Why Good Work Alone Isn’t Enough to Get You Hired
If you've ever wondered why leads aren’t rolling in, even when you know your work is good, you’re going to want to pay attention..
The culprit?
It’s probably not your pricing.
It’s not your skill.
It’s your reputation, or lack of one, online.
Let’s fix that.
Why Your Reputation Matters More Than You Think
Here’s the thing, even if you do great work, if no one sees it and can’t find any evidence of it online, you might as well be invisible.
And being invisible means you’re losing jobs without ever getting a call or even being considered.
Think about it…
When someone sees your truck or hears about you from a friend, what do they do next?
They Google you.
If all they find is two old reviews and no photos, it’s pretty easy to move right on to the next business that has tons of great reviews and an entire portfolio for them to look through.
You never even knew they were checking you out. You didn’t even get a shot.
Hope Isn’t a Marketing Plan
Most landscapers get into this business because they know how to do the work. They build patios, clean up edges, and turn backyards into places people actually want to use.
But they aren’t trained marketers.
So they fall back on what they hope will work:
“Do good work and hope people talk.”
But here’s the deal: hope is not a marketing plan.
You need a simple process to make sure your best work actually gets noticed.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Ask for Reviews (Every Time)
This is the biggest reputation-builder. And it’s the step most landscapers skip.
Not because they don’t care, but because they just don’t think to ask.
Here’s the truth: Happy customers will leave reviews. You just have to ask them.
The best time to ask?
Right when the job is done and your client is admiring the work.
Try this:
“Thanks so much for letting us do this project. It would really help us out if you could leave us a Google review. Here’s a QR code to scan. It only takes a minute. If you can, mention what we did and maybe one of the crew members' names.”
Make it easy. Make it part of your routine.
Step 2: Respond to Reviews
Don’t just collect reviews—reply to them.
It shows you care and helps future customers see what kind of company you are.
If it’s a good review:
Thank them by name
Mention what kind of job you did
Keep it friendly and professional
If it’s a bad review:
Stay calm
Respond for the next person reading, not the one who left it
Don’t argue—just explain, if needed, and show professionalism
If it’s from someone who wasn’t a client, DO NOT RESPOND! Report it!
Future leads are watching how you handle feedback.
Step 3: Use the Reviews You Get
Getting reviews is great. But you’ve gotta use them.
Don’t just let them sit on your Google page. Show them off.
Here’s how:
Post them on your website
Share them on social media (with photos of the job)
Add them to your proposal packets
Include them in your emails or brochures
People want proof. Reviews are your proof.
Step 4: Ask for Referrals (And Say Thanks When You Get One)
Happy customers love to help—if you ask them.
At the end of the job, say:
“Do you know anyone else who needs help with mowing, mulching, or a patio install?”
Simple. Not salesy. Just a conversation.
And if they send someone your way?
Say thanks.
Send a $10 gift card
Drop off a small gift
Or just handwrite a thank-you card
You’d be surprised how far a little gratitude can go.
Step 5: Show Off Your Work (The Right Way)
Your reputation isn’t just what people say.
It’s what they see.
This is a visual business. If your online portfolio is full of unfinished jobs, dirt piles, or blurry phone pics, it’s not helping your image.
What you should show:
Before & after photos
Clean, finished project shots
Short video walkthroughs
Progress photos (but don’t lead with those)
A few tips:
Use good lighting (early morning or late day)
Take shots that show the final look
Avoid hoses, trash, or sloppy job sites in the photo
Your photos should say “we’re professionals,” not “we’re almost done.”
Want to Stand Out This Week? Try This 20-Minute Fix
Do these three things:
Text three happy past customers and ask for a Google review
Respond to every Google review—good or bad
Post one recent job photo and add a quote from the customer
That’s it.
Seriously. That alone sets you apart from 90% of landscapers in your area.
It’s simple. It works. And like we always say: Do it dirty.
Just get started.
And if you want help setting up a system for collecting reviews, boosting your Google profile, or getting referrals the easy way...
Book a free 45-minute strategy call
We’ll walk through what’s working, what’s not, and what to fix first.
