Re: gardenwriters Digest, Vol 147, Issue 8

**J* l* <j*@gmail.com>**

I thought I was the only one that didnt like Facebookand think it's a complete waste of time as a gardening promotion tool.our GWA board thinks we should be doing much more on Facebook. Wrong!

Teaming

Jeff

Plant a row for the hungry/sent from my phone.

> On Aug 16, 2015, at 12:15 PM, gardenwriters-request@lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: listowners needed (Catriona Erler)
>   2. Re: listowners needed (hamptongar@aol.com)
>   3. Re: listowners needed (Gene Bush)
>   4. Re: listowners needed (Doug Green)
>   5. Re: listowners needed (Gene Bush)
>   6. Membership (Doug Green)
>   7. Re: Membership (Lawrence London)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:28:22 -0400
> From: Catriona Erler <Catriona@CatrionaTudorErler.com>
> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
>    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> Message-ID:
>    <1FC37386-0E35-411B-B764-B6EFA2B17507@CatrionaTudorErler.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Ditto what everyone has said about being grateful for those who have maintained the list (thank you, thank you!) and about how valuable this list is to me personally and professionally.  
> 
> Thank you also to those who have stepped up with offers to manage it.
> 
> Catriona
> 
> Catriona Tudor Erler
> 965 Pintail Lane
> Charlottesville, VA 22903
> 434 953-6780
> Catriona@CatrionaTudorErler.com
> www.CatrionaTudorErler.com
> 
>> On Aug 15, 2015, at 12:07 PM, Daryl <dp2413@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Thank you both for keeping up the list as long as you have.  And thank you
>> to the volunteers that have stepped up.
>> 
>> I would miss GWL very much if it was not here. Facebook and the like has too
>> much noise, and FB controls what you see unless you go hunting for it. I
>> use it because I have many friends there, and some of the groups are useful,
>> but nothing beats a list for short and sweet.
>> 
>> d
>> 
>> Daryl Pulis
>> 
>> Manager, CompuServe Gardening Forum
>> (The oldest gardening forum on the web)
>> http://forums.compuserve.com/ws-gardening/
>> 
>> Host - America's Home Grown Veggie Show
>> http://americaswebradio.com/americas-home-grown-veggies
>> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Americas-Home-Grown-Veggies/123495234074?
>> 
>> Plant a Row for the Hungry 
>> _______________________________________________
>> gardenwriters mailing list
>> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
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>> If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they can be viewed at  http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 13:43:45 -0400
> From: hamptongar@aol.com
> To: gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> Message-ID: <14f3275cd51-3613-7a72@webprd-m108.mail.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> Hope the list continues and that there's lots more participation.  If not..where's everyone chatting?
> 
> 
> Andrew Messigner
> The Hampton Gardener
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Thompson <jht@lj.net>
> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Sat, Aug 15, 2015 7:58 am
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> 
> 
> If there is interest in continuing to have the list, I'd be happy to manage
> the
> list, and do the backend if needed.
> 
> 
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2015 at 2:41 PM, Doug
> Green <gardeningemail@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> Houston we have a problem.
> :-)
>> 
>> Some of you know I'm withdrawing from some garden writing activities
> to
>> focus on specific areas.
>> 
>> I had intended to "retire" from this list
> as listowner this year as I drop
>> things.
>> 
>> Helen Yoast just confirmed in
> an email to me that she wasn't able to
>> continue as listowner so she's
> retired.
>> 
>> So.... we have a problem.
>> 
>> If we get two folks to step
> forward, the list can continue. Or one given we
>> have a listowner (thanks
> Lawrence) handling the backend stuff.
>> 
>> Or, do you want to shut it down
> given there are alternatives on Facebook
>> and LinkedIn? (I assume these are
> still operating - I don't participate in
>> either.)
>> 
>> Have email lists like
> this had their day and run the course to be replaced
>> by social media?
> Your call folks.
>> 
>> Doug
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Doug Green
>> Autocorrect enabled.
> Get over it
>> IPhone version
> _______________________________________________
>> gardenwriters mailing list
> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
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> http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
>> GWL has searchable message archives
> at:
>> http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters
>> If you have photos for GWL,
> send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they can
>> be viewed at
> http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
> _______________________________________________
> gardenwriters
> mailing
> list
> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
> GWL
> list website  http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
> GWL has searchable message
> archives at:
> http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters
> If you have photos for
> GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they can be viewed at 
> http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:32:40 -0400
> From: "Gene Bush" <genebush@netsurfusa.net>
> To: "'Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum'"
>    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> Message-ID: <003e01d0d817$42b5c300$c8214900$@netsurfusa.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Must be catching.
> I recently made the decision to withdraw from social media activities. My
> end up keeping Facebook.. will see about that one. Pinterest, Twitter,
> Google+, LinkedIn will be discontinued and links removed from my website. I
> am sure it is all due to my age and not effectively using all those miracles
> of the modern age, but I no longer have the time and energy to entertain "to
> freely give". Saving that for writing and photographing for the next article
> or chapter in a book that has a return on investment. 
> Good to see I am not the only one considering roi. 
> 
> Gene E. Bush
> Shade Garden Correspondent
> Gardener - Writer - Photographer -? Speaker
> www.shadegardenexpert.com
> 
> New eBook: Shade Garden Solutions 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
> [g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Doug Green
> 
> Some of you know I'm withdrawing from some garden writing activities to
> focus on specific areas.
> Snip...
> Doug
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 08:29:23 -0400
> From: Doug Green <gardeningemail@gmail.com>
> To: genebush@munchkinnursery.com,    Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden
>    Writers Forum    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> Message-ID:
>    <CAF2G8XvxmiRoJQ+SC-AYcv4+_JGh+Us5HZe=ABNRL8m46wvCfw@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> Gene
> 
> I think it has more to do with running a business than it has to do with
> age.  I read well over 50 garden blogs at the moment and only 1 or 2 are
> serious about making money. I assume the rest are doing it for the fun of
> it.  And when "fun" or "networking" is the filter, then folks can do a lot
> of things that don't return any income for the time spent.
> 
> I find having the financials as a target sharpens the thinking when it
> comes to what helps or hinders. BTW Pinterest is my second largest traffic
> referrer after Google and  a long way ahead of Facebook.   LinkedIn is a
> long gone in the rear view mirror for me. Twitter is a non-starter; I gave
> it a big push for six months and it was relegated to automatic/ignore
> status after that. Response rates were so far below 1% as to be
> non-existent.
> 
> Given the emergence of the ad-blocker (it's about to be baked into Safari
> as a regular part of it) things like google ads etc are almost dead.  I'm
> moving the high end content behind a firewall - and readers will pay for
> the ability to read and ask questions about it. All commenting systems have
> been removed from my sites - don't want to spend the time answering
> questions for free.
> 
> But Pinterest code - I'd keep.  (I use Sumome for that and it does all the
> work)  Just not do anything yourself - let others pin your site pics for
> you.  Facebook - well, you do have to work those nursery biz pages to keep
> them in front of folks, so that's something you'd have to track and check.
> 
> So - not prepared to accept your "age" argument. :-)  I've substituted
> income earning as the criteria.
> 
> best
> 
> Doug
> 
> 
> 
> 
> am sure it is all due to my age and not effectively using all those miracles
> of the modern age, but I no longer have the time and energy to entertain "to
> freely give". Saving that for writing and photographing for the next article
> or chapter in a book that has a return on investment.
> Good to see I am not the only one considering roi.
> 
> Gene E. Bush
> 
> 
> Doug Green
> Head Weeder, Head Wordsmith
> http://www.douggreensgarden.com/about.html <http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com>
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:38:59 -0400
> From: "Gene Bush" <genebush@netsurfusa.net>
> To: "'Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum'"
>    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] listowners needed
> Message-ID: <005701d0d852$d2945a00$77bd0e00$@netsurfusa.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Doug,
> I took a look at your Pinterest site and your website. I did not locate the
> 'high end content behind a firewall' Is that to come? Any interest in taking
> some of this off line and private?
> When I had a nursery, content was king, and all was to be freely shared ..
> worked well enough when there were plants subsidizing the time and effort
> behind all those photos and newsletters, questions answered. Social media
> chat. The nursery is no longer. I find very few, and I do mean very few,
> will convert from free content to paying. Heard of newspapers? 
> I do have a subscription only monthly newsletter now: The Must Have
> Messenger http://www.shadegardenexpert.com/must-have-messenger/ I have been
> considering taking it behind a wall instead of monthly emails on content. I
> have found Facebook and Google ads of no value in subscription sales.. or I
> placed the ads poorly. Lots to discuss about our ever changing digital
> world. 
> 
> Gene E. Bush
> Shade Garden Correspondent
> Gardener - Writer - Photographer -? Speaker
> www.shadegardenexpert.com
> 
> New eBook: Shade Garden Solutions 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
> [g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Doug Green
> Gene
> 
> I think it has more to do with running a business than it has to do with age
> - snips - 
> 
> best
> 
> Doug
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:08:25 -0400
> From: Doug Green <gardeningemail@gmail.com>
> To: genebush@munchkinnursery.com,    Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden
>    Writers Forum    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: [GWL] Membership
> Message-ID:
>    <CAF2G8XuuC8=2C3BnCerM=wLWFmqm9BWZ6crT4dwPO60uF0fURg@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> Gene - I just did a summary of membership sites for the GWA newsletter tech
> corner that was in the most recent issue.  That's pretty much what I'm
> doing at mine.  It's operational at www.online-gardening-courses.com BUT
> don't bother checking it out today - it's on a massive FTP delete and
> rebuild program where I'm deleting existing content and installing a full
> backup. (long story)
> 
> The key is to have a mailing list. That's step one. Building something
> without one of those - or an established platform - is pretty much a recipe
> for losing money.  Some folks have done it but I'd never recommend it.
> 
> I've written in GWA before about mailing lists - and they're quite the rage
> now as the majority of big independents move off social media to their own
> lists and products.
> 
> It's a whole 'nother business climate.
> 
> Step one is to create a membership list and give folks a reason to sign up.
> Step two is to ask them what they want - and then deliver that - at a price.
> 
> My best .02 - don't build something because you think it will sell - make
> sure it will sell before you build it.  Build it and they will come is no
> longer true on the Net.
> 
> That's my general reaction.
> 
> If you want to move it off-list- drop me a note.
> 
> D
> 
> 
>> On Sun, Aug 16, 2015 at 2:38 PM, Gene Bush <genebush@netsurfusa.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Doug,
>> I took a look at your Pinterest site and your website. I did not locate the
>> 'high end content behind a firewall' Is that to come? Any interest in
>> taking
>> some of this off line and private?
>> When I had a nursery, content was king, and all was to be freely shared ..
>> worked well enough when there were plants subsidizing the time and effort
>> behind all those photos and newsletters, questions answered. Social media
>> chat. The nursery is no longer. I find very few, and I do mean very few,
>> will convert from free content to paying. Heard of newspapers?
>> I do have a subscription only monthly newsletter now: The Must Have
>> Messenger http://www.shadegardenexpert.com/must-have-messenger/ I have
>> been
>> considering taking it behind a wall instead of monthly emails on content. I
>> have found Facebook and Google ads of no value in subscription sales.. or I
>> placed the ads poorly. Lots to discuss about our ever changing digital
>> world.
>> 
>> Gene E. Bush
> 
> Doug Green
> Head Weeder, Head Wordsmith
> http://www.douggreensgarden.com/about.html <http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com>
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 7
> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:15:10 -0400
> From: Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>
> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
>    <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Membership
> Message-ID:
>    <CA+j2Q+A9yv71tfSU_xrhv_knkXVXv__M7BWE_R4tHjtokA3TUA@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> On Sun, Aug 16, 2015 at 3:08 PM, Doug Green <gardeningemail@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> Step one is to create a membership list and give folks a reason to sign up.
>> Step two is to ask them what they want - and then deliver that - at a
>> price.
>> 
>> My best .02 - don't build something because you think it will sell - make
>> sure it will sell before you build it.  Build it and they will come is no
>> longer true on the Net.
> 
> What great advice, Doug.
> I ran across this strange post today, FWIW;
> its about creating blog content that goes viral and scooping your
> competition, driving traffic to your site and so on;
> i.e. yours is better than theirs as you take inventory of the most popular
> content your competition offers, then go one better
> in your blog, or website. And that's viral as in going viral, not malware.
> 
> How To Create Viral Blog Content With Free Tools
> http://wpmanaged.org/create-viral-blog-content-free-tools/
> 
> -- 
> Lawrence F. London
> lfljvenaura@gmail.com
> https://sites.google.com/site/avantgeared/
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they can be viewed at  http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
> 
> End of gardenwriters Digest, Vol 147, Issue 8
> *********************************************
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