9 Free Ways to Grow Your Landscaping Business

Do you need to grow your landscaping business without spending extra marketing dollars? Here are some ideas for growing your landscape business for free.

Free Marketing Ideas for Landscaping Businesses

There’s a common axiom that you must spend money to make money. However, this isn’t always the case. With some good strategy and a little bit of luck, you can improve your landscape company’s sales without ever having to pull out your checkbook

1. Knock Doors at Existing Job Sites

One of the easiest to start growing your landscaping business for free is to knock doors around an existing job site.

When a crew stops for a job, have one of your sales reps knock 10-20 doors in the neighborhood. Let the homeowner know you currently do work for one of their neighbors and ask if they’d like to get on the schedule for the next time you are in the area.

2. Cross-Sell to Existing Clients

The clients you already have are the clients are easier—and less expensive—to sell to than existing clients. Cross-selling to existing landscaping clients can be an easy and inexpensive way to grow your landscape business.

Segment your customers based on current services, then contact them via phone, email, letter, or in-person to ask if they’d like to add on additional related services. For instance, lawn care clients may be interested in adding on tree care or garden maintenance, or tree care customers may be interested in adding on grub control.

3. Ask for Reviews

Reviews can be a powerful difference between landing a new lead and missing one. Companies with more—and better—online reviews can often get more new clients from online sources than those without. Email, call, or text existing clients and ask if they would be willing to leave you a review online. Bonus points if you make it easy for them by adding a link directly to their review.

4. Improve Your Social Media Presence

People spend a lot of time each day on social media. If you’re not making your presence known on that platform then you’re missing out on being seen—for free. Here are some ideas for engaging social media posts:

• Post personal videos of your crews introducing themselves
• Share beautiful pictures of completed or in-progress landscaping projects
• Show crew members at work
• Share articles about landscaping, lawn care, or tree care
• Share occasional special offers or promotions
• Ask for online reviews or referrals
• Show community involvement by sharing pictures from community events, sponsorships, etc.

Posting on social media isn’t enough—you also have to remember to interact. Respond to comments and messages and take initiative by liking or commenting on other posts as well. Make sure to ask clients, friends, and family to follow you to start building your following.

5. Update Your Website

Is it easy for a new lead to contact you when they reach your website? If people come to your website and can’t immediately find a phone number or contact form, you could be missing out on potential business. Update your website to be clean and easy to navigate.

6. Pass Out Business Cards

If you’re like many small business owners, you probably have a stack of business cards but rarely pass them out. Perfect your “elevator pitch,” and get more comfortable handing business cards to people you meet.

7. Contact Leads Faster

You should make it as easy as possible for new leads to reach a real person. This means answering phone calls within 1-3 rings, responding to emails promptly, and reaching out to new leads as soon as they come in. You should keep this same practice for existing clients as well—being responsive can improve your online reviews and referrals!

8. Make Sure Your Business Listings are Updated

Is your company listed on Google Business? Yelp? Make sure to make or claim your online business listings, then keep them updated with phone numbers, reviews, photos, and current specials. Most people don’t use a traditional paper phonebook any more—which is good news for you! Online listings are free, which means a well-optimized business listing can drive new landscaping customers for no cost.

9. Ask for Referrals

Many business owners are uncomfortable asking for referrals. However, it can be a free way to grow your landscaping business. Ask existing clients if they have friends or family members who might be interested in your services. Ask if they wouldn’t mind sharing your business card, website, or email address with them so they can request a quote if they’re interested.

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Learn more about Arborgold’s Marketing Automation platform.