I’ve discovered that making my interactive garden plant finder and pruning guide is only half the job, marketing and selling it is the other half.
My skills are wildlife filming and photography. I’m not a garden expert so sought the advice of freelance Authors like Paul Williams to write about plants for the interactive plant advice project.
Selling is not my forte yet it’s a vital skill if one expects to make any money. I take my hat off to sales people.
My dilemma is promoting a garden advice CD-ROM that not many people know about, plus competing with cheaper imported garden software which is not very relevant to the UK gardener or climate and therefore not much practical use here in the UK. Some competitors have even gone to the trouble of disguising their origin by using garden personalities on the cover to make out they were involved when in fact they weren’t.
To raise my profile I’ve exhibited at the Chelsea Garden Flower Show and Hampton Court Flower Show and made good sales. This is because I can demonstrate to people how the interactive CD-ROM finds plants for every aspect of a garden and season. The potential buyer can see how easy the software is to use and the plant advice plus images that accompanying each plant.
Encouragingly, Garden Designers have said they wished they had had this CD-ROM when they were doing their design course”
Inspired by these and other positive comments, our team have added and improved the plant database, search functions and usability. As many garden Designers use MACs we’ve made a PC & MAC version. We’re the only MAC & PC compatible garden software CD-ROM on the market.
To sell on Amazon you have to go through a Distributor but this can be a frustrating. Every Christmas they run out of stock! yet the cheaper imported software were always available. Larger companies with a wider range of products will naturally be looked after first. There’s not much one can do about that.
I’ve exhibited at Trade Shows like Glee where we were awarded Best New Product for “Home & Gift”
Trade shows are an excellent way to meet buyers. They come to you to ask questions about your products rather than you making endless phone calls which I’m uncomfortable doing.
Getting an endorsement:
Chris Beardshaw liked the CD-ROM and has given an endorsement “This CD-ROM is the next best thing to having your own personal gardener” This is praise indeed from such a respected Chelsea Gold winning garden designer and TV personality. I image that Chris will be the perfect solution to create a beautiful garden but if he’s not available then the CD-ROM is there to help advise finding the right plants for the right place to suit your garden and colour scheme you require.
I’ve teamed up with Monro Brands who will distribute the CD-ROMs to Garden Centres around the country. Monro are a well respected Company in the garden industry. We have produced a demonstration DVD and an attractive display case which can be placed close to the cash desk.
We made the demo DVD because the CD-ROM can’t be opened like a book can. With luck customers will understand from watching the demo how useful the CD-ROM is and want to purchase it as a gift for friends or a present for themselves.
Rather than relying on Amazon or Ebay I’m trying to raise the profile of my website and make this my online shop. It will be more efficient, a safe and secure method of payment for the customers plus the goods are posted out on the same day by first class post. There is no postage charge to UK and N. Ireland customers
Posted by Neil Bromhall 
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