Your reputation is the foundation of your landscaping business. It’s often your most powerful selling point, because no matter how strong your marketing is, if your reputation doesn’t reflect quality and trustworthiness, things will be tough. In fact, a negative reputation can be almost impossible to overcome, regardless of what you say or do.
Recently, I listened to a talk by Mark Gregory from Landform Consultants, where he discussed “building your personal brand.” Expecting insights on branding and marketing, I was surprised to hear him say that he doesn’t actively work on branding himself. Instead, he shared how he’s built a strong personal brand naturally—through years of consistent, quality work and a reputation for reliability.
What I took away from Mark’s talk was that reputation isn’t about flashy branding or endless promotion. It’s about building trust through honest, high-quality work and letting that reputation speak for itself. If you can combine the power of reputation with simple tools to showcase it, you’ll have clients eager to choose you for their project.
For premium clients, trust and reliability are everything. They’re less interested in saving money and more focused on ensuring they’re getting the best quality and service available. Building a strong reputation is one of the best investments you can make, because if clients feel confident in your reliability, they’re willing to pay market rate—or even a premium. When you showcase your reputation through client reviews, referrals, and quality communication, you’re fast-tracking trust and setting yourself apart as the clear choice.
Delivering outstanding service is no longer something that sets you apart—it’s the baseline. Premium clients expect clear communication, punctuality, and a tidy work site, and if you don’t meet these standards, you’re back in the race to the bottom.
However, if you’re already providing an exceptional level of service, it’s time to look at what else you can do to boost your reputation further. For example, you could:
Finding small but meaningful ways to go above and beyond can help clients feel valued and ensure they remember you positively.
One of the easiest ways to boost your reputation is by gathering client reviews. Set aside a couple of hours, grab your old diaries, and reach out to past clients. Here’s a simple, step-by-step process:
Call Past Clients: A quick call to past clients is often the most effective way to ask for a review. Start by thanking them again for choosing you and ask if they’d be comfortable leaving a quick review.
Send the Review Link: After your call, send a follow-up text with a link to your Google or Trustpilot review page. Here’s a sample message:
“Hi [Client’s Name], thanks again for letting us work on your garden! If you could leave a quick review here [link], we’d be so grateful. It really helps our small business grow. Thanks so much!”
Add Reviews to Your Website and Social Media: Don’t let these reviews sit hidden—feature them on your website and social media to show prospective clients that you’re a trusted expert in your field.
This quick and straightforward approach can give your reputation a huge boost in just an afternoon.
Word-of-mouth referrals are one of the best ways to win new business. If someone they trust recommends you, most clients will come to you already feeling confident in your abilities. Here are a few simple but effective ways to generate more referrals:
Leave a Thank-You Gift: A small parting gift, like a bar of chocolate with a thank-you note, leaves clients with a sweet reminder of your work. Include a few business cards and a short note like this:
“Thank you for trusting us with your garden! Here’s a little treat to enjoy in your new space. We’ve included a few business cards—if anyone asks about your garden, we’d be so grateful if you passed one along!”
Use Neighbor Cards: After completing a project, consider leaving small cards at nearby homes. These can say something like:
“Hi! We recently completed a project at number 10 for John and Julie. If you’re interested in transforming your garden, we’d love to work with you!”
(Bonus points if they are hand written!)
Adding these simple steps to your wrap-up routine makes it easy to generate referrals and build a positive reputation in the community.
Even with an excellent reputation, an outdated or inactive online presence can make clients hesitate. Potential clients often do a quick online search, so it’s crucial to keep your website and social profiles professional and up to date. Here are some tips for maintaining a strong online presence:
Keeping everything up to date will ensure your online presence reflects your expertise and trustworthiness.
Building a strong reputation is essential for attracting high-value clients who care about quality. By focusing on consistent excellence, gathering client reviews, encouraging referrals, and maintaining a professional online presence, you’ll set yourself apart as the clear choice in your area.
Start today by calling a few past clients for reviews or setting up a thank-you gift routine for completed projects. These simple steps will put your reputation to work, helping you build a thriving landscaping business that clients trust and respect.