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Growing Knowledge: Ask a Grower

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Are you curious about where your weed comes from? Who is growing this cannabis? What is their experience cultivating my medicine from seed? It has always intrigued me, but it never occurred to me to talk to my master grower father until I got into the cannabis industry. My dad, Duane Cattanach, owns Eagle Green Farm, a Southern Oregon craft cannabis grow. I had way too many questions to include in this post, but here are some of the questions I asked my dad! 


What is growing cannabis like?


A lot of work! A serious challenge, constant changes.

Why is it hard to grow weed?


Nature controls the rules and keeping up with the state’s regulations is hard. You can’t control nature and regulations are constantly changing. 

Soil vs. Hydroponics— what do you think is better?


Soil! It’s natural! I don’t use any chemicals to make it do what it does naturally, but I have never grown in hydroponics, I am a sun and soil kind of guy. I try and keep it as simple as I can.

What are the greatest challenges of an outdoor grow?


The weather constantly changing. Hot, rainy, plants get cold in the ground and sometimes their growth is stunted. Sometimes you have to start over if they are stunted too bad. Temperature is a big challenge, but it’s a double edged sword because it is a great climate for weed, yet you cannot control it.

How do you avoid pests/mold outdoors?


We use all natural products. Right now we are using an oil that combines cinnamon, thyme, and a couple other natural oils.

 

I thought that you could use some chemicals on weed and it won’t affect when you smoke it? 

 
You never know with those chemicals. They say some are safe, but then when further research is done they pull those products and come out with another chemical blend. There’s no sense in using chemicals when it could be ingested into somebody’s system if we can produce it using natural products. 
 

What’s your advice to consumer’s buying weed?


Use it in proper proportions, abuse with any substance is not good. Too much of anything is not good. I think the concentrates are way too over the top.

 

Thank you to Eagle Green Farm and my father for letting me take my Unicorn friend Blessings for a photo shoot and showing me your amazing plants! CANNOT WAIT FOR CROPTOBER! 

Becoming a Unicorn

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The first month of a new career always brings fear and excitement.

I’m glad to say that here at Social Media Unicorn it has been a lot more excitement than fear. Everyone is great! Not only is my entire team fun to work with, they all have an in-depth knowledge of the cannabis culture and the wants and needs of the community we serve. With that being said, I am starting a weekly blog to inform and educate about the new innovative products, services, and happenings within our community. Stay tuned each week to see what this Unicorn is getting into 😉

Just recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a patient appreciation day for Tahoe Hydro Company with the lovely people over at Medizin. They operate one of the premier dispensaries that cater to Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Medizin, unlike many other dispensaries, is also involved in cultivation. They have some award winning flowers like Chloe, one of the most medically beneficial strains that is offered in Las Vegas. We had a great time representing Tahoe Hydro Company while we were there. THC is a boutique cultivator out of Carson City, NV, that is sure to fit the needs and wants of any consumer out there. They have award winning strains: Blackjack (S), Gelato 45 (H), Tahoe Hydro OG (I), all winning their respective categories at the 2016 Jack Herer Cup. THC also just entered the preroll game with the introduction of their STIX line, currently offering Tahoe Hydro OG. Needless to say, they know what they are doing over there at Tahoe Hydro Company. We passed out tons of Tahoe swag and educated patients on our products and specials. It was great meeting and creating future Tahoe fans! I loved hearing all the positive feedback regarding our products. Huge thank you to Tanya and the whole crew at Medizin for making my first patient appreciation day a success!  

All in all, these first few weeks have been an adventure and a blessing. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about cannabis. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me as a Unicorn. Be sure to tune in next week for my next post and mark your calendars for our upcoming events!

Las Vegas Social Media Day – Fri. 6/30

Follow Tahoe Hydro Company on IG @tahoehydroponics

Get updates from Medizin at http://medizinlv.com 

New Trending Topics in Cannabis: Summer 2017

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Cannabis culture is always in flux. With a community that spans nearly every possible consumer demographic, it can be hard to nail down trends, but a glut of new products on the west coast has shed some light on the cannabis industry’s not-so-distant future.  

Read on for our favorite new trends – ones we believe will continue growing well into next year. 

Microdosing

We have talked before about the trend of super tiny doses that is picking up steam all across America. The euphoric high of THC doesn’t appeal to everyone, after all, so it’s only natural that low-dosage mints, candies, baked goods and beverages are beginning to fly off the shelves in every market. 

No matter who your brand appeals to, it’s possible for you to embrace the microdosing trend in some way. Offering a more diverse product line will only strengthen your longevity as a cannabis company, as you’ll be accessible to a new demographic. 

Customization

Modern cannabis consumers don’t want to be sold to. They want to create their own routine with useful cannabis infused products. That being said, a high dosage of THC won’t always be enough to woo patients and recreational users, who are continuing to learn more about minor cannabinoids. Custom ratios of cannabinoids, for example, a 1:1 THC:CBD strain or tincture, are appealing more and more to discerning buyers with healthy and active lifestyles.

If your company isn’t all over the latest cannabinoid science, and coming up with ways to utilize this new knowledge, you’re going to miss out. 

Discretion

As the rest of the world is finally beginning to recognize slick vape pens and edibles for what they are, the most discreet cannabis consumers are looking to go incognito. However, they also want their products to work just as well as if they had smoked a big joint.

Some of the most popular up-and-coming medical marijuana product types are water bottles, mints and transdermal patches worn under the clothes. These are branded to look like everyday objects we use all the time, making them ideal for travel or workplace use.

Set your product up for success in the evolving marketplace – contact our team to schedule a cannabis industry marketing consultation. 

The Most Useful Social Media Automation Functions

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Did you know that you can put your brand’s social media activity on auto-pilot? It takes some strategy, just like anything else. But there are tools out there that can definitely make you feel like a one-person social media department. 

These tools have many different functions, and not all of them are going to be useful or economical for your brand. In fact, everyday social media users have grown savvy to some of the automated tools out there and can spot automated activity a mile away. 

You don’t have to go “full robot” – here are the most useful automation functions you can start using right away to politely grow your social media accounts.

Scheduling

For those of us (most of us) who are simply not around to post on their channels all day, managing social media can seem like a daunting task. Signing on and posting takes precious minutes that we could be spending on another task. 

Scheduling tools can be found through software services like Hootsuite or Buffer, or, you can schedule future posts to a brand’s Facebook Page for free, right inside the Facebook platform. That way, you can schedule posts out for the week (or the month) in one sitting. 

Engaging

There are apps and tools out there to make it seem like you are liking, commenting and engaging with others’ posts on Twitter and Instagram. Typically it requires you to target the type of user, or a hashtag in order for the “robot” to find people to interact with. 

Unfortunately, there aren’t yet automation tools for engaging with Facebook posts. You will have to engage authentically there by liking and commenting on existing posts. 

Following

On Instagram and Twitter, the amount of followers you get is proportional to the amount of time you spend following other similar accounts. Easy to do for those of us who live on our phones – but for a busy entrepreneur? Not so much. 

Auto-follow, and more importantly, auto-unfollow tools are some of the most valuable in the social media world. Nobody in their right mind could sit and follow 400 new users per day with their thumbs, but with automation, it’s more than possible. 

We’re getting started on InstaZood after another of our favorite tools got shut down. Give it a try and see how powerful your account can really be!  

Need a team to help you delve into the world of social media marketing? Our experts are here to help, and located all around the west coast. Reach out to Social Media Unicorn to get started.

How to Elevate the Cannabis Buying Experience

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When we talk about an “elevated experience” in the cannabis industry, we’re not just talking about getting high. It’s a phrase that embodies the community’s mission to eliminate negative stereotypes through responsible consumption and education.

Think of it as brand strategy with the consumer in mind; you always want patients to feel comfortable, confident and informed when they’re considering buying your product to take home. Start giving back today with these tips.

Provide Facts

A full ingredient list and laboratory test are just the bare minimum of what should be included on your product’s packaging and your website, too. This would be a good start, but the truth is that patients typically want to know a lot more than simply what’s inside.

They want to know, as much as possible, what the onset time will be and how they will feel after using the product. Should it be used morning, night or all day long? How long should they wait before re-dosing? Think of an answer to every possible question a new cannabis consumer might have, and make it an integral part of your branding. 

Care About Details

High-end aesthetics and practicality are extremely important. This is true with both product and packaging design! Cannabis consumers really do care about the little things. They want to feel confident when they leave a dispensary that the product in their bag will work as advertised and provide a pleasant experience. If the consumer can’t gain that confidence simply by picking up the package, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board. 

Some specific small details that matter to connoisseurs and newer consumers alike:

  • Beautiful packaging which provides a clear product description, and a sense of the intended mood or effect. 
  • Clearly marked dosage meters or perforations on edible and drinkable products. 
  • Air-tight sealed packaging for cannabis flower, with appropriate humidity control. 
  • Proper labeling and lids on topical containers so they can be handled.
  • Current lab test labels on the outside of every package.

Promote Responsibility

Always do your best to inform the consumer – directly on the package – of everything they’ll need to know. After all, you or your sales reps will not be in the store with them when they are checking out your product. Don’t rely on dispensary staff to educate patients about safe and effective ways to use your particular product. The burden is on manufacturers to make that information part of their packaging, labeling and overall branding process. 

Elevate your brand to the next level with consulting, integrated campaigns and real, proven results with Social Media Unicorn, based in the thriving legal cannabis market of Las Vegas. 

Entrepreneurs – Avoid These Pitfalls of DIY Marketing

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Doing the marketing for your brand in-house has a small benefit but can come with big problems. Why? Because if you and your team aren’t specialists in the digital world, and dedicated to a content strategy, your campaigns will eventually 

Below are the top three pitfalls that first-time marketers make when developing their “DIY marketing” strategy. Take them as a lesson or a warning – it’s your choice! 

No Content Strategy

Everyone loves pictures of cute dogs and cats, but that doesn’t mean those types of posts will do well on your brand’s social media accounts. Without a central theme and set of values that you know your audience will appreciate, how can be sure that your content is really sticking? Get content planned weeks or even months in advance – only then will you have your social marketing “handled.”

No Graphic Support

Photography and graphic design might seem easy at first, but start comparing your creations to a pro’s, and you’ll quickly realize that it’s hard work that you can’t handle by yourself. You might be able to swing a couple of good brand photos with your iPhone, but is that really how you want your company to be represented to the world’s savviest consumers? Professional help in this area is not hard to find, so support your local graphic designers and photographers by letting them make your product or service shine a little brighter. 

No Budget

One of the biggest reasons that new businesses fail in the cannabis industry is failure to invest in the right channels at the right time. Business owners who can’t afford a small Facebook Ads budget, or a booth at a local event, unfortunately cannot afford the cost of doing business in the modern era. Luckily there are clever solutions out there if you know who to talk to! 

Luckily, there’s hope for failed Do-It-Yourself marketers. It’s called hiring an agency. 

You probably wouldn’t let a football coach perform your open-heart surgery. Don’t leave your marketing in the hands of an amateur – even if it is yourself. Talk to our Unicorns today to see how we can level up your digital marketing strategy.

Marijuana Legalization Affects Real Estate: Here’s How

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Industry publications cannot stop talking about marijuana legalization and its impact on the real estate market. And when we say that we don’t just mean marijuana news outlets.

The mainstream business and investing communities have really taken notice of legalization, and the conversation is building as new policies form nationwide. Experts and investors now believe they can project what will happen to the real estate market once a state passes a medical or adult-use legalization measure. 

Here’s what we know so far about what happens to real estate values in emerging legal cannabis markets. 

Heavy Competition

If you know about the licensing process for cannabis companies, then you probably know there are a ton of zoning regulations involved. These can vary by state and even by city, but they usually limit dispensaries and manufacturers to extremely limited areas of town. The jist of the rules is that policymakers don’t want cannabis to be cultivated, processed or sold near schools and parks, residential zones and other sensitive areas. 

That being said, finding an appropriate operations site can be stiff competition for license applicants. This allows property owners in industrial and other ideal zones to ask a premium price or rent for their cannabis-friendly real estate, which in turn bumps up prices close by.

Exodus

Something else to consider about new legal cannabis markets is that many people from out-of-state will soon be clamoring to move there. Be they “medical refugees” who can’t access cannabis in their home state, budding entrepreneurs and job seekers following the opportunity, or enthusiasts who would simply rather enjoy their hobby in peace, they’re all looking to find a place to live. 

More demand for real estate always drives prices up. The cannabis movement just happens to be one of the strongest uniting movements driving visibly huge demand for real estate.

Increasing the value of real estate is only one of hundreds of ways that cannabis legalization stimulates our economy. Regulated cannabis markets create jobs and livelihoods for thousands of people, provide affordable and effective medicine to our most vulnerable and provide a healthier way for people of legal age to recreate and enjoy their lives.

Ready to position yourself as a serious player in this industry? Call our genius team of marketers at Social Media Unicorn today. 

10 Ways Lab Testing Helps Make The Cannabis Brand

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Let’s get one thing clear: lab testing cannabis is an absolute must.

Though most legal markets require it by law, really, the only ones who still have to catch up to modern times are operators in California. It’s because of the west coast market that lab testing requirements in states such as Nevada are as strict as they are now. No other state wants to take chances on pesticides and molds! 

If you think getting your product tested at a lab is just a chore, read on to learn why it could actually make or break your brand. 

Builds Trust

Lab testing your products proves to the world that you are a legitimate operator in the cannabis space, creating products that are free of toxins and dangerous chemicals. Congratulations on putting drug dealer stereotypes in the past! 

Shows Transparency

Customers aren’t the only ones who are going to want to see your lab tests. By always having them current, you’re appeasing local and state regulators, too. The more we share with the world about the contents of medical cannabis products, the more progress we will make collectively as an industry. 

Displays Quality

You already think your product is the best – don’t you want others to think so, too? From the terpenes, to the humidity levels, to the major and minor cannabinoids, your trusty lab test should definitely make your product shine. 

Educates Patients

Not every patient or adult-use consumer is aware of the chemical composition of their cannabis. For those who are interested in learning more, it’s nothing short of fascinating to peruse the various lab tests at the dispensary. Make sure yours is one of them.

Proves Potency

Simply saying that your flower, oil or edible is the strongest just doesn’t hold much water in today’s cannabis economy. A certified laboratory test is the only way to prove to retailers and customers that yours is the real deal – and worth the price. 

Creates Consistency

What makes a cannabis consumer come back again and again? A product that looks, smells, tastes and works the exact same way every time. Of course, there will always be slight variations between batches of cannabis products, but your lab tests will help you keep them as consistent as possible to please your biggest fans. 

Helps Retailers

By viewing the lab tests on your products, dispensary managers and staff should be able to discern a few things. First, it will help them figure out how to price and display it among their other inventory. Second, they will be able to appropriately direct patients to the right product for them based on the chemical composition of each product. 

Supports Industry

Bottom line, cannabis testing laboratories need to make money, just like the rest of us in this space. Make a friend and ally for life by developing a value-based relationship with your lab that goes beyond just the “bare minimum” testing requirements.

Calms Opposition

In this industry, we are always trying to counter fear-based arguments from prohibitionists. Lab testing cannabis shows that these products are safe and therapeutic – making them the ultimate tool in the fight against anti-cannabis trolls. 

Boosts Legitimacy

All in all, testing your product makes the cannabis industry and the people in it look a whole lot better to the outside world. We hope you take it seriously as all of our clients do!

4 Photo Editing Apps for The Perfect Instagram Shot

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Instagram has quickly become a force to be reckoned with adding live video and Snapchat-esque features. While the platform moves to dominate video, it’s also going back to its roots, adding an image gallery, allowing you to enhance your brand storytelling. 

When it comes to visuals, you must have strong images. Here are four apps that can help you perfect your Instagram shot.

Aviary

Aviary has its own high rep among all other editing apps. It’s been on the market for a long time and has a firm grip on it. Aviary offers all sorts of editing tools and filters, you name it Aviary has it from adjustable mood to adjust color, brightness, contrast and more. Besides it also has stickers and cosmetic tools to remove any blemishes, pimples, and a teeth whitener and all that jazz to make sure that your selfie stands out the best.

Photo Editor Pro

With over 50 million users, you might be wonder what makes Photo Editor Pro so popular. PEP is known as the OG of all photo editors being the most easy and effective to us.

It has all sorts of tools including  filters and just about any other professional adjustment you could possibly think of.

Additionally, it has firmly retained most of its very much original editing tools to make sure all of your photos look as if shot by a professional photographer.

 

PicsArt Photo Studio & Collage

We can’t make a list of best editing app without mentioning PicsArt.  It’s been around since Instagram started humbly, serving its loyal users ever since. The app has all the usual gimmicks while the developers keep the app updated. It has this creative mode option, which makes you will feel like a mad scientist while editing your pictures. The app has amazing filters, you can crop out an image and paste it somewhere else and you can make GIFs!  

Bonfire Photo Editor Pro

Other than the standard tools like, temperature, contrast, color, HDR, brightness adjustment and tools. It boasts of a mouthwatering collection of avant-garde filters in enormous amounts. Another trait that differentiates the app is its artistic approach. You can filter your photo to a portrait by choosing from filters like watercolor effects, pencil, soft brush, black and white, crayons to each and every way of art. 


There are plenty of fish in the sea when it comes to choosing the photo editing app of your dreams,  which is great really because if one of these don’t work from you, there are a ton of others out there to experiment with. 

Comment below with your go-to photo editing app. And be sure to follow Social Media Unicorn on Insta! 

Meet the Unicorns: Roni Stetter Cannabis Queen

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A Sacramento native, Roni Stetter learned at an early age the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Since age 10, Roni battled with chronic pain, and in high school,  discovered cannabis was the only medication that could help her be active and get around. 

roni-stetterAfter relocating to San Diego for college, Roni channeled her passion for the potent plant to politics, leading the charge to garner support for California’s 2010 attempt at marijuana legalization, Prop 19. 

While the measure failed, it sparked the activism bug, which led Roni on an internal battle. “I was working in public relations at the time sneaking around and hiding the fact that I smoke weed.”

It was at that point Roni made the decision to fully embrace cannabis culture. Taking her strong writing background and PR skills, Roni launched her own company, aimed at working directly with grassroots marijuana startups.

roni-stetter

In 2015, Roni earned the title of Miss High Times, boldly sharing her personal relationship with cannabis and the impact it has had on her life.

“I author a health and fitness blog and share training and nutrition tips for people trying to become more active. My ultimate goal is to be an evangelist, to showcase the health benefits of the plant,” she said in the interview. 

A longtime activist, wellness lifestyle blogger, and entrepreneur in the cannabis space, Roni brings both passion and enthusiasm to the Social Media Unicorn team.

You can connect with Roni on Twitter and Instagram as well as on her blog The Hurt Guru.