Hi all.  I think this is my first post here...first time I have had something to contribute.

For three years I ran a background check service doing them on my lunch hour while working for an attorney whose office was a block and a half from the courthouse.  Moving to a different area made me have to refer all my business, but in its day, I had a good one.

That was pre-internet days, of course.  Without the 'net, I didn't know how to find companies nationally who would use my services so I thought about how the companies could find me.  When in need for background check documents, et al, they would call the clerk's offices...so, for me finding work would be going directly to the clerks in the courthouse, misdemeanor and felony criminal, county court and district civil and even property clerks who often got misdirected calls.  I had nice gifts made up at Christmas by advertising pen company types with my name, phone and fax,...usually nice little calendars or memo pads and I made food treats in large amounts and took them to the clerks and asked them to please direct any calls for record retrieval to me.  Back then (remember, the 90's and pre-internet) I got $5 to $15 per name.  A little more for same day service, if required.  Ah, those were the days.  In my lunch hour I could cover up to 20 names as I got good at it...I got so much business back then my attorney boss helped me out sometimes as well as did one of the runners in our office...I miss those...some months I made as much as $1000...working one hour per day at it. 

Clients included the obvious...record retrieval firms, background checking firms and interestingly enough, the media.  Media often needs the hard copy of arrest reports, docket sheets and so forth.  Court reporting services and lawyers were also my clients.

Cozy up to the clerks...be easy to work with, never cop an attitude with them, bring them stuff and they will be your friend. Appreciate them and they will appreciate you.  It definitely will take some footwork marketing to work that angle, but they will take care of you. 

That was years ago, but the clerks are still your friend if you make sure your name and phone number is available for them.  I'd try giving out packets of seeds (in the spring)...calendars (in the winter)...re-sell displays of boxes of prepackaged aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, etc. (like you can buy at Sam's), pen/pencil holders, decks of playing cards (Sam's) and bowls of candy....of course on the cards, seeds, etc. you want to use nice foil labels to apply your name and phone number/fax etc. on them.  Supply a bundle of cards and go regularly to see them and they will start referring you along with other regulars they refer. 

I have used this marketing technique for getting regular notary work in the healthcare field.  Visit and train your local doctors, ambulance owners, pharmacies etc. to let those who request they have their subpoenaed documents notarized call you.  Tell them not to stress over finding a notary..to call the company requesting your services to contact you, you'll work out a fee arrangement with that company and you'll come to their office and get that nasty bundle of papers off their desk.  They like that a lot. 

Happy TG everyone!  Brenda in Texas