Top Networking Strategies for Thriving Landscaping Companies

Networking in the landscaping industry builds relationships to help business owners grow their customer base, form valuable partnerships, and increase brand awareness.

This guide covers eight actionable networking strategies for landscaping companies, from local business associations to digital platforms, to help your business thrive in 2025 and beyond.

1. Join local business associations and chambers of commerce

Joining local business associations and chambers of commerce is a great way to grow your landscaping business. These networks connect you with other business owners, potential customers, and community leaders who value collaboration.

As a member, you can access networking events, workshops, and opportunities to promote your landscaping services to a broader audience. These connections often lead to word-of-mouth referrals and partnerships with other local businesses.

To get the most out of your membership:

• Attend events regularly to increase brand awareness and connections with potential landscaping customers.

• Volunteer for committees or projects to showcase your expertise, business name, and community involvement.

• Hand out business cards and brochures at events to promote your landscaping company. Think of business cards as your personalized billboard.

• Share your knowledge by speaking at meetings or hosting landscaping workshops.

• Connect with other members on social media and local directories to deepen relationships.

Beyond local associations, industry-specific events provide another opportunity to network and increase brand awareness.

2. Attend industry trade shows and conferences

Attending trade shows and conferences is fundamental to networking in the landscaping industry.

Events like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Elevate Expo or local horticulture fairs provide opportunities to connect with industry peers, suppliers, and potential customers.

These events update you on the latest landscape design, lawn care, and landscaping marketing strategies. Face-to-face networking builds trust and opens more doors for collaborations and partnerships.

To get the most out of trade shows and conferences:

• Research the attendee list and schedule meetings with key people.

• Bring business cards, promotional materials, and an elevator pitch about your landscaping company.

• Attend workshops or panel discussions to reach your target audience.

• Network at social events or during breaks to build personal relationships.

• Use social media to post event updates and tag relevant businesses or attendees. Pay-per-click ads, such as Facebook ads, could increase brand awareness before and during the event. They are an affordable way to reach event attendees.

Post-event follow up:

• Send personalized emails to new contacts, thanking them for their time and suggesting next steps. Avoid using email marketing software for this.

• If you begin using direct mail or other digital marketing campaigns, add new customers or suppliers to your CRM to track future interactions.

• Connect with connections on LinkedIn to keep your landscaping business at the top of your mind.

Beyond big events, local partnerships can also grow your landscaping business through referrals and collaborations.

3. Partner with real estate agents and property managers

Partnering with real estate agents and property managers is a great way to get consistent business for your landscaping company.

Real estate agents work with homeowners who want to enhance curb appeal before selling, and property managers need regular lawn care and maintenance for commercial or rental properties.

These professionals need reliable landscaping services, but their clients can also become a steady stream of potential customers for your business. 

To partner:

• Research local real estate agencies and property management companies in your area.

• Offer a free consultation or trial landscaping service to showcase your work and professionalism.

• Explain how your landscaping services improve the property and increase market value.

• Offer exclusive discounts or referral incentives for their clients.

• Communicate effectively and deliver reliable, high-quality service to build trust over time. Leave them your phone number so they can contact you when needed.

Structuring a win-win deal:

• Create a referral program where agents and managers get rewards for referring your services.

• Build custom service packages for real estate listings or multi-unit properties. For example, mowing packages are a popular service for lawn care businesses, as sellers want to improve curb appeal to potential home buyers around homes for sale.

• Offer flexible pricing plans to suit different property budgets and scopes. Some realtors may be small businesses and cannot afford the same as larger real estate enterprises.

Expanding partnerships beyond real estate and property management to suppliers and contractors can grow your landscaping business with more satisfied customers.

4. Network with local suppliers and contractors

Building relationships with suppliers can create opportunities to negotiate discounts, priority access to products, and early notification of new products. 

Consider contractors in adjacent industries, such as pool builders and deck installers. These professionals may need landscaping services to complete their jobs, making them great referral partners.

A well-connected network means a steady flow of materials and jobs, increasing operational efficiency and profitability. Networking with suppliers and contractors can also be part of your sales strategy to convert potential customers into paying ones.

To build your supplier relationships:

• Buy from vendors regularly to earn loyalty and negotiate better prices.

• Attend supplier-hosted events to learn about new products and build relationships.

• Offer testimonials or reviews for their services in exchange for priority access or discounts.

For reciprocal referrals with contractors:

• Find complementary contractors like irrigation specialists, paving companies, or fence builders.

• Propose cross-promotion deals where you refer each other’s services to clients.

• Work on joint projects and bundling services to offer complete solutions to homeowners or commercial clients.

Networking with suppliers and contractors creates a network of resources and opportunities for your landscaping business to grow.

5. Utilize online networking platforms

Online networking platforms allow landscaping businesses to connect with potential clients and industry professionals.

Platforms like LinkedIn allow business owners to showcase their landscaping expertise while building brand awareness and customer relationships. Landscaping-specific forums and online communities like Aspire Together enable users to share knowledge, collaborate on challenges, and learn from others in the industry. 

To get online:

• Create a professional LinkedIn profile with your landscaping services, unique selling proposition, and contact details.

• Share good content like landscaping design tips or lawn care advice to show your expertise.

• Engage in landscaping industry groups to build credibility and connections.

For Aspire Together:

• Participate in discussions to learn and share your experience.

• Ask for advice from other landscaping professionals.

• Collaborate with other Aspire customers to improve your business and marketing.

Using online platforms can help you attract new clients and gain insights and support from a community of like-minded professionals.

6. Join local environmental and sustainability organizations

Joining local environmental and sustainability organizations can boost your landscaping business by associating your brand with green values.

Many homeowners and businesses prioritize eco-friendly practices, so these groups are a great way to network with potential clients who value sustainable landscaping.

These organizations connect you with like-minded professionals and opportunities to work on environmentally focused projects. They also help you reach your target market by connecting you with specific customer segments prioritizing sustainability.

To participate in eco-focused groups:

• Volunteer for events like tree planting or community garden projects to show your green credentials.

• Offer workshops on drought-resistant landscaping or eco-friendly lawn care services.

• Partner with other members to develop green initiatives that promote your brand.

• Promote your involvement in these organizations on your website and social media to attract green clients. Your contact information should always be easy to find on your website.

• Use your sustainable landscape design expertise to help the organization and showcase your services.

By engaging with these organizations, you position your landscaping business as a leader in the growing trend of environmentally responsible landscaping.

7. Organize and participate in community events

Hosting and participating in community events is an excellent way for landscaping businesses to build brand awareness and credibility.

Local events, such as garden tours, park beautification projects, or neighborhood clean-ups, position your business as an active community member. These events allow you to showcase your landscaping expertise, connect with homeowners, and build meaningful relationships. 

Sponsoring events also associates your business with positive community values and attracts potential clients who value local involvement.

Community events can turn happy customers into brand advocates who refer your business to their network.

To get the most out of community events:

• Host workshops on lawn care services or landscape design to show your expertise.

• Set up a booth at local fairs or markets to showcase your portfolio and share contact details.

• Partner with other local businesses for co-sponsored events that attract a bigger audience.

• Offer free consultations or giveaways like branded business cards or door hangers to generate leads.

• Promote events on social media and customer reviews to boost your online presence.

Build your reputation as a reliable and community-focused landscaping business by engaging with local and neighborhood events.

8. Engage clients through referral programs and reviews

Word-of-mouth and online reviews are among the most powerful tools for networking and attracting new clients in the landscaping industry. Positive testimonials from happy clients help build trust and credibility and attract potential clients. 

Referral programs encourage current clients to refer your landscaping services to others, creating a steady stream of new business.

Leveraging these programs can help you get more customers by turning happy clients into brand advocates. Combined with online reviews on your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) and Yelp, these strategies increase brand awareness and reputation.

To get referrals:

• Offer discounts, free services, or gift cards to clients who refer new customers.

• Promote your referral program on social media, through email campaigns, and during service visits.

• Create a simple referral tracking system with clear rewards for participation.

To get and leverage online reviews:

• Ask happy clients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile, Yelp, or website.

• Provide step-by-step instructions or direct links to make the review process easy.

• Respond to positive and negative reviews to show you care about customer feedback.

How Aspire can help:

• Aspire’s CRM tracks referrals and client interactions so you can reward participants accurately.

• Use the platform to monitor feedback, address issues before they become problems, and maintain customer satisfaction.

• Automate thank you emails to clients for reviews or referrals and build relationships.

You get a loyal customer base that grows your landscaping business by engaging with clients through referrals and reviews.

How Aspire can help your landscaping company thrive

Aspire software gives landscaping companies the tools to streamline operations, increase customer satisfaction, and grow their business. 

By automating processes and increasing operational visibility, Aspire allows business owners to focus on networking and delivering outstanding landscaping services. 

Here’s how Aspire can help you:

Lead and Contact Management

Centralized Database

Aspire stores potential and current clients in one property-centric location, allowing you to track interactions and follow-ups. Thus, no lead will be overlooked.

Automated Follow-Ups

Set reminders, send automated messages to nurture leads, and stay in touch with current clients to keep your landscaping business front of mind for potential customers.

Use the Marketing Pro integration to target your existing customer base with direct and email marketing materials and track ROI in platform.

CRM Tools

Personalized Client Profiles

Aspire’s CRM lets you store client information, preferences, and service history, enabling you to understand and manage your target market and tailor your landscaping services to their needs.

Seamless Communication

Aspire makes communication easy with automated emails, texts, and updates so you can stay in touch with clients and build long-term relationships.

The Aspire Mobile app makes staying in touch with your team easier. It offers three-way communication between the office, the field, and customers.

Reporting and Analytics

Performance Metrics

Aspire provides data-driven insights into customer feedback, referral program results, and project outcomes, which you can use to fine-tune your marketing.

Forecasting and Trends

Track customer demographics and service demand to anticipate needs and stay ahead of the competition.

Aspire software changes how landscaping businesses work, making it easier to manage leads, build customer loyalty, and optimize business.

It’s your turn now

Networking helps landscaping businesses build relationships, get new customers, and grow sustainably. 

These strategies, from joining local associations to using referral programs, will help your business grow over the long term.

Aspire software supports you by automating and streamlining processes, tracking ROI, and building relationships.

Learn more about how to grow your landscaping business or get more leads.

Take the next step. Book a free demo with Aspire today.