May 2007
Volume 2
Issue 5

So much is new at The Green Pen, I don't know where to begin!

First of all, we have released the Chester Hollow Water Gardens Web site (more information below)! We are finishing development on Hively Landscapes and Keehn Landscapes & Keehn Power...Stay Tuned for more releases which will include sites for Bay State Aquascapes, AquaScapes of New Hampshire and Women of Watergardening.

Next, we are in the process of refining our Project Management System. This will include more utilization of the project sites that we set up for each of our clients. This will continue to make communications easier while providing greater accountability for everyone. We are also now offering a monthly maintenance package (again ties into the project site) which will allow those of you who are too busy to do updates to have us do it for you and continue to get the benefits of a current site (see below). Contact us for more information.

Finally, we are still busy getting ready for our own site redesign. One thing that will remain the same, a dedication to providing clients with custom Web design and marketing solutions that are on-brand for each business.

Charlie and Wendy Holland have been turning a lot of heads lately! This couple seems to have been made for each other and for succeeding in any business they take on. Chester Hollow Water Gardens is no exception! These seasoned entrepreneurs have turned their property into a destination for retail water gardening in New England (and the North East)! They have every element of construction, maintenance, and accessories for Water Gardening available for Do-It-Yourselfers and for those who just want to enjoy their water feature and leave the work to the professionals. In addition to a full seminar schedule, they are offering Children's Hours each week so that kids can hang out with adult supervision, enjoy a snack and pond-oriented activities, while their busy Mom or Dad can enjoy a relaxing shopping experience!

To help ensure the success of their business, they are utilizing several different marketing solutions from print advertising, e-Newsletters and print Newsletters, to a brand new Web site that will make them an online destination as well. They have a new logo and branding strategy and plan to appeal to pond lovers of all ages! In addition, they have become a premier Authorized Aquascape Pro Distributor (AquaScapes of New Hampshire) and have a new Web site being released for that as well! Congratulations Charlie and Wendy on what is sure to be a successful year!

Work on Your Business! Yes, we have all heard it a million times from The Pond Guy™ himself, but is anybody listening?! I hate to admit when Mr. Wittstock is right (just kidding Greg!), but this time there is no denying it - even during your busiest months you must take the time to work on your business so that you don't run out of work to do later on! So, here are some tips and guidelines to help get you through the crazy busy months:

Designate one day a month for the following:

• Update your calendar with activities and events that you have scheduled for the next six weeks. Take inventory of what marketing needs to be done and make a list. Confirm your dates and make sure you have a list of the materials you will need for each event.
• Marketing Night! Spend the evening compiling information for press releases and marketing materials whether they are postcards, brochures, or newsletters. Be sure to have all work completed 3 to 4 weeks prior to the event and information sent out 2 to 3 weeks prior. This means that work on all pieces should be submitted and proofed at least six weeks prior to the event.
• Web site Time is equally important. Make sure you go through your site, archive out of date information, add new events, and update your photo gallery. This will help make your site a more valuable resource to its visitors and improve your Search Engine Rankings.

Do the following once a week:

• Review your schedule making sure that you are adding information to your running list of marketing and Web site work.
• Check your email! While you should try to do it every day or every other day, having one dedicated night a week will ensure that you don't let anything slip past you.
• Make a priority list. If you do a simple check list each week that is in a visible and accessible location, it will be harder to let things go undone.

It has been said that for each five hours you work in your business, you should devote one hour to marketing. That means if you are putting in a forty-hour work week (don't we wish that was all!) that you should spend a whole other work day just on marketing! If you are not spending one to three hours at a minimum each week on Marketing, you are asking for trouble. Also, make these times exclusive to these activities. Too many distractions will hamper the efforts to get it done right.

I always hear two excuses, I don't have the time and I don't have the money. My response - if you don't make the time, you won't make the money, and then your business won't grow!