Snapchat is once again changing the consumer marketing game, making it easier for users to send links

 to each other.

With Snapchat’s newest update, anyone can attach a link to a snap to send to their audiences. With the tap of the paperclip, enter in your website and anyone can enjoy it.

In the constant head-to-head battle between Snapchat and Instagram, this puts Snapchat back on top. Instagram has been using trends that work on Snapchat and vice versa. Currently, Instagram stories do not allow regular users to add links to their stories – only verified users or advertisements are allowed.

Continue reading to learn what is different and how your garden brand can take advantage of the changes.

You probably have a software program you’ve worked with for years and it still meets all your needs. You’ve used it so long you know all the shortcuts, or do you?

Recently, I took an online tutorial for MS Excel, a program I’ve used more than half my life. Before taking this course, I thought I knew the bulk of what the program could do l and that I was completing the processes in the best possible way. However, I learned so much in just one hour that will save me a significant amount of time in the long run.

We too often resort to the phrase, “Been there, done that.” When any system gets updated, we should take the time to learn what’s new.

Continue reading to learn why it’s important to improve your software use at work.

Creativity and innovation go hand-in-hand at thinking outside the box. It allows the brain to be used to create something out of nothing or even to fix something when it’s not working. But what happens when you get stuck in the box?

The Kirton Adaption-Innovation (KAI) is an evaluation tool that measures your style of creativity and problem solving based on your range of adapting or innovating. If you want to do things better, you probably would score higher on the adaptive range. Want to be different? You’d be on the innovative side. Thomas Edison was probably adaptive, while Albert Einstein was probably innovative.

Richard Tait invited Garden Media to try it for ourselves at our monthly ‘Lunch with a Pro’ workshop.

Richard, who has a Ph.D. in physics, co-founded the DuPont Company’s worldwide Creativity and Innovation Center. Today he is an international consultant in innovation and new corporate and product ventures.

GMG invited Richard for a lunch and learn to help our team brainstorm bigger and better ideas for our clients.

Read on to continue learning about Richard, KAI and what Garden Media learned.

Summer is the best time of the year to be outside — soaking up some sun, being in nature and enjoying the day. You may also find that it is the hardest part of the year to be stuck in an office, losing out on that summer glow and daydreaming about being anywhere but your desk.

While it may be hard to focus on what is in front of you, with some readjusting (and some motivation), you can get back on track to power through this season!

Continue reading for 5 tips on staying productive this summer.

What’s the best way to learn how to use a new software or brush up on the ones you already use? Tutorials are available for every software application out there and it’s worth brushing up your skills every now and then.

You probably have a software program you’ve worked with for years and it still meets all your needs. You’ve used it so long you know all the shortcuts, or do you?

Recently, I took an online tutorial for MS Excel, a program I’ve used more than half my life. Before taking this course, I thought I knew the bulk of what the program could do l and that I was completing the processes in the best possible way. However, I learned so much in just one hour that will save me a significant amount of time in the long run.

We too often resort to the phrase, “Been there. Done that.” When any systems get updated, we should still take the time to learn what’s new.

Continue reading to learn why it’s important to teach an old dog new tricks.

Do you encourage your staff to pursue professional development on a regular basis? Do you allow them time to improve their skills while on the clock? If not, why?

The ROI when a staff member can improve themselves is a low investment with a high rate of return for the company.

I recently read a fantastic article from Hubspot about crafting the Perfect Blog Post.

While we follow a number of these suggestions, being reminded of each step from start to finish is so helpful. So bookmark this page and get writing.

1. Start with the Perfect Headline

A headline grabs the reader's attention and compels them to click. People have short attention spans -- 8 seconds -- and the headline is one of the first elements that help readers decide if they want to click. In fact, 60% of readers don't read past the headline, which presents a big opportunity.

Here's how to write a great headline:

Garden Media has been awarded a 2017 Media Awards Silver Medal from GWA: The Association of Garden Communicators for the redesign of our website.

This special designation recognizes the top talent in more than 60 competition categories.

The new website is a direct reflection of the beautiful horticultural market we represent. It’s colorful, fun and easy to use.

Yes, Millennials are the largest generation to date and make up a huge share of the U.S. workforce.

But is the obsession over marketing to Millennial consumers warranted?

With shifting paradigms surrounding adulthood, Millennials are defining maturity differently. According to a recent survey by Nationwide Current Accounts, Millennials in the U.K. don't consider themselves ‘grown up’ until age 27. Over half feel like entrance to adulthood depends on particular milestones rather than age. One in five believe they’re mature when they have children, when they move out of their parent’s home and when they start paying bills.

Continue reading to learn when Millennials will "grow up" and when garden brands need to start paying attention. 

When I first started working in public relations, I had no idea that relationships were going to be such an important part of my career. After the first year of handling PR for a high-tech company, I quickly learned that earning media coverage requires strong working relationships with journalists.

Even after more than twenty years, I still keep in touch with many of the journalists I met early on in my career.

Now with even more platforms to cultivate media relationships, making these connections has become easier than ever.

Continue reading to learn how you can build strong relationships with journalists.