Hey guys, welcome or welcome back.

Thanks so much for all the support that you have shown since I started this blog. Love, light and blessings!

So, as you guys should know by now, I run a business with my mom. We have a plant nursery called “Mantraz Plant Nursery” where we grow plants from seeds, bulbs, or cuttings. If you have read some of my past blogs, then you would know that it started out as a joke and legit turned into a paid hobby. Lucky us? haha.

When we realized that it was now a serious venture, in an effort to have more visibility and in turn make more money, social media accounts to showcase our many varieties of plants were set up and ran by members of the immediate family. In doing so for the past year and some, there are many things that I have learned alongside some things that I feel I sort of knew innately. My little brother is a natural at business. I always go to him for advice on difficult customers. I’ve never taken a business class and purposefully skipped the subject in High School, yet there were things that came naturally to me when promoting our products that I only later read about. Meant for business maybe?

I am going to share a little of what I do with you, and hopefully it helps, if you too sell plants, or if you use them in any type of social media content. I also feel that some of this info can apply to whatever it is that you are promoting, be it clothes all the way to food. 🙂 I am by no means an expert, or the best. I am just sharing what I feel works for me. 🙂

Presentation to the best of your ability is everything!  You do not necessarily need expensive equipment, although the quality that comes with that is for sure worth it. “HOW” plays a very important role when trying to reach your niche market. No matter your budget, you can make it work!

1. Muy Importante! Cleanliness! Cleanliness is extremely important when putting visual content out there. It lets the buyer feel safe with the product, knowing that you took the time to clean it and/or the environment that it was kept or processed in, before handing over. With my plants, it’s both.

The immediate environment of our plant nursery can become very dusty, and it shows on the plant pots, on the plants themselves and on the ground or floor around them. Before I photograph or take a video of any plant, as well as before physically handing them over, I clean everything! I wipe down the leaves very gently with clean and sometimes slightly soapy water. I wipe the pots and saucers, and the bag or box that they are transported in if I provide it. A freshly wiped leaf has a certain gloss that makes the plant stand out.

• I guess this point should have been number one, but anyway…

The quality of your products is also key in the survival and high rating of your business venture.  In my case, I am dealing with life. My quality of plants come from their care and treatment. I am careful to avoid using harmful products on or around my leafy babies, and I pay attention to their placement depending on the species. Some plants bleach and burn in the sun, while others become dull and limp when exposed to too much water. Since I buy my food products from organic farmers, I use the food peels from carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers and other fruits and veggies to create natural insect repellents and fertilizers. I also use coffee grounds and eggshells to give life and nutrients to the soil, that is then transferred to the plants. Whenever I can I use rainwater to quench their thirsty roots because here in Dominica (The Caribbean) our water is safe. If I do use the water from the pipe, I let it settle for a day so that the chlorine fizzles out before using it. Tooting my own horn here but a repeated comment on the plants that we sell is that “They look good. You can see the quality!”

Damage and wear and tear are always going to occur. I battle slugs, snails, white flies and mites. I also have to deal with My toddler’s hands, neighbourhood cats, the weather. You name it. Unfortunately sometimes I lose. This brings me to the point of

• Damaged goods. I never advertise or showcase damaged goods. In my case, with the plants I can treat and wait for them to get better before showing them to my followers. The only time that I purposefully showcase a damaged or sick plant is when I am vlogging or blogging about the methods I use to nurse it back to health.

When it comes to photographing or video recording my plants, there are a few rules that I’ve set for myself. Some of them were originally pet peeves, and other was learned through research or experience.

• Lighting. A picture is as good as its lighting. Before I had my ring light, I avoided taking pictures at night or at dawn, unless I wanted the sunset haze. The natural daylight to me is best to show the colour and texture of some of the leaves and it also allows for my lens to focus better.

• Blurry photos. I NEVER post blurry photos (unless that is the intention. For example, if we are having some fun and we decide to blur a photo and ask our followers to guess the exact plant.)

• Focus is vital for a great shot, even if sometimes I must wait a bit before the lens finally adjust. This brings me to the point of not moving when taking the picture, or making sure that the plant is still. If it is breezy or windy, I avoid being out and exposed to it because then the leaves and flowers sway like crazy and that makes it hard to get a clear shot.  

*Background of photo. This is cringy for me. I have seen people advertise one product with a picture that shows several different products. If I have no knowledge on what they are advertising, then I would have no idea which exact thing they are referring to.  It is extremely important to set the FOCUS on the ONE thing or the ONE GROUP of things that you are trying to let your potential buyers see. I always isolate the one plant that I am showing, or the group of plants from anything else that may take away the viewer’s attention. Shoes, books, pens, pets (sometimes), and other plants photobombing is a no for me. Sometimes people comment or ask about something in the photo that you did not even notice was there. Clear and clean backgrounds is the way to go. I have large white or various coloured sheets of paper that I use to create a mini photo studio when I shoot inside as well.

• Dry vs wet soil. Whenever I photograph a potted plant, I ensure that the soil is wet and also loose around the plant. Dry and compacted soil are definite no’s for a great plant photo. I have a spray bottle that I use to wet the soil and sometimes the plant itself before photographing or video recording. For flowers especially, it creates a dewy look that gives gloss and sparkle.

• Grass or weeds. Just like the dry soil, if there are unwanted weeds or blades of grass, or even other plants (Unless it’s a mixed pot) in there, I remove them before the shoot. Once again, their presence may take away the focus from the plant you are trying to market and create a feeling of untidiness or lack of care for the plants.

• Labels. I do either of two things. I label the plant pots physically, or stick little labels into the soil before photographing or video recording the plants. If I do not do that, then I create labels for the plants on my photo editor or Canva. Letting people know the name of the plant that they are looking at makes way for easier communication when they want to buy, or ask for care tips etc.

Using Canva also lets me inform the potential buyers if they are looking at a photo of a well developed and flowering plant, and that may not necessarily be the one that they get. Because we are a nursery, the plants are generally young and small, but sometimes we use pictures that showcase the true beauty of what is to be expected.

• Flowers and Flowering Plants.

I think it’s always a great idea to show customers what their plants are capable of. I try to advertise the actively flowering plant whenever I can. Because we are a nursery however, our plants are young and we do not always get to see them flower, so I use the BEST shots that I possibly can and explain to the customer or potential buyer that this is what they can expect.

When photographing flowers or blooming plants, it is a waiting game for the right time. I don’t show unopened roses or other flowers unless I am purposefully documenting the “opening process.” I do not want to give people the wrong idea, so I show them at their Prime Time!  

• Lastly handing over. When the plants have been showcased in such splendid manner, those images are what stay in people’s minds. When people come to pick up or when we deliver, I repeat some of the above steps if necessary. Fill up the pot with loose topsoil if needed, and water it. Sometimes the journey to their new home can be long and I do not wish them to perish along the way. If it is a tall and/or fragile plant, I also take them to ensure that they are stabilized during transportation. I always see to it that I clean the pots. Wipe the leaves if they are dusty. Check for damaged leaves or stems and decide if the plant should still be handed over. It is very satisfying to see a smile on a customer’s face, or to receive a favourable message when the plants live up to expectations. 😊

I hope that these tips help and do feel free to share any that you may have.

Love, Light and Plants!

Sincerely,

A picky island Girl