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Florist Friday Recap 5/4 – 5/10: Prom & Mom

There are just a few days left until Mother’s Day! Florists everywhere are busy  getting everything created and delivered to special moms all across the US. That could be why our Friday Recap has about half it’s usual photos — that doesn’t make them any less spectacular!! So, check out all of the gorgeous flowers designed this week by local florists all across the US!

Mother’s Day Flowers

Mother's Day floral display by Crossroad Florist, Mahwah NJ

Mother’s Day floral display by Crossroad Florist, Mahwah NJ

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

Mother's Day floral design by Flowers ABK, North Windham CT

Mother’s Day floral design by Flowers ABK, North Windham CT

“A Flowers ABK (Arranged By Kelly) design for the FSN Friday Recap! This one is my favorite! Happy Mothers Day Everyone!!!!”

Mother's Day spring flowers by Gaia Flowers, NV

Mother’s Day spring flowers by Gaia Flowers, NV

“Petals for Clean Power-now through Mother’s Day, Gaia Flowers is donating $10 to the Clean Energy Project of Nevada for each arrangement sold!”

[Read more…]

Big Congrats – FSN Member Florist Wins 2013 Houston Cup

Big congratulations to Rebecca Sherman, AIFD in taking home the 2013 Houston Cup! Rebecca is a floral design artist with The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, Texas, and a 20 year veteran of the floral industry.

The Houston Cup is an annual floral design competition for the members of Allied Florists of Houston. The winner of the Houston Cup advances to the preliminary phase of the  Texas State Florists Association‘s prestigious Texas Cup Competition.

Rebecca Sherman - Houston Cup Winner

From the Allied Florist of Houston:

“…the competition featured 10 professional floral designers in this year’s Great Gatsby themed competition. Each person brought 1 Interpretative Design following the Great Gatsby theme and during the hands on competition completed a floral wedding bouquet and a surprise package arrangement of a large arrangement for a grand foyer for a party. Grading is completed by a panel of 3 top rated floral Judges based on the principles and elements of design.”

 

Great Gatsby Themed Flower ArrangementWith F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby at the heart of the competition, decadent beauty abounded in all the contestants designs. Flowing feathers, lush greens, dramatic textures and delicate blooms reflected the glitz and glamour of the roaring ’20s and made for opulent results. Visit The Blooming Idea’s Facebook page for more great photos.

The Blooming Idea has been a FSN member for 13 years and we are very proud of Rebecca for winning this prestigious award. Her fabulous creative designs, inspired by the Great Gatsby theme, are truly breath-taking.

Best of luck at the upcoming Texas Cup Competition!

 

Photos courtesy of The Blooming Idea, The Woodlands, Texas


Social Management Tools

In our growing, high-tech world, companies using social media are seeing big benefits. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Businesses are told they need to be on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and many others, with more popping up every day. By using social management tools, you can streamline your social efforts into a routine that works for you.

Built-in Social Management

Facebook allows you to schedule posts, pictures, and more right from your Business Page. The next time you are posting a status or photo to your Page’s wall, click the little clock icon to schedule it to post at a later time. By scheduling a weeks worth of posts, you can take a lot of time out of your social media routine.

Scheduling Facebook Posts

Unfortunately Twitter does not have a way to schedule posts from the website, but there are many social media management tools that will let you do this. (Keep reading for more.)

Email Notifications

Another great way to cut down your time on social media sites is by having all important notifications sent to your email. Instead of needing to check each day for notifications, you can simply check your email and determine if anything requires your attention without having to login to the social networking site.

[Read more…]

25 Ways Flower Shops Can Recycle For Earth Day

Earth Day is a unique holiday where we take the time to celebrate the earth and it’s resources that we tend to look over in our busy lives. Everything we have has come from the earth: the wood in our houses, the water in our coffee, the food we’re eating for lunch, and so much more. Isn’t it our time to give back?

This Earth Day, find a new way to use the 3 R’s in your daily life: Reduce Reuse Recycle!

Recycle for Earth DayHere are some great methods florists already use in their flower shops. (If you’re a florist, perhaps you can find a way to start using some of these great, earth-friendly actions.)

  • 1. Recycle and reuse cardboard.
  • 2. Encourage customers to bring in glass vases for reuse or recycling.
  • 3. Give bubblewrap to the local packaging store (UPS).
  • 4. Use terry towels instead of paper towels at your design table.
  • 5. Reuse packing material whenever possible.
  • 6. Use recycled office paper to make notepads for shop use.
  • 7. Use a hybrid or other earth-friendly vehicle to do deliveries.
  • 8. Empty cooler bucket water onto outdoor plants.
  • 9. Recycle stems and other organic waste in a compost, or find a local composter to give it to.
  • 10. Give flower boxes back to wholesalers.
  • 11. Keep mug boxes and other pretty containers to use as ‘economy’ containers by using a plastic liner for small arrangements.
  • 12. Save extra pieces of ribbon, fabric, cardboard tubes and foil to give to local pre-schools for art projects. [Read more…]

Instagram & Florists

What is Instagram??

Instagram is a popular smartphone app and social tool that allows you to easily create beautiful photos and share them to many different social networks with just a few clicks.

IG Photo ExampleFrom florists:

“I like the fact I can push pictures right to FB in a hurry…since I have so little time to do anything anymore!!!!”MaryJane’s Flowers & Gifts, Berlin NJ

“We love Instagram! We use it to show off currents wedding samples. It’s great because it connects right to Facebook and allows us to show our work to our fans. An online portfolio, if you will”Perfect Rose Floral Design, East Islip NY

“I like using it to take quick little teasers of bouquets, centerpieces etc that I can post on Facebook and twitter to show my followers what I’m currently working on. Pictures always get me the most activity on my Facebook page, so using Instagram is a quick + easy way to keep my Facebook page interesting.”cattleya chic inc., Red Deer AB

Almost like Twitter, but with photos instead of messages, Instagram allows people everywhere to share their daily lives with the world. You can share these photos with most other social networks, but Instagram also creates a beautiful stream of your photos for others to follow. It’s sort of like a photo journal.

Why Instagram?

[Read more…]

Even Florists Need Inspiration

Re-energize Your Life, Business and Relationships

Ever have a day when life feels like a concrete block attached to your leg? For most of us, this feeling occurs not just once, but several times through-out life.

Gift of Flowers QuoteFlowers often help me defeat this overwhelming and unproductive feeling. While there are other things that can restore my energy and positive outlook, flowers just seem to be my go-to. I know I can turn to Judith, my local florist, for a pick-me-up anytime I need to re-engerize my life. I am not the only one who turns to their local florist for inspiration, motivation or restoration.

Florists Are More Than Designers

When you think about it, florists are not just designers, they are inspirationalists. Their creations can, and are used to help people enjoy life and be successful. After all, success in life comes from good perspective and positive attitude.

Re-energizing At FSN

So, why all the talk about inspiration, motivation and re-energizing your life? Recently, all Flower Shop Network employees had the great opportunity to meet Jim Morack, as he shared his wonderful insights about life. His friendly disposition, combined with an uncomplicated approach, created a very stirring sense of revitalized energy for everyone at Flower Shop Network.

Jim Morack’s Tips For Revitalizing Life

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, florists may find themselves overwhelmed and frustrated. Meeting Jim, attending his seminar and reading his book, “Learning From Life – Simple Ideas To Add More Joy To Your Life,” gave me the spark I needed to refocus and revitalize my life. I wanted to share a few of the take-a-ways that gave me an “AHA” moment. Hopefully, you will gain some insight that will motivate and assist you in achieving everything you want, both personally and professionally.

  • We often let day-to-day activities consume us, getting in the way of fulfilling our hopes, dreams, desires and goals. To achieve your goals you must first believe in them. Visualizing the success of your goal can and will strengthen the realization that your goal is attainable. Without a finish-line, the race will be unbearable.
  • No man is an island unto himself: no goal can be realized without the contribution of others. You must build a strong connection with people; whether it’s with family, co-workers, customers or business partners, all are necessary for your success.
  • Goals are not dependent on job titles. Every member of your company is involved in sales and customer service. Teach yourself and lead employees with the attitude “There are no problems only opportunities”.
  • You are the only thing keeping you from accomplishing your goals. You are always one good decision away from achieving any goal. Your attitude is what drives your success.

Florist Marketing Quotes

None of the tidbits above are earth-shattering or breaking news, but sometimes we need a reminder to get us back on track. So as you work to inspire and motivate others with your designs, don’t forget to find time to recharge your own batteries.

4Florists: Mardi Gras Promotions (Just in Time for Valentine’s Day)

You don’t have to live in New Orleans to celebrate Fat Tuesday.  Officially, Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 12th, but you should start your promotions by at least the 4th, if not sooner. I know what you’re thinking… “but but but.. that’s VALENTINES DAY. I can’t be bothered with Mardi Gras.” While that’s true, I’ll show you some quick and easy promotions you can do that won’t get in the way of your Valentines Day marketing plan. Because this holiday occurs so close to the biggest floral holiday of the year, take advantage of this time to spread the word about your flower shop!

"Mardi Gras" Flower ArrangementFind Your Target

You know your community better than anyone else. What groups can you promote Mardi Gras flowers and gifts to and be the most effective? If you live in an area where the holiday is widely observed, this will be easy, but if not, you might need your marketing thinking cap for this one. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Coffee Shops
  • Collegiate hangouts
  • Hotels
  • Casinos
  • Anywhere!

What They Want/Need & How To Make It Work For You

Contact all of the above businesses in your area, and anyone else you think might want a little more ‘fun’ with their [Read more…]

The 14 Days of Love – Marketing for Valentine’s Day

Florists, Valentines Day is less than a month away. If you haven’t turned your attention to Valentines Day, it’s time to start now! This could be your biggest year yet! Here we’ve composed 14 great ideas for the 14 Days in February. You can do them all, or pick and choose your favorites. If you have even more ideas, let us know in the comments below!

Valentines Day Marketing TipsDay 1. Tell your customers you love them.

Use your promotional outlets, blogging, social media, etc, to tell your customers what they mean to you. Create a special email or graphic; maybe give away coupons. This day is all about showing love to your loyal customers.

Day 2. Day of love contest

Give away an inexpensive, but desirable product in a quick and easy contest. It may be as simple as asking “I love my sweetheart so much because ____” on Twitter and giving away a prize for the best answer.

Day 3. Decorate, and decorate again.

Your front window should scream, “VALENTINE’S DAY,” but don’t stop there! Stick cut out hearts and doilies all over your walls and windows. Use red, white and pink ribbon to decorate your house plants, gift items and anything else. Catch love fever and go crazy!

Day 4. Send Valentines

Collect Valentine’s Day cards to be taken to local hospitals, nursing homes or even sent to soldiers. Advertise to your community via press release in radio, newspaper and even your own online promotional outlets.

[Read more…]

Florists: How To Translate 2013 Trends To Floral Designs

“There’s no point looking at design trends, no one in my area cares.” I never want to hear any of you florists say this! If you care, then there is a point. When your designs capture the imagination and creativity of your audience, they will care and crave your work. How? Just keep reading…

How To Translate Current Trends To Floral Designs

First grab a notebook! Next you need to explore what trends are happening now. This is the fun part! Using the internet, Pinterest, magazines or anything else, you should start by collecting inspirations. These resources don’t have to have anything to do with flowers, they can deal with fashion, homemaking, hairstyles or even fingernail art!

Creating A Trends Inspiration Notebook (or Pinboard?)

Art deco designs by Crossroads Florist, Mahwah NJThese examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to collecting inspiration. Create your own process. You might choose to paste collages into your notebook, or if you’re more artsy, sketch them out. Take it a step further and use watercolors to remember the exact hues. If you’re more tech-savvy, consider making a Pinboard for your trendspiration.

Here are a few examples:

Fashion: Look for fashion interesting color or texture combinations. Jot down in your notebook what you like and what you don’t like. List any flowers you can think of that are available in the colors used. Take notes of any interesting shapes that may be used, such as a bow placement or collar style. Is the skirt long or short? How can you make this all come together in flowers?

Homemaking: When you look at a beautifully styled room, what inspiration can you draw from it in flowers? What style is being used? Is it modern, eclectic, sophisticated, high style, etc? What colors or patterns can you translate into flowers? For example: a room’s overall color is a blue with an accent wall covered in a chunky patterned wallpaper. Your floral design could be all blue with a blue vase and a contrasting patterned ribbon accent. Be sure to jot down everything that stands out to you in the room. You may even divide the room into sections of inspiration. It’s all about you!

[Read more…]

Please Help Our Friends in Connecticut

This is a note sent out by  Bob Heffernan the Executive Director at Connecticut Floral Association (CFA) concerning the tragedy this week in Connecticut. If you or someone you know could help with these points, please email the contacts below. If you would like to send a donation, you can do so via the Michigan Floral Foundation, details at the bottom of this post.

 Connecticut Floral Association Special Notice

"Peaceful Comfort" Sympathy FlowersBecause there is the potential for a huge amount of funeral flowers this week for the funerals of the victims of the Newtown school murders, CFA will coordinate our industry’s response:

  • Volunteer designers. There’s only one real florist in the town (Newtown Florist) and one funeral home. They may be overwhelmed with orders on this, the busiest week of the year. If you would like to be on a stand-by list to volunteer for design help, please send an email to ctflorists@aol.com.
  •  Assistance to Newtown families in need. We don’t yet know if there are lower-income families of the victims. There could be a major draw on flowers for memorial services. President Obama may also come to Newtown. If you are a wholesaler who would like to make donations of flowers or product, OR if you simply would like to contribute to providing the funeral pieces in some other way (financial, product, etc.), please send an email to ctflorists@aol.com.

We all know that flowers can and will ease the pain of the families and loved ones of the Newtown victims, as they do for every other person who suffers a great loss.

Send Your Donations via Michigan Floral Foundation

The Michigan Floral Association has established an account for cash donations to be used to help the CFA provide for the victim’s families that are in need. If you would like to make a donation please make checks payable to the Michigan Floral Foundation and note CFA on the memo line and mail to MFF – PO Box 67 – Haslett, MI 48840.

If you would like to use a credit card please call Cindy at the MFA office (517) 575-0110. She will be able to assist you over the phone. The MFF will send 100% of your donation to the CFA to help with their efforts. You may also contact Cindy via email here cindy@michiganfloral.org.

Thank you for your support, this is going to be a difficult week for our industry friends in Connecticut. Thanks so much to Rodney Crittenden for sending this to us so that we can share with others.