what do y'all do to attract new business?

I know some of y'all have all the business you can stand and some don't. For those who have a full book, what did you do to get there? For those who are still trying, what has worked so far?

suck up to all the horse Vets you can find. You'll get lots of cripples to work on (that might get you drinking Maalox right out of the bottle) but there will be a few A list clients in the mix.

There's no substitute for a good reputation. The only thing that can counteract that is a bad attitude. Treat the the horses and clients with respect. I don't know of any shortcuts.

Regards

as Rick has mentioned

I don't quite have a full book, but since Thursday I have been sick for three work days and missed eleven appointments equaling 25 horses, various trims and shoes. I have just recently attained this. I remember a time when I was happy with 25 horses a week, and not long before that a month. I know what I have at the moment isn't a 'full book' but it is well on its way to becoming so.

I know some of the gents on here not only have a full book they have a rich book. Based on some of the things I am seeing some of these guys are working for millionaires, billionaires and even royalty. I lack this, but that is due to my area. I have several wealthy clients but my book is made up of middle American families and such. Many compete locally and some nationally, but most are just a family with some horses.

I try to do the best I can. I am on time, I have a schedule that I adhere to, if the horses allow me to.
I made a facebook page and it allows for me to share stuff with my clients. My biggest piece of advice is don't make horses lame, and make lame horses walk again. Oh and be nice. Don't be a windbag. But I think you should mainly concentrate on being so skillful that to not use you would be retarded.(I am still working on that myself)

Risker maneuver, fire the biggest most loud mouthed client with the nastiest horses. Do that or politely refuse to do her horses outright. Every stable has one. They know it all, always causing drama, usually their horses are dangerous and hard to handle. Fire her and site personal reasons. Like I can't work with you ma'am sorry. She will spread your name everywhere at how you refused to work with her. Most people don't like her, so that instantly puts you in a good light. (don't actually do this, i did it accidentally, and all here poopy talk helped me)

I dance around with my shirt off asking all the ladies "how you doing".

What kind of business are you trying to attract?

Regards

Wait, what are we talking about? Is this a trick question Rick? Where am I? How did I get here? I'm so confused right now.

I find just been able to do a good job does not cut it alone
you need to be good with people and there horses

good point.
There was a guy around here who was a very good Farrier and Blacksmith. He was one of those people who always had a bad attitude, rough with horses, and actually had a client put a restraining order against him for how he cussed her out. He would always complain about not getting enough customers and that the area could not support a good business.
Other guys came in after him with much less experience and did just fine.

I keep my shirt on......

I find treating their horses like I'd like mine to be treated works good. Also doing the best job I can and being honest goes a long ways.

I beat my horses if they even twitch. So I try to not treat my clients horses like mine

Your horses twitch? You should look into some of that "natural horsemanship" training, or that clicker stuff. Don't you have any natural trimmers in your area you could get advice from?

Regards

Run it as a business and schedule your appointments in advance. Educating your customers on the need for regular hoof care. Follow up is very important. I know too many farriers that just wait for their phone to ring.

LOL, I had just finished up a job when another farrier showed up. He spent 20 minutes bending my ear about how poor he was, no retirement, no health insurance, yadayadayada.... In that time his phone rang at least 4, maybe 5 times, and he never answered it. I told him I think I see your problem. He said what. I told him "you're standing here whining about not having enough of what all those people calling are trying to give you".
Go figure.

Regards

Good consistent work is #1.
A good attitude even when you want to tear someone's head off is #2
Good treatment of their animals add patience to this will carry you a long way is #3
Show up 5 minutes ahead of scheduled appointment OR call as soon as you know your going to be late and make arrangements with customer is #4
Clean appearance, yourself and your vehicle. Folks pay attention to these things is #5
my 2 cents worth

Do you think offering a 4H discount would generate a little bit of business?
Just curious; do any of you offer any discounts for any reason?

I have been offering a referral discount. That's the only discount I offer.