Streamline Your Landscaping Business with Jobber: Track Jobs, Manage Customers, and Boost Reviews

A Simple Solution to Track Jobs, Manage Customers and Earn More Reviews

*Please note: This blog post was written using ChatGPT. I write most of my blogs at The Landscape Writer.

However, I rely on ChatGPT to craft affiliate marketing blogs. I will always put a note at the beginning of an article if I rely on ChatGPT to write it.

Also, I want to be transparent with everyone who visits The  Landscape Writer. I may earn a commission if you click on my affiliate links. Read more at my affiliate disclaimer page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at wendy@landscapewriter.com. Thank you for reading this post!

Feeling Overwhelmed Running Your Landscaping Business?

As a landscaping professional, you want to deliver outstanding service and grow your business. But too often, you’re bogged down by juggling schedules, managing customer requests, and chasing payments. It can leave you stressed, overworked, and unable to focus on what you do best—creating beautiful landscapes for your clients.

Meet Jobber, Your Business’s Secret Weapon

At Jobber, we understand how challenging it is to run a landscaping business while keeping up with customers and maintaining your reputation. That’s why we designed a tool to simplify your operations and help you regain control.

Jobber offers an all-in-one solution designed for service-based businesses like landscaping.

With Jobber, you can easily track jobs, keep tabs on clients, manage Google Reviews, streamline your email marketing, and much more. This isn’t just another app—it’s a tool built to grow your business.

Here are some key Jobber features that can transform your landscaping company:

  • Job Management: From initial job scheduling to invoicing and follow-ups, Jobber keeps your projects on track so you know what’s happening at every step.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Jobber’s CRM helps you keep all customer interactions in one place. Stay on top of quotes, email conversations, and appointments with ease.
  • Google Reviews Integration: Jobber’s Google Reviews management makes it simple to boost your business’s online reputation. Make it easy for happy clients to leave a review and attract more customers through a solid online presence.

Learn more: Enhance Your Landscape Business with Jobber’s Latest Features

  • Email Marketing: Communicate consistently and professionally with your clients through Jobber’s email marketing tools. This feature lets you update customers, send seasonal offers, or remind clients of upcoming appointments.
  • Invoicing and Payments: Skip the hassle of chasing payments. Jobber lets you send invoices and receive payments quickly, creating a smoother experience for you and your clients.
  • On-the-Go Access: Jobber’s mobile app lets you and your team manage operations wherever you are, perfect for landscaping businesses with teams out in the field.

Three Steps to a Streamlined Landscaping Business

1. Track Every Job with Ease:
Use Jobber to schedule and track your team’s jobs in real time: no more missed appointments or double bookings.

2. Manage Customer Relationships Seamlessly:
Store customer information, communication history, and job details in one place to stay organized and professional at all times.

3. Boost Your Reviews Effortlessly:
After each job, Jobber helps you request reviews automatically so happy customers can spread the word about your exceptional service.

Learn more: The Financial Benefits of Automating Your Business with Jobber and Quickbooks

But if you’re ready to improve your business management, you’ll appreciate the savings and seamless experience Jobber offers.

Start Your Free Trial Today

You’ve worked hard to build your landscaping business. Let Jobber help you take it to the next level.
Start Your Free Trial and see how easy managing your business can be.

What You’ll Gain

More Time: Eliminate paperwork and administrative tasks and spend more time doing the work you love.

Less Stress: Jobber keeps your team and schedules organized so you can focus on growing your business.

Happy Customers: Impress your clients with professional communication and seamless service.

Don’t Let Your Business Stay Stuck in the Weeds

Without the right tools, your landscaping business could suffer from inefficiencies, lost customers, and missed opportunities. Don’t let disorganization hold you back.


Take the First Step Toward Simplicity

Click below to start your free trial and see how Jobber can transform your landscaping business.
Try Jobber Now

For transparency, please check out my affiliate disclaimer here.

Customer-Centric Storytelling: Using the “Who Cares” Approach

FAQ: What is the “Who Cares” approach in marketing?

Answer: The “Who Cares” approach is the question every business owner should ask themselves. The question challenges you to consider who genuinely cares about this topic, this perspective, or this blog post.

Remember: It’s not about you; it’s about your customer.

When you focus on what matters to your audience, you connect with them, which drives results.

When I scroll through social media or read landscaping blogs, some writers get it right, and others get it wrong.

It seems that some marketers want to talk about themselves and don’t have a clear idea of who their readers are. So they either talk down to their audience or bore them to death.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the following about the “Who Cares” marketing approach:

  • What is the “Who Cares” approach to marketing?
  • Know your audience
  • Let ”Who Cares” guide your content creation
  • Hacks to build emotional connections in your content.

What Is the “Who Cares” Approach to Marketing?

Steve McGrath says, “If content creators are laser-focused on value for the end consumer, they are less likely to suffer writer’s block.”

The “Who Cares” approach to content creation has existed for a long time. However, in our world of self-centric clips, we focus on ourselves rather than our customers.

We don’t get the clicks we long for on our social media and websites. Remember, the audience you’re targeting is busy. They don’t have time to read about your life. Instead, your audience wants to know, “How will you help me market my business?”

Instead, McGrath advises, “Unless you’re one of the very hottest brands, they (your audience) don’t automatically care about your business, your new product, or your life. They’re not waiting for you to settle on the right adjectives for your offering. You need to help them care.”

Asking the “Who Cares” question helps you focus on getting your audience to care about your products and services because you care for them first.

Know Your Audience

Who is your audience?

If you’re a marketing pro, you probably have that knowledge at your fingertips.

But how can you get to know your audience deeper?

Stefanie Marrone encourages you to analyze your audience. You need to enter into your audience’s world. Here are tips to help you study your audience:

  • Send out a survey after sending an invoice
  • Collect insights from a poll on your website or LinkedIn
  • Dig into social media analytics
  • Get feedback from your customers through Google and Yelp reviews
  • Get to know your audience through their online behavior, their favorite platforms, and when they’re the most active.

Read more: Web Designers & Digital Marketers: What Are Your Pain Points?

Let “Who Cares” Guide Your Content Creation

So, how do you start implementing “Who Cares?” into your content? Lydia Adams names three points for changing your perspective in your content creation:

  • Ensure that your topic is relevant to your audience—Since people have a six- to eight-second attention span, you must create content for your audience to scan quickly.

Lydia recommends answering your audience’s burning questions and ensuring you provide the information when your audience needs it.

  • You need to get your audience’s attention through imagery—get your readers to stop to watch your content.

How do you do that? Through videos, photos, graphic design, and color that grab your readers’ attention and keep them on the page. These aren’t photos of you; they are relevant photos that will interest your audience.

  • Incorporate frequency in your content—this concept dates back to 1885, well before the invention of the Internet, social media, and content creation. However, Thomas Smith, who wrote “Successful Advertising” at the end of the 19th century, said that a prospect needs to see your ad 20 times before they’ll buy from you.

I heard of this theory nearly 10 years ago, and it is now called touches. The updated theory says your prospect needs three to seven touches before they buy from you.

Learn More: End-of-Year Planning: Content Marketing for Landscaping Businesses 

Hacks to Build Emotional Connections in Your Content

According to Stefanie Marrone, your next job is creating a community. How do you do that? Here are three pointers that Stefanie provides:

  • Welcome comments to your blogs and social media posts
  • Start a conversation on your social media posts
  • Respond to those who interact with your content.

You can further build emotional connections with your content by using these tips:

  • Developing customer personas (the average person who buys your services)
  • Be authentic and compassionate through storytelling
  • Use the story of turfgrass varieties, sod installation, and weed control success to create a beautiful lawn
  • In addition to responding to comments, also encourage your current clients to weigh in on their lawn and landscape pain points by talking with actual customers
  • You can also include surveys and reviews in your newsletters and invoices to get customer feedback
  • Make your content personal by using personal pronouns and addressing your audience directly
  • Remember your audience when choosing words; while you may think certain words are acceptable, your audience may not.
  • Humanize your content by using emotional intelligence, such as controlling your emotions while commenting, and using empathy in your digital content

The above may sound a bit woo-woo, but you can tailor the above pointers based on your customer base. What kind of voice do your customers like? Consider both female and male readers who are interested in your services.

Choose The Landscape Writer to Incorporate the “Who Cares” Approach

If you’re looking for a content writer for your commercial green industry blogs and newsletters, contact The Landscape Writer at 717-381-6719 or get your free consultation here.

Sources:

LinkedIn.com, Content Marketing: How to Take Your Audience from “Who Cares” to “I’m Interested.”

MarketingEvolution.com, Uncovering Your Effective Frequency for Advertising Campaigns.

PRDaily.com, Stuck on Messaging? Start by Asking, “Who Cares?”

SocialMediaButterflyBlog.com, Mastering Content Creation: The Power of Knowing Your Audience.


Prepare Your Finances for Year-End with QuickBooks

Please note that this blog was written with ChatGPT. Although I generate most of my blogs, I may rely more on ChatGPT to craft affiliate marketing blogs. I will always put a note at the beginning of the blog if it’s AI-generated.

Here is my disclaimer link. If you have any questions, please email me at wendy@landscapewriter.com. Thank you.

As the year winds down, businesses face the crucial task of closing their books and preparing financials for tax season. Proper year-end preparation ensures smooth operations, fewer surprises during tax filing, and better insights for planning next year.

QuickBooks offers several features to simplify this process, helping you stay organized and on top of your finances. Here’s how you can make the most of QuickBooks for year-end preparation.

1. Reconcile Your Bank Accounts and Credit Cards

Accurate records start with reconciliation. Use QuickBooks to match your transactions with bank and credit card statements. This process helps identify missing or duplicated transactions and ensures your books align with financial records.

Pro Tip: QuickBooks offers bank feeds that import transactions directly, making reconciliation fast and accurate.

2. Run and Review Financial Reports

QuickBooks makes generating financial reports like Profit & Loss Statements and Balance Sheets easy. These reports provide a comprehensive view of your business’s performance over the year.

  • Profit & Loss Report: See your revenue and expenses for the year.
  • Balance Sheet: Review your assets, liabilities, and equity to ensure everything adds up.

Use these insights to identify any potential issues before the end of the year.

3. Categorize Expenses for Tax Deductions

Properly categorizing expenses ensures you maximize deductions when filing taxes. QuickBooks allows you to assign categories to every transaction, making identifying deductible expenses like office supplies, utilities, or marketing costs easy.

Pro Tip: Utilize QuickBooks’ built-in chart of accounts to organize your transactions efficiently.

Prepare Your Finances for Year-End with QuickBooks
Photo courtesy of QB Affiliate

4. Track and Adjust Inventory

If your business deals with physical products, QuickBooks helps track inventory. Run a physical inventory count and reconcile any discrepancies in QuickBooks to ensure the accuracy of your inventory records.

Read more: QuickBooks Review 2024: A Game-Changer for Landscaping Businesses

This will also assist in valuing your inventory correctly, which can impact your tax calculations.

5. Review Outstanding Invoices and Payments

The end of the year is an excellent time to follow up on any outstanding invoices. QuickBooks allows you to generate an Accounts Receivable report, giving you a clear picture of unpaid invoices.

Send payment reminders to customers before the year closes to improve cash flow.

6. Prepare for Payroll Reporting

QuickBooks Payroll simplifies year-end payroll tasks. It helps ensure that all employee data, including W-2s and 1099s, is accurate and ready for tax reporting.

Use QuickBooks to review your payroll records and verify year-to-date totals before submitting forms.

7. Back Up Your Data

It’s essential to back up your QuickBooks data before closing the books. Whether using the desktop version or QuickBooks Online, create a backup to prevent data loss and ensure you have a copy of your year-end records.

8. Plan for Next Year

Use insights from your year-end review to set financial goals and budgets for the upcoming year. QuickBooks allows you to create budgets and forecasts based on past performance, giving you a head start on planning.

Learn more: QuickBooks Online: Your 2024 Success Partner for Landscape Business Planning & Year-End Wrap-Up

Final Thoughts

Year-end financial preparation can be stressful, but QuickBooks makes it manageable. QuickBooks simplifies every process step with tools for tracking income, managing expenses, handling payroll, and generating reports.

Following these steps will prepare you for tax season and ready to hit the ground running in the new year.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re new to QuickBooks or want to maximize its features, now is the perfect time to explore its capabilities. Start preparing your finances today, and you’ll thank yourself come tax season!

Click on this link to get started with QuickBooks today! Read my disclaimer for this affiliate at this link.

https://landscapewriter.com/business-blog-writing-series-2-lets-get-to-know-each-other/

FAQ: What can you expect when you work with The Landscape Writer?

Answer: At The Landscape Writer, you’ll work with a professional content creator with over 11 years of experience working with landscaping business owners and digital marketing companies. When you work with me, well-written blogs, landing pages, and other digital content will attract more people to your landscaping and lawn care business.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the following when working with The Landscape Writer:

  • Let’s get to know each other
  • Avoiding content creation catastrophes
  • How does the blogging relationship work?

Working with a writer takes some time because I need to learn about you and your pain points, as well as your customers’ pain points.

Let’s Get to Know Each Other

Over the past 11 years in business, I’ve worked with some fascinating folks and look forward to working with you.

But I’ve learned that not everyone has worked with a content writer—or they have unrealistic expectations.

So when you schedule a free consultation with me, I’ll ask questions to get to know you, your customers, and your expectations when working with me.

I’m hoping that by educating you, my sales prospect, you’ll come into the relationship knowing where my expertise lies and where it ends.

You’ll also learn that working with a content copywriter who is a subject matter expert means I’m strong in some areas but not the entire commercial green industry. For example, I specialize in the landscape industry niche, writing about turfgrass health, landscape design, and hardscaping.

Here’s where my subject matter expertise lies:

  • Plants, including turf and plant health
  • Soil health and how it determines turfgrass health
  • Residential lawn care and landscaping
  • Commercial lawn care and landscaping,
  • Landscaping, including curb appeal, yard drainage, landscape design, and tree/shrub care
  • Marketing and customer service topics
  • Human relations and hiring topics
  • Local SEO and other digital marketing tools to get your landscaping company noticed.

I don’t write about

  1. Landscape contracting – In my experience, this is a different bird from general landscaping and lawn care clients.
  • Financial or money management  
  • Hard sales skills or KPIs.

Avoiding Content Creation Catastrophes

To avoid mishaps and misunderstandings, I’ve created an intake form I review with all sales prospects. I need to know what you’re thinking and what you need. I also need to ensure I’ll fit with your content writing goals.

It’s all about serving and helping you have the best digital content experience that brings the right people to your virtual or brick-and-mortar company.

Here is a sampling of questions that I ask all of my prospects during their free consultation on Zoom:

  • Have you worked with a content writer before? If not, please tell me what your expectations are.

I’ve found that some customers hadn’t worked with a digital content copywriter before they met me and don’t understand the writing process.

If you haven’t worked with a writer, no worries—allow me to show you the process so you can make an informed decision about working with me.

For instance, a successful writing partnership means that you’ll be a willing participant in the process. I need your input and want a friendly working relationship with you. If you have too many plates in the air, it may not be a good time to start a writing project.

  • How detailed-oriented are you? I’m asking this question to see where you fall on the DISC behavior scale.

High D’s, for example, don’t like details and don’t want to bother with them.

However, high D’s can get frustrated when I can’t read their minds. So, I need to ensure you can hang in there with me if you’re a D or I as we get all the details for your writing project.

For full disclosure, I’m a C/S. My C demonstrates a love of detail, conscientiousness, and a desire to do the job right the first time.

The S part of me is the steady Eddie. I’m loyal and dependable, but I don’t work in a rush when I have big writing projects.

Where do you land on the DISC? Do you want to work with a writer who has a C/S personality?

  • Who will be my primary contact for this project? If you and a partner are putting this project together, you must assign one person to lead the project.

You know the old saying, “Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth.” So, you need to assign one spokesperson to decide what to include in your digital content.

Talk to each other and agree on what needs to be said. Then, trust the spokesperson to communicate that information to me.

  • How much will you work with The Landscape Writer to develop content for your web copy, editorial calendar, or landing page?

While I’m independent, I still need your input for your copy. Can you spend the time necessary to get the job done well?

  • How do you feel about the editing process? Where do you need to go? Do you need to go a few rounds to get the information correct?

Editing is a big issue! Some clients react strongly to the editing process … yet it’s a vital part of my writing program. Excellent writing comes from great editing. Most writers embrace that their first or second drafts won’t be perfect.

For longer content writing projects: The editing process will typically take longer than expected if your project requires extra details.

Business Blog Writing Series 2: Getting to Know You---What You Can Expect from The Landscape Writer

Also, editing isn’t rewriting. It’s tightening and clarifying. If we communicate well during the writing project, a paragraph might need a rewrite, but not the entire web page.

As you can see, this writing and editing process takes a partnership between you and me.

How Does the Blogging Relationship Work?

The relationship is a bit different when you hire me to write blogs for your landscape company’s website. You’ll still get the intake form, but through my B2C questionnaire, we’ll discuss your customers’ pain points and how you’re the right landscaping company for the job.

Plus, I require a content calendar consultation that assigns a topic for each month and any specific keywords. Then, you and I know what to expect. Plus, the content calendar includes common landscaping topics, such as

  • Aeration and overseeding
  • Cool or warm season turf care
  • How to incorporate edibles into your landscape
  • Creating an outdoor destination with an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and additional patio space
  • How to hire employees who’ll commit to your company
  • Fall is the time to close your in-ground sprinkler systems.

Please note that I use expert articles to verify details. These sources will be noted at the bottom of the blog so people can do their research. These resources also build your credibility as an expert.

What’s the Next Step for You?

Do you want to reach out to your sales prospects? Do you want to share your expertise? You can do that through blogging, newsletters, and other content creation.

Consider working with The Landscape Writer.

I take the time to get to know you and your company’s unique selling points. Together, we’ll create website content that will draw your customers to your virtual door.

Contact me at wendy@landscapewriter.com or fill out my free consultation form to take the next step.

Unlock the Power of Jobber's Email Marketing Tools

FAQ: How do I get started with Jobber’s email marketing tools?

Answer: Log into your Jobber account to go to email marketing tools. You can create email templates, segment your customer list, and build campaigns.

In this blog post, you’ll learn about the following:

  • Leveraging Jobber’s email marketing tools
  • Creating segmented email lists and automated campaigns
  • Boosting your performance with Jobber’s email marketing tools.

Leveraging Jobber’s Email Marketing Tools

Do you keep in touch with your landscaping clients? You can send newsletters, e-blasts, and other communication to current or past customers and leads through Jobber’s email marketing tools.

Jobber’s email marketing tools include the following features:

  • Email templates
  • Segment customer lists
  • Automate email campaigns.

Jobber has pre-made templates or you can create custom forms for your email marketing messages. Use Jobber’s email marketing tools to

  • Filter your audience by specific criteria
  • Track the performance of your email campaigns through detailed reports.

These tools help maintain customer engagement, promote new services, and run targeted marketing campaigns efficiently. See the sources section below and click on links to Jobber Academy to learn more.

Learn more: Enhance Your Landscape Business with Jobber’s Latest Features

Create Segmented Email Lists & Automated Campaigns

Jobber Academy says, “Email marketing is the best way to stay on every customer’s mind. Emails tell customers you’re still around—and remind them you’re the best person for the job.”

How can you create segmented email lists and automated campaigns using Jobber’s email marketing tools?

Jobber gives you four email campaign examples to consider when you’re starting out:

  1. Re-engagement campaign where you re-connect with your customers.
  2. New service campaigns, such as aeration and overseeding, informing everyone on your client list.
  3. Use a seasonal campaign, such as fall lawn services, that reminds customers to sign up for the services.
  4. Send regular newsletters or other educational campaigns where you focus on a specific lawn care or landscaping problem and solution (your services).

Boost Your Performance with Jobber’s Email Marketing Tools

OutboundEngine.com says that getting new customers to sign up for your landscaping services could cost you five times as much as reminding current customers about them.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to boost your performance with Jobber’s email marketing tools to help you with customer retention.

Here are some other facts regarding customer acquisition and retention that OutboundEngine mentions:

  • You can increase your profits by 25-95% when your goal is to boost customer retention rates.
  • You may see a 60-70% success rate when you upsell your current clients on landscaping services. You’ll see only a 5-20% success rate when you sell to new clients.
  • Annual losses from avoidable customer switching amounts to $136.8 billion for U.S. companies. Also, American Express revealed that 33% of customers might leave after one bad service incident.

Read more: Step Up Your Business: Try Jobber for Free

Join Jobber Today & Enjoy 20% Off Your Subscription

Did you know you get a free two-week trial when signing up for a Jobber account? And when you go to my Jobber page, you can save 20% for a six-month subscription or 20% off an annual one.

Go to my Jobber page now to cash in on 20% off your subscription to use Jobber’s email marketing tools.

Written by a human with AI assistance.

Sources:

GetJobber.com, Email Campaign Examples and Tips to Upgrade Your Marketing.

OutboundEngine.com, Customer Retention Marketing vs. Customer Acquisition Marketing.

Garden Musings: Balancing Native & Non-Native Plants in a Sustainable Landscape

FAQ: Why should I choose native plants over non-native plants for my clients’ landscaping projects?

Answer: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), native plants have adapted to the local climate, soil, frost, drought, and other conditions.

Additionally, native plants can be local flora for a larger region, such as the eastern part of the United States or the southwestern United States.

You can also inform your customers and sales prospects about native plant landscaping  through blog posts, landing pages, and newsletter articles using the keywords “native plants” and “sustainable landscaping.”

In this blog post, you’ll learn the following information about native and non-native plants, such as

  • Defining native and non-native plants
  • 7 benefits of using native plants in a customer’s landscape
  • How to use non-native plants sparingly in a landscape
  • 4 blogging ideas about native plants and sustainable landscaping for landscape companies.

Defining Native and Non-Native Plants

Due to climate change, you must be aware of sustainable landscaping when working with your clients. Your landscape projects will see more success when you use native plants for your area.

Native plants have naturally acclimated to your larger region over thousands of years. For example, native plants, such as coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and Joe Pye weed, can handle the temperature fluctuations of the Northeastern U.S., including heat waves, dry summer conditions, and surviving snowy, cold winters.

Additionally, native plants are more insect- and disease-resistant in a particular region than non-native plants.

On the other hand, non-native plants have been introduced to local landscapes through human activity. Non-natives may do well in a specific region but require more nutrients, water, and insect control.

Likewise, non-natives can also be invasive, such as the following invasive plants affecting the United States:

  • Alligator weed
  • Black locust
  • Barberry
  • Dame’s rocket
  • Empress tree
  • Giant hogweed
  • Honeysuckle
  • Japanese knotweed
  • Norway maple
  • Tree of Heaven.

If you must use non-native plant species in your customers’ landscapes, ensure they aren’t invasive to your area.

Read more: Garden Musings – The Problem of Yellow Nutsedge

7 Benefits of Using Native Plants in a Customer’s Landscape

Native plants invite pollinators, birds, scent, and beauty to your customer’s landscape. They’re also low-maintenance for folks who don’t want to do deadheading and other plant chores between your visits.

Here are seven more benefits of using native plants in a customer’s landscape:

  • You’re making a beneficial environmental impact.

“The insects, animals, and microscopic organisms in the soil all depend on the region’s native plants for survival…,” says the NALP blog post, Sustainability: Native Versus Non-Native Plants.

  • Native plants improve air quality and prevent water runoff.

Native cultivars reduce the need for lawn mowers and other equipment. Native plant roots help to filter water and won’t contribute to erosion.

  • Native plants are a better investment than non-natives because they take root immediately, are healthier, and are hardier than non-native cultivars.

You’ll find that your customers will save money on watering, insect control, and fertilizing.

  • Native plants in the landscape tackle climate change.

Native trees, especially, do the hard work of storing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Also, native trees, such as oaks and maples, provide a home to caterpillars that momma birds use to feed their young. More birds means fewer insects and insect control.

How’s that for sustainable landscaping?

  • Native plants, including trees, shrubs, and perennials, require less water, so your clients save money on their water bills while conserving water.
  • Native plants feed pollinators.

Pollinators are an essential part of our food web. There’s a crisis with pollinators, including monarch butterflies and honeybees. Planting native trees, shrubs, and other plants in your customers’ landscapes helps to support these vital creatures.

Many native trees feed and provide shelter for mammals. While some customers may not care about sustainable landscaping, there will be some that do care deeply. Remind them we’re interrelated with our food web, and these customers will do their part in helping wildlife.

Learn more: Running Out of Blog Ideas?

How to Use Non-Native Plants Sparingly in a Landscape

Not all non-native plants are of the devil. Indeed, non-invasive, non-native plants that provide nectar, seeds, and nuts benefit bees and other beneficial insects that don’t rely on one specific plant for food.

For example, the monarch butterfly depends on milkweed, so if your customer wants to help it by planting milkweed in their flowerbeds, encourage them to do so.

Some pollinators benefit from non-invasive, non-native plants that offer nectar, seeds, and other food.

Photo courtesy of Wendy Komancheck

4 Blogging Tips for Landscaping Companies Using Native Plants and Sustainable Landscaping

So, how do you “educate” your customers and sales prospects about the benefits of native plants? How do you warn them about invasive, non-native plants?

Tell them in blogs, landing pages, newsletters, and other areas where you communicate with them. Here are some blog ideas to get you started:

  1. Transform Your Landscape: Tips for a Sustainable Landscape Makeover
  2. Uncover the Beauty of Native Plants: A Guide to Your Region’s Native Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers
  3. Spotlight on Nature: Native Plant of the Month
  4. Sustainable Landscaping: Growing a Greener Future.

I must confess that I used ChatGPT to come up with these titles. I first plugged in the blog topics and asked the AI tool to spice them up. There are many ways to develop more blog topics centering around native plants, non-invasive, non-native plants, and sustainable landscaping.

Interested in learning how AI helps you with your marketing communications? Then, fill out my contact form to learn more. I’m always happy to brainstorm and teach landscaping companies about effective marketing communications.

How the Landscape Writer Can Help You Promote Natives and Non-Natives in Sustainable Landscape Design

Want to learn more about blogging, website content, and landing pages? Or do you want to learn how to include blogging and other content creation in your landscaping business? If so, fill out my free consultation form.

Sources:

Audubon.org, Why Native Plants Matter.

Blog.LandscapeProfessionals.org, Sustainability: Native Versus Non-Native Plants.

DCNR.PA.gov, Native Plants for Landscaping, Restoration Buffers, and Meadow Establishment.

LurieGarden.org, Pollinators May Benefit from Mixing Native and Non-Native Plants.

MgManitoba.com, On Mixing Native and Non-Native.

Green Thumb Tech: Best Mobile Apps for Landscapers

Are you curious about the newest mobile apps for landscapers and lawn care business owners?

Mobile apps for the green industry cover organizing your back office to the best routing and where to find the cheapest gas. Some landscaping apps allow you to sync with other apps, offer email marketing campaigns, and sync your Google Business account with the app.

A few years ago, I uploaded the article, 14 Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Businesses, by a guest blogger. Over the years, I updated it, especially Jobber and QuickBooks, since I’m an affiliate for them.

It’s time to update and create part two of 14 Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Businesses since it’s held the number one spot on The Landscape Writer for the past five years.

In this article, you’ll be learning the following about mobile apps for landscapers:

  • How to maximize efficiency with task management apps
  • Streamline client communications with messaging apps
  • Enhance on-site operations using planning and designing apps
  • Grow your knowledge with this non-mobile app for landscapers.

How to Maximize Efficiency with Task Management Apps

Growing a small landscaping business may seem daunting, but you would be wrong. Plenty of landscaping apps on the market can help you manage your jobs in one place.

Learn more: Enhance Your Landscape Business with Jobber’s Latest Features

Here are six popular landscaping apps to check out from GetApp.com:

  1. FieldPulse

This mobile app has features tailored for landscape business owners and streamlines your operations. Using FieldPulse, you can create price estimates, manage schedules, and dispatch your teams.

Although Housecall Pro wasn’t listed in my sources, it is one of the more popular software programs for the green industry. According to its website, over 40,000 businesses use it.

Housecall Pro allows you to manage

  • Scheduling
  • Estimates and payments
  • Improved customer experience.
  • Jobber

I have written extensively about Jobber on my blog because I’m an affiliate. On GetApp.com, 90% of Jobber’s reviews are positive.

Jobber allows new leads to book on your Facebook or website, and you can send professional-looking invoices using the mobile app. The app also works as a CRM by saving all client information in one place.

Jobber introduced two new marketing tools this spring. You can now set up email campaigns on the app and sync your Google Business profile to your Jobber account to see reviews as they come in. It also helps you ask your customers for reviews.

This software program is geared toward landscapers and arborists. Like many other green thumb techs, KickServ helps you consolidate your spreadsheets and other paperwork online. According to KickServ, you’ll close more deals, provide excellent customer service, and get paid faster.

This field service software works for both lawn care operations and landscaping services. mHelpDesk helps you with contact management, scheduling & dispatching, work history, setting up recurring jobs, managing leads, and billing and invoicing.

ServiceTitan’s cloud-based landscaping business management software is called Aspire. Aspire’s key features include

  • CRM
  • Estimating
  • Scheduling
  • Crew tracking
  • Job costing
  • Purchasing
  • Invoicing
  • Reporting.

Streamline Client Communications with Messaging Apps

Messaging apps help you stay connected to landscaping customers and techs in the field by reminding them of upcoming appointments, specials, and other communications.

While some of the above software also has messaging apps, GetApp.com recommended the following:

  1. Aspire Crew Control allows you to stay connected with your crews. Your crews will no longer miss jobs because they have the information to serve all your clients’ appointments.
  • RealGreen’s mobile app updates your techs with real-time synced data from you. It also provides tools that help your crews complete work orders faster, make notes for upsells, and offer exceptional customer service.
  • SingleOps offers one platform for you to manage.
  • CRM
  • Job management
  • Crew & equipment management
  • Invoicing & payments
  • Reporting & insights for your landscaping company
  • Texting ability for you, your teams, and customers.

According to SingleOps’ website, you and your team can manage client and prospect lists from anywhere and on any device because SingleOps’ platform holds all of your data in the cloud.

  • GorillaDesk serves field service industries, including lawn care, pest control, and pool services. Depending on your green industry business needs, you can choose between basic and pro subscriptions.

This platform provides the following features for a basic subscription:

  • CRM
  • Drag & drop calendar
  • Invoicing & billing
  • The mobile app has a messaging feature
  • Route optimizer
  • Scheduling & dispatching
  • Team permissions
  • Work orders.

Learn more: QuickBooks Review 2024: A Game-Changer for Landscaping Businesses

Enhance On-Site Operations Using Planning and Designing Apps

If you plug in “planning and designing landscape apps” in Google, you’ll get a list of at least 16 mobile apps for applications, planning, and landscape design.

Put in “planning and designing landscape apps” in Microsoft’s Bing, and you won’t receive a list. Instead, Bing provided links to popular landscaping apps and an article from Borst Landscape & Design called Best Landscape Design Apps for iPad, iPhone, and Android.

This helpful blog post lists 10 free or low-cost apps. Granted, if you have a larger landscaping company, you may want to invest in more professional apps, but this will give you a crucial first step for new businesses.

Here are the 10 mobile apps that Borst Landscape & Design recommends; you can read the article online for details:

  1. iScape App
  2. Landscaper’s Companion
  3. Houzz
  4. Home Design 3D Outdoor & Garden
  5. Home Outside, Landscape Design for Everyone
  6. PRO Landscape Home
  7. My Lawn: A Guide to Lawn Care
  8. Garden and Landscape Designs
  9. VR Gardens—3D Design Planner
  10. Planter – Garden Planner.

Grow Your Knowledge with This Non-Mobile App for Landscapers

One of my X (formerly Twitter) followers recommended this website for all landscapers and lawn care owners/operators: My Landscape Academy (MyLandscapeAcademy.com). My Landscape Academy is an online hub for landscaping training courses.

They have over 40 online courses on safety, equipment use, and landscape skills. The training courses are in English and Spanish to serve all your employees who work in the field.

You can learn more about how the academy works by visiting its FAQs page.

Level Up Your Landscape Business: Click to Get Started!

If you’re starting a new landscaping or lawn care business, the above mobile apps will be invaluable to your company’s success. These tools will help you stay organized, communicate with team members, and manage invoicing and customer relationship management (CRM).

Click any of the above links to use landscaping apps to level up your landscaping company.

Elevate your landscaping business by harnessing the power of local SEO and strategic keywords. Contact me through my consultation form if you need support with your website’s content marketing strategy.

Sources:

BorstLandscape.com, Best Landscape Design Apps for iPad, iPhone, & Android.

GetApp.com, Landscape Software with SMS Messaging.

Ibid, Landscape Software with Task Management.

Jobber.com, Lawn Care Apps: 21 Apps to Run a Better Business.

LawnLove.com, Lawn Care Apps for Scheduling and Routing.

WorkYard.com, 10 Best Apps for Landscapers.

Enhance Your Landscape Business with Jobber's Latest Features

*Please note that this blog post was written using ChatGPT. I generate most of my blogs at The Landscape Writer.

However, I rely on ChatGPT to craft affiliate marketing blogs. I will always put a note at the beginning of an article if I rely on ChatGPT to write it.

Also, I want to be transparent with everyone who visits The Landscape Writer. I may earn a commission if you click on my affiliate links. Read more at my affiliate disclaimer page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me at wendy@landscapewriter.com. Thank you for reading this post!

Staying current with the latest tools and technologies is crucial for landscape business owners’ growth and success. Jobber, a leading software solution for field service management, has recently launched some exciting new features and marketing campaigns tailored specifically for landscapers like you.

New Features for Streamlined Operations

Jobber’s latest updates offer enhanced functionality to streamline your day-to-day operations. From scheduling and dispatching to invoicing and client communication, these new features are designed to make your workflow smoother and more efficient.

Read more: Step Up Your Business: Try Jobber for Free

Marketing Campaigns to Boost Visibility

Effective marketing is essential for attracting and retaining new customers in today’s competitive market. Jobber’s marketing campaigns give landscapers powerful tools to promote their services and stand out.

Jobber has two new marketing tools for you to use:

Sync Google Reviews for Social Proof

Positive reviews can significantly impact your landscaping business. With Jobber’s latest review management tools, you can sync your Google reviews directly with the platform, showcasing your reputation for excellence to potential clients. Leveraging social proof can build trust and credibility, ultimately driving more business.

Learn more: Jobber Saves You Time and Money

Summing Up

Jobber continues innovating and supporting landscape businesses with its comprehensive features and marketing tools. These resources can streamline your operations, enhance your marketing efforts, and grow your business more effectively.

Are you ready to streamline your business operations? Sign up for Jobber through our exclusive link and enjoy a special discount! Choose from two fantastic deals: save 20% for the first 6 months or enjoy 20% off the entire first year with an annual plan. These exclusive savings are only available through our link.

Take advantage of this offer today and enhance your operational efficiency with Jobber. Click below to get started and unlock these special rates!

For a limited time, you can get 50% off their first 3 months on new Jobber subscriptions–but only if you sign up through my landing page.

Sign up for Jobber

If you want to take advantage of Jobber’s features and benefits, you must sign up through my landing page or you’ll miss out!

Streamline Tax Season with These Three QuickBooks Tools for Small Businesses

*Please note that this blog post was written using ChatGPT. I generate most of my blogs at The Landscape Writer.

However, I rely on ChatGPT to craft affiliate marketing blogs. I will always put a note at the beginning of an article if I rely on ChatGPT to write it.

Also, I want to be transparent to everyone who visits The Landscape Writer. I may earn a commission if you click on my affiliate links. Read more at my affiliate disclaimer page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at wendy@landscapewriter.com. Thank you for reading this post!

Tax season can be stressful for small businesses, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. QuickBooks®offers a range of features designed to simplify tax preparation and financial management.

This blog post will explore three essential QuickBooks®tools to help small businesses succeed during tax season.

QuickBooks®Online

QuickBooks® Online is cloud-based accounting software that provides small businesses with a comprehensive suite of tools for managing their finances.

One key benefit of QuickBooks®Online during tax season is its ability to categorize transactions and automatically generate detailed reports. This saves small business owners valuable time by eliminating the need for manual data entry and reconciliation.

Learn more: QuickBooks Review 2024: A Game-Changer for Landscaping Businesses

QuickBooks®Online lets users easily track income and expenses, capture receipts using mobile devices, and collaborate with their accountants in real time.

With access to up-to-date financial information anytime, anywhere, small businesses can make more informed decisions and stay organized throughout tax season.

QuickBooks®Self-Employed

QuickBooks®Self-Employed is a must-have tool for managing taxes and finances for freelancers, independent contractors, and other self-employed individuals.

This specialized version of QuickBooks®is designed specifically for individuals with self-employment income, making it ideal for those who need to file Schedule C as part of their tax return.

QuickBooks®Self-Employed simplifies tax deductions by automatically categorizing business expenses and calculating estimated quarterly taxes. Users can also track mileage, capture receipts, and generate reports to help maximize deductions and minimize tax liability.

With features tailored to the unique needs of self-employed individuals, QuickBooks Self-Employed makes tax season less daunting and more manageable.

QuickBooks®Desktop

While QuickBooks®Online and QuickBooks®Self-Employed offer many benefits for small businesses, some may prefer the familiarity and robust features of QuickBooks Desktop.

Learn more: The Financial Benefits of Automating Your Business with Jobber and
QuickBooks®

QuickBooks®Desktop provides advanced tools for inventory management, job costing, and more, making it suitable for larger businesses or those with complex accounting needs.

During tax season, QuickBooks® Desktop helps small businesses stay organized with features like customizable reporting, advanced inventory tracking, and industry-specific editions.

Users can also integrate QuickBooks®Desktop with other software applications and services to streamline workflow and improve efficiency.

In conclusion, QuickBooks® offers tools to help small businesses succeed during tax season. Whether you prefer the convenience of cloud-based software with QuickBooks®Online, the specialized features of QuickBooks®Self-Employed, or the advanced capabilities of QuickBooks®Desktop, there’s a solution to fit your needs.

By leveraging these tools, small businesses can save time, reduce stress, and focus on what they do best – growing their business.

Sign up for QuickBooks®today using this link.

Why February is the Best Time to Sign Up with Jobber Before the Busy Spring Season Starts

*Please note that this blog post was written using ChatGPT. Most of my blogs are generated by me, The Landscape Writer.

However, I rely on ChatGPT to craft affiliate marketing blogs. I will always put a note at the beginning of an article if I rely on ChatGPT to write it.

Also, I want to be transparent to everyone who visits The Landscape Writer. I may earn a commission if you click on my affiliate links. Read more at my affiliate disclaimer page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at wendy@landscapewriter.com. Thank you for reading this post!

Planning is crucial to your success as a landscaping or lawn care business owner.

February presents a prime opportunity to get ahead of the game, and there’s no better way to do that than by signing up with Jobber before the busy spring season kicks in.

Beat the Spring Rush

The spring season is when demand for landscaping services surges. Homeowners and businesses alike are eager to beautify their outdoor spaces after the winter months.

Read more: Kickstart 2024 with Jobber: Essential Planning for Landscape Businesses

By signing up with Jobber in February, you can get your operations streamlined and ready to handle the influx of work. Avoid the stress of scrambling to organize jobs and manage clients during the busiest time of the year.

Efficiency from Day One

Jobber’s user-friendly platform allows for quick and painless onboarding. Starting in February, you have ample time to set up your account, import client data, and fine-tune your service offerings.

Plus, you’ll have a Jobber coach who’ll help you onboard quickly and efficiently. And don’t forget, when you sign up for Jobber, you get a free trial and 20% off for your first six months OR 20% off your first year with Jobber.

This means that when the spring season arrives, you’ll hit the ground running with a well-oiled machine. Jobber’s time-saving features, such as automated scheduling and invoicing, will ensure you maximize every minute during the high-demand season.

Get a Head Start on Profitability

Every day counts in the world of business. By signing up with Jobber in February, you’re proactively investing in your company’s success.

The time and money saved with Jobber’s efficient tools will become evident as you take on more clients during spring. Instead of worrying about administrative tasks, you can focus on delivering exceptional landscaping services and growing your profits.

Learn more: Jobber Saves You Time and Money

Don’t wait until the spring rush overwhelms you. With a streamlined operation, you’ll be prepared to seize the opportunities that come your way during the busiest time of the year.

Get ahead of the competition and set your landscaping or lawn care business up for a successful spring season.

Are you ready to streamline your business operations? Sign up for Jobber through our exclusive link and enjoy a special discount! Choose from two fantastic deals: save 20% for the first 6 months or enjoy 20% off the entire first year with an annual plan. These exclusive savings are only available through our link.

Take advantage of this offer today and enhance your operational efficiency with Jobber. Click below to get started and unlock these special rates!

For a limited time, you can get 50% off their first 3 months on new Jobber subscriptions–but only if you sign up through my landing page.

Sign up for Jobber

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