Case Studies
Real Businesses, Real Results
A closer look at how hands-on support, industry knowledge and genuine relationships have helped landscaping and grounds maintenance businesses grow.
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Business Development & Marketing for Landscaping Companies
What does it actually look like when I become part of your team?
I say quite often that I don't want to feel like an outside marketing person. I want to get to know your business, understand what you're trying to achieve and become someone you can genuinely call on when you need me.
So I thought the best way to explain what I mean was to show you what actually happened during my first month representing Wrights Landscapes.
And it was quite a month!
It Started With Getting Wrights Seen More on LinkedIn
The Starting Point
Being visible on LinkedIn isn't about posting something and disappearing until the next post. Consistency gets you noticed, but engagement gets you involved. For Wrights, that means keeping their LinkedIn active with regular content about their projects, their people and what's happening behind the scenes. But I also spend time engaging with other people's content on their behalf, joining conversations and making sure Wrights are visible outside of their own posts. I don't believe in posting and ghosting. If we want people to recognise the Wrights name, we need to be part of the conversation too.
The Numbers
And in the first month, that consistent approach started to show: 6,728 → 14,694 impressions 53 → 449 reactions 138 → 218 search appearances 1,339 → 1,415 followers Those aren't just nice numbers for a monthly report. More impressions and search appearances mean more people seeing the Wrights name and more opportunities for the right people to discover the business. What makes these results even more encouraging is that the previous reporting period had benefited from LinkedIn Premium, whereas this one hadn't. Despite that, the organic activity continued to perform strongly.
The Result
For me, this is where LinkedIn starts to become business development, not just social media management. Because I don't want to post four times a week just so we can say Wrights are active on LinkedIn. I want the right people to see them, recognise them and remember them. And as you'll see next, in month one, one of those LinkedIn relationships turned into actual work.
One Message. One Introduction. Actual Work.
The Situation
One of the things I'm really proud of is that I've built a strong network within the industry and I'm now often approached directly when someone is looking for a recommendation or a particular service. This month, one of my LinkedIn connections got in touch. They had just finished the groundworks for a new Virgin Active gym and were looking for someone to carry out the landscaping. They asked if I knew anyone. I certainly did.
The Introduction
I introduced them to Wrights Landscapes and they quickly got in touch, looked at what was needed and provided a quote for the work. Two weeks later, Wrights were on site carrying out the landscaping. And from everything I've heard, it looks amazing! Even better, the introduction has opened the door to what looks like it could become an ongoing working relationship between the two businesses.
Why It Matters
This is exactly why I put so much value on being visible, building relationships and having a genuine network within the industry. People knowing what I do and knowing the businesses I represent means that when someone asks me, “Do you know a landscaper?”, I can make an introduction there and then. For Wrights, this wasn't an impression, a like or another follower. It was an introduction that turned into real work within two weeks. And for me, that's what good business development is all about: being in the right conversations, knowing the right people and connecting the dots when an opportunity comes along.
Then I Spotted an Opportunity…
The Opportunity
I spotted someone on LinkedIn looking for a landscaper and immediately thought it could be a good opportunity for Wrights. I followed it up and the next step was a site visit. The problem was, Wrights were busy and couldn't free up the time to get there. Rather than let the opportunity go cold, I offered to go on their behalf.
Taking It Forward
I went out to the site, met with the client, looked at what was involved and took the measurements needed to price the works. I then spoke with Wrights, went through the job with them and made sure I had everything I needed to put the costs together and get a price back to the client. For me, this is an important part of business development. It's not enough to simply spot an opportunity and forward it on with a “this might be worth a look.” Sometimes you need someone who can actually pick it up and keep it moving.
The Result
Wrights didn't have to find time for the initial site visit, take the measurements or work through the first stage of pricing. I was able to do that on their behalf and make sure the opportunity was followed up. That's what I want my full BDM support to be about: not just finding potential work, but getting involved and helping my clients pursue it when they're already stretched for time.
A Trip to Kent Was Next
The Opportunity
Wrights had completed the landscaping for a new modular housing development in Kent, created to provide homes for people experiencing homelessness. The project was holding its grand opening and Wrights had been invited, but with a busy workload they weren't able to attend. It was an important project and an opportunity for Wrights to be represented, so I offered to attend on their behalf.
Representing The Business
I travelled down to Kent as a representative of Wrights Landscapes for the opening. For me, this was about much more than simply attending an event. It was an opportunity to be there on behalf of my client, meet the people involved, talk about Wrights and make sure their contribution to the project was represented. And being trusted to do that matters to me. The more I understand a client's business, their work and how they want to be represented, the more useful I can become to them, particularly when they simply can't be everywhere at once.
Why This Is Business Development
Business development doesn't always start with a lead or a tender. Sometimes it's about showing up, building relationships and making sure your business is represented in the right places. Wrights were busy delivering their work. I could make sure they didn't miss the opportunity to be there because of it.
And Then I Found That Tender…
The Opportunity
While actively looking for new opportunities for Wrights, I came across a large planting tender that looked like a really strong fit for the business. There was just one problem. The submission deadline was extremely close. It would have been very easy to dismiss it as “we haven't got enough time”, particularly when Wrights were already busy delivering their existing work. But it was too good an opportunity not to try.
From Finding It To Submitting It
I offered to take ownership of pulling the tender submission together. And there was a lot more involved than simply filling in a few boxes. I worked through the tender requirements, estimated the quantities needed, helped pull together the costs, wrote the methods of work and gathered the relevant policies, supporting information and evidence required for the submission. It meant getting the information I needed from Wrights, understanding how they would deliver the work and turning all of that into a clear, complete tender response. Then came the final checks to make sure we'd answered what was actually being asked, included the right evidence and hadn't missed anything important. We submitted it with just five hours to spare.
Why This One Matters
We're still waiting for the outcome, so there are no victory celebrations just yet! But whatever happens, I'm proud that we went for it. Because this is another side of business development that can easily get overlooked. Finding an opportunity is only useful if you have the time and resources to actually pursue it. Wrights didn't have to put an important opportunity to one side because they were busy. I found it, helped build the submission and got it over the line before the deadline. Now we keep everything crossed. 🤞
Then Came a Site Inspection
The Situation
An estate manager raised concerns about planting on a development Wrights had landscaped the previous year. Rather than Wrights having to take time away from their current projects, I went back to site on their behalf to carry out a defect inspection.
What I Found
The good news was the trees were healthy and establishing well. I did, however, spot some garden wire that hadn't been removed and was beginning to tighten around the growing trunks, something easily resolved now, but potentially damaging if left. A large Ilex crenata hedge was also looking very brown. At first glance it didn't look promising, but closer inspection showed new growth and a scratch test confirmed there was still life there.
Why I Could Step In
This is where my horticultural knowledge and hands on industry experience really comes into its own. I wasn't just attending site on Wrights' behalf. I understood what I was looking at, could identify potential issues and knew what recommendations to make. It means Wrights can trust me to represent them on site with an understanding of both the plants and the landscaping industry.
The Result
I put everything into a defect inspection report, including my findings and recommendations for the maintenance team, giving Wrights the information they needed to go back to the estate manager with confidence.
Wrights Landscapes chose my full BDM package, so the support I provide goes far beyond LinkedIn alone. Every business I work with is different, and the opportunities, challenges and support needed will be different too. But hopefully, this gives you a real feel for what we got up to in just month one and what having me as an extension of your team can look like.
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