“E-mail is the ‘original social media’ and it is the one platform that, pretty much, everyone still uses today.” explains Dan Zarrella, marketing specialist.

E-mail marketing is listed as one of the top three most effective marketing methods. E-mail marketing is the affordable way to keep your customers coming back.

Florist Tips for Email Marketing:

• By staying connected, you are building stronger customer relationships.
• Segment your database of emails into usable groups, such as male/female, age or by interests. By doing this you can send more targeted emails. (Example: Sending different emails to men and women on Valentines Day to encourage sending to each other.)
• Make emails easy to forward; this can be a quick and easy referral for your flower shop.
• Schedule emails to be sent when your audience is most likely active, such as early morning or just after work.
• Pay attention to what interests customers. Test different types of arrangements in your e-mails to see which ones your community responds to most.

Without a good e-mail address list, e-mail marketing can fall short.

Gather email addresses using these methods:

1. Simply ask every person placing an order for their email address.
2. Hold a weekly or biweekly contest where the only requirement is to enter an e-mail address.
3. Ask customers to refer family and friends in exchange for a percentage off or a special gift.
4. Send customers on your mailing list a postcard asking for the e-mail addresses of family or friends.

Are you Marketing to the Hispanic community?

Speak their language.

¿Estaś Comercializacion a la comunidad Hispana?

Habla su lengua a nivel mundial.

Be a part of the youngest trend setting markets in the United States. U.S. Latinos tend to “adopt and adapt ” to customs and habits in the U.S. without shedding traditions and values.

Formar parte de los mercados más joven del ajusta del tenencia en los Estados Unidos. EE.UU. los Latinos tienden a ” adoptar y adaptar” a las costumbres y hábitos en los estados unidos sin derramamiento tradidiones y valores.

Effectiveness of Spanish Language Advertising

When asked about advertising effectiveness:

• 38% of Hispanics surveyed found English ads less effective than Spanish ads in terms of recollection
• 70% less effective than Spanish ads in terms of persuasion
• 56% of Latino adults respond best to advertising when it is presented in Spanish.

Cuando se le preguntó acerca de la eficacia publicitarios:

• 38% de los Hispanos encuesta dos se encuentran inglés anuncios menos efectivo que los anuncios españoles en términos de recuerdo
• 70% anuncios Españoles menos efectiva que en términos de persuasion
• 56% de los adultos Latinos mejor a la publicidad cuando su presentados en Español.

72% say they always read their mail, including direct marketing, yet 60% of direct mail sent to homes is in English. 52% respondents speak only Spanish in their homes.

72% dicen que siempre len su curreo, incluyendo el marketing directo. 60% de la publicidad directo enviada a los hogares se encuentra en inglés. 52% encuestados sólo hablan español en sus hogares.

If the time is now, What will you do?
Si el momento es ahora,  ¿ Qué vas a hacer?

FSN is here to help:
Florists using FSN websites can have Spanish pages added to them.
Spanish-speaking customers can find florists through our Spanish website: es.flowershopnetwork.com.

Facebook, Youtube, and TWITTER?! How can we keep up?

It’s true, social media is a big commitment, but the results are remarkable for social florists! Staying in close touch with your customer base is essential in our very visual business. Adding social media to your routine makes it much easier and faster to get things done. A smartphone is a good idea to add to your mix because it allows you to be social anywhere, anytime!

Twitter is a useful tool for your business, and I’m going to show you the easy ways to making it work for you!

Twitter + Facebook = Harmony

First DO THIS, make Twitter easy, make it automatic!

You update your Facebook often, why not have those feed into your Twitter? When you update a status, add photos or share a link, it will automatically send these updates to your Twitter followers — it’s that easy! This way, you have a presence on Twitter, but are not spending any more time than normal.
Continue reading “Easy Twitter For Busy Florists” »

I am so excited about the newest feature announced by Facebook yesterday! If you recall our post on Tips For Tagging Pictures For Business Pages, we explained how Facebook did not allow for individuals to tag Pages in their pictures, well…

YOU CAN NOW!

What does this mean for you?

Scenario 1: Sally Prom-Goer has just received her first prom corsage; she is so excited she instantly takes a picture with her phone and uploads it to Facebook for all of her friends to see. Included with her corsage was a card saying ‘Tag us on Facebook!’ and a address to your shop’s Facebook Page. She easily finds your Page, tags you in her picture.

So now she will forever have a picture of her corsage on her profile AND a link to your shop’s page. Of course, it’s the best looking corsage -ever- because it came from your shop, so all of her friends know exactly where to go when they need a corsage.

Scenario 2: Jenny Newlywed has just got all of her pictures back on a CD from her wedding photographer. Of course, she uploads them all to Facebook to show her friends and family. There are many beautiful pictures of the bouquets, reception flowers, and more designs from your flower shop. You send Jenny a private message in Facebook asking her to please tag your shop in the pictures of the flowers because they were so beautiful. You and Jenny got along great, and she instantly tags your shop in some 30 pictures.

Scenario 3: Robert Romantic sent his wife, Louis, 24 roses for their 10th wedding anniversary. Robert is at work when the flowers are delivered to their home, so Louis takes a picture of her arrangement with her mobile phone and uploads it to Facebook to show her friends, as well as Robert.

Continue reading “New Facebook Feature Could Mean Big Help For Florists” »

[UPDATE] Facebook has added more new tagging features
that are outlined in this post: Tagging For Business Pages

A lot of talk is going on right now about image tagging in Facebook. Unfortunately, as it is currently, you are unable to tag business Pages in personal Profiles.

That means, when Sally Prom-goer posts her prom corsage pictures to her profile, she CANNOT tag your business Page in them. It would be a really cool feature, and maybe Facebook will add this later, but as it stands, no go.

You may have seen ‘business Pages’ doing this, but it’s because they are using a personal Profile. Many small businesses incorrectly set up personal profiles for their businesses because they were unsure how to originally do it. Facebook now has a Profile to Page migration tool to encourage businesses to stop using personal Profiles. Although being able to tag your incorrect business profile is a great feature, you are missing out on MANY of the draws to having a business page:

1. Analytics Abilities - be able to track the number of interactions your page has with fans, view key demographics like sex, age, and location, and more.
2. Get Found - people usually look for Pages when searching for a business on Facebook.
3. Simplicity – instead of logging in from one account to the other, Facebook allows you to switch between your personal Profiles and business Pages with just one click.

Alas, you can still use tagging!

Individuals cannot tag your business Page in their pictures, BUT they can tag themselves in YOUR pictures.. So, create an album just for pictures of prom corsages you’ve made, and encourage girls to tag their corsages in YOUR pictures. Why? This adds the picture of your beautiful prom flowers to their page and shares it with all of their friends. Try the same thing with wedding flower albums. Events, holidays, the list goes on and on.. The more pictures you post, the more opportunity it is for your fans have to interact with your Page.

This post is brought to you by Missoula, MT florists.
Not in Montana? No worries, use Flower Shop Network to find your REAL local florist!

The success of flower shops, now and in the future, depends on the ability of florists to connect with, and cultivate the Generation Y (People from 20 to 35 years of age) consumer. Fortunately, there are only two things you need to know about Generation Y.

Number 1. It’s ALL about them

Make it all about them by communicating on their level. How?

Connect with them on Facebook or other social media sites.

If your shop is still not on Facebook, what are you waiting for!? It’s the easiest, FREE way to market yourself online! A Facebook Business page has become almost as essential to businesses as a website and phone number.

Create a strong online presence — a website with mobile abilities.

Your website is the most important online asset to your website. Keep it in mind when promoting yourself everywhere on the web. Share pages of your website on Facebook. Make sure it’s also advertised on your business cards, and any print material.

Court them. They are more interested in what you can do for them than what your accomplishments are.

AIFD, PFD, CMF — the list goes on and on. While these are impressive accomplishments, Gen Y is more interested in what you can do FOR them than what your background is. Show them by having pictures available online, and in the shop of your past designs, events you’ve done and anything else that will show them just what you’re capable of!

Appeal to their visual need for information.

Generation Y loves visuals, graphics, pictures, video, it’s time for you to start using more! Of course on your website and Facebook Page, but also offline as well. Continue reading “The Future Is Coming! Are YOU Ready?” »

After a stroke of brilliance last year, Sarah Ekberg of Lazy Acres Decor & Floral in Wakefield, NE, tried something a little different for Mother’s Day. She created a unique, “Build-A-Bouquet” Mother’s Day workshop for children to make their own floraldesigns for their moms.

“Anyone can come into my shop and point to a design, but to make one for your own Mom is priceless,” says Sarah. “My daughters, age 5 & 7 came up with they idea. They said they have so much fun making me flowers, they wish all their friends could too, and so it began.” Sarah advertised the Mother’s Day workshop in their local paper and on the radio. The kids had their choice of starting design packets in $15, $20 and $35, plus small add-ons available. “I had set aside time slots for kids to sign up on Friday. I had originally expected little girls from 3-10, but I was blown away by the response. Kids of all ages (3-19) and just as many boys as girls! The feedback from the Moms and Dads was amazing too! They are already asking about reservations for this year!”

“This year we are going to incorporate a Polaroid picture of the child making the design for Mommy too!” As Sarah put it, “[when it comes it Mother's Day] I can make something beautiful, but you can make something exquisite.”

This post is brought to you by Flower Shop Network – your source for REAL local florists!

What are the key icons of the Easter we can use in our designs? pastels colors, spring flowers, crosses, Easter lilies, dyed eggs, chicks, rabbits.

• Decorate your store window with everything spring and Easter. Make sure everyone thinks YOUR STORE when they think EASTER! Use large, creative displays to set yourself apart from the Easter aisle at your grocery store!

• Create a few Easter flower arrangements and advertise them on your Facebook page as special/limited editions.

• Suggest to local businesses and restaurants to buy your limited edition arrangements for easy decorations for their shops.

• Contact local restaurants about using simple spring flowers on their tables as centerpieces. Offer this for free if they will let you attach a small ribbon or card to the flowers with the name of your shop and your website URL.

• Check the dollar stores, party stores or FGmarket for assorted, inexpensive Easter party favors and accessories to include in your most fun arrangements. Continue reading “Easter Marketing & Promos” »

First off, if you rely on teens to come by corsages at your store because you’re the only flower shop in town, you’re missing out on A LOT of opportunities. If these kids don’t know what is available to them, they won’t expect anything more than just a rose and ribbon for their wrist. Let’s make it our job as a florist to SHOW them what’s out there and exactly what we can do!

Our goal at prom season is, of course, to make money. The best way to make MORE money this prom season is by producing quality, creative designs girls will instantly fall in love with! Go the extra step to dazzle her with the details.

Ahh! Prom — Where do we begin?

The key to creating the perfect corsage for a teen is by complementing their own, particular style and the dress they’ve picked out. This is a problem because, for the most part, the guy buys the corsage. Don’t be discouraged, with technology and teenagers today you can possibly get a picture of the dress in just a few minutes. If the mom of the boy calls ahead of time, ask her then to somehow send a picture of the dress in order to match the style and colors. Have the pictures sent through text or email them to the shop. Let them know it’s not necessary, but it is a way to get the very best results! It may be easy if her dress is black and white, but some colors are a little more fuzzy. Your idea of blue-green maybe totally different that someone else. The dress also gives you a good idea of the price point for the customer.

The next thing to consider is the style. Is the girl going for a classic, vintage look; perhaps it’s more of a playful, colorful look? She may be into a more edgier, Lady GaGa style. Whatever the look, have fun with it!! This is YOUR TIME to show your talents! Suggest flowers in complementary colors instead of perfect matches. The prom corsage should make the dress POP and really complete the over-all look! Don’t settle for just a rose-and-ribbon corsage when you can have so much more!

Extra Selling Points For Prom

Corsage Bar: A great way to spike your prom sales this season is with the new and popular Corsage Bar! Bring out all of your fantastic prom accessories, ribbon, and gems for display in a buffet-like setting. This allows corsage-buyers to pick and choose their favorite accents. Everyone loves customization, and allowing the customer to personalize their corsage their way, it really makes them feel even more connected to the design. As they are looking through your prom accessories, suggest interesting options that they might not think of that really work great with their look!

Body Flowers: Who’s to say flowers belong only on the wrists? We’ve seen prom flowers for the hair, prom flowers on the shoes, prom flower rings, over-the-shoulder flowers… the list goes on and on. This is another feature that depends on the style of the dress. If it’s short, make flowers for the shoes and ankles; is it off one shoulder? — adorn it with flowers! Remember to do everything tastefully and fashionably. We want them to look stylish, not decorated. Show them your talents for matching color and style, they won’t soon forget it!

Beautiful Bouts: Boutonnieres can be just as fun and funky as corsages and body flowers! This can be the selling point to really get the guy’s mom into it. Show her masculine options to complement the date’s corsage.

On Display: Pre-make a few creative and over-the-top styles. With all of the playful prom styles out this year, you’d be surprised what the teens go for! If you have a local formal-wear store in your town, call them to ask what styles and colors are most popular in your area. You might have to use silks to ensure they last through the prom season. If you can’t pre-make corsages for your store, create a prom inspiration flip-book with past designs, magazine clippings, printed pictures from the internet, etc. Remember, if they can’t see it, they won’t ask for it. Continue reading “Promoting During Prom Season” »

Let’s face it, St. Patrick’s Day is no Valentines… Men everywhere aren’t rushing out to buy St. Patrick’s Day flowers for their ladies. However, as florists, lets make it our job to PAINT THE TOWN GREEN! We must become our town’s first thought when it comes to holidays!

Paint The Town Green!

What are the key points of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration we can use? Green, Gold, Pot of Gold, Rainbow, Luck, Lucky Symbols, Drinking, Guinness, Irish, Ireland.

• Associate your business with the most ‘fun’ aspects of this holiday.

• Decorate your store window with green, rainbows and pots of gold.

• Create a few St. Patrick’s day arrangements and advertise them on your Facebook page as special/limited editions.

• Suggest to local businesses to buy your limited edition arrangements for easy decorations for their shops.

• Contact local restaurants about using simple green flowers on their table centerpieces. Offer this for free if they will let you attach a small ribbon or card to the flowers with the name of your shop and your website URL.

• Partner with local bars to sell or give away (with your ribbon) simple, green corsages for the night.

• For pubs and bars, use shot glasses as vases for your small table centerpieces. Continue reading “Paint The Town Green: St. Patrick’s Day Marketing Tips For Florists” »