GROW! Marketing and Public Relations Tips

Katie Dubow

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How to Land Top Tier Placements: Mastering the Art of Compelling Pitches

Posted by Katie Dubow on Thu, Jul 27, 2023 @ 9:52 AM

As a garden business or horticulture PR professional, you know that securing top-tier media placements can significantly boost your brand's visibility and credibility. Heck, why lese would you be reading our blog?

However, getting the attention of journalists amidst a sea of competing pitches can be challenging. Especially in today's market of freelancers and AI, it's hard for PR pro's and journalists alike to know who to trust.  

There is not one key to breaking through the noise, but it starts with finding the right person to pitch. Journalists are tired of PR pro's who don't do their research or understand what they write about, their beat. 

Once you find the right person, however, the magic lies in crafting compelling pitches that resonate with journalists and their audiences.

There are a few essential steps to land top-tier placements: determining a compelling angle and writing a pitch that stands out. 

Read on to learn How to Land Top Tier Placements with compelling pitches.

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Topics: PR Strategy, pitching

5 Customer Loyalty Trends

Posted by Katie Dubow on Wed, Sep 22, 2021 @ 3:52 PM

I recently had the pleasure of co-presenting with Sam Kirkland of Epicor and Jennifer Hatalski of Calloway's about Customer Loyalty. What is it? How do you get it? And what the trends today are (my section... obviously.) 

We learned that with so many competitors, it is tough for small garden brands to get ahead of the curve. Small brands often double up efforts to get recognized against more established brands. Why?

  • 82% stopped dealing with businesses with poor customer service.
  • It costs 5% more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one satisfied and happy.
  • Loyal repetitive customers spend 33% more than new ones.
  • 50% of millennials and Gen Zers believe earning rewards is more hassle than it’s worth.

Sam, Jennifer and I described how “Earn and burn,” or pure discount-based programs, are no longer enough. Consumers are looking for something more.

When it comes to loyalty rewards, it’s no longer just about the transaction at point of purchase; it’s about additional experiences and services that create new touchpoints. 

Read more to learn the 5 Trends in Customer Loyalty sure to keep customers coming back.

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Topics: Public Relations Trends

PEACE OUT 2020!

Posted by Katie Dubow on Mon, Dec 28, 2020 @ 8:00 AM

Hi there,

We made it! Good for us. Before putting 2020 to bed, let's reflect and take stock of this long, extraordinary year.

Who thought on January 1 when I took over Garden Media Group from my mom that this was the year we would have? Yes, there were challenges. Closures. Disruptions. Losses. But despite it all, I look back on 2020 with gratitude and look forward with optimism.

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'Tis the Season- Virtual Events 101

Posted by Katie Dubow on Thu, Nov 19, 2020 @ 11:49 AM

Events, conferences, trade shows, it’s a common tool for buying and selling in the green industry. But it seems like every week we hear of another show cancelling due to COVID-19. Many are choosing to go virtual.

Yes, virtual events can be a headache to attend and plan for, they do offer some unique opportunities to build brand value and trust. The internet can be a strategic resource that can help your business pivot and adapt.

Event marketers agree (97%) — going forward, the most rewarding events will have a virtual component

Read on to discover how you can use online events in your digital marketing campaign and profit from them.

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Topics: trade show public relations, garden trade show marketing

Garden Media Group to Preview 2021 Garden Trends at CultivateVirtual

Posted by Katie Dubow on Thu, Jul 9, 2020 @ 1:59 PM

This month, garden industry insiders will gather virtually for Cultivate’20, AmericanHort’s annual conference.

Katie will once again be premiering the firms widely anticipated annual Garden Trends Report and sharing what they see as the future of gardening.

Katie will present the firm’s 2021 Garden Trends Report, The Great Reset, LIVE and offer a peek into what will be trending in horticulture in 2021 and beyond on a panel, “A Retailers’ Planning Guide for 2021: You asked to be declared an essential business, now choose to be one.”

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Topics: Garden Trends

Celebrate Women in Horticulture Week ~ June 1-5

Posted by Katie Dubow on Fri, May 29, 2020 @ 10:05 AM
Female entrepreneurs are growing the U.S. economy. In fact, over the past five years, women-owned businesses increased 21 percent.

They represent 42 percent of all companies, employing 9.4 million workers and generating $1.9 trillion in revenue, according to American Express research. Specifically, 13 percent of these firms are in the professional / scientific / technical services category, which includes horticulture.

While the number of women-owned firms continues to grow, they only employ 6 percent of the nation’s workforce and contribute just under 4 percent of business revenue—roughly the same share they contributed in 1997.

That’s why supporting women in business to enable them to grow their companies to the next level is crucial. Join Garden Media Group June 1-5 to support, honor and promote these amazing professionals and their achievements during Women in Horticulture Week.

Women play a crucial role in the horticulture industry—not only as entrepreneurs, growers, researchers, marketers and employees at all levels, but also as the largest consumers of home and garden products.

As a second-generation women-owned business, I am proud to celebrate inspirational, hardworking and dedicated women and spotlight their contributions to the horticulture industry with Women in Horticulture Week.

"With women making up the majority of gardening consumers, and the growing percentage and role women play as professionals in horticulture, we need to face—head-on—the incredibly lopsided power and leadership dynamics that currently exist in the industry,” adds Leslie Finical Halleck, Halleck Horticulture, LLC.

Here are some creative ways you can celebrate Women in Horticulture Week.

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Plant and Nature Benefit Resources

Posted by Katie Dubow on Tue, Mar 24, 2020 @ 1:26 PM

Nature and plants - indoors or out - are known to have many benefits for adults and children including cleaner air, a healthier environment and they are a good stimulus for mental health.

In times like now, when so much seems uncertain, you can be sure that your plants and nature are still working for and with you. Many organizations have resources explaining the individual benefits and how nature can change your life.

Read more to discover those resources. 

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Time to Cultivate Something Good

Posted by Katie Dubow on Mon, Mar 23, 2020 @ 3:55 PM

From our friends at the National Garden Bureau...

Your yoga classes, meetings, and concerts are canceled. The kids are out of school and you’re being encouraged to stay home.

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Topics: Garden Trends

Plant One Forward from Summer Rayne

Posted by Katie Dubow on Fri, Mar 20, 2020 @ 12:02 PM

You may have seen the recent posts on Instagram or YouTube from Homestead Brooklyn, but in case you haven't, we wanted to share an initiative she is sprouting called "Plant One Forward".

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Topics: Digital Branding, trends

PR & Social Media Tactics in a Crisis

Posted by Katie Dubow on Fri, Mar 20, 2020 @ 7:30 AM

Over the last few days, we've seen the obvious influx in conversation around COVID-19 in the news. We have also heard more and more talk about the impact that it's having on our garden industry businesses. From closures to shifting business models, our industry is certainly adjusting. 

We will get through, and spring comes (today!) and so will summer. People will garden, hopefully more than ever. But in the meantime, business must go on.

So we compiled a list of things you should be checking on, or be sure your marketing & social media firm is checking on for you.

Read more to learn some suggestions for communication during this unprecedented time.

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Topics: crisis

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