Marketing Ideas for Landscape Companies

Viral Marketing

• Create a buzz about your landscape business by creating a viral marketing campaign. Viral marketing refers to a massive word-of-mouth phenomenon in which people in the real or virtual world cannot stop talking about your company. One way to do this is to take advantage of a distinctive landscape project you completed in a home's front yard or on public property in a high-traffic area, such as a large tree stump carved in the shape of an elephant's head. Ask if you can post your company's name and phone number next to the project for advertising purposes. Similarly, post a picture or video of this project online onto various social networking sites in hope that it will spread amongst a wave of networks. Consider writing an article for your website's homepage that has great search engine possibilities, such as "Top 10 Landscaping Tips," "Luxurious Front Yards" or "Top 15 Budget Landscaping Ideas."

Work the Neighborhood

• Focus marketing campaigns on neighborhoods in which you do a lot of work. Write a letter with personal touches and pictures describing your level and diversity of services. Take the extra time to look up the names and addresses of people who live on the streets you are targeting and include their names on the individual letters and envelopes. Place a logo or sign on your landscaping truck, so that those who live in the neighborhood will notice your name and brand. Choose a logo that uses clear and bold font, one or two solid colors and that exemplifies your type of business; include a picture of a tree or include "lawn" or "landscaping" in your name, for example.

Encourage Referrals

• Once you have completed a landscaping job, communicate with the client assuring he is happy with the work. Ask him to refer you to other friends or family members by giving him business cards or brochures to pass on. You can even consider offering clients a discount on future projects for each successful referral they make. Start a monthly e-mail newsletter and send it to all of your past and present customers. Network with other trades people, like home builders, electricians, renovators and plumbers. Work out a relationship in which you recommend them to your clients and vice versa.