Case Study: How a Local Tree Service Company Stops Competing on Price

Patrick McFadden • July 20, 2022

Learn How to Attract Ideal Prospects

That Value What You Do

If you've been following me for any amount of time you know I talk a lot about understanding the real problem you solve for ideal customers and then using that as a message of differentiation.


Create Messaging Around What Clients Want

Nobody wants the products, services, subscriptions, or solutions your business sells, they want their problems solved.

Rather than spending time talking about your own years in business and what you do, it’s more important to connect with a potential client about the challenges they are facing.

You start this approach by thinking about the problems you know you can solve and create your message around the vision of what your ideal client is looking for.

This approach will probably involve changing the context of how the world views what you do.

For example, if you are a tree service contractor, instead of marketing your business as removing trees, perhaps you are leaving their property better than you found it or never leaving tread or wheel marks in their yard.


Tree Service Example

Today I want to bring forth a real-life case study from one of our clients. We conducted our marketing diagnosis, determined the real problem their ideal customers want solved, and transformed that problem into their message of differentiation.

Now when most prospects reach out to them, they want to learn more about how they will do what they promised not how much it cost.

How To Make Price a Non-Sticking Point 

The secret for any small business to make price a non-sticking point is to offer your service with some remarkable and desirable element that is wanted and valued by ideal clients.

Until you can offer a solid reason for why a prospect should buy from or hire you over the competition, you’ll compete on price.

This is why solution selling and responding to RFPs isn't for everyone, because in general, they make every business look the same and make price the primary issue.

What I advise small businesses to do is start with a diagnosis before prescription. That means start talking to your clients searching for the real problem you solve and that remarkable or desirable element of your service delivery that can't be compared.

For example, one industry that we typically work with is home service contractors that attract a specific type of homeowner. After interviewing hundreds of homeowners across various contractor firms we spotted the following insights that take price out of the equation:


  • A tree service contractor that never damages your yard and always cleans up when they’re done.
  • A plumbing contractor that shows up on time and communicates at every step.
  • An electrical contractor that treats your property like their own.


Contact Your Marketing Consultant at Indispensable Marketing

If you’re a small local service provider that needs help with attracting better customers or your online presence on Google and other search engines, at Indispensable Marketing we can help. We offer marketing strategy consulting, marketing audits, monthly marketing packages, consultations, exploratory calls or monthly local SEO servicesContact us for more information.

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1. The Challenge: VMI was like many service providers — positioning their value around what they thought clients wanted : “Office furniture installation and assembly — let us handle creating your perfect workspace.” But the actual buyers — facility managers, project managers, furniture reps — weren’t looking for “perfect workspaces.” They were trying to avoid installation nightmares . Their real priority? ✅ Great installation days. ✅ No chaos. ✅ No missed deadlines. ✅ No angry phone calls from clients. 2. The Insight: After conducting stakeholder interviews under our marketing strategy consulting engagement , the Indispensable Marketing team uncovered critical feedback: “We need installers who maintain a professional site and follow instructions.” “We lose relationships when installations go badly.” “I need quotes back quickly or I can’t sell the job.” This wasn’t just about services , it was about trust, problem-solving , and professional reliability . So we reframed their differentiators not by what they did, but how they showed up : Same-day project quotes Problem-solving on-site Update protocol with clients Professionalism guarantee Lasting Impression Insurance 3. The Shift: We shifted the positioning from vague benefits to real-world, emotional triggers : Instead of: “Let us create your perfect workspace.” Now: “Get the perfect installation day, every time.” That subtle shift aligns with who’s actually buying (and who feels the pain when things go wrong). The end-user may care about the workspace. But the buyer cares about the install . 4. The Lesson for Others: If you’re selling a service, don’t describe what you do. Describe what the client wants to avoid or achieve — and who the real buyer is. Then, systematize what you’re already doing well and give it a name. Just like our team did with: “Same Day Quotes” “Lasting Impression Insurance” “Reliable Presence Protocol” 5. The Outcome Within weeks of updating their messaging and positioning: The company reported more qualified leads asking the right questions Furniture reps began referring them because they were “easy to work with and made them look good” They were shortlisted for larger, multi-phase projects due to increased confidence in their process But most importantly, they stopped competing on price — because they weren’t selling perfect workspaces anymore. They were selling peace of mind on installation day.
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