Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
Replies
The BOG is also what you make of it.
The more you participate, discuss & share your experiences the more you will gain.
It is also provides an opportunity to discuss delicate issues, finances or to let off steam.
What's the cost per year equate to ? 16 coffees, 16 Sunday papers, 1.5 mower blades. 1 large spool of strimmer cord, a container of pesticide, 8 Big Macs .....
Andrew,
you'll find lots more help via the BOG, as it's private and so people share more.
I reckon, rather than have a separate section, Phil might do better to make everyone pay say £20 to join the site........ perhaps give a months free trial. I can't believe the site is very profitable in its present form and I'd guess that this would boost income.
I'd suggest it is better to have the main site free to encourage 'drop-ins', general participation and leave The BOG 'as is' allowing those that wish to discuss business, delicate issues, gain advice, mentor, share documents etc to do so...
I've had lots of opportunity to take LJN down a fully commercial route but I've resisted it.
I want LJN to be accessible to as many people as possible. I think £40.00 a year is not unreasonable. The income is not great but it pays me for my administrative time and effort, pays for a little help with editorial and newsletter - Craig helps with this - and covers all the costs.
On top of that I have fantastic support from Progreen who've given LJN nearly three years of help and support.
LJNs independence from any commercial ties also allows it to be a genuine industry mouthpiece. there are too many brands that are too close to trade press and it distorts what's really happening in the industry.
In my view you can always buy good news exposure but you should never be allowed to buy bad news silence.
LJN Premium membership continues to grow and I think this momentum will continue. Members that have used (and yes there are those that don't renew) LJN genuinely get a leg up in business. However I am determined that there should always be a free element and we don't create an exclusive club as this would be a recipe for disaster.
LJN is the largest industry group of its kind and is set to double in size within 3-5 years. In that time will continue to see big changes in the way news and knowledge is consumed.
The pro section is only a small part of this overall site.
If there was a joining fee for everyone, less people would use it... There is more money to be from advertising ;)
And then the spin offs - landscape engine / shop ect.
Pro is worth it for SEO and private questions / answers.
It's not like paying £40 will give you 10k a year more turnoever just because you paid a fee. But it will allow you access to a lot of very useful documents like Richard says. Along with a wealth of more indepth information.
I disagree with that. We have networked with other pro members here and had a much bigger increase in turnover than £10k over the years...