I have two sons wirh their own businesses. One does not advertise. He did to begin with but now has that much work through word of mouth that he considers it a waste to advertise as he gets swamped with work without it. The other son who owns a bigger concern does advertise ,on his vans and in the phone book.He has plenty of competition though. I think that does bring him lots of extra clients and so he considers it is worth it.