent. Stay hungry. Stack repeat jobs like bricks. 🏁👊

What’s up Big Dawgs 🦴

Running a junk removal business ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. We know the grind — the long days, the dump fees, the late calls.

You’ve hustled hard to get those trucks on the road and keep ‘em rolling. But let’s get real for a second: clearing more junk doesn’t automatically mean stacking more cash.

So, how do you keep the money flowing without burning through your ad budget?

Simple. You go back to the goldmine most haulers ignore: retargeting your old customers and cranking up referrals.

This is how you increase the lifetime value of every customer. This is how you make sure one truckload of trash can pay you over and over again.

Step One: Don’t Sleep on Your Past Customers

Think about it: they already know you. They’ve already paid you. And if you did your job right, they liked you. That’s the lowest hanging fruit you’ll ever have. Don’t let it rot.

Go FishingKeep it stupid simple. No need for polished sales emails. Just shoot ‘em a quick text or casual email:

“Hey [Customer Name], remember us? We hauled your junk out last summer. It’s that time again! Got anything piling up? We’re ready to roll.”

Side note: texting works best. Emails get lost, but a quick text with their name cuts through the noise.

Sweeten the DealEveryone loves to feel like they’re special. Offer a “We Love Our Customers” promo — 10% off their next job. It’s not just about the discount, it’s about staying top of mind and building a relationship.

Step Two: Get Those Referrals Flowing

Word of mouth is the sharpest weapon in the junk game. A happy customer with a friend drowning in clutter is basically handing you money — you just have to ask.

Ask for ItWhen the job’s done and they’re smiling at their clean garage, hit them with:

“Hey, if you know anyone else who needs junk hauled, send ‘em my way. I’ll hook you both up!”

Don’t be shy. People love to help their friends. But you gotta open your mouth and ask.

Build a Referral ProgramMake it worth their while. Discount on their next job, a $25 gift card, or a simple cash kickback for every referral that books. It’s the buddy system — they win, their friend wins, and you win with dollars.

Show AppreciationEvery referral deserves recognition. A quick thank-you text, a handwritten note, or even a little shoutout online goes a long way. People remember how you made them feel, not just how fast you hauled their junk.

Why This Works: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s hit it with some stats:

Retargeting: It costs 5x more to get a new customer than to keep an old one. Retargeting past customers boosts retention rates by 27%. Translation: easier money.
Referrals: Customers referred to you are 4x more likely to book, and they spend 200% more than cold leads. That’s bigger jobs and fatter invoices.
Offsetting Costs: Retargeting and referrals can cut your marketing costs by up to 50%. Instead of tossing cash into ads that may or may not hit, you’re building a self-feeding loop with people who already trust you. A solid referral program can pull a 400% ROI.

Math is math. Numbers don't lie.

Don’t Be the Guy Who Forgets

Too many haulers are so busy chasing the next job that they forget about the easiest money sitting right behind them. Past customers and referrals aren’t “extras” — they’re the foundation of a business that lasts.

So here’s the play: