What We Look for Before Taking On a Septic Marketing Client

If you run a septic business, you have probably been burned, or at least disappointed, by marketing before.

Maybe you paid for ads that brought in junk leads.
Maybe the phone rang, but nothing turned into real jobs.
Or maybe you were promised results that never showed up, and when you asked questions, the answers felt vague or technical on purpose.

So when you hear a marketing company say, “We’re selective about who we work with,” your guard goes up. That reaction makes sense.

From your side, you are likely thinking:

“I just want something that works for my business. I don’t want to gamble. I don’t want to babysit another vendor. And I definitely don’t want to waste more money.”

We get that.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we are not a huge firm, and we are not trying to be everything to everyone. What we are obsessed with is fit. When there is a good fit, marketing becomes calmer, clearer, and far more effective. When there is not, everyone ends up frustrated.

This walks through what we actually look for before taking on a septic client and, more importantly, why those things matter. Not to exclude people, but to set everyone up for success.

Why Septic Contractors Are Rightfully Cautious About Marketing Companies

Septic contractors are some of the most practical business owners out there. You deal with real consequences every day. Equipment costs. Regulations. Weather. Inspections. Customers who are usually stressed before they even call you.

So when someone talks about leads, funnels, and optimization, it can feel disconnected from reality.

A lot of septic owners come to us cautious, skeptical, and quiet about it. They do not say it directly, but you can feel it.

“Is this going to be another thing I have to manage?”
“Are they going to blame me if it doesn’t work?”
“Do they actually understand how septic work really happens?”

Those are valid concerns. They are also the reason we do not believe every septic business should jump straight into marketing.

The Real Question Septic Owners Are Asking

Most septic contractors are not asking, “Can marketing work?”

They are asking:

Will this work for my service area?
Will this bring installs, not just phone calls?
Is my business even set up for this right now?

That last question is the biggest one.

Marketing does not exist in a vacuum. It sits on top of everything else. Operations. Pricing. Follow-up. Capacity. Communication. When those things are shaky, marketing can feel like it is failing, even when it is not.

Why We Don’t Believe Every Septic Business Is a Good Fit

This might sound strange coming from a marketing company, but we do not believe every septic business should be actively marketing at all times.

Not because they are bad businesses.
Because timing and readiness matter.

If a business is completely overwhelmed, barely keeping up with current work, struggling with basic follow-up, or unsure what kind of jobs they actually want, marketing can amplify stress instead of solving it.

Our goal is not to “get clients.” Our goal is to help septic businesses grow in a way that feels controlled, predictable, and sustainable.

What a Good-Fit Septic Client Actually Looks Like

A good-fit septic client is not perfect.

They do not need fancy branding.
They do not need a spotless website.
They do not need to have everything figured out.

What they usually have is a clear sense of the work they want more of, a desire to improve instead of just complaining, and a willingness to look honestly at their business.

Those three things go a long way.

Business Stability: Why Chaos Makes Marketing Harder

We see this pattern often.

A septic business is busy, but disorganized.
Jobs are happening, but nothing feels smooth.
The owner is exhausted and hoping marketing will fix that feeling.

Marketing can bring opportunity, but it cannot replace structure.

When things feel chaotic internally, marketing results feel chaotic too. Leads come in, but calls get missed, quotes get delayed, and jobs do not get followed up on.

That does not mean marketing failed. It means the business was not ready to catch what marketing created.

Service Mix Matters More Than Most Septic Contractors Realize

Not all septic services market the same way.

There is a big difference between pumping-only businesses, repair-focused companies, install-heavy operations, and mixed-service shops.

We look closely at this because it affects lead quality, timeline to results, and revenue impact.

Install-focused businesses tend to see clearer, faster wins because one job can cover a month of marketing. Pumping-only businesses often need a different approach and different expectations.

Neither is wrong. Pretending they are the same is what causes frustration.

Why Geographic Service Area Can Make or Break Results

This is one of the most overlooked factors in septic marketing.

A business serving a dense metro area, multiple counties, or rural, spread-out regions will see very different outcomes.

We are honest about this upfront because no amount of marketing skill can change population density or local demand. Marketing works best when service areas are realistic and focused.

Capacity: Can You Actually Handle More Work?

This one surprises a lot of people.

Some septic contractors come to us because they are slammed and exhausted. They want better jobs, not more chaos. That is reasonable, but it requires clarity.

If you are already booked out weeks or months, marketing needs to be paced carefully. Otherwise, it feels like pouring water into a full bucket.

We always ask what “more work” actually means to you, what kind of work you want more of, and what you do not want more of. Those answers shape everything.

Follow-Up: The Silent Deal Breaker

One of the hardest conversations we have is about follow-up.

Marketing can generate real opportunities, but if calls go to voicemail, messages are not returned, or quotes take too long, results stall.

This is not about being perfect. It is about being responsive enough that interested homeowners do not drift away. We look for a willingness to improve here. No judgment. Just honesty.

Pricing Confidence Matters More Than Fancy Ads

A lot of septic owners quietly struggle with pricing.

They discount too quickly.
They avoid quoting installs confidently.
They feel uncomfortable explaining higher prices.

Marketing does not fix pricing confidence. It exposes it.

We look for clients who are at least open to holding their value and improving how they present it.

Permits, Soil, and Local Rules Are Not Side Details

Septic marketing is not generic.

Permitting timelines, soil conditions, and local regulations affect how fast jobs close, what homeowners need to know, and what kind of leads are realistic.

We look for clients who understand this and are willing to factor it into expectations.

Why Install-Focused Businesses Tend to Succeed Faster

Install-focused septic businesses often have higher revenue per job, more room for marketing investment, and clearer return on investment.

That does not mean pumping or repairs cannot work. Installs simply tend to bring stability sooner. We are honest about that so expectations stay grounded.

What We Need Before Launching Marketing

We do not need everything, but we do need clear communication, basic access to accounts, and alignment on goals and priorities.

We are not here to overwhelm you with tech. We are here to build something that fits how you actually operate.

Transparency Beats “Perfect” Every Time

We are not looking for polished businesses.

We are looking for honest ones.

If something is broken, we would rather know. If expectations are unclear, we would rather talk it through. Transparency builds trust, and trust makes marketing work better.

Red Flags That Signal “Not Yet”

Some signs marketing may need to wait include no clarity on services or service area, no ability to answer calls or follow up, and expectations of instant results with zero adjustment.

Saying “not yet” is not rejection. It is my responsibility.

When We Recommend Waiting

Sometimes the best move is to pause, stabilize, and come back stronger.

We would rather do that than force something that creates stress and disappointment.

Questions Septic Clients Are Afraid to Ask

We hear these a lot.

How long does this really take?
What if it does not work?
How do we know what is actually happening?

Those are fair questions. Good marketing relationships leave room for them.

Why Customization Is Everything in Septic Marketing

Cookie-cutter strategies do not respect local demand, business goals, or capacity limits.

Customization is not about being fancy. It is about being accurate.

What Success Actually Looks Like to Us

Success is not vanity metrics.

It is install opportunities, predictable growth, less stress, and clear direction.

Final Thoughts: Fit Matters More Than Fast Growth

We do not take on septic clients to grow fast.
We take them on to grow right.

When marketing fits the business and the business is ready, growth stops feeling risky and starts feeling manageable.

That is when septic contractors finally feel like the business is working for them, not the other way around.