Piquing the interest of potential customers is the key to increasing sales for the holidays. Sure, we send out the usual holiday mailers, set up vibrant displays in our shops, even run ads on the television or radio — but there’s got to be more, right?

Videos are the key to increasing sales this holiday season! With the rising popularity of YouTube, many retailers are turning to videos as a way to increase interest in their products and services.

“But I can’t afford a video camera…“

Now, I know what you’re thinking, a video camera is completely out of your budget. Believe it or not, they’re actually pretty inexpensive these days. In the September article, Give A Flip: Videos Made Easy, Floral Management recommends the Flip UltraHD. This is a great buy for it’s HD video, built-in rechargeable battery, easy-to-install software, and much more — all for around $160-180. The camera we use here at FSN is the Cannon FS200. It’s very small and records standard-definition video and photos to an SD card, also for around $200. There are tons of other great, inexpensive options out there, so there are no excuses!

“What in the world would I make a video of?”

Example Of How A Christmas Video Will Look

Flower Arrangement Showcase
Since we are talking holidays, show off your amazing holiday decorating skills! Take before-and-after video of that boring living room you transformed into a winter wonderland. Show off your Christmas centerpieces in the grand dining rooms you create them for.

You’d be surprised how many people don’t realize their florists can decorate their homes for the holidays.

Take close-up video of all of your holiday flowers or just holiday-colored flowers. Even if they have not been arranged, they will put viewers in the mood for Christmas. Show off your holiday centerpieces and flower arrangements. Tease viewers with sneak peeks of your new holiday products and decor!

Design Videos
You know those hit TV shows all about people’s jobs? There are cake designers, chefs, interior designers, fashion designers — do you honestly think a florist’s job is any less entertaining? People love seeing creative designers take ordinary materials and turn them into something magical.

Set up the camera to film yourself in action! Give your viewers a feel of what it’s like to be a floral designer. Explain: Why you choose the flowers and colors you do. What types of design elements and contrasts you are using in your arrangement. Show them fantastic techniques only a florist could do with holiday flowers. It’s all about enticing the viewer to want flowers from YOU! Anyone can bunch some flowers together in a vase, but it takes a true floral professional to come up with the amazing designs from your shop!

Video example courtesy of Belvedere Flowers

Weddings! Take video of your wedding decorations. Show future-brides exactly what your flower shop can do for them! Take your video the night before the wedding to ensure there will be no people, so viewers can focus solely on your wedding decor. Show the beautifully designed reception tables and centerpieces in all their glory!

How-to Videos
Show customers how to use fresh flowers as holiday decorations. It can be as simple or elaborate as you would like… or maybe a mix of both!

How-to give hostess gifts: Sure, WE know flowers are the best hostess gifts, but show it on camera! Write out a little mini-movie: {Scene 1} Have a party with your friends. Set up a few decorations, but nothing too elaborate.. just a small, pot-luck style party with friends. {Scene 2} Have a friend arrive with a beautiful arrangement of holiday flowers for the hostess. Be sure to show the hostess’ surprised/elated face when she realizes they are just for her! {Scene 3} Show a scene of the party afterward with the arrangement decorating the buffet table. What a difference flowers make at a party!

TIP: You don’t have to know a lot about editing movies to create one. At the end of a scene, pause or stop recording, then begin again when it comes time to shoot your next segment. This way there is no need for major editing.

There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to how-to videos! You could do anything from “How to keep flowers fresh in vases” to “How to use fresh flowers to decorate your mantel for the holidays.” Just use your imagination!

Okay, I’ve made my videos, now what??

So, you’ve made your videos, now you’ve got to promote them! (I promise it’s easier than you think!)

First of all, play them in your shop if you can. Pick your favorite videos and play them on repeat in your shop. This will catch your customers’ eye instantly and give them a little insight on the services of your shop. You can either have a computer monitor set up to replay the video. If you are planning to do a lot of videos, you might consider investing in a digital photo frame. These are easy to use and great for setting up in your shop or store front.

YouTube makes it easy to spread your videos around the web. After uploading your videos, YouTube gives you an easy link to share on your website or Facebook. Send the link in your email campaigns. You can even embed the videos into your website. Facebook also allows you to upload videos to your shop’s Business Page!

Be sure to let us know when you post your videos online, we’d love to see them! Just paste a link in the comments below.

This post is brought to you by local Haverton PA florists.
Not in Haverton? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real local florists to find a florist near you!