When ordering flowers, it's often for a special occasion or well wishing. For romance, birthdays, get well soons and even condolences, flowers are always intended to lifting the spirits of the recipient.

Sending Flowers? What Type of Customer Are You?

• Customer On-A-Mission

You know exactly what you want and won't stop until you've got it. Perhaps the person you are sending flowers to has a favorite flower that must be used. Maybe you have a specific centerpiece idea in mind and you must have it. Whether you are shopping in store, online or on the phone, make sure to ask about the specific items your arrangement must include.

A florist keeps a good amount of flowers in their cooler at all times. However, they can't possibly have them all. When ordering flowers from pictures, such as on a florist's website, sometimes substitutions will be made if the florist doesn't have a particular flower. Same goes for vase style, ribbon, etc.

How To Get Exactly What You Want:

Call! To make sure the specific flowers/vase/etc you want get used in your arrangement, call and ask if they have them in stock. If they don't have them in stock, the florist will explain what will be used to substitute, or how long it will take to get your full request in stock. If you are ordering specific flowers for an event, this is why it's best to order in advance.

• The General-Idea Customer

You have an idea of what you want, but haven't quite put your finger on it. You know you want flowers, you know what the occasion is, but you don't know the first thing about floral design, so you're just browsing. Continue reading "Buying & Sending Flowers For All Types of Customers" »

Business is competitive by nature. For florists, every opportunity to stay in the spotlight is crucial. Staying on your customer's minds will keep them, and their friends, coming back for more. Here are a few ideas for florists to showcase their talents in their own communities.

Host Open Houses

Think of great door prizes, interesting themes and other fun activities guests can enjoy while in your shop. Take this opportunity to showcase a wide range of designs throughout your shop. Let your visitors know just what's possible by your talented staff. Introduce them to unusual and unique flowers available.

•  Have a Ladies Night – Go wild and crazy with creativity. Have everyone dress up and wear their biggest derby hat and let them decorate them with flowers, then have a tea party. Or maybe keep it simple and just serve favorite desserts and delicious fruity drinks.

• Teach floral design classes – Open up your shop to new students from your community — host a floral design class! DIY is so trendy these days, creatives won't be able to pass it up! At Helena Florist in Helena AL, they host a Sips & Snips class, where guests can bring their favorite beverage and make their own, personal flower arrangement. Helena Florist provides all the necessary floral accessories for a particular design, and guests sip and snip the night away and take home their fabulous flower arrangement. The cost of the class is the same as the arrangement normally. Guests have a ton of fun with flowers, and show off their arrangement to all their friends.  Adapt this idea to work for your shop. You might teach a class for children, or a themed class for a holiday. It's all up to you! Continue reading "3 Tips To Keep Your Flower Shop In The Spotlight" »

Flowers and Photography

It seems like the two just go together. We buy flowers based on photos in a book or online, we photograph them at weddings, and florists brag about their talent with pictures of prior work. Most florists would like to have a portfolio, but don't feel confident enough to do it themselves. It's not hard to make professional-looking flower photos, but it does take practice.

Here are a few hints that will make your photos sparkle.

• Use natural light. That means sunlight coming into your shop. Many shops have fluorescent lighting, and believe it or not, your camera will see it as ugly, green light. Cameras see incandescent lighting as harsh yellow-red. If you have fluorescent or incandescent lighting, turn it off and just use the light coming through the window. Experiment by placing the arrangement closer or farther away from the light source, and by turning the arrangement until the light produces the most flattering effect. Side-lighting from above produces a nice effect. Continue reading "6 Quick Flower Photography Tips For Florists" »

So, we all heard the buzz surrounding Google+ Plus when it came out a couple of months ago, however they weren't allowing businesses to set up profiles back then. Well, as of this week, Google+ Business Pages can now be created. FSN is here to help you set up your own Google+ Business Page. Please read over this post carefully to make sure Google+ is right for you.

Advantages of Google+ (Plus) For Your Business

I know exactly what you're thinking… "I have a Facebook Page, why on earth do I need a Google+ page too??"

To be honest… there aren't a whole lot of reasons for florists to use this new social network, except for one big one: It's Google. Google is by-far the main search engine people use when looking for something online. Listing your business information on Google+ very well could boost your rankings. There is currently no way to know for sure, but I could definitely see your Google profile and G+ Page being connected together in the future.

Remember: the key to social networking is being where your audience is; this is likely not Google+. While tons of people signed up for Google+ in the beginning, the activity level began sinking fast. With the addition of Business Pages, this may change, but for now Google+ is full of tumbleweeds.

Advice on Getting Started With Google+

• My advice to you is to join Google+ as a user and see how many friends, family members and acquaintances add you to their circles. This will give you a good indication of how many people you know are using Google+.
• Go ahead and set your business up on Google+ and see what sort of activity it generates.  This will also tell you how much time to invest in this new social network. That way if Google+ does end up taking off as a network, you've already got a jump start and claimed your business' name. (And who knows, it just may help to elevate your rankings! *fingers crossed*)

Setting Up A Google+ (Plus) Business Page

Setting up your business page is actually pretty simple, just follow along with the images below. Continue reading "Setting Up Your New Google+ Business Page" »

The Gimme Game

As local florists, we understand the importance of helping our local communities by supporting non-profit groups and charities. However, doesn't it seem like every time you turn around someone has their hand out for “FREE” flowers? Non-profits and other deserving organizations that traditionally have had very minimal budgets for flowers now have NO budget. In addition, the normally generous floral retailers have also experienced a steep decline in revenue. This results in florists often feeling like their business is running as a non-profit!

Handling The "Donation Monkey" Dilemma

So how do you handle this “donation monkey” dilemma? When cash flow gets tight, one of the first areas that tends to get cut is MARKETING. However, during an economic downturn, this is probably the LAST place money should be cut. During this weakened market, it is more important than ever to be in the faces and minds of the public to maximize business. Brand recognition and community involvement go hand-in-hand when building a positive business image. For this to be a partnership of the donor and recipient, the business owner needs to be more aggressive and up-front with their needs and the non-profit organization needs to be more understanding and willing to barter.

Consider Donations As Marketing Opportunities

In response to the increased requests for donations, our business approach has been to consider each request as a marketing opportunity. In the past, we were often very generous and would just give the organization free flowers, gift certificates or auction items with very few questions and asking very little in return. This is no longer the practice. Our business has sold out of “FREE” and is currently not restocking! In order for us to stay in business and be available to make future donations, we have to remain fiscally responsible and business savvy. We must receive something in return for our investment and involvement.

The Donation Request Form

As a way of maximizing the return on investment, we use a very detailed Donation Request Form. This form allows us to collect information identifying the organization making the request, their floral purchasing practices and whether they have actually been a customer of ours in the past. Obviously, organizations or groups that have supported us in the past with their floral purchases take precedence over total strangers making requests. The form also outlines the event's specific details regarding target audience, goals and expected Continue reading "Making Donations A Win-Win Situation" »

What is a QR code?

A QR code is an image that can be scanned by smartphones (such as an iPhones or Droid phones) to connect to a webpage of the creator's choice. QR is short for Quick Response because it can be read quickly by a cell phone.

Basically a QR code is an image you can easily generate and use on printable material that will link to your online website.

Why are QR codes important to businesses?

Think about it like this: It's Mother's Day and you are promoting with posters, flyers, mail outs, etc. Wouldn't it be great if there was a little button they could click on these print outs that would take them right to your website's Mother's Day selections? This is where QR code comes in!

All you have to do is create a QR code image that links to your shop website's Mother's Day page. This image can be used on all your printed promotional material and sent out to your customers. (Always include all shop contact info for those who don't have smartphones.)

For your customers with smart phones, the mystery of where the QR code will take you is usually enough to make them scan it. (I know I can't resist scanning them!) Seeing your beautiful Mother's Day bouquet selections pop up on their smart phone is a much better than anything they can see on a flyer or poster. It is also very easy and convenient to order straight from their phones! (FSN Member Tip: FSN websites are completely mobile friendly. Customers can make purchases just like they would on your full website.)

Continue reading "Using QR Codes For Your Business" »

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 in Glendale AZ was voted Best Florist by Phoenix Magazine:

"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."

Way 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

• There are a LOT of flower shops in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, and we think it's pretty amazing Playa Del Rey Florist ranked 5th in the Los Angeles Hot List.

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

• 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!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is something florists do not take lightly. Many go above and beyond to do their part to raise awareness of this disease in their own creative ways.

Here are just a few of the ways florists all across the nation are helping out:

• Bayberries Flowers & Gifts in Caldwell Idaho is giving $5.00 to their local breast cancer screening center for every "pink" arrangement ordered through the 20th of October.

• Clark Flower & Gift Shop in Clark, SD is doing a '"Bra"vo For A Cure' Decorated Bra Contest during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness. So far, they've got 32 entries, and have them displayed in the front window of their store. (photo below)

We have having a People's Choice vote during October for the winning entry with a $1 donation per vote. Proceeds will be donated to the local Relay For Life. Also, we took photos of all our entries & put a photo album on our Facebook page. The entry that gets the most likes during October will win a prize.

We also have pink rose specials for the month, & are donating $1 for each pink rose sold to our local Relay For Life. We are also giving out [FSN's] Think Pink flyer to customers during October. It's fun to watch people looking at our window display; laughing and having fun with it. We got so many cute entries. The decorated bras will be donated for an auction to be held later to benefit our local Relay For Life

Continue reading "Local Florists Promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month" »

Did you know, if you are one of our great FSN members (woo!), you can save your favorite florists friends into your own network of preferred florists. You can save your favorite quality shops in places you frequently send orders too, or even your Facebook florist friends. Sure you might rarely send flowers to them, but at least they're there just in case!

Building your network of preferred florists is easy with the Preferred Florist Program, a free tool for all FSN members.  Continue reading "Have You Set Up Your Preferred Florist List?" »

Thanks to FSN member Tim, at Botaniq Floral Studio in Santa Rosa Beach, FL for giving us the tip about this new program!

The U.S. Post Office has come out with a brand new direct mail program that could be a huge benefit to local businesses. They call it Every Door Direct Mail.

What is Every Door Direct Mail

Every Door Direct Mail enables you to extend your customer reach without the need for mailing lists, permits, and the associated fees. With Every Door Direct Mail, you create a direct mail without applying individual names and addresses to each mail-piece.

• You pay 14.2¢ (cents) for each mail piece you send out.
• Your target area can be a city, neighborhood or specified distance from your business.
• Every Door Direct Mail is available only for Regular Standard Mail Flat size pieces.
• The minimum number of pieces required is the number of active deliveries on a carrier route (not less than 200 pieces per mailing).

How Every Door Direct Mail Benefits you

• Target a location without an address list
• Easily send out local mailings
• Build more traffic
• Find new customers

FSN Makes It Even Easier With Direct Mail Templates

If you're one of our fantastic(!) FSN members, we offer a Direct Mail Template Generator for you in your FSNf2f dashboard. Simply log in to FSNf2f.com and scroll down to the Marketing section in the orange right menu. Click on Direct Marketing Templates and you will see the 3 template options available to you: Build A Marketing Piece, Build A Brochure, and Build A Statement Stuffer.

All of these are easy to use and will feature your shop's information! The Build A Marketing Piece is the one you want to use to create your direct mailer. If you are using Every Door Direct Mail from the post office, you will not need to select bulk mail permit. If you need help creating your template, watch the Video Tutorial by clicking the green button. More on the USPS site on Every Door Direct Mail Requirements.

Be sure to contact YOUR local post office before hand to make sure the size and weight of your direct mailer is correct BEFORE mass printing them. You will also need to know how many addresses are on a specific route.

[Update] After talking to several post offices about this, we have found out that pages need to be legal size, which is 8½" × 14". One post office said a standard paper size (8½" × 11") would work, while another said no. So.. again CHECK WITH YOUR POST OFFICE!

For much more information about Every Door Direct Mail, visit the USPS Website.