When you open a new business to mow lawns and install plants and other elements, you will need to get the word out by landscaping marketing. Certainly, the major focus will be your local market, and perhaps even a more targeted section of the local area. Decide which areas you would like to work in, and use that 'grid' to set up your landscaping business marketing plan.

Marketing Channels

For every business, there are numerous marketing channels available to them, and getting the marketing just right is a matter of using the correct channels to get the message across to potential clients of the business.

Do not ignore the internet when setting up your local landscaping marketing. It is a good idea to set up your own website, but even if you don't have a website, you can still get exposure for your business on many local business listing sites. Chief among these possibilities is Google Places. By simply listing your business on this free site, it will be one of the first listings in your category to pull up when someone does a search, and it will give the searcher a little map showing your location. If you do create your own website, put before and after pictures on it of some of your landscaping projects, add customer testimonials, and some personal information about you and any staff members. Make sure that when you print flyers, business cards or buy local newspaper ads you include a link to your website. Facebook and Twitter are useful for driving people to your website also. Set up a Facebook 'page' for the business and link it to lots of other local businesses. Twitter now has a location setting, so that you can use it to do local marketing. Also, look into online sources like Yelp!. A local listing on Yelp! Is also a good way to make your presence known, and you should encourage all of your satisfied customers to write a review of your service to gain testimonials.

Communicate what sets you apart from other landscapers in your ads and signage in your landscaping marketing pieces. If you specialize in building gardens and water features, you do not want your ads to say just 'lawn care.' Add a tag line to give people the best idea of what you do.

Establish whom your target customers are, and communicate that to your team. Narrow your geographic area and demographic profile, and have your salespeople concentrate on those narrowed subsets.

Local advertisements can target just the geographic area that you're focused on. Especially useful are the small, local coupon booklets that go to all the homes in an area. Put a great offer in the booklet, perhaps even a free service of some type, and expect great response. Direct mail is also still useful in landscaping marketing.

Be sure that the image you and your company projects is of a professional and trustworthy organization. Likewise, packaging and branding your services is of utmost importance in helping clients make their purchasing decision. They must perceive your services to be of adequate value to part with their hard-earned money.