Marketing Tips - Bloomin' Blog

Fresh Spring Marketing Ideas For Florists

January 25, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 3 Comments

Ideas For Spring Flower Specials

Create special edition spring flower arrangements available to your customers for a limited time, like one or two weeks. Promote these on your website, Facebook, direct mail and any other social media outlet you may use. Create one special per week. Make sure your customers understand there is a deadline for ordering one of your specials to create a sense of urgency and excitement for these unique flower designs. It also shows your diversity and artistry to your customers.

Garden-Themed Special

– Use spring garden flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips. Include items like seed packets, shovels, or even plant markers with encouraging messages written on them. For the container, use a cute watering can. (Check thrift stores!)

Spring-Themed Special

– Again use a good assortment of spring flowers. Use a blue-painted coffee can (recycled) as your container. Paint a white horizontal stripe a couple of inches from the top and bottom. Use white cardboard cut into pointed strips to create picket fencing to go around your coffee can. Then simply hot glue them to your can leaving a unique, picket fence container, 100% recycled!

Birds & Bees Special

– Spring means romance is in the air! Don’t leave your love birds out, create a spring-themed romantic arrangement. Create an arrangement using spring flowers. Cut a heart out of cardboard and cover it, front and back, with small spring flowers. Use bird and bee floral picks if available to complete your Birds & Bee special. Promote this as something a guy could send to his lady at work!

Kite-Themed Special

– Create a kite by making an ‘X’ with left over stems. Glue diamond-shaped thin paper or fabric, to the tips to create the main part of the kite. For the tail, use thin wire with tiny bows glued to it. Have this kite flying high [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: Marketing Tips, Spring Flowers, Spring Marketing

10 Great Valentines Day Marketing Tips

January 7, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 5 Comments

1. Start Now

Sure it’s a whole month away, but it’s never too early to start your Valentines Day strategy. (Plus, planning ahead will ease some of the stress!) Also start reminding your customers Valentines day is coming up with social media, direct mailers, email campaigns, or whatever you find works best in your area.

2. Segregation

Valentines Day is all about romance and buying for your significant other. If possible, segregate your marketing plans for guys and gals and promote products along those lines. For women, promote more manly gifts like gift baskets, gifts for men and sleek floral designs. And for men, use the traditional red, pink and girly designs, along with fruit baskets and chocolates.

3. Contests

Host or sponsor a Valentines Day Contest. You can partner with local radio stations or other businesses to make it even bigger! Try a scavenger hunt, or a contest through Facebook. Ask your fans to submit their most romantic date stories or Valentines Day memory. Reward your favorite with a free bouquet.

4. Don’t Forget The Singles

Create and promote a ‘Pamper Yourself’ gift basket for the singles out there. Valentines Day is all about love, and why not love your self a little.

5. Celebrate Love

Celebrate love for love’s sake! Love for pets, sports, kids, parents, grandparents, everyone! Promote gift baskets and bouquets for all!

6. Find A Partner

Partner with local businesses to promote your shop. Get with a popular local restaurant and include dinner-for-two gift certificates in your gift baskets, then display one at the restaurant. You can do the same with movie theaters, boutiques, and many other business.. but remember, keep it local!

7. Valentine VIPS

Show some love to your Valentine VIPs. Pick your top 5 customers and send them something to show you care. Offer a special just for them, and make it good, these are your best customers! Also make it redeemable at any time, not just for Valentines day.

8. Be Mine On A Dime

Create small corsages to hand out to businesses around your shop. Attach a card that says “Just a little taste, come in today and save 15% on the rest of this arrangement.” They can wear them all day and if customers ask about it, they will suggest your shop!

9. Marketing Materials

Create a sense of urgency for getting things done now with your marketing materials. Make sure to state when the very last time to order for delivery will be. If possible, include customer testimonials in your marketing material.

10. Last Minute Shoppers

Make sure to have ready-to-carry options ready on Valentines Day. Promote these through social media during the week and on the day of for last minute Valentines Day shoppers to come into your store.

Filed Under: Marketing Tips Tagged With: Marketing Tips, Valentines Day, Valentines Day Marketing

Making Negative Reviews Work For You

January 5, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

How To Handle Negative Reviews Every business, no matter how professional and competent, will be on the bad end of a negative comment sooner or later. Whether the comment is spoken or online, businesses can not keep this from occurring. Although you may feel as if the world is coming to end when this happens, it can actually be turned into a good thing. It all depends on how you handle it.

Studies show that when a negative review or complaint is handled professionally and positively, consumers actually gain trust in the company.

Below are a few ways to handle negative reviews on the Internet:

Go to the website hosting the bad review. Many, like Google, have review response policies.
Wait at least 2 hours before responding. Unlike phone or in-store complaints, reviews on the Internet don’t and shouldn’t be answered quickly. Give your self time to cool off and compose a professional and rational response.
Post your response. Be courteous and professional. Remember the response is as much for the author of the review as it is for the reader. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Customer Service, Marketing Tips

Introducing: FSN’s Florist One-Liners

November 7, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Flower Shop Network is committed to helping real, local florists in every way possible, especially self-promotion. We have already helped hundreds of florists with their efforts on Facebook and other social networking platforms. Now, we are making your jobs even easier with our FSN Florist One-Liners.

New Each Week
Each Monday, we will post 5 new one-liners in a note on our Facebook. Florists can easily use these for their social media updates and statuses. These will include promotional ideas, holiday reminders and slogans, and other status ideas. Feel free to use them as-is or adapt them to fit more to your shop.

How To Use Online
Florists are able to copy and paste these short status’ into their favorite social platform, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or one of the other many services out there.

Simply use your mouse to highlight the one-liner you want to use.
Right click and select the ‘copy’ option.
Next, go to the status update section of your favorite social site.
Right click again and select ‘paste,’ and you’re done!

Flower Shop Network hopes our one-liners will help social networking be more quick and effective for your flower shop.

Use In Your Shop
Use these one-liner slogans in your shop. You can use them for slogans, flashing signs, billboards and anything else you can think of. The limit is only up to your imagination!

Notes
Florist one-liners publish every Monday on our Facebook page.

NOVEMBER
Florist One-liners Nov wk 2
Florist One-liners Nov wk 3
Florist One-Liners Nov wk 4

DECEMBER
Florist One-Liners Dec wk 1
Florist One-Liners Dec wk 2
Florist One-Liners Dec wk 3
Florist One-Liners Dec wk 4

JANUARY
Florist One-Liners Jan wk 1
Florist One-Liners Jan wk 2
Florist One-Liners Jan wk 3
Florist One-Liners Jan wk 4
Florist One-Liners Jan wk 5

FEBRUARY
Florist One-Liners Feb wk 1
Florist One-Liners Feb wk 2
Florist One-Liners Feb wk 3
Florist One-Liners Feb wk 4

MARCH
Florist One-Liners Mar wk 1
Florist One-Liners Mar wk 2
Florist One-Liners Mar wk 3
Florist One-Liners Mar wk 4

APRIL
Florist One-Liners Apr wk 1
Florist One-Liners Apr wk 2
Florist One-Liners Apr wk 3
Florist One-Liners Apr wk 4

MAY
Florist One-Liners May wk 1
Florist One-Liners May wk 2
Florist One-Liners May wk 3
Florist One-Liners May wk 4

JUNE
Florist One-Liners Jun wk 1
Florist One-Liners Jun wk 2
Florist One-Liners Jun wk 3
Florist One-Liners Jun wk 4

JULY
Florist One-Liners Jul wk 1
Florist One-Liners Jul wk 2
Florist One-Liners Jul wk 3
Florist One-Liners Jul wk 4

AUGUST
Florist One-Liners Aug wk 1
Florist One-Liners Aug wk 2
Florist One-Liners Aug wk 3
Florist One-Liners Aug wk 4

Let us know how you’re using our florist one-liners in the comments below!

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: Marketing, Marketing Tips, One-Liners, Social Media, Social Networking

5 Facebook Things To Do For The Holidays

October 19, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

1. Update Facebook Friends With Holiday Specials

For local florists, it’s a good idea to keep your Facebook friends updated with your latest specials and promotions, and this is especially important as we near the holidays. Facebook makes it easy to keep your clients up-to-date on everything going on at your shop. By keeping the interest of your followers, you are sure to increase your shops productivity in the upcoming season.

How To Update Facebook Friends

Status Updates – While on your business page, simply type your promotion in the box where it says “What’s on your mind?” Here you can say things like, “We just got our first shipment of this year’s poinsettias in! Time to get into the Christmas spirit. Buy yours early, before they run out!” It’s a good idea to include some sort of ‘call to action’ in your promotions: “Call Today! Act Now!” and other phrases that give your update a sense of urgency.

Page Updates – Page updates sends out a little note to all of your friends on Facebook. This is almost like sending a message or email. Updates should be reserved for your most important news. Too many updates can look like spam and could possibly cause people to ‘Unlike’ your page. Updates can be used as your version of monthly newsletters, or just a big announcement for upcoming events and sales. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Facebook, Florists on Facebook, Holiday Sales, Marketing Tips

Have Your Chocolate And Sell It Too!

October 5, 2010 by Kelly Curtis Leave a Comment

In the mood for chocolate? Of course, you are! Who doesn’t enjoy luxurious and heavenly chocolate every once in awhile?

Chocolate Truffles From Amber Lyn Chocolates

Everyone deserves a rich tasty treat to satisfy their sweet tooth, and chocolate is sure to do the trick. With all the wonderful varieties of gourmet chocolate available, every palate can find the luxurious treat they desire.

Why Sell Chocolate?

Sold by itself or with other products, chocolate has drawing power. Why? Chocolate is an affordable luxury that everyone feels good about treating themselves to every now and again.

Plus, chocolate is a gourmet food item that is here to stay and has even proven to be healthy, especially dark chocolate! Selling chocolate can be a great add-on sale item with its satisfying taste and health benefits.

Selling Chocolates With Other Products
So, what companion items can you sell with chocolates? Flowers, of course! When you think of flowers, you think of chocolate. Paired together, flowers and chocolate make the perfect romantic gift for that special someone. The same chocolate and flowers are a great way to show appreciation to a teacher, express sorrow to someone you have wronged, or to let a friend know you are thinking about them.

Don’t forget, kids absolutely love chocolate. A nice gift basket full of chocolate tied to a cute Mylar balloon or a plush toy would be a perfect gift for precious little ones. See how chocolate can make a great add-on! Chocolate comes in a variety tasty and unique flavors. With so many flavors everyone is sure to find a favorite flavor, if not multiple ones. Every taste bud will find this delectable treat satisfying.

Another Reasons To Sell Chocolates
Whether young or old, everyone loves chocolate and they want it all year long. However, holiday chocolates are the most popular. Yummy fudge and peppermint bark are perfect gifts during the Christmas season. Since chocolate is desired during every holiday, you can customize the flavors and types to capitalize on the season.

All Things Considered

Of course, chocolate is a great product to sell, but there are a few things to consider before diving in headfirst. Like all products, you must evaluate the compatibility and relevancy of the products to your market niche.

Assorted Chocolates From Buddy Squirrel

In the September 2010 issue of Floral Management, Amanda Long outlines some of the factors that florists needed to evaluate before selling chocolate. Factors such as store type (customer demographic – upscale, urban, rural, etc.) and location (traffic) are the fundamental elements that should be evaluated.

Defining what type of store you own, location and your consumer’s taste are the crucial elements to finding and carrying the right chocolates for your store.

Determining your consumer’s taste will help you decide what flavors and types of chocolates to offer. While location and store type will help determine how much chocolate your store inventory needs. The idea is to research before you dive headfirst in the chocolate market to ensure you get the right chocolate combination.

Chocolate isn’t just chocolate, it’s a luxury item that everyone deserves at an affordable price. Rich, decadent chocolate will serve, as a great add-on sale and the perfect gift all on it’s own. You can never go wrong with this sweet luxury item in your store.

Need to find chocolate wholesalers? FGmarket can help you find a variety of wholesale chocolates.

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

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Florist, Gift Ideas, Marketing Tips

Florists & Fiscal Fitness – Recommit To A Marketing Plan!

July 18, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Marketing = Communication = Sales

Effective marketing is all about establishing a relationship with your customers. More so than money, time and planning are the crucial marketing components needed. Engaging your customer is the key. As a result, everything you say or do is a marketing tool and directly related to your sales.

Whether you engage your customers face to face, online or through written communication, it is imperative that you know your customers’ [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Marketing, Marketing Tips, Tips For Florists

Going The Extra Mile On Floral Deliveries

July 14, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Did you know that floral deliveries can be an inexpensive marketing opportunity? Going the extra mile with your floral deliveries helps you build a stronger relationship with customers. Floral deliveries also provide ways to wow the sender and create a relationship with the recipient.

Think about it. You have a captive audience who already knows the value of sending flowers. By doing one or all of the following, you can make your floral deliveries an effective marketing tool and help ensure long-term success.

Email a delivery confirmation to the sender. Sending a confirmation that the order has been delivered lets the sender know that you value their business and reaffirms that using your shop was the right choice. To really WOW your customer email them a picture of the flower arrangement (with or without the recipient). This will not only WOW the customer, but will alleviate any questions they might have about the arrangement. (If you have a Flower Shop Network web site sending an order confirmation is easy. You can even upload pictures to send with the email.)
Promote your web site and your social media on enclosure cards. Since the recipient may or may not be a customer of your shop, giving them the url to your web site provides them with a handy reference for future orders. Letting customers know where your shop can be found in social media will encourage engagement. Did you know that you can go to FSNf2f.com to print out enclosure cards that include your web site url and where you can be found in social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter?
Include coupons with enclosure cards. It gives new customers an incentive to shop with you and gives long-time customers a reward for loyalty.
Ask customers for reviews and feedback. Encouraging customers to give feedback is the best way to learn more about your customers. Set up incentive program to encourage feedback. You can give $5 off the next purchase if the customer places a testimonial on Flower Shop Network, Facebook or Yelp.
Attach a coupon with delivery notice when recipients aren’t home. Since weather conditions are seldom the optimum conditions for flowers, leaving a flower arrangement on a doorstep is never a good idea. A good practice is to leave a delivery notice that includes your shop telephone number and instructions asking them to call to schedule a delivery time. This will keep you from making several delivery attempts. You can encourage recipients to call by attaching a coupon to the delivery notice.

Going the extra mile on floral deliveries will help your shop stand out from the rest.

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Marketing Tips

Untapped Holidays Your Flower Shop Should Utilize!

July 7, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

The need to send flowers doesn’t stop with the major holidays. Increase your sales by utilizing the untapped gift-giving holidays that occur through out the year.

With the rise of social media, it has never been easier to directly communication with all of your customers — present and future.

Plan ahead for upcoming holidays. If the upcoming holiday’s main color is purple, be sure to have purple flowers, purple ribbon, or some sort of holiday accessory on hand.
Offer specials and promote these holidays as if they were the major floral holidays.
Show photos of holiday specific arrangements to spark your fans interest.
Suggest uses of holiday flowers on your social sites. “This beautiful purple, green, and yellow arrangement would be a perfect centerpiece for your Mardi Gras party!” The power of suggestion is a powerful thing!
Be versatile with your floral designs. Adjust the color pallet on your everyday designs to match the holiday. Add a ribbon or accessory to give it a more festive look!
Keep an eye out in your daily routines for unique containers, decorations, or other accessories you can use for designs.

Just because you don’t celebrate a specific holiday, doesn’t mean it isn’t very important to someone else. If you are unsure about a holiday, do a little research to find out what types of arrangements or other gifts are appropriate.

We have composed a list of holidays that might help:

HOLIDAYS

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Holiday Info Tagged With: Holiday Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Marketing Tips

Increasing Business & Marketing To Generations X & Y

July 3, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Traditional marketing might have been fine for attracting baby boomers, but for florists looking to entice a younger crowd, this just isn’t enough! So what is the key to establishing a relationship with Generation X (30-49) and Generation Y(10-29)? The answer is— Networking!

Social Networking – the obvious place to turn to attract a younger crowd.

Facebook – the 35-47 year-old age group is growing in leaps and bounds on Facebook. Simply having a Page on Facebook for your shop will attract loyal customers from your community.
City or Community Websites – Many cities offer some sort of community web page. This is a great place for local businesses to list their business, photos, as well as their upcoming events. Many are turning to these to sites to find real local businesses and fun events to support.
Wedding And Party Network – Freshly re-designed, WPN offers TONS of new features for attracting brides.

Hosting Events – Showing Gen X’rs your versatility is a great way to create loyal, lifetime customers.

Showers – If you do weddings, you probably already have the materials to throw a great-looking bridal shower! The same goes for baby showers. Offer your shop as a venue to host these types of events for your community.
Kids Parties – Host a flower-themed birthday party or a kids’ social club event, like a girl scout workshop, to spark their love of flowers! Adorn your shop in your cutesiest decor, and have the kids create their own small arrangements to take home. You could even have them paint their vase!
Community Projects – Networking with other businesses is a great way to create awareness for your shop. Get with the stores on your block or neighborhood and host an event, party, or even something fun, like a scavenger hunt!

Hands-on – Hosting hands-on events, especially kid-friendly ones, are sure to bring out Generation X.

DIY Workshops – Hosting Do-It-Yourself workshops will not only get crafty young people into your shop, it will re-establish their love of flowers. Host workshops where your attendants create their own beautiful arrangement for their homes. Wreath building workshops are also a big hit!
Flower Club – Generation X is known for being extremely family oriented. Start an after school Flower Club to meet once a month and and get kids (and parents!) interested in flowers!

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: Marketing Tips, Social Networking