![Nurseryman: how to post engaging content [content idea list]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-marketing-plan-6_7481d49f-7292-4c39-b618-83c33ab8aa79.png?v=1715865718&width=1100)
Facebook and Instagram are not just for likes and fun—they're powerful tools that the best nurserymen in the world use strategically to attract customers.
We know you're busy running your nursery and the thought of managing social media might feel like another burden.
But here's the deal: you don't need to be a marketing expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few minutes a day can bring a couple of new customers to your garden center.
To help you out we have built a free list of content ideas - also, for a full action plan, please check our strategy pack for nurserymen.
Get the content idea list made for nurserymen
A lot of nurserymans manage to post engaging content on social media. Here is a free tool to to get you started.
Content that always work well for a nurseryman
We have studied numerous nurserymen’s social media accounts when building our strategy pack for nurserymen - here is what consistently works to grow your business.
| Content Type | Why It Works to Attract New Customers to Your Nursery |
|---|---|
| High-Quality Plant Photos | Visually appealing images of plants and flowers can captivate potential customers, encouraging them to visit your nursery. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Videos | Showcasing the nursery, plant care processes, and staff builds trust and creates a connection with your audience. |
| Customer Testimonials | Positive reviews and testimonials from real customers provide social proof and encourage others to visit your nursery. |
| Specials and Promotions | Announcing limited-time offers, discounts, and seasonal sales can attract new customers looking for deals. |
| User-Generated Content | Sharing content created by customers (photos, reviews) engages the community and adds authenticity. |
| Local Collaborations | Partnering with local influencers or businesses can introduce your nursery to a broader, local audience. |
| Event Announcements | Promoting upcoming workshops, plant swaps, or special events can attract new visitors interested in unique experiences. |
| Seasonal and Holiday Posts | Highlighting seasonal plants or holiday-themed arrangements can attract customers looking for special gardening options during those times. |
| Interactive Content | Polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions engage followers and create a sense of community, encouraging them to visit. |
| Gardening Tips | Sharing gardening tips and tricks can engage followers who are gardening enthusiasts and home gardeners. |
| Daily Specials Updates | Regularly updating followers with daily specials keeps your nursery top-of-mind and encourages spontaneous visits. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Staff Stories | Featuring stories about the staff members creates a personal connection and humanizes your brand. |
| Plant Care Tips | Sharing plant care tips can engage followers who are plant enthusiasts and home gardeners. |
| Sustainability Initiatives | Highlighting sustainable practices or eco-friendly products appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. |
| Customer Spotlights | Featuring regular customers creates a sense of community and makes others want to be part of that group. |
| Contests and Giveaways | Running contests and giveaways can increase engagement and attract new followers, many of whom may convert into customers. |
Some nurserymans make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best nurserymans in the world. Replicate them now!
How can nurserymen make great content on social media?
What to Prioritise
You probably know it already, but high-quality photos and videos of your plants and nursery are essential.
People are drawn to vibrant, healthy plants. Make sure the lighting is good, the plants look lush, and the presentation is inviting.
Also, post regularly to keep your audience engaged. It doesn’t have to be daily, but find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. We have prepared a free social media planner for you.
Of course, respond to comments and messages quickly. People appreciate interaction and it makes them feel valued. Don’t just be another “bland” account.
Show the real side of your nursery. Behind-the-scenes photos, staff stories, and customer shoutouts can create a personal connection with your audience.
If you want to keep your potential customers excited, highlight any special offers, events, or seasonal plants. Make sure your followers know what’s new and exciting.
Finally, share positive reviews and testimonials. Social proof is powerful and can help attract new customers.
What Doesn’t Matter as Much
Overly polished content does not really matter. Your posts don’t need to be perfect. Authenticity can be more engaging than highly produced content.
Also, don’t feel pressured to jump on every social media trend. Focus on what fits your nursery’s “image” and what your audience likes.
If you have a low budget to conduct marketing for your nursery, don’t immediately go for paid Ads. Organic reach can still be effective with good content and engagement. You will find tons of tactics and strategies in our strategy pack for nursery owners.
How to Do It Fast and Efficient
First, spend a few hours once a week taking photos, recording videos, and drafting posts. This way, you’re not scrambling daily.
Use Scheduling Tools - tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can schedule posts in advance, saving you time.
Repurpose and use the same content across different platforms. A photo on Instagram can be a post on Facebook or a tweet on Twitter.
Encourage customers to share their own photos and tag your nursery. This is what we call “User-Generated Content”. Reposting these can save you time and build community.
Use apps like Canva for quick and easy graphic design, or Lightroom for photo editing. These tools can make your content look professional with minimal effort.
Low-budget content ideas for nurserymans on social media
Our team has curated a list of highly specific, budget-friendly content ideas tailored for nurserymen, complete with practical tips to keep costs low and effectively leverage social media.
You might want to incorporate some of these ideas in the marketing plan of your nursery.
| Content Type | Tips to Make It More Affordable |
|---|---|
| Smartphone Plant Photos | Use natural light by positioning plants near windows or outside during daytime. Enhance photos with free apps like Snapseed or VSCO. |
| Customer Testimonials | Ask satisfied customers to leave a quick video testimonial on their phone. Offer a small plant or discount as a thank-you. |
| User-Generated Content | Encourage customers to share photos of their gardens by offering a monthly raffle for those who tag your nursery on Instagram. |
| DIY Gardening Tips | Film short, simple gardening tips using a smartphone and a basic tripod. Use free editing software like iMovie or OpenShot. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Stories | Use Instagram Stories or Facebook Live to give a real-time look at your daily nursery activities or introduce the team during slow hours. |
| Plant of the Day Posts | Design simple, eye-catching graphics for daily plant highlights using free tools like Canva. Include a brief description and a beautiful photo. |
| Staff Spotlights | Feature staff members with a casual photo and fun facts about them. Use your smartphone and a natural setting in the nursery. |
| Simple Polls and Questions | Engage followers with free Instagram or Facebook polls about their favorite plants or suggestions for new stock. |
| Local Event Promotions | Collaborate with local events by offering a small discount or coupon. Cross-promote each other's content to reach a wider audience. |
| Community Involvement Posts | Post photos and short stories about your participation in local charity events or partnerships with community organizations. |
| Customer Spotlights | Highlight loyal customers with their favorite plants. Take a quick photo and share a short story about their experience at your nursery. |
| Homemade Plant Photos | Create attractive settings using inexpensive items like pots, garden tools, and props from dollar stores. |
| Sustainability Tips | Share eco-friendly practices such as composting or using organic fertilizers. Create simple infographics with free tools like Canva. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Prep | Record short clips of nursery prep work, such as potting plants or arranging displays. Compile them into a quick video using free tools. |
| Simple Contests and Giveaways | Run social media contests where participants like, share, or tag friends to win a free plant. Use prizes that are cost-effective like a small potted plant. |
| Seasonal Plant Posts | Highlight seasonal plants and gardening tips using natural light and your smartphone camera. Share the story behind the plant to add interest. |
Copy the tactics of the best nurserymans in the world!
There are nurserymans that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Exceptionally creative and innovative content ideas specifically for nurserymans
Investing in high-quality social media content for your nursery business can be a game-changer. Many other nurseries might not put in the effort, giving you a unique opportunity to stand out, capture attention, and build a loyal customer base.
| Content Type | Why It Could Bring a LOT of Customers |
|---|---|
| Virtual Gardening Workshops | Hosting live or recorded virtual gardening workshops where you teach viewers how to care for plants, create garden layouts, or start a vegetable garden can create a sense of community and attract a global audience. |
| Interactive 360° Nursery Tours | Offering virtual 360° tours of your nursery, including greenhouses and display gardens, can provide a unique behind-the-scenes experience and entice people to visit in person. |
| Limited Edition Plant Releases | Creating buzz with limited edition or seasonal plant releases available for a short time can generate excitement and urgency, attracting new and repeat customers. |
| Exclusive Plant Care Consultations | Offering exclusive one-on-one plant care consultations can create a memorable experience and foster word-of-mouth recommendations. |
| AR Plant Visualization | Implementing augmented reality (AR) technology where customers can see a 3D representation of plants in their own space can enhance the shopping experience and attract tech-savvy customers. |
| Themed Gardening Events | Hosting themed gardening events, such as a butterfly garden workshop or a succulent arrangement class, can provide a unique and immersive experience, attracting groups and special occasions. |
| Gardening Challenge Contests | Organizing gardening challenge contests (e.g., best home garden transformation) can create viral moments, attracting competitive gardeners and spectators. |
| Collaborative Pop-Up Gardens | Partnering with other local nurseries or garden centers to host pop-up garden events can introduce your nursery to new audiences and create a buzz in the community. |
| Story-Driven Social Media Posts | Sharing in-depth stories about the origins of your plants, the growers you source from, or your personal journey in horticulture can create an emotional connection with customers. |
| Interactive Plant Selection | Allowing customers to choose plants for a custom garden via social media polls can make them feel involved and eager to see the creations they helped design. |
| Eco-Friendly Initiatives | Launching and promoting eco-friendly initiatives, such as organic gardening practices or sustainable plant sourcing, can attract environmentally conscious consumers and media attention. |
| Mobile Plant Pop-Ups | Operating a mobile plant truck in different locations or at local events can expand your reach and attract new customers who may visit your main nursery later. |
| Plant Subscription Service | Offering a subscription service where customers receive monthly plants and care kits can create a loyal customer base. |
| Immersive Horticulture Workshops | Hosting workshops where customers can learn advanced gardening techniques from your experts can attract plant enthusiasts and create a sense of exclusivity. |
| Flash Mob Plant Sales | Organizing flash mob plant sales in unexpected locations can create viral content and attract adventurous gardeners looking for unique experiences. |
Content that never works well for nurserymans on social media
Don't waste your time and resources on these ideas. We've seen many nurserymen make these mistakes, and they won't help you stand out from the competition or attract new customers to your nursery.
| Content Type | Why It Never Works for Nurseries | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Stock Photos | They lack authenticity and can make the nursery appear unoriginal or untrustworthy. | Use real photos of your plants, staff, and nursery to create a genuine connection with your audience. |
| Overly Promotional Posts | Constantly pushing promotions can feel spammy and turn off followers. | Mix in engaging content like gardening tips, customer testimonials, and interactive posts to keep your audience interested. |
| Unrelated Content | Posting content that has nothing to do with gardening or the nursery confuses followers and dilutes your brand. | Keep your content focused on your plants, gardening advice, events, and related topics to maintain relevance and interest. |
| Low-Quality Videos | Poorly shot or edited videos can reflect badly on your nursery's quality and professionalism. | Invest in basic video equipment or hire a local videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase your nursery positively. |
| Political or Controversial Posts | These can alienate parts of your audience and lead to negative backlash. | Stick to neutral, positive content that focuses on plants, community, and your nursery's unique offerings. |
| Too Many Hashtags | Overusing hashtags can look desperate and reduce engagement by making posts look cluttered. | Use a few relevant, targeted hashtags to increase visibility without overwhelming your audience. |
| Automated Replies and Messages | They can come off as impersonal and frustrate customers looking for genuine interaction. | Respond personally to comments and messages to show that you care about your customers and value their feedback. |
| Overly Staged Photos | Photos that look too perfect can seem inauthentic and less relatable. | Use natural lighting and casual settings to make your photos feel more genuine and inviting. |
| Constant Self-Promotion | Only talking about your nursery can bore followers and reduce engagement. | Share user-generated content, collaborate with local businesses, and highlight community involvement to diversify your content. |
| Negative or Defensive Responses | Responding poorly to criticism can damage your reputation and discourage potential customers. | Address negative feedback calmly and constructively, showing that you are willing to improve and value customer input. |
| Ignoring Social Media Trends | Being out of touch with current trends can make your nursery seem outdated and unappealing. | Stay updated with social media trends and incorporate them creatively into your content strategy to keep your audience engaged and excited. |
| Excessive Posting | Posting too frequently can overwhelm your followers and lead to unfollows. | Maintain a consistent but moderate posting schedule, ensuring each post adds value and keeps your audience looking forward to your updates. |
| Complex or Confusing Promotions | Promotions that are hard to understand can frustrate customers and deter participation. | Offer simple, clear, and straightforward promotions that are easy for customers to grasp and engage with. |
| Ignoring Comments and Messages | Not engaging with your audience can make them feel undervalued and reduce their loyalty. | Regularly respond to comments and messages to build a strong, interactive community around your nursery. |
Make your nursery business more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best nurserymans in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Why social media can be a big pay-off for your nursery business
We understand that as a nurseryman, you might feel hesitant about diving into social media marketing.
The world of social media can seem foreign and filled with confusing jargon. You might believe that it's more suited for big corporations rather than small businesses like yours.
The day-to-day demands of running a nursery are already overwhelming, leaving little time for additional tasks like social media.
It's common to think that social media marketing is an expensive endeavor, one that your tight profit margins can't support. Plus, the sheer number of social media platforms can lead to indecision and skepticism, especially if previous efforts haven't yielded the results you hoped for.
That's why we've created a "marketing pack" specifically tailored for nurserymen like you.
Our pack addresses all the issues you might face, offering simple, cost-effective strategies that don't require a marketing expert or a big budget for your nursery. These documents are straightforward and easy to understand, cutting through the jargon and focusing on what really works for small nurseries on social media.
We provide clear, actionable steps for creating engaging posts, building a loyal following, and boosting your nursery's visibility online.
With our marketing pack, you can invest in your nursery's growth without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
Your nursery business could make more money!
Most nurserymen don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.
