I see I'm the first one here to say this, but I try to do and find everyting via the internet. Something like a lawn service, well, most people probably wouldn't start there, but it's always the first place I look. Usually, with something like plumbers or roofers, I end up actually FINDING them elsewhere, but if they were on the net, I'd have gone to them first.
That being said, I've recently hired several service companies for home improvements and went to all of them because they advertise on the radio station I listen to (WNPT, Salem Communications Bennett/Ingraham/Prager/Medved/etc.) If they're willing to support a product I enjoy, then I'm willing to support them in their endevors.
Owl_Eagle(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Owl_Eagle makes a good point. I try to hire tradesmen that advertise in the very small, local, very Conservative paper. That's been a home run everytime.