Welcome back to the "Min-Maxing Your Business" series! In our latest episode, we're taking a hard look at the data from January 2026 and laying out a concrete plan for the month ahead. Whether you're a solo operator like me or running a larger team, understanding your numbers and having a solid marketing strategy is key to growth.
January 2026: A Strong Start
We kicked off the year with some impressive growth. Compared to January 2025, we saw a 38% increase in invoices and a huge 52% increase in collected payments. This shows that not only are we doing more work, but we're also getting paid faster and more efficiently.
Despite some winter weather, our work orders were up by 23%, and our average services per day jumped from 3.15 to 4.95. This is a fantastic foundation for the rest of the year. Based on current work orders alone, we're already projecting a significant revenue increase over last year, and that's before factoring in any new sales from the busy season.
Planning for February: Scheduling and Google LSA
My February schedule is designed for efficiency, balancing pest control services in the first half of the month with lawn care in the second. This structure helps keep operations smooth and allows for flexibility in case of weather delays.
But the biggest strategic move for February is ramping up our Google Local Services Ads (LSA) campaign.
My Google LSA Strategy for 2026
Google LSA can be a powerful tool for generating high-quality leads, but it requires a smart approach. Here’s my plan for February:
- Increasing the Budget: I'm bumping my weekly budget to around $500 to capture more leads as the season starts to turn.
- Strategic Bidding: I'm setting my max bid per lead to $100 for lawn care and $85 for pest control. This helps me stay competitive without overspending on low-quality leads.
- The Sales Imperative: Remember, LSA leads are just phone calls. You need strong sales skills to convert them into paying customers.
- Navigating the Categories: Google's categorization isn't perfect. I've had to get creative with which services I enable to avoid paying for leads that are price shoppers only, like bed bugs or lawn mowing. It's a constant game of adjustment, but one that's necessary to protect your ROI.
Watch the Full Episode for More Insights
For a complete breakdown of the numbers, a look at my actual calendar, and a deeper dive into the nuances of Google LSA, be sure to watch the full video episode.
https://youtu.be/airn5DsHXHw
Have questions about your own business strategy or Google LSA? Leave a comment on the video, and let's discuss it!
Get ready to land a CRITICAL HIT on your pests!
