I'm doing the same thing with my landscaping business. I feel I have to jump on the digital bandwagon in order to survive.

And if you are on the bandwagon, you are moving at the same slow speed as everyone else.

What you might want to figure out is your unique value proposition, what it is that makes your service more valuable.

Then you want to look at what might be an easy way in. Find something that people “need” to take care of in the spring, and offer that at cost in order to get in front of them, maybe a post winter gutter and downspout cleaning special, maybe a sidewalk power wash, maybe a salt-damage lawn restoration.

One, you want to get people to spend the first dollar with you. If they've done that, they are more likely to spend the second, and the hundreds to follow.

Two, you want to show them you are special, that you see details no other landscaper does or would. People are willing to pay for that.

Three, show them that you come to them. Get out on a Saturday morning. Go to home depot, buy twenty rolls of sod and some peat moss or top soil. Maybe some edging and a few miscellaneous garden tools, especially if there's one or two that you really like that most people don't know about. Find the people working in their gardens, let them know you are in the business, and ask them if there is anything they need. Provide any advice, sell any supplies, help them get it set up.

Maybe you also have a handout, “Five Pro Tips for a Greener Lawn” or something like that, branded at the bottom with your logo name and number, maybe an RF code to get on your landing page so they can get a new gardening tip every week throughout the year.

And if you can, get an e-mail and stay in touch. When they need, there will be only one address.