Are Postcards a Good Idea for Marketing a Landscaping or Lawn Care Business?
When it comes to marketing a lawn care or landscaping business, postcards might not be the first strategy that comes to mind in today’s digital world. Yet, many professionals still swear by them. A well-designed postcard has the power to land directly in a homeowner’s hands, showcase your services, and spark a phone call that turns into a long-term customer. The big question is: do postcards really work in 2025, and are they worth the cost for lawn care pros? Let’s break down what industry professionals are saying.
Why Lawn Care Pros Still Use Postcards
In the age of Facebook ads and Google search campaigns, postcards might seem old-fashioned. But many lawn care professionals still rely on them because they work when done right. Unlike digital ads that disappear in a scroll, a postcard lands directly in a homeowner’s mailbox. It’s physical, visible, and if the design stands out, it can drive phone calls and new business.
For lawn care companies looking to expand mowing routes or lock in seasonal clients, postcards remain one of the few ways to target entire neighborhoods at once.
Timing Is Everything
One of the biggest takeaways from pros is that postcard marketing is all about timing. Sending the same card one week versus the next can bring completely different results.
Some lawn care businesses have found success staggering mail drops every two weeks, while others send large volumes all at once. The key is finding what works best for your market. One professional noted:
“You can send out the same postcard to the same area a week apart and have two completely different results.”
This means consistency is important. Don’t judge a single drop as a success or failure too quickly. As a landscaper, you'll have to give the campaign time to work.
How Much Should You Send?
The number of postcards you send often depends on the type of jobs you’re targeting.
For mowing routes: Businesses often want a lot of calls to build route density (clustering jobs in the same neighborhoods). That means larger postcard drops sometimes 1,500+ at a time.
For big landscaping jobs: Many pros prefer a steady trickle of 5–10 closed jobs at a time rather than dozens of leads all at once. Smaller, more targeted postcard campaigns may be better here.
One pro explained that postcards helped him transition away from one-off landscaping jobs and toward building steady mowing accounts that filled his schedule week after week.
Offers That Work
Another way pros make postcards more effective is by adding an enticing offer. A common example is a “free cut with a 4-week commitment.”
This type of deal lowers the barrier for homeowners who might be hesitant to try a new lawn care service. If you can deliver great service during that first free cut, you’re likely to turn them into a long-term customer.
The trade-off is that you need to structure the offer carefully. Free services without commitment often attract one-time bargain hunters. The key is pairing the free cut with a minimum sign-up period.
Services That Simplify Postcard Marketing
Traditionally, sending postcards meant designing them, printing them, bundling them into stacks, and delivering them to the post office with EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) paperwork. For busy landscapers, that process is a hassle.
Fortunately, modern postcard services now handle all the heavy lifting:
PostCardMania – Offers design, printing, and mailing. Campaigns can be targeted by neighborhood and even by income thresholds. Many pros like the simplicity of having one service handle everything.
SendJim – Lets you choose individual homes or neighborhoods online, then prints and mails cards automatically. This saves time and eliminates USPS bundling.
EDDM (USPS) – Still an option, but less targeted and more manual compared to services like PostCardMania or SendJim.
How Much Do Postcards Cost?
The cost of a postcard campaign depends on factors like postcard size, who handles the mailing, and whether you add special features like coupons. In general, lawn care pros can expect to spend $0.25 to $1.00 per postcard.
Here are some common options:
Option | Details | Approx. Cost (per card) |
---|---|---|
You Handle Mailing | You design/print postcards and take them to the post office for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). | $0.25 – $0.40 |
They Handle Mailing | A service handles printing, addressing, and mailing for you. | $0.50 – $0.80 |
Larger Postcards | Oversized designs that stand out more in the mailbox. | $0.60 – $1.00 |
Coupons or Special Offers | Adds cost but increases response rate; perforated coupons or QR codes. | $0.70 – $1.00+ |
💡 Pro Tip: The more you print and mail, the lower your per-card cost will be. Smaller runs are convenient but often more expensive per piece.
Why Postcards Might Not Be Enough
While postcards can bring in calls, they come with challenges that many lawn care pros find frustrating. Results are inconsistent — one drop might flood you with leads, while the next barely gets noticed. Costs add up quickly, especially if you’re sending thousands at a time without guaranteed returns.
Even when postcards work, timing is tricky. Mailings often need to be repeated every few weeks, and calls can come in all at once, overwhelming small crews or leaving gaps in the schedule. Plus, postcards don’t allow you to filter for customers who are ready to buy now, meaning you may waste time chasing lukewarm leads.
That’s where a platform like GreenPal changes the game. Instead of gambling on mail timing and design, you get qualified, ready-to-hire leads delivered directly to your inbox.
The Pros and Cons of Postcards
Like any marketing tool, postcards have their strengths and weaknesses. They can be a powerful way to generate lawn care leads, but they also come with challenges that make them less predictable compared to digital options. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
📬 Tangible and visible in the mailbox | ⏳ Results vary depending on timing and market |
🏡 Builds route density efficiently | 💸 Costs can add up if targeting isn’t precise |
🌱 Great for seasonal campaigns (spring cleanups, mowing rush) | 📞 May bring too many calls at once, overwhelming smaller crews |
✅ Can be fully outsourced for convenience |
The bottom line: Postcards work, but they aren’t a magic bullet. They’re most effective when used consistently, paired with strong offers, and integrated into a broader marketing strategy that includes digital channels.
Final Thoughts
So, are postcards a good idea for marketing a landscaping or lawn care business? Yes, if you approach them strategically. They can help you generate consistent leads, build tighter routes, and grow your customer base. However, they should be part of a broader plan that encompasses digital marketing, word-of-mouth, and referrals.
If you want a faster, smarter way to grow your lawn care business, GreenPal can help. Instead of waiting for postcards to hit, GreenPal delivers qualified leads straight to your inbox. With GreenPal, you get access to homeowners actively looking for lawn care today and you can build your customer base without the guesswork.