The traditional path of door-knocking and flyer distribution is dead. As someone who’s witnessed countless business transformations, the story of Bobby Kroll’s journey from a struggling lawn maintenance provider to a seven-figure landscape design powerhouse perfectly illustrates why. His secret weapon? YouTube videos – but not just any videos. Wes McDowell did an in depth sit down interview with Bobby Kroll on his Youtube channel. Here are my main takeaways from that interview.
Starting in Saint Louis with a basic lawn maintenance business, Bobby faced the same challenges many local service providers encounter. Competing for scraps, dealing with tire-kickers, and burning through cash on platforms like HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List. The turning point came when he watched another company installing patios and retaining walls at a client’s property where he was merely mowing grass.
The Pivot to Video Marketing
The initial steps were modest – recording simple phone videos and posting them on Facebook and Instagram. The real breakthrough came when Bobby recognized that people were genuinely interested in seeing the process behind landscape design and construction. Despite wanting to quit numerous times, early feedback kept him going.
Within weeks, the first “I saw you on YouTube” comments started trickling in. These weren’t just regular leads – they were pre-qualified clients who already trusted his expertise before the first meeting. The transformation was remarkable:
- Clients came pre-sold on his expertise
- Projects became larger and more profitable
- Lead quality improved dramatically
- The business expanded beyond local boundaries
The Four Content Pillars That Drive Success
Through trial and error, Bobby developed four distinct types of content that consistently perform well:
- Movie-Style Content: Using metaphorical scenarios to explain landscape design concepts
- Design Concept Videos: Showcasing Pinterest inspiration and teaching specific techniques
- Design Process Videos: Screen recordings of actual design work with running commentary
- Project Showcases: Beautiful footage of completed projects with detailed breakdowns
Scaling Beyond Local Boundaries
The most fascinating aspect of Bobby’s success is how YouTube transformed his local business into a national operation. The platform allowed him to attract clients from across the country, leading to a complete business model transformation. Instead of being tied to physical locations, he developed a streamlined system using Zoom consultations and universal design plans.
This shift proved particularly valuable when personal circumstances changed. With a growing family, the ability to serve clients remotely while maintaining quality became crucial. The solution? A contractor model with minimal overhead and maximum flexibility.
The Numbers Tell The Story
The financial impact has been substantial:
- Six-figure revenue from design services alone
- Seven-figure total revenue including local projects
- 50-60% of design clients come directly from YouTube
- 30% of local projects originate from YouTube viewers
What’s particularly noteworthy is that these numbers don’t include referrals from YouTube-originated clients, which would push the platform’s impact even higher.
The Local Marketing Secret
One of the most valuable insights from Bobby’s experience is his approach to targeting local viewers. By strategically using hashtags and understanding YouTube’s algorithm, he ensures his content reaches potential clients in his service area. This simple yet effective strategy helps maintain a strong local presence while building a national brand.
The success of this approach proves that YouTube isn’t just for global brands or entertainment content. Local service businesses can leverage the platform to dominate their market while simultaneously building opportunities for expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to see results from YouTube marketing for a local service business?
Based on Bobby’s experience, initial results can appear within weeks, though significant business impact typically develops over months of consistent content creation. The key is maintaining consistency and focusing on quality content that addresses your target audience’s needs.
Q: Do you need professional video equipment to succeed on YouTube?
No, Bobby started with just his phone camera. The most important factors are content quality and authenticity. Professional equipment can come later as the channel grows and generates revenue.
Q: How can service businesses balance YouTube content creation with daily operations?
The key is treating content creation as a core business function and getting help when needed. Consider hiring freelance editors and thumbnail creators while focusing your energy on creating valuable content and serving clients.
Q: Is YouTube marketing only effective for businesses that can work nationally?
No, local businesses can thrive on YouTube by using strategic hashtags and understanding the platform’s algorithm to target local viewers. The platform can effectively serve both local and national business goals simultaneously.
