When fine-tuning a garden business, you've got to make sure all the pieces are in place: sales, product development, customer service, marketing and public relations.

Public relations is a process that many businesses know they need, but they don't fully understand what it is.

PR isn't just about securing media placements--especially in the heyday of content marketing. And, for the public relations process to truly work, the business partner has to understand it fully.

If your garden business is thinking about signing on with a public relations firm, see if you're really ready for the full public relations experience with these five checkpoints.

92% of garden consumers trust friends, family and word- of-mouth above all forms of advertising.

That's right. Public relations trumps advertising yet again!

One of the best ways to reach and influence consumers of ALL ages is social media. Look at the stats to your right if you're not convinced.

Plus, a new study proved what we in the marketing industry have known for a long time: positive interactions on social media (especially two-way conversations) ignite the buzz for your garden business.

Specifically, 90% of customers would recommend a brand after interacting with them on social media.

As far as social media ROI goes, four out of five consumers are more inclined to buy a brand more after being exposed to their social media.

To have the most impact when connecting with consumers and influencers alike, your garden business has to know who they are first!

Below we have a profile on the three most prevalent social media personalities--and the best ways to make a meaningful connection.

Launching a product is about far more than simply getting your garden product on to the shelves.

The process is, instead, about building buzz when it comes to your new product.

During year one, focus on trade and key influencers.

Now that the ball is rolling, keep capitalizing! This time though align your attention to more consumer media, a digital presence, and become a leader in trade shows this year.

Below are Garden Media's insider tips on how to succeed during Year Two of a product launch. Implement these tips from Rescue©'s Stink Bug Trap launch, and you'll have individuals asking for your product by name in a snap!

Buy local, live local, web local?

Yes, the local movement lives on, but this time it's translating to the digital world!

New York City just got its very own domain name. Say au revoir to the .com!

NYC is embracing the new domain name: .nyc.

The catch? You have to be a New York resident through and through. By the year's end, people, businesses, and organizations who can prove their New York roots can obtain the soon-to-be coveted .nyc.

Top-shelf domain names, like .nyc, will begin making the .com archaic. Learn why .com is dead, and personalized domain names will soon be the new standard.

Facebook debuted Graph Search after a long holiday weekend to millions of U.S. users.

By now, you've probably heard of Graph Search since Facebook started a soft launch of the new product in January.

Facebook's Graph Search is going to allow users to search through old posts, mentions, and photographs. Basically, Graph Search is like a Bing search on Facebook--and they've even partnered with Bing to allow Web results to emerge.

Here are the ways your garden business needs to modify your Facebook page to optimize for the new Graph Search.

The first year of a product launch is arguably the most important. Here, you'll make it, or never be heard from again.  

In fact, an estimated 80-95% of all new products fail completely during year one--meaning they don't return to the market the next year.

Many will say that it's sheer luck if your product makes it. But, we're here to tell you it isn't luck--it's smart planning, execution, and follow through. And, it all begins with making sure you've done the back work before you launch a new product or plant.

To have your garden product or plan launch successfully in the first year, you need a comprehensive plan that begins with identifying key influencers, a sample program to gain media exposure, and a focus on trade.

At Garden Media Group, we spend a lot of time thinking about trends--especially for the garden.

Lately, the office has been a buzz with social media trends. Facebook Fatigue and the release of Instagram video are drastically changing the landscape of social media.

Social media trends allow you to connect with your green, gardening customers. Plus, it shows your audience that your brand is forward-thinking.

Keep up with the social media trends, and discover five topical changes in social media that will affect your garden business this year.

The 4th of July is here, so you should be out celebrating our nation's holiday. Soak up the sun today, revel in the fireworks, and indulge in some barbeque.

If you need a break from the summer sun,  brush up on your holiday facts with this 4th of July infographic, filled with fun facts! Amaze your friends with your 4th of July knowledge!

Be safe, and enjoy your 4th of July!! We'll see y'all bright and early Monday morning!

During the month of July, Garden Media Group is continuing our GROW! e-Book club series.

For those of you who are just joining us, our e-Book club has three steps:

1. The actual e-Book to download 
2. A blog post expanding on the e-Book topic of the month every Wednesday
3. A Q&A Google+ Hangout to talk through your questions at the end of each month.

In July, GROW! is shining the spotlight on launching a new product customers will love by examing how we helped RESCUE!(R)' its famous Stink Bug Trap.

Before we share all of our insider public relations secrets, your garden business has to make sure you're ready to launch a product.

Below, we're detailing the three steps your garden business has to follow before launching a product successfully.

Media coverage is how you build a brand.

Both on social media and traditional media sources, this is your chance to tell your brand's story and make personal connections with your target audience.

But, the one major difference? On social media, your brand is totally in charge while in traditional media you're at the mercy of the journalist.

To better prep for media interviews with outlets of any size, be sure your brand's face can answer four of journalists' toughest questions.