The $100k/MONTH

LANDSCAPING MARKETING BLUEPRINT

Table Of Contents

Bookmark this page, and when you come back to reference it – click below to jump to that section.

The 5 Growth Phases of a $100K/Month Landscaping Business

Before you scale, you need to know exactly where you are right now.

Most landscapers try to jump ahead — running ads or hiring help — before they’ve built a real system. That’s why this Blueprint is built around five clear stages. It shows you how to grow with structure, not stress.

Phase 1
Another Contractor

($0 – $10K/month)

You’re working job to job — mostly referrals, side work, or local Facebook groups. It’s all hustle, no structure. Some months are up, others are down. You’re trying to make it work, but it’s inconsistent.

What This Looks Like:

  • Referrals, side jobs, or part-time mowing

  • Quoting on the fly with no set pricing

  • No clear packages — just saying “yes” to everything

  • Taking cash, Venmo, checks, sometimes forgetting to invoice

  • No Google profile, no online presence, no real systems

What to Focus On:

  • Choose one core service to build around (e.g. mowing or cleanups)

  • Set a clear job minimum (e.g. $300)

  • Create a simple monthly or seasonal package

  • Set up your Google Business Profile and add photos

  • Start taking before/after photos and posting locally on social media

You don’t need ads yet. You need a clear offer and a little momentum

Phase 2
Local Landscaper

$10K – $30K/month

You’re busy — maybe even booked out some weeks — but everything still depends on you. You’re pricing out random jobs, relying on referrals, and saying yes to anything that fills the schedule.

What This Looks Like:

  • Solo or small crew

  • Some repeat clients, but lead flow is inconsistent

  • No clear job types — mix of mowing, mulch, cleanups, installs

  • No packaged pricing or contract options

  • Still driving all over for tiny quotes that don’t close

What to Focus On:

  • Build scalable monthly packages with simple tiers (Basic / Standard / Premium)

  • Set pricing by property size (¼ acre, ½ acre, 1 acre+)

  • Offer 8-month seasonal commitments with a 10% discount

  • Start running Facebook and Instagram DM ads using short videos

  • Set up an auto-reply that feels personal (use a 16-second delay)

  • Confirm appointments manually via DM or send a booking link

This is the perfect phase to launch the Landscaping Lead Engine Protocol.


Phase 3
Booked-Out Business

$30K – $60K/month

You’re booked most weeks and getting great word-of-mouth, but you’re maxed out. You’re doing everything — quoting, scheduling, messaging, and fieldwork — and it’s starting to break you.

What This Looks Like:

  • You have steady work and a few team members

  • You’re losing leads because you can’t respond fast enough

  • You forget to follow up or send quotes on time

  • You’re quoting in between jobs and sending messy invoices

  • You know you need help, but you don’t have systems yet

What to Focus On:

  • Save your best quote message responses in your phone (use them in DMs)

  • Try to confirm quotes in 2–3 messages and manually book if possible

  • Add a basic CRM like Jobber or Yardbook for quoting, scheduling, and payments

  • Rotate your ad creatives every 2–3 weeks and retarget cold leads

  • Start tracking basic ROI: ad spend → leads → closed jobs → revenue

You’ve got traction — now it’s time to build a real system to handle it.

Phase 4
Scaling CEO

$60K – $100K/month

You’re out of the field or mostly out. You have crews, systems, and a full calendar. But you need a reliable marketing and sales process that brings in the right clients — not just whoever finds you.

What This Looks Like:

  • You’re managing crews, not lawns

  • You’ve tried ads, but results are inconsistent

  • Your team books jobs, but they lack follow-up systems

  • You’re ready to grow, but every new client feels like extra pressure

  • You’re focused on retention, margins, and stability

What to Focus On:

  • Scale the Lead Engine Protocol™ to multiple offers (maintenance, installs, seasonal cleanups)

  • Automate SMS + email reminders and cold-lead reactivation

  • Track cost per lead, cost per booked job, and ROI every month

  • Use a CRM like LMN or Service Autopilot for routing, dispatching, and recurring job tracking

  • Build internal playbooks and SOPs for your team

Now you’re building a business — not just growing revenue.


Phase 5
Dominant Landscaping Brand

$100K+/month

You’re not just running a business — you’re running the top landscaping brand in your area. Your systems, team, and offers are dialed in. People know your name before you even quote them.

What This Looks Like:

  • Booked out 2–4 weeks in advance

  • 2–5 crews running jobs across town

  • Office staff handling sales, follow-up, and scheduling

  • High-volume reviews and referrals keep you top of mind

  • You’re expanding — new services, new areas, or new crews

What to Focus On:

  • Launch local landing pages and city-specific ads

  • Run seasonal promotions 4x per year with predictable spend/ROI

  • Maximize reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and job boards

  • Create content (before/afters, tips, team features) that builds long-term trust

  • Prep for long-term play: recurring contracts, equity, even business sale or expansion

At this point, you’re running a landscaping machine — not just doing jobs.

 

Where Are You Right Now?

Most landscapers reading this are sitting in the middle of Phase 1 or Phase 2 — working hard, booked often, but doing everything themselves and growing off referrals.

The Landscaping Lead Engine Protocol is built to get you out of that grind — and into a business that:

  • Gets predictable leads through simple ads

  • Converts leads through direct DMs

  • Books jobs with one or two messages

  • Grows steadily — even when you’re off the clock

Use this Blueprint to identify where you are — and follow the system that gets you where you want to be.

What Phase Are You At?

Pillar 1: A Scalable Offer

This is where most landscapers get stuck — not because they can’t sell, but because what they’re selling isn’t built to grow.

If you’re quoting all kinds of random jobs, driving all over the place, and constantly adjusting your pricing… you don’t have an offer. You have a list of services.

A scalable offer means your work is consistent, your quotes are simple, and your profit is predictable.

You’re no longer saying “yes” to everything. You’re offering clear, valuable packages that are easy to sell, easy to schedule, and easy to scale.


Why This Matters

If your offer changes every day, your schedule will always be a mess.

You’ll waste time quoting oddball jobs, hauling different materials, switching tools, and making less money per hour — all while getting pulled in every direction.

The fix is simple: specialize and package.


Build Around One Core Service

Every landscaping business needs a main service that checks three boxes:

  • It’s profitable

  • You’re good at it

  • It can be done consistently

This is your core offer. Think:

  • Weekly or bi-weekly mowing

  • Recurring maintenance packages

  • Seasonal cleanups

  • Bed refreshes or mulch installs

Pick the one that’s easiest to repeat and brings in reliable revenue. Build everything else around that.


Set a Job Minimum

If you’re still quoting $150 jobs, you’ll never hit $50K/month — no matter how busy you are.

You need a clear job minimum that filters out the small stuff and keeps your schedule full of high-value work.

For example:

  • One-time minimum: $375+

  • Monthly maintenance: $250+ per month

This isn’t about turning down work — it’s about making sure every job moves your business forward.


Package Your Services

Don’t just list what you do — turn it into simple options people can choose from.

Example:

Basic Package – Mow, trim, blow

Standard Package – Basic + bed maintenance

Premium Package – Standard + monthly refresh + fertilization

People don’t want to be sold. They want to pick what fits their needs and budget. Packaging makes that easy.


Require Seasonal Commitments

If you’re offering a discounted monthly rate, customers should commit to the full season — usually 8 months.

This keeps your schedule consistent, gives you reliable income, and helps you avoid last-minute cancellations.

“We offer discounted monthly pricing when you sign up for the full season up front. No surprises — just locked-in service and savings.”


Example Monthly Pricing by Acreage

These prices reflect bi-weekly service (2x per month).

Seasonal commitment = 10% discount for full 8-month signup.


Basic Package

Mow, trim, edge, and blow

Property Size

Month-to-Month

Seasonal Commitment

Up to ¼ acre

$120–$150

$108–$135

¼ – ½ acre

$160–$200

$144–$180

½ – 1 acre

$220–$280

$198–$252

1+ acre

$300+

$270+


Standard Package

Basic + bed maintenance, seasonal touch-ups

Property Size

Month-to-Month

Seasonal Commitment

Up to ¼ acre

$180–$220

$162–$198

¼ – ½ acre

$230–$270

$207–$243

½ – 1 acre

$280–$360

$252–$324

1+ acre

$400+

$360+


Premium Package

Standard + fertilizer, pruning, haul away, monthly refresh

Property Size

Month-to-Month

Seasonal Commitment

Up to ¼ acre

$260–$300

$234–$270

¼ – ½ acre

$320–$380

$288–$342

½ – 1 acre

$400–$500

$360–$450

1+ acre

$550+

$495+


These ranges give your clients clear expectations and give you the profit margin and consistency needed to scale.

You can easily use these to build good-better-best quote options — making it easier for homeowners to choose, and easier for you to upsell.

Here’s an example Client Lifetime time Value breakdown that shows you the TRUE cost of what acquiring a maintenance client actually looks like for one year. Once you get them on a maintenance contract you become their go to guy and can hit them with upsells on any package for whatever you need.


Quote Like a Pro

Your quotes should feel clear and premium — not vague or rushed.

  • Set base prices or price ranges

  • Include job photos or examples

  • Add a simple guarantee or testimonial

  • Make it easy to say yes

The way you quote is part of your offer. It’s not just about the number — it’s about how confident and professional you come across.


Quick Exercise: Fix Your Offer in 5 Minutes

  1. What job makes you the most profit with the least hassle?

  2. What jobs do you hate or make no money on?

  3. What’s one simple service package you can sell starting this week?

Write that down. Make it your new default. Then run every quote and ad around it.


A scalable offer gives your business a foundation. Without it, no amount of leads or ads will help.

Get this right, and everything that follows — your marketing, your sales, your systems — becomes 10× easier.

Offer Diagnostic

Pillar 2: A Predictable Lead System

Most landscapers hit a growth ceiling because they rely on one thing: referrals.

It feels like feast or famine. One week you’re slammed, the next it’s crickets. You’re not really in control — you’re just hoping the phone rings.

That’s not a system. That’s guessing.

The Landscaping Lead Engine Protocol gives you a repeatable, plug-and-play way to get qualified leads on demand using Facebook and Instagram ads.


The Goal

Get high-quality landscaping leads delivered straight to your DMs so you can close them fast without needing a complicated funnel.

The system is simple:

Facebook + Instagram ads → DMs → Quote → Job booked.


Why DMs Work Better Than Forms

Instead of sending people to a cold website or asking them to fill out a form, this system drives local homeowners to message you directly.

Here’s why it works:

  • People are more likely to message a real person than submit a form

  • You can automate replies and qualify leads while you’re out working

  • It’s faster, more personal, and leads to booked jobs

  • Your DM inbox becomes your quote pipeline


Use Video. Period.

We’ve tested everything. Video ads outperform every time.

They build trust, show your work, and help people feel connected to you — all in under 30 seconds.

If you’re not a graphic designer or don’t have one, video is your best bet. Show yourself, your team, and your projects. Keep it simple, real, and clean. Don’t go into Canva yourself and do something design heavy.

Being blunt, it will probably look like s***.

If you do have a designer, static graphics and carousel ads can work too — especially when showcasing testimonials, before/after projects, or promotions. But video should still lead the charge.

If you do use static images, focus on ones that don’t need editing and just focus on ones that are project focus or YOU focused as the business owner.


The Five Ad Types to Build Trust and Start Conversations

Ad Type

Description

Owner Video

Talk from the truck or job site, face to camera

Before/After Carousel

Swipe-throughs or timelapse of real jobs

Testimonial Quote

Video or screenshot of real client feedback

Service Showcase

Highlight your most requested offer

Meet the Crew

Show your team working and smiling on-site

Here’s one ad example that we use for clients that’s a bit of a mixture of the Service Showcase with some personality:

We always, always, always will mix this in with video, and clean shots of your beautiful projects and work completed. You need to have at least 3-5 creatives running for your ads at one time.

How to Set Up the Campaign

Follow these steps inside Facebook Ads Manager. This is a similar structure to what we use with every client.

Step

What You’re Setting

Platform View

Step 1

Create & name your campaign

Campaign level in Ads Manager

Step 2

Set your targeting & schedule

Ad Set level

Step 3

Create simple, authentic ad creatives

Ad level

Step 4

Launch and test

Publish campaign

Step 5

Review results & update ads weekly

Campaign dashboard


Step 1: Create the Campaign

Setting

Value

Campaign Name

“YourCity Landscaping Leads – DMs”

Campaign Objective

Engagement → Messaging (not traffic or conversions)

Campaign Budget Optimization

OFF (we’ll manage budgets at the ad set level)

Step 2: Set Up the Ad Set

Setting

Recommendation

Budget

$20–30/day per ad set

Location Radius

25–50 miles around your service area

Age Range

25–65+ (you want homeowners with decision power, we’ll narrow that down in I

Gender

All Genders

Placements

Manual — Facebook & Instagram Feed, Stories, Reels

Optimization Goal

Messaging Conversations


Step 3: Interest Targeting

Use broad, interest-based targeting with income filters to zero in on homeowners who actually invest in their yards. Keep this as an OR audience (don’t narrow it).

Detailed Targeting Stack

Demographics – Income (choose all 3):

  • Household income: top 5% of ZIP codes (US)

  • Household income: top 10% of ZIP codes (US)

  • Household income: top 10%–25% of ZIP codes (US)

Interests (choose 3–6):

  • Garden (home & garden)

  • HGTV (television network)

  • Landscape design (gardening)

  • Outdoor living

  • Home improvement

  • DIY home projects

  • Home Depot

  • Lowe’s

Do not use “Narrow audience further.” The goal is to let Meta’s algorithm optimize within a high-quality, broad pool.
 

Use no more than 3-6 interests (plus all of the demographics interests) to keep the audience size broad. The chart on the right should be BROAD and green with a large audience size. You want to find busy people who own a home and care about their lawn.


Step 4: Placements

Your ad needs to spark trust. That means video is king — especially if you don’t have a great designer.

If you’re working with a professional designer (like we do), high-quality image carousels can perform. But for most landscapers, a simple phone-shot video with your face, your crew, and your work will outperform anything else.

Keep Enabled

Disable

Facebook Feed

Facebook Marketplace

Instagram Feed

Audience Network

Facebook Stories

Facebook In-Stream Videos

Instagram Stories

Search Results

Reels

Messenger Inbox

Use manual placements and focus only on feeds, stories, and reels.


Step 5: Optimization and Delivery

Setting

Value

Optimization Goal

Conversations

Conversion Location

Facebook Page Messages

Delivery Type

Standard


Recommended Creative Strategy

Type

Rotation Strategy

Number of Creatives

3–5 ads per ad set (each ad needs $6/day of spend at minimum, so use 1 ad per at set with small budgets.)

Video

1–2 videos (talking head, walk-through)

Static

1–2 clean graphics or carousel

Refresh Rate

Every 2–3 weeks based on performance

Subtitles

Required on all video ads

All ads should include:

“DM ‘QUOTE’ for a free estimate” Put “DM me ‘QUOTE’ as the VERY FIRST PART of the caption. Then, include whatever else you want to in order to showcase your services and story.

THIS IS IMPORTANT! When they DM ‘QUOTE’, It will trigger your automatic message response which we go over in the next section.


Let It Run for 7 Days Before You Touch It

Do NOT adjust anything in the first 7 days. Let Meta optimize delivery.

If you’re not getting messages close to the 7 day mark, your creative is the problem — not the targeting. Take more ads and make sure you’re using video. Images SUCK if they aren’t done tastefully or professionally, or your not showcasing great photos of your work. They sometimes work even looking bad, but images either have to showcase your amazing work, or a very clear service offer.


Performance Benchmarks

Metric

Target

Cost per DM lead

$15–25

Leads per month

30–75

Qualified conversations

6–15 (20%)

Booked jobs

4–8


ROI Breakdown: One Campaign Can Pay for Itself 10x Over

Let’s say your core maintenance offer is $300/month, and clients typically stay with you for the full 8-month season.

Detail

Value

Monthly Value per Client

$300

Contract Length

8 months

Total Value per Client over over 8 months

$2,400

Now let’s break down a real-world campaign:

Budget & Outcome

Value

Ad Budget

$1,500

Leads Generated (at $20/lead)

75

Real Conversations (20%)

15

Clients Closed (25%)

4

Revenue from 4 Clients

$9,600

With Upsells + Add-ons

~$14,000

Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

9.3X

You’re spending $1,500 to make $14,000.

That’s just off 4 recurring clients — not even counting one-time cleanups, design work, or snow services in the off-season.


12-Month Projection

Monthly Ad Spend

Clients Added

Est. Annual Revenue

$1,500/month

4/month

$14,000/month

12 Months

48 clients

$168,000/year

And here’s the part most landscapers miss:

Recurring clients often turn into referrals, add-on work, and year-round revenue.

If you land just 4 clients/month, you can build a six-figure base in under a year — and most of it comes from one campaign that runs on autopilot.


This is the system that replaces referrals with reliability.

Now let’s move into Pillar 3: The Follow-Up Engine That Books Jobs — and show you how to close these conversations while you’re still on the mower.

Ads & Creative Checklist

Pillar 3: The Follow-Up Engine That Books Jobs

Getting the leads is easy. Booking the job is where most landscapers screw it up.

Someone messages you… and you’re out trimming hedges. You don’t reply for hours. They move on. Money gone.

This part of the system is how you stop losing leads — and turn messages into booked quotes fast without chasing anyone.

Remember, its VITALLY important to get this part right. If you don’t close the leads, I don’t care how good your ads are, you’re wasting money. Below is what we expect for general, rough conversions. I mentioned it in the last section, but the booked jobs WILL NOT HAPPEN if you can’t close.

Below is generally what we expect to happen if you get this amount of leads per month. You’ll convert roughly 10% of all leads.

 


Step 1: Make It Feel Personal (Even If It’s Automated)

You need a message that goes out automatically a few seconds after someone DMs you — but it has to feel like you’re actually replying.

Set a delay of 15–20 seconds to make it look natural.

You can do this using:

  • Facebook Business Inbox > Automated Responses, or

  • ManyChat (Free Version) with Smart Delay + DM trigger

Here’s the exact message to use:

“Hey! Thanks for reaching out — we’d love to get you a quote. Can you tell me a little more about what you’re looking for and where you’re located?”

Why it works:

It’s fast. It feels real. It starts the convo. And it buys you time to respond when you’re free.


Step 2: Reply As Soon As You Can

Once you see their response, message them back manually.

Your reply should do 3 things:

  1. Acknowledge what they asked for

  2. Ask a follow-up to get more info

  3. Offer to set up a quote

Example:

“Gotcha — we do a lot of yards like that in your area. We usually start around $300/month for bi-weekly maintenance. Want me to stop by this week and take a look?”

Or:

“Perfect, we’ve got two openings for quotes this week — Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning. Which works better for you?”


Step 3: Book the Quote

Don’t just say “let me know.”

You want to either:

  • Manually confirm a time, or

  • Send them a booking link

But confirm quickly — within 2–3 messages max.

If you’re doing it yourself, just say:

“Cool — I’ll lock you in for Thursday at 3PM. You’ll get a reminder beforehand.”

Or, if you have a booking calendar (Acuity, GoHighLevel, Calendly):

“Here’s my quote calendar — feel free to grab whatever works: [link]”

IMPORTANT:

Manual booking usually gets more responses. But having a link as backup is still smart.


Step 4: If They Stop Replying

You’re not here to beg.

Wait 1–2 days, then send one short message to follow up.

“Hey [Name], just checking back — still want to grab a quote for the yard?”

That’s it.

Don’t push. Don’t beg. If they want it, they’ll answer. If not, they’ll keep seeing your ads.


Keep This Real — Use a Script Screenshot

You don’t need a sales script or CRM.

Just save a few examples in your phone of what to say — like this chart below — and reference it when you’re replying to leads.

Lead Says…

You Say Back:

“How much for mowing?”

“Totally depends on the property — what area are you in?”

“Do you do cleanups?”

“Yup — we’ve been doing a bunch this week. Want me to send pricing?”

“I just want a quick quote”

“For sure — we’ve got 2 spots this week. Want me to lock one in?”

“I’m not sure what I need yet”

“Totally fine — want me to stop by and take a quick look?”

Save this chart. Screenshot it. Use it when texting with leads. That’s the system you need doing this manually.


Summary Flow

Step

Action

1. DM Auto-Reply (Delay)

“Hey! Thanks for reaching out…”

2. Manual Response

Ask a follow-up, offer a quote, give availability

3. Book the Quote

Manually confirm or send booking link

4. If No Reply in 2 Days

“Still want to grab a quote?”

5. Let Ads Handle the Rest

If they ghost, no problem — let retargeting take over


Don’t. be. pushy.

Just talk to them like a human. Be fast. Be helpful. Book it.

That’s it.

And with that — you now have a system that not only brings in leads, but turns them into real booked jobs, on autopilot, while you’re still out doing what you do best.

A side note, a lot of people like to have fully automated lead forms and responses and that can absolutely work. BUT, people incredibly value customer service, and I’m a strong believer in those little things that will increase your closing rate and make your customer actually feel valued.

Follow-Up Checklist

BONUS SYSTEM:

Google Business Profile + Reviews

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the first thing serious clients look at when deciding whether to trust you. It’s your digital storefront — and having a stacked page full of five-star reviews with photos is one of the fastest ways to dominate your local market.

This section gives you the exact system to build 40+ 5-star reviews quickly — and grow from there.


Step 1: Set Up and Optimize Your Profile

Go to google.com/business and create or claim your profile. Fill in everything:

  • Business name

  • Service area (not your home address)

  • Phone, email, and website

  • Categories (e.g. Landscaper, Lawn Care Service)

  • Hours

  • Description that mentions your services and city/town

  • At least 10+ high-quality photos of real work


Step 2: Use Review Cards With a QR Code

Print small branded cards with a QR code that goes directly to your review page. The example above can be done QUICKLY and easily. It’ll cost you roughly $30-$40 per 100 cards. This is an absolute MUST for after each job.

Here’s a link to the cards above if you want to order them for yourself. Just swap a transparent version of your logo in, change the text, and print!

Other options to include on the card:

“Enjoyed your service?

Leave us a review and get 10% OFF your next visit!

Upload a photo with your review and get 20% OFF!”

How to create your QR code:

  • Open your business on Google

  • Click “Write a review”

  • Copy that link and run it through qrcode-monkey.com

  • Download the QR and print cards on Canva or Vistaprint, or Zazzle


Step 3: Hand It to Every Client and Ask

After every job — during the final walkthrough or while wrapping up — hand them the card and say this:

“Hey [Name], we really appreciate you having us out. If you’ve got a second, that QR code will take you straight to our Google review page. If you can leave us a quick review, we’ll take 10% off your next visit.

And if you upload a photo of the yard, we’ll knock off 20%!”

Why it works:

It’s clear, personal, and gives them something back — all while building trust for future clients.


Step 4: Follow Up If Needed

If they don’t leave it right away, text them the next day with the same message and QR link.

“Hey [Name], just following up — if you have a second, we’d really appreciate a quick review! You’ll get 10% off your next visit (20% if you upload a photo). Here’s the link: [Insert Link]”

You’ll double your reviews just by asking a second time.


Step 5: Ask Your Network to Help You Hit 15+ Fast

Don’t wait for the reviews to come in slowly. Ask people in your circle — even if they’ve never hired you — to help.

Text 15–20 friends, neighbors, or relatives:

“Hey [Name], I’m growing my landscaping business and working on building my Google presence. Mind leaving me a 5-star review? Feel free to mention lawn care, cleanups, or just that I do great work. Here’s the link: [Insert Link]”

This gets you fast momentum — and Google will show your page more once you hit 15+ reviews.


Step 6: Think of Reviews as Paid Leads

Let’s break down the numbers:

  • You offer 10–20% off, which might cost you $30–60

  • That review can bring in thousands in new work over time

  • And Google reviews last forever

You’re essentially paying $30–$60 to have a top-performing local ad that never stops working.

That’s the cheapest, highest-ROI investment in your business.


The Goal: 40+ Reviews, Then 100+

Once you hit 40 reviews, you’ll notice:

  • Higher response rates from ads

  • More people reaching out saying “I saw your reviews”

  • Local Google rankings increasing for searches like “landscaper near me”

At 100–200 reviews, you’ll likely be one of the top landscaping businesses in your service area. At that point:

  • Make sure your website is sharp and conversion-ready

  • Add more location pages for neighboring towns

  • Continue getting 5+ reviews per month

This is how you stay visible, trusted, and fully booked year-round.


Recap: The Review System Flow

Step

What to Do

Set up your profile

Optimize everything with photos and service details

Print QR code review cards

Offer 10% off for reviews, 20% off with photo

Ask in person at every job

Hand the card, mention the reward

Follow up after 1 day

Text with the review link again

Ask friends + family

Hit 15+ reviews fast — they still count

Set your goal

40+ reviews ASAP, then scale to 100–200


Your Google profile is free — and it’s also one of the most valuable assets in your business.

This system makes it work for you. Every single day.

Google Business Profile + Reviews Checklist

Text & Email Follow-Up System: For Non-DM Leads

This section shows you exactly how to set up your follow-up system for leads that don’t come through ads or DMs. These are organic leads — people who saw your truck, found you on Google, or were referred by a friend.

Your texting system is your most valuable asset here. It’s how you close more jobs with less effort — without ever coming off pushy.

Let’s walk through how to set this up like a pro — even if you’ve never done anything like this before.


Why This System Matters

Leads from:

  • Google My Business

  • Yard signs

  • Vehicle wraps

  • Referral texts

  • Your website’s quote form

…usually come in with no context. You’re not talking to them in the DMs. You’re starting cold. That means you need a system that:

  • Feels real and personal

  • Gets them to respond

  • Lets you book the job or re-engage later

Text messages are your #1 channel for this — not email.


Step 1: Always Collect These 3 Things First

Every time a lead reaches out or fills out a quote request, you must collect:

  • ✅ First Name

  • ✅ Phone Number

  • ✅ Email Address

You can get the rest (address, service type, etc.) later. These 3 are all you need to:

  • Start the conversation

  • Add them to your system

  • Follow up if they ghost

If you’re using a form (like on your site), make those 3 fields required. If they’re coming in from those other methods, they’ll likely call or send a text.


Step 2: Set Up a Tool to Store and Message Leads

Recommended Tools:

Tool

Use For

Why It’s Good

Jobber

Quotes, scheduling, client info, texting

Very easy to set up — made for landscapers

GoHighLevel

Text/email automations + form builder

Best for building a real follow-up system

Google Sheets

Manual tracking of basic lead info

OK for beginners, not scalable

✅ If you want to keep it simple — use Jobber. You can send quotes from here as well which is a massive bonus.

✅ If you’re building a serious lead engine — use GoHighLevel. This is a bit more advanced but more custom.


Step 3: Text > Email (Every Time)

Texting is personal, immediate, and natural. It’s how people already communicate. That’s why:

  • You should ALWAYS text first

  • Use email only for tips, seasonal updates, or offers

  • Never spam — you’ll lose trust

A single, well-timed text can book a $2,000+ client.

A sloppy one can make you look like spam.


Step 4: Use This 3-Part Text Script for New Leads

Here’s your go-to flow when a new non-DM lead comes in (from GMB, referrals, signage, etc.)

Text #1 —  Immediately (Auto or Manual)

“Hey [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Business Name]. Appreciate you reaching out! I just got your request — what kind of service are you looking to get done?”

This opens the convo naturally — no pressure.


Text #2 — After They Respond

“Great! Pricing for that varies a bit but generally ranges from [$XXX – $XXX]. Is there a time that works best for you for me to come out and give you a quote?”

If they’re busy or can’t respond right away, this gives them a low-friction option to schedule.


Text #3 — (If They Ghost After Responding)

Wait 1–2 days, then send this:

“Hey [Name], just checking back to see if you still wanted a quote. Let me know what works!”

Only send this once. If they still don’t reply, they’ll either come back later — or you’ll reactivate them later.


Step 5: Example Reactivation Flow (For Old Quotes)

Let’s say they messaged you, but didn’t book. One month later, send this:

“Hey [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Business Name]. We’re doing some work in your area this week, were you still interested in having us come and take a look at things?

Or if you’re running a seasonal discount:

“Hey [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Business Name]. Quick heads-up — we’ve got a 10% off fall cleanup promo running this week. We’re in your area this week if you’d like to get a quote.”

Note: Don’t do this more than once every 4–6 weeks. Your text list is gold — protect it.


Step 6: Email (For Tips and Promos)

Once you’ve collected their email, send:

  • Monthly seasonal tips

  • Before/after project features

  • “Now Booking” reminders

  • Service promos (e.g. “Get $75 off cleanups this week only”)

Keep emails friendly and short. You’re not selling — you’re helping.

Here’s an example…

Subject: “Is your yard ready for fall?”

Body:

“We’ve been doing a bunch of fall cleanups this week — and spots are filling up fast. If you want us to take a look, just reply or book here: [insert link]”


Step 7: Save Your Top Scripts in Your Notes App

Every landscaper should have a saved message bank on their phone. Save:

  • First message

  • Follow-up

  • Booking message

  • Reactivation check-in

  • Seasonal offer

You can send them in 10 seconds when you’re busy.


Audit Your System: What You Should Have in Place

✅ Do you collect name, phone, and email from EVERY lead?

✅ Do you have a booking link you can text?

✅ Do you reply to leads within 1 hour?

✅ Do you follow up ONCE if they ghost?

✅ Do you send monthly or seasonal tips via email?

If not — start there. You don’t need fancy tools. Just consistency.


Final Flow: Non-DM Lead Lifecycle

Step

What to Do

They reach out

Text immediately using Script #1

They reply

Offer to confirm manually or send booking link

They ghost

Follow up once after 2 days with a casual message

They still don’t book

Save their info and re-engage with text or email next season

You keep them warm

Send 1–2 helpful emails/month with tips and booking reminders


Every lead that ghosts is still a lead.

With this system in place, you’ll stay top of mind — and close jobs months after other landscapers forget the name.

Text smart. Email sparingly. Stay booked.

Text & Email Follow-Up Checklist (Organic Leads)

Social Media: How to Stay Booked by Showing Up Online

You don’t need to “go viral” to grow your landscaping business. You just need to show up consistently — with real proof of your work, in the towns you want to serve.

This section gives you a simple content plan that builds trust, attracts local leads, and makes your ads + referrals convert even better.


Why This Matters

When someone sees your name — whether it’s from a Google search, referral, or Facebook ad — the first thing they do is look you up.

  • Do you look real?

  • Are you active?

  • Do you do good work?

Your content answers all those questions before they ever call you.

If your page looks sharp, has recent posts, and shows your team and your work, you’re already ahead of 95% of local landscapers.


What You Should Be Posting (Simple Formula)

Stick to this mix of 3 types of content:

1. Proof of Work

  • Before/after shots

  • Cleanup transformations

  • Weekly mowing results

  • New mulch installs

  • Hardscape and paver projects

Tip: Use local captions:

“Full cleanup finished in [Town]. We’ve got 2 more openings this week if you’re looking to get on the schedule — DM us or text [Phone Number].”


2. Behind-the-Scenes / Team Content

  • Quick videos of you or your crew working

  • “Day in the life” style clips

  • Equipment, trucks, or trailers pulling up

  • Your process — walk-throughs, prep, clean finish

Why: This builds trust. People want to see who is coming to their house — not just logos.


3. Client Social Proof

  • Screenshots of texts that say “thanks so much, yard looks amazing!”

  • Google review snippets

  • Video testimonials or simple quotes from happy clients

  • Tag your location or the town you’re working in

Use this template:

“Another 5-star review from a happy client in [Town]! Want us to take a look at your yard? Hit the link in bio or shoot us a message.”


How Often to Post

You don’t need to post every day. Just stay consistent.

Platform

Frequency

What to Post

Instagram

2x/week

Reels, photos, carousels

Facebook

2x/week

Job updates, share IG content, reviews

Google Profile

1x/week

New photos, promos, service updates

Re-use the same content across all platforms — just tweak the captions.


What to Avoid

  • Generic memes

  • “We’re open!” with stock photos

  • Random graphics with no photos of you or your work

  • Not tagging your city/town (location is everything)

You’re not trying to entertain people — you’re showing them you’re the go-to landscaping business nearby.


Bonus Visibility Moves

  • Create Instagram Story Highlights (e.g. “Cleanups”, “Mowing”, “Mulch”, “Reviews”)

  • Add photo albums by town or zip code (Google, Facebook)

  • Use local hashtags:

    #RochesterLandscaping, #PenfieldYardCleanup, #FairportLawnCare


This Content Supports Your Entire System

  • It makes your ads convert better

  • It makes referrals trust you faster

  • It keeps you top of mind between jobs

You don’t need to be a content creator. You just need to show up as the expert in your area.

A clean yard photo with a quick caption can book $2K in new work.

Post it. Tag your town. Stay visible. Stay booked.

Team Structure & Scaling

As your landscaping business grows, your team must evolve with it. What works when you’re just starting will hold you back as you begin scaling. The goal isn’t just to hire help — it’s to build a system that gets results whether you’re in the field or not.

This section walks you through the exact team structure you should have at each stage of revenue growth, so you can scale with consistency, quality, and control — and begin offloading marketing tasks as early as possible so you stay focused on fulfillment, not content calendars or ad accounts.


$0–$10K/Month: The Solo Operator Phase

Structure: You — doing everything

You’re quoting, doing the work, following up, and collecting payment. This is where most landscapers start — but if you stay here too long, your growth will stall.

Role

Count

Notes

Owner

1

Handles all labor, quoting, admin, and marketing

What to Prioritize:

  • Define your service packages and pricing

  • Start collecting photos and 5-star reviews

  • Use a basic CRM or Google Sheet to track jobs and follow-up

  • Prepare for future systems (save scripts, build job checklists)

Marketing is still DIY — but should be systemized early (job photos, captions, templates).


$10K–$20K/Month: Entry-Level Delegation

 

Structure: Owner + Laborer + Basic Marketing Support

You’re booking more work than you can handle alone. The right helper can double your productivity and allow you to offload the marketing tasks that are draining your time.

Role

Count

Notes

Owner

1

Still in the field — begins organizing and quoting more

Laborer

1

Flexible or part-time support on-site

Admin

Optional*

Helps with reminders or reviews (shared or part-time)

Marketing Assistant (freelancer or hourly)

1

Posts job photos, updates GMB, basic ad edits

What to Prioritize:

  • Train your laborer on setup, tools, and closeout

  • Begin documenting job flows and quote formats

  • Delegate social media posts, GMB photos, and testimonial screenshots

  • Set up templated follow-ups and text reminders

You shouldn’t be pausing cleanups to post reels — even basic marketing should be delegated now. You WILL stick be heavily focused on marketing and working with your new team members, but have them execute the simple, non important tasks like posting, while you help get them raw content.


$20K–$30K/Month: Building Operational Capacity

Structure: Owner + Laborer + Part-Time Admin + Marketing Support

You’re booked consistently. The quality of your communication and delivery defines your reputation. Your backend and marketing should be running without constant owner input.

Role

Count

Notes

Owner

1

Handles quoting, job prep, and client communication

Laborer

1

Assists with execution

Admin

1

Manages reviews, schedule blocks, follow-up

Marketing Assistant / Agency

1

Updates weekly content, manages GMB, edits ads

What to Prioritize:

  • Shift from doing marketing to approving it

  • Build content workflows: send photos, VA creates post

  • Use Jobber or GoHighLevel to automate reminders

  • Track basic ad performance (cost per lead, leads per week)

By this point, marketing must be handled externally. You are the visionary — not the media team.


$30K–$50K/Month: Transition to Delegation

Structure: Owner (Partial Field) + Crew Lead + 1–2 Laborers + Admin + Marketing Manager

You’re running a real operation — not just quoting and cutting. Marketing is a machine that runs without you, and your brand should now appear established across search, maps, and social.

Role

Count

Notes

Owner

1

Mostly out of the field — focused on quoting and growth

Crew Lead

1

Runs jobs start to finish

Laborers

1–2

Supports field execution

Admin (PT/FT)

1

Handles booking, reminders, review requests

Marketing Manager / Agency

1

Runs ads, updates GMB, builds content bank

What to Prioritize:

  • Install systems for quoting, scheduling, and post-job follow-up

  • Add tracking to your website and ads

  • Schedule weekly marketing check-ins or Loom reviews

  • Launch 1–2 seasonal promos per quarter

The owner’s only job in marketing now is to provide raw content (photos, client wins) — everything else should be delegated.


$50K–$75K/Month: Full Field Delegation

Structure: Owner (Out of Field) + Field Ops + Admin + Estimator + Dedicated Marketing Execution

At this level, you’re running the business — not running crews or uploading stories. Every key function in marketing and fulfillment must be owned by someone other than you.

Role

Count

Notes

Owner

1

Fully out of the field — manages leads, systems, and growth

Field Ops Lead

1

Oversees logistics, team performance, quality

Crew Leads

1–2

Lead daily jobs, manage team members

Laborers

2–4

Executes service work

Admin (FT)

1

Manages schedule, phones, follow-ups

Estimator (PT/FT)

1

Handles quoting pipeline

Marketing Manager / Agency

1

Oversees paid and organic content, email/SMS, retargeting

What to Prioritize:

  • Launch nurture campaigns and remarketing

  • Delegate review generation and testimonial capture

  • Build seasonal ad calendars and content libraries

  • Use reports to track leads, ad spend, and ROAS monthly

You’re no longer running ads — you’re reviewing them. This is the difference between working in the business vs. running the system.


$75K–$100K+/Month: Brand-Level Operations

At this point, your marketing, quoting, and fulfillment should all run independently. Your business is viewed locally as an established brand — and your job is to grow strategically, not tactically.

Role

Count

Notes

CEO / Owner

1

Focused on expansion, partnerships, and financials

General Manager

1

Oversees daily operations, team performance, reporting

Crew Leads

3–5

Operate assigned routes or verticals

Laborers

6–10+

Support services across territories

Office Manager

1

Manages admin, scheduling, intake

Admin / Support

1–2

Handles CRM, rebooking, reviews, inbound

Estimator / Sales Rep

1

Full-time quoting and client onboarding

Marketing Lead / Full-Service Agency

1

Owns all media, reporting, funnels, visibility strategy

What to Prioritize:

  • Weekly reporting from marketing on CPL, ROAS, and attribution

  • Quarterly content and campaign planning

  • Expansion via new verticals, neighborhoods, or seasonal services

  • Transition internal marketing to another full-time hire or dedicated team

You are now running a system — not a service. Marketing becomes a growth engine, not a checklist.


You scale faster when you stop trying to do it all yourself.

From $10K/month onward, delegate your marketing so you can stay focused on what matters most: fulfillment, team leadership, and growth.

Structure beats hustle. Every single time.

Team Structure & Scaling Checklist

Launching Your System

You now have the complete $100K/month marketing blueprint in your hands. The pillars are in place. The structure is mapped out. The only thing left to do is launch it.

This section gives you a step-by-step checklist to set up the Landscaping Lead Engine Protocol and begin scaling your business without relying on referrals, guesswork, or burnout.


Step 1: Set Up Your Core Offer

  • Choose your core service (e.g. weekly mowing, fall/spring cleanups, mulch refresh)

  • Package into Good / Better / Best tiers

  • Price by lot size (¼ acre, ½ acre, 1 acre, etc.)

  • Create a clean quote format — no PDFs, just clear breakdowns

  • Offer an 8-month seasonal commitment with 10% off as your primary close

If your offer isn’t easy to explain in one sentence, you’ll struggle to scale.


Step 2: Launch Your Lead Engine Campaign

Use Facebook + Instagram ads with the Send Message objective.

Ad Setup:

  • Objective: Send Message

  • Placements: Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed, Reels, Stories

  • Radius: Up to 50 miles

  • Age: 26–65+

  • Budget: $20–30/day for cold; $5–10/day for retargeting

  • Creative:

    • Video of you explaining the service

    • Before/after job photos

    • Client review screenshots

    • Transformation graphics (if designed)

Let your campaign run for at least 7 days before adjusting. If you’re not getting leads — your creative isn’t strong enough. Rework and relaunch.


Step 3: Activate Your Follow-Up Engine

  • Use ManyChat or Facebook’s built-in auto-reply

  • Delay the first response by 15–20 seconds

  • First message should feel personal and human:

“Hey [Name], appreciate you reaching out. Want to tell me a little more about what you’re looking for and where you’re located?”

  • Keep it short

  • Get to quote scheduling in 2–3 messages

  • If they ghost, follow up once:

“Just checking in — still looking to get that quote?”

Do not send generic follow-up blasts. This is a conversation — not a drip campaign.


Step 4: Launch Your Review System

  • Create or verify your Google Business Profile

  • Add service descriptions, photos, and your territory

  • Print review cards with QR codes linked to your review page

  • Offer:

    • 10% off next service for a review

    • 20% off if they include a photo

Goal: Get to 40+ reviews as fast as possible. Ask family, friends, and past clients — aim for 15+ just to build your base.


Step 5: Set Up Email & Text for Non-DM Leads

Some leads will come through your website, GMB, signage, or referrals — not DMs. You still need a system for them.

  • Collect First Name, Phone Number, and Email on every quote

  • Use text as your primary communication channel

  • Email is for general updates, promos, and tips

Text flow:

  1. “Hey [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. Just saw your request — what are you looking to get done?”

  2. “We’ve got a couple quote spots this week. Want me to pencil you in or send you the booking link?”

  3. “Totally fine either way — just checking in.”

Avoid over-texting. Use it sparingly — and always with value.


Step 6: Start Posting Content Consistently

Posting Plan:

Platform

Frequency

What to Post

Facebook

2–3x/week

Before/after jobs, client quotes, cleanups

Instagram

3x/week

Reels, stories, job walk-throughs

GMB

1x/week

New photos, completed job updates

Re-use your best job content across all platforms. Add location tags. Keep it clean and local.


Step 7: Track Results and Optimize

Every 30 days, review:

  • How many leads came in

  • How many booked

  • What you spent on ads

  • What you earned per client

  • Your average job value

  • Your quote-to-close rate

Example:

  • $1,500 in ad spend

  • 30 leads

  • 8 booked

  • $6,000 in revenue

That’s a 4X return. Tweak only what needs it.


Final Checklist

  • Offer is packaged and priced clearly

  • Ads are running with video and image content

  • Auto-response is live and human

  • Review system is built and being used

  • Leads are being tracked by source

  • Non-DM quotes are responded to via text

  • You’re posting content 2–3x per week

  • You’re reviewing performance monthly


You Don’t Need More Leads. You need Better Clients & the Right System.

This system doesn’t just bring in leads — it gives you clarity on:

  • Who you want to serve

  • What to charge

  • How to book work without burnout

  • How to build momentum that compounds

You now have the Landscaping Lead Engine Protocol. Run it. Tweak it. Let it work. Then grow from there.

Launch Your System Checklist