Hi John.  As I just signed you up and started using your services, your posting is rather apropos!  :-)  Before a marketing push, be sure all the information you have listed everywhere is correct.  I had a bit of a hard time contacting you the first time.  I believe there was an incorrect e-mail address somewhere on Source of Title.  (And thank you for being there for us!)

I have struggled with the same question about marketing.  Should I contract with someone?  Jessica's idea is a good one and is probably inexpensive and effective enough to certainly pay for itself.  If you are not good on the phone or in e-mail, an outsider is the way to go.

If, however, you are effective on the phone, wheedle your way into their hearts.  And I receive information about who to call and contact off of recently recorded mortgages.  Usually the recording entity is listed there by the RofD.  Any time you see an outside title company, mortgage company, or something that looks like a vendor manager listed ANYWHERE, write it down and contact them.  It only takes a few minutes but it extremely effective.   I have an electronic memo always running in the background so that I can do a quick cut and paste at all times.

I think if you were to contract with an outsider, it would have to be someone with information about the industry.  If the salesman ends up talking to someone "in the know" on the other end of the line, they'd probably be put off talking to someone who has no idea what our industry is like.  Payment to that person is a complete mystery to me....you can't really go with a percentage because this is a client you'd have for years -- or could turn out to be a deadbeat who never pays you.  Maybe a set fee when a new client sends their first order?  What have others done in that regard?