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The Holiday HotSpot: Your Local Flower Shop

Incredible Flower Shop at Trigs Floral & Home

If you haven’t taken the time to stop by your florist this season, what are you waiting for?? In addition to great holiday flowers and centerpieces, your local flower shop will also have unique holiday decor, the best poinsettias, gifts and most importantly, TONS of holiday inspiration!

The photo above is the inside of Trig’s Floral & Home in Minocqua, WI. You could walk around this store for days and still not see everything worth seeing! Here you can find the best in holiday gifts and decor, why would you need to go anywhere else?? This florist is a one-stop-shop for the season!

The Petal Patch - Unique Christmas Gifts

Need gift ideas? Check out this florist’s shop in McFarland, WI. The Petal Patch truly has something for everyone! Whether you need something for your niece, brother, or that friend who has everything, they’ve got your covered!

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Shop Local This Holiday Season With Help From A Local Florist

Shop Local This Holiday Season

There’s been a real buzz this year about shopping LOCAL, and we couldn’t be happier! (In case you’re new to the blog: Flower Shop Network is a network of ALL local florists.) We just want to remind you of all the wonderful things florists have to offer during the holidays.

  • Holiday Centerpieces – Take your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner to the next level with a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
  • Holiday Wreaths – No matter what your Christmas style is, your local florist can create something stunning to match your theme, most florists offer real OR silk flowers.
  • Holiday Decorating – Need a hand to help with holiday decorating? Your creative florist will have lots of fabulous ideas for making your house a holiday dream home.
  • Gift Items – Many florists carry more than flowers in their shops. You can find some really unique and amazing gift items for those hard-to-buy-for people on your Christmas list.
  • Gift Baskets – A gift basket is also a great idea for those on your list who have EVERYTHING! Your florist can customize your gift basket to match your friend’s personality and interests.
  • Long-Distance Gifts – Your local florist makes sending gifts to far away relatives incredibly EASY! They have the ability to send flowers and/or gift baskets to other local florists anywhere you need!
  • Christmas Tree Decorating – Want your tree to have the WOW-factor of trees you see in displays? Whether it’s one tree or a Christmas tree in every room, your local florist can HELP!
  • Holiday Flowers – We can’t NOT mention simply flowers. During the winter, the warmth of holiday flowers make our hearts happy. When you’ve got the winter blues, or just want to liven up a room, order flowers for yourself! You can also send flowers to friends to put them in the holiday spirit.

These are just SOME of the great things your local florist can help you with during the holidays. I’m sure the florist in your area can do even more! Give them a call and see just what’s possible for your holiday celebrations.

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Shout Out To Some Very Awesome Florists

Way To Go Florists!

Our member florists never cease to amaze me with their incredible talent for floral design. We saw where several of our florists recently got recognized for their talents and really want to give them a shout out!

Glendale Flowers – Best Florist

“Glendale Flowers has been the West Valley’s go-to florist since the 1930s. Owner Maureen Wilson marries traditional European arrangements with modern styling, much like Glendale Flowers’ historic but contemporary storefront. The craftsman bungalow is filled with beautiful greenhouse-quality foliage and brimming arrangements of premium flowers. Wilson’s favorites change daily — today it’s a tie between circus roses, lily of the valley and French tulips – so customers can expect reliably fresh ideas.”

ELGA Best of BurtonWay to go Maureen and team!

Bentley Florist – Best of Burton (MI)

  • Congratulations to Bentley Florist in Burton MI for being voted best florist in the Best of Burton competition for local businesses. (photo right)

Blooms-A-Million – Best Florist / Best Wedding Florist

  • Blooms-A-Million in Pensacola FL was recently voted Best Florist AND Best Wedding Florist in Florida’s Best of the Coast competition by their local In Magazine.

Playa Del Rey Florist – Placed 5th in Best Florist of Los Angeles Hot List

North Raleigh Florist – Floral Design Winners / Designer of the Year

Wake Co Designer of the Year Competition

  • Two of North Raleigh Florist’s floral designers were recognized at the 2011 Wake County Florist Association Designer of the Year competition. Samantha Bunn (photo center), shop manager, won top honors and was named the Wake County Designer of the Year 2011 and received a $1,000 scholarship to further her education. Competitors were tasked with completing floral designs in the categories of bridal, sympathy, buffet centerpiece and surprise design in 90 minutes. Each contestant received the same flowers to complete their arrangements, which were judged on mechanics, color, texture, design, aesthetics and originality.

WAY TO GO FLORISTS!!

Are you or do you know a florist achieving great things in their community? Share your story with us!

Leave The Flowers To Us! — Benefits of Local Florists

I know around here we are always repeating “local local local!” but just what is the importance of using a local florist when ordering flowers?

Best Deal In Flowers is Local

Flower Arrangements From Local FloristDid you know by finding and using a real local florist you could ADD as much as 30% MORE to your flower order? Many websites online promise flowers, but take a large percentage of your order for their own pockets before they send it to a florist to be created. (Not FSN of course!)  This is not a good deal for you OR your florist.

How to tell if a florist is local:

  • Local Physical Address
  • Phone Number To The Shop Directly

Flower Shop Network makes it easy for you to buy online from a real local florist. When you select a flower arrangement from our Flower Gallery, you will be instantly connected to a REAL local florist in your community. You can also visit our directory and choose your own florist anywhere in the US & Canada!

Best Quality Flowers & Flower Delivery

Your local florist will have the freshest and best selection of flowers, hands-down. When you send a friend flowers from a local florist, you know they will be fresh and beautiful. A local florist would never dream of delivering your flowers in a box for your friend to put together themselves. (Yes, it happens!) Also, a local flower shop in your city will know the area and won’t get lost when delivering your important order.

Local Quality

Florists in your area will have expert knowledge of what flowers work best and last the longest in your area. Some florists even use locally grown flowers when available. If you host a lot of outdoor events, a florist local to the area is going to know the ins and outs of keeping your flowers looking their best throughout the entire occasion. You just can’t go wrong with a good local florist.

What if I want to send flowers to a friend who is not in my city? How do I find a local florist?

This is exactly where FSN’s local florist directory comes in handy! Here you can find real florists, as well as reviews, maps, and more!

So remember, for the best quality, service and freshest flowers — when you think flowers, think local!

The Modern Flower Shop: Bay Bouquet

Last week, I was able to interview Tony Swick, from Bay Bouquet in Tampa, about their recent relocation to a larger, more urban-style store. The building boasts a beautiful color scheme: neutral grays and blues that complement Bay Bouquet’s company brand colors. “Inside the building is very urban,” Tony says, “Brand color is a feature of our building as well as our logo. We wanted to focus on our visibility in a clean, but also visually pleasing way.” The outside of the building is an eye-catching, vibrant blue — the same blue used in their logo. However, inside the shop is very warm and inviting; comfortable for all age groups. Tony says they, “Didn’t want to overwhelm our customers with anything, except with our logo and name.”

One step inside this store and you will notice it’s unlike any flower shop you’ve ever seen. There is a high level of comfort: couch, seating area, refreshments. The store has a very urban spa-like feeling. This definitely isn’t your grandma’s flower shop, and will give Bay Bouquet a big step ahead in attracting younger clients. The store features a nice, open work space for easy designing, as well as volume designing. There is a private area for bridal consultation, expanding their opportunity to work with brides in a more intimate setting.

Elegant Wedding Consultation Room Modern Flower Shop Interior

Bay Bouquet’s modern look is not the only thing that sets them apart as a fresh alternative to clients seeking the best in floral design. Tony strongly believes that, “A focus on what you do best is the key to success.” Bay Bouquet is getting to the roots of the floral industry, “We want to do what we do best, and that’s flowers and floral designs.” Tony does not keep anything that has to be stocked and in rotation, and doesn’t focus on gift lines.

“We do quality, artful floral design, for every order. No matter what the order, or how much.” Tony and his team don’t believe in pre-making arrangements. Each design is made specifically for the client: their colors, styles, occasion and, of course, budget. Bay Bouquet’s focus is on quality and service. “No matter what your volume is, make every single design your most important.”

“When people go to a flower shop, they go for flowers, and that’s what we do — flowers.”

With his innovation, it’s no wonder Anthony Swick is being inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) in San Fransisco this March. It is a high honor for any florist. Congratulations Tony, from all of us at FSN!

Also! Bay Bouquet was one of the first to make the switch to our premium websites because they could brand it with their company’s colors. Check out their new website’s sleek new look here!

FSN’s Favorite Flower Arrangement For August

This gorgeous summer bouquet is the PERFECT hostess gift for your summer get-togethers. Before your next party, call your local florist, you can’t go wrong with flowers!

This summer is way too hot to be traveling; show your long-distanced someone special you care by sending flowers! Your friend, mom or grandma’s face will glow for weeks after receiving this stunning bouquet.

Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory to find a 100% LOCAL florist in your city! However you send summer flowers, send through a local florist!

Interview With Mary McCarthy From The Blooming Idea, TX

Recently, Flower Shop Network attended the Texas State Florists Association‘s annual convention in San Marco Texas. While there, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with some fabulous local florists — including one of our favorite FSN members, Mary McCarthy from The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, TX.

Mary and her team are great examples of local florists working hard to promote themselves online. Check out The Blooming Idea blog where they post incredible photos of their recent floral design work. Not only do they keep their customers informed on their blog, but their Facebook is blooming as well! Keep up the GREAT work guys! Thanks for being great members!

This post was brought to you by local San Antonio, Texas florists.

Have You Claimed YOUR Free Bing Local Listing?

Claiming your Bing Local listing is another of the FREE services that you can use to make your shop’s presence known and control the information that search engines see about your flower shop. It’s as simple as that. Flower Shop Network is always looking for new and easy ways to promote your shop so we have created this visual guide and tutorial to claiming your Bing Local listing. You may also want to print out the Checklist for Claiming Your Bing Listing to fill out for your records.

[Edit: Updated June 27, 2012]

Bing Listing - Getting Started

Create your free Bing Local listing by clicking on this link: www.bing.com/businessportal and then selecting “Get Started Now” if you already have a Windows Live ID.

Signing in will tell you whether you have any listings associated with that ID or not.  This is helpful in the event that multiple people use the same e-mail address for your company (such as info@myflowershop.com) and have set up an account of which you were not aware.

If you do not have a Windows Live ID then you will need to select “Sign Up”.

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Are You Ready To Claim Your Yahoo Local Listing?

Much like claiming your Google Local or Bing Local listing, claiming your Yahoo! Local listing is an excellent way to promote your shop. Best of all — it’s free. To help you claim your shop’s listing, Flower Shop Network has created this step-by-step visual guide and tutorial to registering and claiming a Yahoo! Local listing. You may also want to print out the Checklist for Claiming Your Yahoo Local Listing to fill out for your records.

**Note: Yahoo now requires businesses to pay for a listing on their search engines. They have also partnered with Yext. Click here for more information on this company. You will also need a Yahoo! account to claim your Yahoo! Local listing. If you do not have one, skip to the section titled “Create Your Yahoo! Account” for more information. **

[edit: Updated March 2, 2016]

How To Claim Your Yahoo! Local Listing

Yahoo Local

The first step in claiming your shop’s Yahoo! Local listing is to visit the Yahoo! Local Listings Sign Up. You will see two boxes with different listing options. Ignore them. The fastest and easiest way to begin claiming your listing is to click the large yellow “Sign Up” button in the top right section of the page.

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Don’t Miss Out! Claim Your FREE Google Places listing!

What Is Google Places?

Ever type something into the Google search box for a particular city? When the results came up, there were a few listings right beside a map at the top of the page – those are listings on Google Places.

Many florists are unaware that registering & claiming your Google Places listing is free and controlling your information is beneficial. Since Google pulls information from many different sources, you may find that Google has “holes” in their data about your shop. It is important that Google has your updated information and that it comes from YOU to make sure it is correct. Unclaimed listings can be claimed by others who might not put your best foot forward. Your Google Places listing is also another platform for marketing.

Controlling local information is a free way to get the word out about your flower shop, which is why Flower Shop Network wants you to know how to claim your shop’s Google Places listing.

How To Claim Your Google Places listing

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