Who doesn’t love rewards? Whether it’s winning a contest, receiving gifts, or announcing giveaways, rewards can be a great way to create exposure and excitement among future and former clients. Though shelling out a free bathroom may seem like a big expense, if you do the job right, it’ll be worth it in the long run. Speaking of free bathrooms…

1. From Worst to First - Capstone General Contracting in Worcester, Mass., held an online bathroom remodel giveaway. People were encouraged to visit the contest page on Facebook and post pictures of their ugly bathrooms; then, anyone who liked the page could vote on the ugliest bathroom, which would receive a free remodel. Entrants were encouraged to spread the word, which drove traffic to the website. The winner became a raving fan and a “walking billboard” for Capstone.

2. Scavenger Hunt - Ann Arbor firm Rochman Design-Build held a scavenger hunt for its 20th anniversary. The company put 20th anniversary signs on people’s lawns that included instructions on how to download forms for the scavenger hunt--an impressive 75% of past clients agreed to participate. Entrants had a month to drive around town for the contest. The prize was locally roasted coffee, packaged in foil bags labeled with the firm’s “20 Years” logo.

3. Get Creative – HomeMasons is something of a contest connoisseur. Past competitions have included pumpkin carving, best family Christmas card, most creative use of the company logo, and calling into a local radio station to share the best love story. They offer winners eight hours of free handyman service, a good way to showcase the wide range of services the company offers.

4. Have Fun with Freebies - This one’s pretty simple. People love free stuff (or thinking they’re getting free stuff). Pairing gifts with services can draw a lot of positive attention to your company. Customers will be consider it more legitimate if the gift isn’t profitable in some way for you. If you’re not able/willing to shell out for big gifts, like a grill or appliance, consider something smaller, like a mug or personalized towels, with the company name and logo on it to keep your company in the client’s mind for years to come.

5. Reward the Loyal - Titus Built of Wilton, Colo., launched a “Honey-do Service,” a service exclusively for existing and past clients. Jobs like a simple basement cleanup remind customers of your superior service, craftsmanship, and dedication to clients. Make no job too small.

6. Something to Talk About - Referrals are must for any remodeling company, and there are several ways to reward them. Moss Building and Design in Chantilly, Va., offers a free handyman for a day when a customer refers a client whose job is more than $5,000. Other rewards, such as gift cards or free dinners can be just as popular. Determine the reward based on the amount of referrals you get and what services you offer.

7. How Does Your Company Stack Up? - While contests for clients are great, what can really add credibility for your company is entering and winning contests yourself. Being able to label yourself as an award-winning company can give you the edge over competitors and help business grow. Don’t be scared to enter as many competitions as possible.

8. Old and the New - Host dinners with both previous and prospective clients. This will show your dedication to customer service and will give the prospect an idea of how far you’re willing to go to meet their needs. Past clients are usually the best form of advertising for any company.