Helping Landscapers Reach Locally

Have you ever had to break the news to a client about a plant they found online or tv, but doesn’t grow anywhere near to where they live?

It’s hard finding good landscaping information online that can be used reliably. State Cooperative extensions have lots of great information, but they don’t always deal with what you are selling commercially.

I’m launching a new site this month called Garden Observer. The idea is to organize gardening and landscaping information on a local basis so where ever you are, you’ll easily find just what you need.

For landscape business owners like yourself, I’ve set up a special type of user account which lets you post articles, showcase your best work and reach out to prospective clients in your area. You’ll be able to setup a profile for your business, get listed in our directory and receive leads based on the services you provide. We handle all the hard work of setting up web servers and driving traffic to your pages. Sign up now and you’ll even get a free guide to writing landscaping articles for the web including the top topics people are searching for right now.

If you need additional help with marketing and advertising ideas (not just limited to the web) I’m always available for help. Just ask.

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Winter Time Blues

What to do in the winter to avoid the winter time blues? 

  I work for a large (for Indianapolis) landscape company.  We have 4 designers and 2 assistants.  In the summer there are approx. 100 employees.  We are a full service company with design and installation, irragation, maintenance and a garden center.  There are many laborers that are kept over for the winter.  Management thinks this helps keep good employees around.  At previous jobs there has been plenty to do because everyone is laid off except the salary positions.  Here, on the other hand, the winter days are long and hard.  There is some design work to do but not near enough to keep everyone busy.  Plowing is out of the question because the laborers want this time because of the great pay.  What do you do to try to keep busy and make money for the company when everyone else thinks its OK to just sit back and relax for the winter.  

  With today’s economy I want to show my employer that I am trying to make a difference in this “down” time.  Who knows what is going to come with spring.  Will the economy pick back up and everything be fine?  What are we going to have to change to keep our business thriving?  The landscape industry will always make it through a recession, I just want to make sure my job does too.  What can we do now to ensure work for early spring.  What are optional services we could provide?  What can we do to make money with the people we have instead of eliminating cost by eliminating positions.

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