Exclusive vs shared tree service leads

Short answer: a shared lead is a homeowner who is sold to several tree companies at once, so the first to call or the cheapest usually wins. An exclusive lead is a homeowner who only hears from you. Shared leads cost less each; exclusive leads usually cost less per job you actually win, because you're not racing anyone.

Shared leads

• The same homeowner goes to three, four or five tree companies.
• You have to call within minutes, or someone else already booked the estimate.
• The homeowner is comparing many quotes, so the job often goes to the lowest price.
• You still pay when they never answer.

Exclusive leads

• The homeowner only hears from you.
• You have time to call, show up, give a fair price, and win on trust.
• Each lead costs more, but fewer are wasted.

How to tell which one you're buying

Ask the company straight out: "Will this homeowner hear from any other tree company through you?" If the answer is "sometimes" or "up to three", it's shared. Also ask whether you're charged for wrong numbers and no-shows, and what they credit back. Matthew's old lead company only credited 10% of his leads: "I had like 10 leads, and five of them were bad, and they said we can only credit 10%."

The number to compare

Don't compare the price per lead. Compare what you paid for each job you won: total spent divided by jobs sold. We explain this in how much do tree removal leads cost.

How Branch Up Digital does it

Every estimate we book is exclusive: one tree company per area. We check each homeowner first (owns the house, in your area, tree big enough, ready now) and book them on your calendar. No setup fee, no retainer, and you don't pay for no-shows or cancellations. See exclusive tree removal leads.