​Intro 

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the best ways for landscaping businesses to grow. When happy customers refer your services, you get more clients without paying. This article explains what word-of-mouth marketing is, why it matters, and how to use it to grow your landscaping business.

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What is Word-of-Mouth Marketing?

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Word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing happens when people talk about your business and recommend it to others. It’s free advertising based on real experiences. For landscaping businesses, it’s one of the best ways to get more clients without spending money.

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Two Key Principles Behind Word-of-Mouth Marketing Success

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1. Happy Customers Talk

People like sharing good experiences. If you do an amazing job, your clients will naturally tell their friends and family about it. That’s how you turn one happy customer into multiple new ones.

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2. Trust Spreads

Trust is transferable. If someone trusts you and recommends your business, their friend is more likely to trust you too.
Here’s how it works:

• You do great work for a client.

• They tell a friend about you.

• That friend trusts their recommendation and hires you.

This cycle keeps going, bringing in more clients without you spending a dime.

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Why Word-of-Mouth Marketing Matters for Landscaping Companies

Studies show that 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family over any form of advertising. For landscaping companies, this can be the key to success. Word-of-mouth referrals can lead to loyal, long-term clients who come back for more.

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Pros & Cons of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Pros:

• It’s free – Spend nothing; let your work speak for itself.

• People trust it – Recommendations feel more genuine than ads.

• Loyal clients – Happy customers return and bring in more business.

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 Cons:

• You can’t control it – You can't control what people say about your service.

• It takes time – Building word-of-mouth takes time and patience.

• Bad reviews spread too – Negative experiences spread quickly.

 

How to Get More Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Go above & beyond – Deliver top-quality work and make your clients feel valued. 

Ask for referrals – Encourage happy clients to recommend you. Offer a discount or small incentive if needed.

Make your work shareable – Do something unique or impressive that makes people want to show it off.

Use testimonials – Show off happy customer reviews on your website and social media.

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Final Thoughts

Word-of-mouth is a great way to grow your landscaping business, but don’t rely on it alone. If a bad review spreads, it can hurt your business. To keep growing, mix in other marketing methods like paid ads and content marketing.