At Garden Media we know that without a good reputation, you’re sunk. As experts in creating brand leaders within the garden industry, we know a lot about the power of a good reputation, and we’re excited to share some of our insider secrets with you!

Each month we have decided to release a new e-book featuring a case study that illustrates a specific public relations strategy, along with tips on building your reputation and strengthening your brand.

“Branding The Knock Out® Rose”, the first case study in the series, outlines the public relations strategies used to help launch The Knock Out® Rose, now one of the best-selling shrubs in America.

But the most exciting part of the case study series is our new monthly eBook club.  At the end of each month, I’ll host a On Air Hangout on Garden Media’s Google + page.  Just sign up for our virtual book club to receive the eBook of the month, discussion topics and an invitation to the On Air Hangout.  During the Hangout we will dig deeper into the case study and answer all your questions.

By Chuck Bowen

Editor, Lawn & Landscape

One of the things we do at Lawn & Landscape is provide landscape contractors with practical information that helps them run their business better. And the best way to do that is to help you better understand your customers.

So late last year, we conducted the first major post-recession survey of homeowners’ perceptions of the landscape industry. We asked more than 850 homeowners across the country why they buy landscape and lawn care services, what they think of contractors, and how they decide what to spend on improving their green spaces.

Their answers might surprise you.

But I've had several aha moments to shed some light on the subject from several sources. The first was from Kyle Lacey who said a dozen times in one day, "Social media is 90% narcissism."

Can your CEO blog? was the question posed on the front page of USA Today.

And the answer according to an article written by Del Jones, is "Maybe. Maybe not."

The USA story notes that while CEOs of smaller tech companies and PR firms are blogging, so far no Fortune 1000 CEO or chairman has launched a blog.

Here's the inside skinny from author and corporate blogging consultant Debbie Weil who was interviewed for this USA Today article.

Last week, Suzi and I went to 6ABC for a roundtable discussion of top Philadelphia CEO's. The event was hosted by CEOIntroNet, a group of successful CEOs and serial entrepreneurs who realize the vital need for a group of decision makers to connect with each other and share business success stories and ideas.

I talk to a lot of individuals and companies about public relations and have heard every objection under the sun as to why they don't need to hire a PR firm.  I am always eager to learn from people what their marketing goals are and how their current activities are helping to reach those goals.  Most often, it's that people don't understand public relations, have had a bad experience or think it will be too expensive. 

In the end, most people quote these six reasons for not hiring a PR firm:

Years ago a long-time client in a male dominated industry told me I was part of their "good ole' boy" network - and he wasn't talking about social either. It was "the club". Needles to say, I was flattered, but I was also shocked.

I mean, I don't play golf (yet), go fishing or attend sporting events with any of my clients.

The only answer I could come up with is . . . I develop long-term working relationships with my clients. We respect and like each other. We're team mates and, most importantly, we're friends.

If you are looking to hire a PR firm, you should get proposals from a few contenders. But, how do you differentiate among public relations firms?