In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers, to break down one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) marketing channels in home services: Nextdoor.

They unpack why Nextdoor feels annoying—but works incredibly well when used the right way. From neighborhood recommendation posts to organic storytelling, this platform behaves less like Google Ads and more like a digital referral engine.

John and Sam discuss why salesy ads and coupons usually flop, while real-world job photos, personal narratives, and community-driven content quietly generate high-intent leads. They also explore how small operators are winning big by treating Nextdoor like a mix of Google Business Profile + Facebook Groups, and why larger companies struggle to replicate that authenticity.

The conversation covers the three ways to win on Nextdoor (ads, organic posting, and commenting), common mistakes contractors make, and how operators can turn technicians into content creators to scale neighborhood trust—without blowing up their marketing budget.

If you’re looking for more phone calls, higher close rates, and marketing that actually feels like referrals—this episode breaks down how to think about Nextdoor the right way.

What You’ll Learn

Why Nextdoor behaves more like referrals than traditional lead gen
The three ways to market on Nextdoor (and which ones actually work)
Why organic, narrative posts outperform coupons and ads
How small, local operators beat larger brands on trust
The role of social proof in neighborhood-driven platforms
How to turn field techs into authentic content creators
The biggest mistakes that get contractors ignored—or kicked off

Host: John Wilson

Guest: Sam Preston

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💼 Shoutout to ReferPro

Most home service businesses rely on referrals, but without a system, a lot of that revenue gets left on the table. ReferPro helps automate referral reminders, attribution, and rewards so referrals actually turn into booked jobs.

Owned and Operated listeners get 20% off plus discounted onboarding

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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Nextdoor Marketing for Contractors: The Local Referral Engine for Plumbing, HVAC & Home Services

Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast