Landscape companies provide landscape care and maintenance services for domestic, business and government customers. The industry was badly affected by the economic recession that hit consumers' disposable income and construction projects in 2007 to 2012, according to research firm IBIS World. Marketing is therefore an important element in restoring profitability as the U.S. economy recovers.
Set up a website that describes the services you offer. Include separate pages for domestic, business and government services. Highlight specialties, such as parks and sports field maintenance, design and installation of water features or hard landscaping for business parks. Show examples of work you have completed, including testimonials from customers.
Offer additional services to existing customers. “Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping,” a 2006 survey by the National Gardening Association, found that around 30 percent of U.S. households used at least one type of landscape service. Keep customers informed about services such as planting and maintaining trees and shrubs, lawn care, garden design, construction of walkways, walls and fences, decking, ponds and garden structures.
Bid for landscape contracts with corporate or government customers. Contracts for maintaining parks and sports fields, or landscaped areas in public housing, offices or shopping malls provide a source of long-term revenue in contrast to the seasonal demands of the domestic market. Contact housing construction companies to offer landscaping services for new-build properties and developments. Offer to create and maintain the garden at the show home on a new development. Contact owners who move into the development to design and maintain their gardens.
Approach local nurseries and landscape product suppliers to cooperate on marketing projects. Ask partners to recommend your services to their customers and offer to use some of their plants and products in your projects. Set up displays at nurseries and garden centers showing examples of your work. Arrange presentations at garden centers on topics such as greener garden care or gardening in drought conditions.
Publicize your work in high-profile media, such as television, magazines or exhibitions. Approach producers of television gardening programs or editors of gardening magazines to propose coverage of a major or unusual landscape project you have completed. Exhibit at garden shows to showcase your work and network with potential customers and partners. Major regional or national garden shows provide the opportunity to enhance your reputation by winning prestigious awards for show gardens.