Introduction
Running a moving company is tough. Schedules can look full at the beginning of the month and then hit slow stretches that hurt cash flow. Marketing campaigns cost money, word-of-mouth takes time, and customers don’t always move when it fits your calendar. That’s why affiliate marketing for moving companies is such a powerful strategy. By building referral networks with Realtors, stagers, painters, and other local professionals, movers can keep their crews busy and revenue flowing—even during the quiet weeks.
In this episode of the Movified Podcast, host Mark Hirschi sat down with Neacail Murdock, owner of Murdock’s Moving & Storage in Chico, California. Together, they unpacked how affiliate marketing transformed Neacail’s business from a startup into a trusted regional mover with a steady pipeline of work.
This article shares the best lessons from that conversation and gives movers practical steps to apply affiliate marketing for moving companies in their own businesses.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Affiliate marketing fills schedule gaps: Partnerships create work when customers aren’t moving.
- Consistency matters: Joining an association or group is useless unless you show up, connect, and engage.
- Diverse affiliates bring stability: Realtors, stagers, cleaners, HVAC, pest control, painters, and even financial planners can become referral partners.
- Systems turn contacts into results: CRMs and spreadsheets help track referrals, thank partners, and scale programs.
Table of Contents
Why Affiliate Marketing Matters in the Moving Industry
Every moving company owner knows the pain of the mid-month slump. The first and last week of the month are packed with jobs, but the days in between can sit empty. That downtime eats into profitability, forces owners to juggle payroll, and adds pressure to sales teams.
This is where affiliate marketing for moving companies shines. Instead of waiting for customers to find you, you align with professionals who already know when people need moving services.
- Realtors know when clients are buying or selling.
- Stagers need furniture moved in and out for showings.
- Painters often require entire homes cleared.
- Cleaners prepare homes after move-outs.
By forming partnerships with these professionals, movers create a steady, predictable referral stream.
“We are all walking billboards—our trucks, our uniforms, even our smiles represent our brand.” – Mark Hirschi
Building the Right Partnerships
When Neacail Murdock launched his company, he joined four associations, but two stood out: the Realtor Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Both put him in direct contact with professionals who could refer moving jobs consistently.
He stresses that it’s not enough to just pay for a membership. You need to show up, in uniform, and engage. Attending events creates familiarity and builds trust over time.
“People start to relate green boxes and black shirts to Murdock’s. They may not know me personally, but they know what I represent.” – Neacail Murdock
Consistency makes you recognizable. And when people associate your face and brand with professionalism, referrals naturally follow.
Practical Tips for Building Partnerships
- Identify 2–3 associations in your city (Realtors, Chamber, Home Services).
- Attend events regularly, even if they’re small.
- Wear branded uniforms or polos with name tags.
- Use Tap Cards or digital cards instead of paper business cards.
How to Launch and Scale an Affiliate Program
Affiliate marketing for moving companies only works if you organize it. Handshakes are great, but systems scale.
Neacail explained how his company went from a handful of affiliates to more than 500 active partners. He tracks them through SmartMoving CRM and supplements it with a Google Sheet for accountability.
Steps to Launch an Affiliate Program
- Start small: Begin with Realtors and stagers.
- Track referrals: Use CRM tags or a spreadsheet.
- Set reward thresholds: Thank-you cards, baskets, gift cards, or bonuses.
- Stay in contact: Schedule check-ins every 2–3 months.
- Make it easy: Create one invoice that bundles moving and affiliate services (cleaning, junk removal, pest control).
This approach simplifies life for customers while creating new revenue streams. Instead of saying “we don’t do that,” movers can say, “Yes, we can take care of it for you.”
Case Study: Turning Networking into Revenue
One of Neacail’s most successful affiliate stories came from a painting contractor in Chico. The painter needed everything cleared from a house before starting the job.
Neacail delivered a container the same day, his crew loaded it, and the customer was thrilled. The painter was grateful too, because his project could move forward without delays. That one job turned into multiple repeat referrals.
This example highlights the ripple effect of affiliate marketing for moving companies. One successful collaboration creates a cycle of referrals that keep jobs coming in.
Lessons from Bad Experiences
Affiliate programs aren’t without risk. Realtors often hesitate to recommend movers because they’ve had bad experiences in the past. One poor job can break trust for years.
Neacail avoids this by only working with five-star companies. His affiliate list is tiered—top performers get highlighted, and weaker affiliates are marked “yellow” in his tracking sheet. This ensures that referrals flow to trustworthy partners, protecting his brand reputation.
Expanding Beyond Realtors
Many movers think only Realtors and lenders matter. But Neacail reminds us not to “sleep on” other trades.
- HVAC technicians: Need homes emptied for replacements.
- Pest control companies: Sometimes require full house clears.
- Cleaners: Partner on move-out jobs.
- Plumbers, painters, and contractors: Constantly in homes where moving services are needed.
- Even financial planners and printers: May hear about moves first.
These non-traditional affiliates expand your referral reach beyond the obvious.
“Consistency is key. Show up, connect, and deliver value—your network becomes your sales team.” – Neacail Murdock
Why Choose Movified
Movified gives moving professionals a front-row seat to the strategies shaping the industry. Through the Movified Podcast, blog, and mastermind programs, movers gain insider knowledge from owners like Neacail Murdock who have walked the path and built scalable businesses.
As the owner of Salmon’s Transfer, a legacy mover operating for over 100 years, host Mark Hirschi brings unmatched credibility. Combined with voices like Neacail’s, Movified delivers insights that no generic business blog can match.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing for moving companies is more than a buzzword—it’s a growth engine. By showing up, building relationships, rewarding referrals, and creating concierge-style solutions for customers, movers can generate steady work, even during slow weeks.
The payoff is clear: stronger networks, more jobs, and happier customers.
Meet The Host
Mark Hirschi is the founder and host of Movified. With over a decade in the moving and storage industry, Mark combines real-world leadership experience with a passion for mentorship and elevating industry standards.
