Marketing is the key to successful growth and longevity for Floral Businesses.

However, some business owners are still stumped when it comes to marketing for their flower shop. Marketing is better explained by putting yourself as the business owner in the customer’s shoes.  What are your customer’s needs and wants? What makes your customers satisfied?

Marketing consists of many elements better known as Product, Price, Promotion and Place. In this blog, we thought it would be great to review the basics of marketing and make it easier to understand so that you may use marketing to grow your floral business.

 

What Is Your Business Marketing Goal?

1. Create brand visibility/recognition.
2. Grab your customer’s attention/interest.
3. Encourage purchasing.
4. A simple call to action.
5. Increase your business revenue.

 

Ways to Market Your Business:

• Inbound Marketing: This includes your floral website, social media platforms, video and emailing. Internet marketing also falls under Inbound marketing.
• Outbound Marketing: Outbound Marketing can consist of mailers, flyers and/or face to face. The goal here is to generate customers. With outbound marketing you are seeking them out. Think of cold calling (which falls under outbound marketing as well).
• Word Of Mouth Marketing: Solely relies on your existing customer referrals.  This is one of the best marketing approaches. Most (if not all) happy patrons will recommend your business to other patrons.
• Promotions/Coupon Marketing: Typically done to motivate the customer to buy at a great deal/offer.
• Giveaway Marketing: Is most effective in establishing a customer base. Offer free giveaways to customers or in your local businesses. Do this only for a short period of time – best when first opening up your flower shop.
• Paid Marketing: This includes any paid advertising, tv, print and pay per click for Adwords. 
• Cause Marketing: Marketing your product/brand for charity or to support a cause.
• Buzz Marketing: This is marketing your product without people knowing they are being marketed. This is seen as more of a controversial way of marketing. Buzz or also known as Stealth marketing is most done via Video or TV applications.

Note: There are so many different ways to market your business not limited to the ones above. The general rule here is to be visible and do not rely on only one way to market. Use a combination of marketing practices!

Marketing Must Do’s:

• Impeccable Customer Service: We do not want to market to customers without first achieving great customer service policies.  Employees should at all times be happy (sound happy) and pleasant while answering the phone or handling a customer. The old saying “The Customer Is Always Right” still holds true. Let’s listen and always be polite (even when we know they are wrong).
• Connect Your Platforms: Make sure to connect your in-store Marketing with your Internet/Online Marketing.
• Knowing Your Consumer: Having knowledge of your customers is key to successful marketing. Everyone needs flowers at some point, however, it is important to gather information on customers needs to market to each person correctly.
• Understanding Your Competition: Marketing in your area is important so that you can grab a grasp on your local customers. Evaluate your competition and what they are offering and how you are different.
• Keep Customers: Focusing on generating new customers is one of the essentials of marketing. However, so is keeping the ones you already have. Be courteous to and respect your current customers and offer some perks to all your patrons new or old.
• Get Reviews: Remember marketing is also word of mouth. Encourage reviews and testimonials. These are little miracles for increasing traffic to your flower shop and website.
• Get On Social Media: We understand that you most likely already have your floral business on social media. Being on social media and current on social media are two different things. Please devote at least a half hour a day to your social media communities.
• Promote Your Work: We get it, not all florists use their own product images on their eCommerce. Images can be hard to take. You’re busy and the catalog images are selling great on your website.  The missing ingredient here is that you are promoting your work and your brand. Seen time and time again images of floral shops own work is priceless in achieving their own specific niche. Invest in a backdrop and use a great camera (some mobile phones do a great job and start building your portfolio). If using images not based on your work, be careful of Copyright trolls. It’s always best to use your own work.

 

Marketing Tips:

• Discount: Offer a discount for any customer that gives you an on the spot review at your store or while purchasing from your website. Put up a sign that says “$5.00 off total order for a review on Google and Yelp!”
• Photo Shoot: During slower months have a photo shoot day! Remember marketing does cost a little money and think of this as the modern way of advertising. Make up some great floral arrangements and get to taking pictures. Does the budget allow you to hire a photographer or someone just starting out in photography? Another option is to have a camera ready and to take images as you design and make the camera accessible to your designers.
• Social Media Platforms: There are platforms that can help you post on all your social media sites with just one posting. Check out Hootsuite.
• Emails: Capture every customer’s email! Make it a point to get this information. Email marketing can have a great return of repeat business. Again, make sure to ask customers for their email, most if not all are willing to share this with you.
• Blog: What? You’re not a writer! How can you blog? Everyone can blog. Write about what you know and use specific keywords that have to do with your floral business.  Make sure to squeeze in your location in the blog if you can.
• Quality: Offer quality with your brand, focus on your customers and offer the best possible product you can. However (florists, listen up, as most of you are famous for doing this) Do Not Give Things Away. Charge for your creative work and give customers quality. Do not over give. It will always be expected.

These are some easy ways to understand and get started with your floral marketing. Florists, let’s hear your feedback! Do you have any important marketing advice/tips that have been or are successful? Please share all your feedback, tips or any floral marketing related questions you would like addressed below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 Opening a flower shop is a great career opportunity. You get to be creative and work with flowers all day, right?

Well, yes. However, there are so many other facets when it comes to opening a flower shop business. The floral industry does require much more than just designing flowers. Remember, you are selling, designing, delivering, marketing and much more!

We asked florist’s all around the world to share their most crucial advice/tips on opening a flower business. If you are thinking or just starting a floral business this will help you get answers to some of your questions.

 

Which is most important when opening a flower shop?

1. Location (111%)
2. Creativity (55%)
3. Revenue (52%)
4. I just like flowers (7%)
5. All of the above (63%)
6. Other (30%)

 With an overwhelming 111%, Florists have stated that location is key when opening a flower shop. So remember Location, Location, Location.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “Is there a need in your community for “Your” idea of a flower shop?” – Wild By Nature

• “Knowledge of business in general. KNOWING how to design already!” – Victorias Floral Design 

• “Driven work ethic.” – Tilted Tulip Florist

• “Social media, marketing and internet presence” – anonymous

• “A working knowledge of flower care and preparation methods and reliable suppliers.” –  The Enchanted Florist

 

What would you say surprised you when you opened your flower shop?

Long hours was the #1 answer by most florist’s for this question, however, there were many great responses that we believe are important to keep in mind when opening a floral business.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “How much yelp reviews really grew my business. After the first year, people calling the shop always mentioned: “I found you on Yelp”. I had more business from that then the local community that soon followed.” – Ace of Vase

• “All the prep work” – anonymous

• “The overwhelming bookkeeping if you are no prepared or don’t have enough financial experience.” – Flower Bomb

• “That many of the people who buy flowers know a lot of things about them.” – anonymous

• “How much you worry about it all and never get a true break from it. Even when on holiday, you don’t ever stop! ” – Beco Flowers

• “It’s hard work.” –  anonymous

• “How quickly the local people embraced us.” – Maureen’s Designs

• “How much of a percent wire service take for orders.” –  anonymous

• “How complicated the process was from start to finish- all the different ways something could go wrong from the weather to the shipping issues, flower care, and handling, order taking, design and delivery.” – The Flower Bar

• “How much fun it is!” – anonymous

• “The physical aspect – from collecting and packing flowers at the market to the lifting, cleaning and moving of heavy buckets.”  – Petals

 

 How much money do you say is needed to start your own brick and mortar flower business?

1. $1,000 to $5,000 (10%)
2. $5,001 – $10,000 (22%)
3. $10,001 – $15,000 (60%)
4. Other (102%)

Other was the #1 answer for this question with the winning budget amount $25,000.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “Depends on style location. Could be as little as $300. or as much as $250,000.” – Kelly Mayo

• “$40,000 ” – anonymous

• “Up to $50,000. You need refrigeration, insurance, vehicles. You also need to buy flowers and supplies c o d for at least 6 months before people trust you. Salaries and advertising are big unexpected hits in the first 6 months.” – Gloria’s Florist

• “I began with 15k. I would have been wiser to double that.”  – anonymous

• “The worst thing is to be undercapitalized” – anonymous

• “Purchase a shop already in operation if possible, would be what I recommend. “-  anonymous

 

 If you could open your flower shop today, what is the one thing you would do differently?

Do not join a wire service was the #1 answer if florists could do one thing differently. Trailing behind and almost taking over the number one sport was “Choose a better location,” with having an eCommerce website in third.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “The decor and the location to be more accessible.”-  anonymous

• “Design myself and eliminate payroll” – anonymous

• “Not take wire orders, EVER.” – anonymous

• “Web strategy and online marketing”  – Menifee Florist

• “I would go to flower school first and then open my flower shop.” – anonymous

• “I would have done more advertising to let people know I was there. Put decals on my van sooner. ” –  Mugfords Flower Shoppe

• “Coolers flush to the floor and better processing area.” – The University Florist

• “MORE WEB EXPOSURE.” – anonymous

• “Change business name” – anonymous

 

 What is the best part of opening a flower shop?

1. Customer Interaction (50%)
2. Money, Money, Money (3%)
3. Being Creative (45%)
4. Being Your Own Boss (62%)
5. Flowers Galore (9%)
6. Other (22%)

Florists have chosen Being Your Own Boss as the best part of opening a flower shop. Though percentages were very close, coming in at 2nd place is Customer Interaction.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “Creating something bigger than myself.” – Studio Vincca

• “Being my own boss and being able to bring my children to work with me.” – anonymous

• “Satisfying a deep desire to own my own business, and put my big business and academic knowledge to work.” – anonymous

• “Bringing smiles to people’s faces thru my creativity.” – anonymous

• “Being able to go to a job you love every single day of your life! ” – anonymous

• “Rewarding to know you could do it, pleasing customers with your products.” – anonymous

 

What would be your most valuable tip to someone who wants to open a flower shop?

Working in a flower shop was the most valuable tip given to someone who wants to open a flower shop. This gives new prospects the understanding and functionality of how a flower shop is operated.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “Go for it! You must always try! Do not cut yourself short with the funds when borrowing $$.” – anonymous

• “You have to be passionate about flowers and ready for hard working for many hours to open a flower shop!!!”-  anonymous

• “Service from the heart.” – Yousef

• “Control labor and cost of goods sold.”-  anonymous

• “Keep your focus on quality and customer service.” – anonymous

• “Forget the idea there is no money to be made anymore and stay way from wire services.”-  anonymous

• “Be creative, make a difference.” – Floral Factory

 

What is the worst part of owning a flower shop?

1. Customer Interaction (4%)
2. Long Hours (64%)
3. Demanding Work Load (49%)
4. Having To Be Creative All The Time (2%)
5. Nothing (13%)
6. Other (54%)

Long hours took the top with florists on the worst part of owning a flower shop. The long hours and the demanding workload is something each florist will experience when opening and running a flower shop.

Additional Florist Expert Advice: 

• “All of it. Long hours, Staff, Customers, Physical Demand.” – Musgrove Florist

• “Having to make all the decisions and be the boss.” – anonymous

• “You pretty much need to eat, drink & sleep it unless you have a well paid very skilled staff.” – Flower Bomb

 

Would you recommend someone join a floral wire service when opening a flower shop? Tell us yes or no and why.

Overwhelmingly the #1 answer to this question was no, there was a tremendous response to this question with many great florist advice.

• “No! They undersell the florist and steal their business.” – anonymous

• “You don’t have to belong to a wire service at first. Many shops are moving to a direct call system where they call other shops and offer reciprocating discounts for the shop to shop orders. A wire service is helpful when you have the high volume out of town orders or if you have inexperienced employees.” – Beco Flowers

• “No. But I’m trying to get away from them. You have to buy their software/equipment and it is over priced. In the end you really only get around 70% of the order amount. Once you take out your costs & labor there’s not much profit there.” – Tilted Tulip Florist

• “Depends on the area- But I say no in this day and age.” – anonymous

• “Nope, No longer can make money with them.” – anonymous

• “Maybe for the first year to get your name out, but negotiate the terms. Otherwise no” – anonymous

• “Yes and No. They steal your hard earn income but it is more difficult to get orders and new clients without them. They have completely cornered the floral market.” – Amazing Occasion

• “Maybe but be selective and shop around.” – anonymous

 

According to design, what makes the most revenue?

1. Everyday Arrangements (40%)
2. Parties & Events (17%)
3. Sympathy (84%)
4. Weddings (35%)
5. Other (16%)

Sympathy is the biggest revenue generator for florists with everyday arrangements coming in second.

 

What are the standard flowers, filler, and greens you order on a weekly basis for your flower shop?

• “Baby breath, wax flowers and leather leaf.” – anonymous

• “Roses! Carnations, Mums, Alstromeria Lilies & Pomps/Daisies because they last… I like when people tell me and others how long their flowers lasted. Filler flowers – Baby’s Breath for sure and one or two others. Then some feature flowers for interest…Stock, Iris, Tulips etc. depending on the season.” – anonymous

• ” We stay away from the typical standards (carnations/mums) and buy the more unique blooms. Weekly purchases include mini cymbidium sprays (so many ways to use them!), hydrangeas and seasonal flowers such as tulips in spring, sunflowers in late summer, etc.” – anonymous

 

What popular florist holiday makes your business the most revenue?

1. Valentine’s Day (66%)
2. Easter (0%)
3. Mother’s Day (86%)
4. Memorial Day (1%)
5. Halloween (0%)
6. Thanksgiving (1%)
7. Christmas (20%)
8. None (4%)
9. Other (14%)

Step back Valentine’s Day, With a whopping 86% Mother’s Day won the top spot with the most revenue made for a flower shop.

 

What are the must have florist tools when opening a flower shop?

A knife was #1 tool recommended as a must have when opening a flower shop, with Secateurs taking 2nd place. For those of you who are not familiar with Secateurs, they are pruning clippers. Good scissors were also very close to 2nd place.

“Floral tape, wet foam, containers, knives, wrap paper, cellophane, deferent wires gauge, scissors, ribbon, bows, moist and shine spray”  – anonymous

“FloraNext! A cooler is also an important investment.” – Petals Flower Company

“Knife, wire nips, pruning shears…great accounting system, telephone, the internet….and the list goes on!!!” – anonymous

“A cooler, buckets, cutting tools, containers.” – anonymous

“Computer, phones, functional front of store, good size fridge” – Carls Flower Company

“A good POS system and Website.” – anonymous

“Knives, Scissors. Clippers” – anonymous

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Florist’s we are very appreciative of your participation in our surveys. We had an overwhelming response to “tips on opening a flower shop survey”. We plan to continue surveys as your expert tips and advice is so helpful to our readers and for new and upcoming florists who are considering or opening a flower shop.

Please share any feedback you may have on Opening A Flower Shop in our comment section below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 

Flower shop business owners here your chance to share your knowledge!

Mother’s Day (or should we say Mother’s Day week) is the busiest and potentially the most profitable holiday for the floral business owner.

Having a strategy in place to make the most profit is essential in reaping all the benefits of this busy flower purchasing holiday. In this blog, we will go over a checklist to help you through Mother’s Day and make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

#1 Employee Scheduling & Duties:

• Gather your employees and provide what is expected of them for Mother’s Day week.
• Make sure everyone knows their set times and days to work.
• Hire extra help and offer them a day to come in. (This should be done before Mother’s Day week to go over their job descriptions.)
• Make sure to reiterate how important it is that everyone show up to work during Mother’s Day week.
• If you are hiring extra drivers, discuss with them whether you require them to use their own vehicle.

#2 Flowers & Supplies:

• Start looking around for supplies, containers, baskets, vases and so on. Visit your local flower shop supplier. However, do not forget to also visit discount home stores and dollar stores. You can find some great unique items there!
• Order you Mother’s Day Flowers early from your supplier to get the best value. Keep in mind, if you are new to the floral industry, Mother’s Day spans for a week – not a day. So order enough flowers!
• If you are comfortable, get your flowers through a floral auction. These offer great discounts when purchased in large quantities.
• Make sure to order flowering plants, orchids and dish gardens. These are great sellers and require very little work.

Flower Must-Haves For Mother’s Day:

1. Alstroemeria
2. Carnations
3. Daisies and Poms
4. Dahlias (if possible)
5. Freesia
6. Roses
7. Garden Roses
8. Sunflowers
9. Gerbera Daisies
10. Tulips
11. Lilies
12. Orchids
13. Hydrangeas
14. Delphinium
15. Calla Lilly
16. Lisianthus (if possible)
17. Stock

Filler Flower Must-Have For Mother’s Day:

1. Baby’s Breath
2. Limonium
3. Queen Anne’s Lace (if possible)
4. Statice
5. Thistle
6. Wax Flower
7. Lilac
8. Buttons/ Pom
9. Matsumoto
10. Monte Casino – Aster
11. Trachelium

 

3# Floral Website:

Much like any flower industry holiday, it is important to have your floral website ready and reflecting Mother’s Day in early April. If you have great Easter sales, it is OK to do this right after Easter.

• Make sure you have a clear Mother’s Day Policy and shop hours on your floral website. Clear return and substitution policy is also a must!
• Mother’s Day products should be displayed throughout your website. Add these wherever possible.
• Have an easy way for customers to order Mother’s Day products. Use a “Call To Action” (example: a “Shop Now” Button) or clear image/banner/button that says Mother’s Day Flowers.
• List special Promotions. This is a great way to encourage customers to shop early before Mother’s Day week.
• Make sure you update your product pricing to compensate for your costs.

#4 Prepping & Showcasing

Prepping in a flower shop can be fun! Okay, not so much. However, prepping is most important in ensuring long lasting arrangements so please be vigilant about prepping your flowers correctly.

• Prep your flowers when they arrive. How to Prep Flowers 
• Get ahead of the crowd and cut any ribbon needed. Gather up your gifts and display them neatly.
• Green any vases, baskets or containers you can ahead of time.
• Make sure your flower shop is clean and displays an inviting atmosphere with beautiful decor and lots of great impulse gifts to add on to flower arrangements.

#5 Week Of Mother’s Day:

• Work a day ahead. Fill any orders for next day the day before. Working a day or two ahead will allow you flexibility just in case there are many last minute orders.
• Make sections for Delivery drivers by areas and add finished flower arrangements to this area with the date of delivery that is bold and clear.
• No wastefulness! We do say this a lot. With the abundant supplies and flowers in the shop, it is easy to get sidetracked and be super wasteful. This is a “No No.” Everything thrown on the floor that can be used should be. Wasting or throwing out even a good pin or wire is considered money out of your pocket. Please be sure to express this to your employees.
• Check you sales totals daily not at the end of the week.
• Make sure you re-stock your impulse buys on your front counter to sell in addition to flower arrangements.

Mother’s Day Checklist Tips:

1. If you can, keep a standby driver at the shop to handle new orders for delivery.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It’s best not to wear open toe shoes. This can also be an insurance liability in some areas.
3. Make sure you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do not skip meals.
4. Do not sweat the small stuff. Regardless of how hard you try, there may be a complaint here or there. Do not let this get you down. It’s the nature of the business.
5. Try to enjoy Mother’s Day week by keeping a journal of all the funny things that happen or mishaps that take place to reflect on for next year.

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We would like to wish all florist a very lucrative and successful Mother’s Day holiday!

Florists, do you have any great Mother’s Days tips to share with our readers? Please post any of your Mother’s Day tips or feedback below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 

 

Florists, ever been at lost for words by what a customer has said to you?

Floranext has launched a new series in our blogs called “Florist Thoughts”.  With the help of our readers, we are emailing surveys to florists all around the world for some fun and helpful tips on the floral industry’s day to day adventures.

In this blog, we will share “Most Ridiculous Things Said To Florists”. We could have actually written several blogs with just this one topic! Thank you to all who participated and submitted in feedback – we received a tremendous amount of responses.

 Most Ridiculous Things Said To Florists:

 

16. “You’ll make it nice… won’t you? “

– anonymous

15. Day of wedding – “Can we change the flower colors to this, we are paying for what we want.”

– anonymous

14. “Is there going to be someone who will stay at the wedding to watch the flowers?”

– anonymous

13. “I love the look of these flowers, but can we remove the scent, it makes my eyes water?”

– anonymous

12. “Is this all you have?”

– anonymous

11. As I handed a man a bouquet of beautiful flowers he asked, “So when this gets old I can eat it right?” I have since gotten this question so often that I have had to make a notice under my wedding contract that the flowers are not for consumption.

– anonymous

10. Upon entering the shop, before even coming close to the flower box, the comment is shouted out “Those flowers look tired”. It happened a few times in my 35 years and it’s coming from a one time customer.  You will never see them again. it’s a trick used to get a few bucks off the price. Don’t fall for it, stick to your price.

–  Jeanne- Floral Expressions, Sparkill, New York

9. “I can get cheaper flowers at a grocery store.”

– anonymous

8. “Flowers are a waste of money, they’re just going to die anyway.”

– anonymous

7. “Why should I pay for green leaves? Don’t you get them from the fields outside?”

– Brigitte- Brigitte Designs , Montreal, Canada

6. “Can I have your dead flowers for our church?”

– Erica –North Dakota

5. “The flowers that I would like in my bridal bouquet are peonies, ranunculus, several garden roses and large white hydrangeas. The most I want to spend on this is about $50.00.”

– anonymous

4. “I ordered flowers a month ago and they are already dead, can I get a refund?”

– anonymous

3. “Can I get an arrangement of Blue/Black flowers?”

– anonymous

2.”Do these take water?”

– anonymous

1. “I always wanted to be a florist. You just play with flowers all day. What an easy job! You are so Lucky!”

– anonymous

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Note: Florists, we encourage you to fill out our surveys and add your name/flower shop name so that we can give you credit in our Floranext blogs. (Psst! This is great for your SEO!)

Florists, share your most ridiculous things that have been said to you with our readers in the comment section below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

Flowers – captivating, mesmerizing, effulgent and miraculous!

So, when and where did flowers come from? How did they evolve?  We set out to find out how flowers evolved particularly because flowers are underrated and go unappreciated by so many.

Flowers are nature’s little gifts and quite miraculous. In this blog, we will venture on a flower journey of the past, present and future.

 

When discussing the evolution of flowers we should remember two words and what they mean: Angiospermae & Gymnosperms.

Angiospermae – Seed-producing plants, disguised by gymnosperms which produce flowers and fruits. Short definition, a plant that produces seeds with an enclosure.

Gymnosperms – Groups of seed producing plants.

1. Flowers provide angiosperms which allow them to have more variations of their species. Flowers can evolve rapidly without cross breeding.
2. Flowers have miraculous reproductive organs.
3. Flowers go back approximately 160 million years ago, with the first flowering plants. However, it is still debated and unclear how flowers evolved and where they originated, thus making flowers a great mystery in nature.
4. History has shown the first bouquet of flowers given in Egypt dating back to 2500 BCE.

Did You Know?

•  There is estimated to be approximately 400,000 species of flowering plants. 
• At one time tulips were more valuable than gold.

 

How do flowers keep evolving in the present or should we say how do floral business owners keep growing?

In today’s world, there are so many options for gift buying and flowers seem secondary. We want to encourage you to educate and market to your customers the value of flowers.

1. Today there are vast floral suppliers, literately you can get any flower you desire, at a cost of course.
2. Customers are more aware of flowers thanks to social media communities such as Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
3. Technology is taking over the floral industry. Must haves are eCommerce websites and sign up on social media sites.
4. Keep your brand visible with catchy marketing material.

Flowers hold so much history and priceless qualities, right up there with rare gems and diamonds. Let’s educate consumers on the amazing qualities of flowers that impact our soul.

 

This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call – the Flower Zone! OK, we are stretching it here. However, did you know flowers have now ventured into space?

• Flower in Space! On January 2016, aboard the International Space Station expedition 46 blossomed the Zinnia.  This is now called “The Zinnia Care Guide for the On-Orbit Gardener.”
• Flowers on Mars? There has been much controversy over flowers on Mars. A piece of bright material found on Mars has people speculating that it looked like pistils of a blooming flower.
• Are there other flowers out there on other planets? Only time will tell.

So where is the future of the floral industry going?

1. We gather and, of course we are speculating, in the future there will be ways of preserving flowers longer.
2. Flower vending machines may be a trademark and visible outside every flower shop, for a quick way to purchase during closed hours.
3. Technology. Did we say Technology? Website and social media presence may be easier.

Much like the movie Arrival, we first need to instill a new language of flowers for consumers. We have come along way in the last decade, however, we need to keep educating our patrons on the importance of flowers on our planet and most of all how the gesture of giving and surrounding oneself with flowers has a profound effect on the human conscience.

Florist we would love to hear you floral predictions for the future, please share with our readers in the comment section below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 

 

 

We all understand how Pinterest can be a big impact on Florists Business.

With over 150 million users and over 50 billion pins, getting your flower shop brand discovered is easily done on this image social media site.

Pinterest is a great way to create collections of your weddings and get found by brides looking or inspiration. Read more on keyword search terms on #4.

In this blog, we will list the Top 5 Florist Must Do’s for Pinterest to help you market for your floral business.

5. Link Your Pins

Make sure all your pins include a link to your floral website or your blog.

This will drive people to your floral website. We actually advise you to write a blog so you can pin on Pinterest and link back to your blog. This is great for your flower shop brand recognition.

Tip: Consider adding a watermark to your images – ones you have designed and posted. The watermark can be your logo or your shop name. This will keep your floral business/website visible and promote your brand. This helps keep others from using your image without your consent, as mentioned in last weeks blog.

4. Vital Pin Captions

Think about your Pin captions and make sure they are specific with searched keywords. Most Pinterest users use the search with specific keywords (example “bridal bouquet” “mother’s day flowers” ). Make sure to add captions to all your pins and think about the content you are writing, making sure it is relevant to your floral business.

 

3. Pin On Many Subjects

Keep the interest going for Pinterest followers. Pin on many different subjects to appeal to a wide range of users. Consider making a few boards and sharing these. Besides flowers, this could be any gift or home decor items you may sell.

Tip: Follow users and personal boards that appeal to you. Following is a great way of engaging with Pinterest users to build your own dedicated followers.

2. Share Pinterest Buttons

Share Pinterest buttons on your other social media platforms, Google +, Facebook, Twitter or any social media platform you are a member of. Consider adding a call to action so that they can follow you on Pinterest. A call to action is a piece of content intended for the viewer or reader to take action to see or read something.

 

1. Add a Pin It/Save Button

By far the Pin It/ Save button is the best way to get recognized on Pinterest. Make sure to add the Pin It/ Save button on your floral website to make easy for visitors to pin your images and content to Pinterest. Contact your eCommerce website provider if you need assistance with adding a Pin It / Save Button.

Tip: Time your pins! 2 – 4 PM, evening hours and weekends are popular and get the most views.

Florists, we would love your feedback! How has Pinterest brought success to your floral business? Please add your feedback and questions in our comment section below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 

 Every business owner with a website (florists included) should be aware of Copyright Trolls!​

Understanding how Copyright Trolls work can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. If you have never heard of Copyright Trolls then you must read this blog. Many businesses/florists learn too late and are charged steep fees. In this blog, we will get down to the nitty-gritty on Copyright Trolls.

So what are Copyright Trolls? To explain this, let’s first explain what a copyright is.

What Is A Copyright?

You may have seen the c with the circle around it (like this – ©). This is known as a copyright.  A copyright is a legal right to the owner of the original work. The original work copyright protects the artist in the following publications:

• Print
• Publish
• Perform
• Film
• Record
• Import & Export

Good to know: Some works may not have a copyright but a license. A license grants other people to use the artists work by strict agreements and a fee.

 

So what is a Copyright Troll?

Here it is – a Copyright Trolls owns © copyrights or licenses. But here is the catch, they have no intent to use the work they own.

• They search the web and find their copyright/licensed material.
• Threaten any user (such as a business) with fees for using their images without approval.
• They do not give up until they get some compensation as this is their main objective and how they make their money.

 

How does this affect your Flower Shop?

Copyright Trolls are internet based so let’s focus on the pictures you are currently displaying on your floral website.

• Did you take these pictures yourself and post? If so, no need to worry about Copyright Trolls.
• Were the pictures provided by your website hosting company? If so, you are again clear of Copyright Trolls.
• Did you copy these pictures off an internet website, search engine or social media site? If YES, remove immediately, regardless of what kind of picture it is. This is exactly what Copyright Trolls are looking for.

We do understand that when pictures are saved and copied by owners to their websites it is not with malicious intent. Most people just do not understand that Copyright Trolls exist. However, for those who have been hassled by Copyright Trolls, this is a very costly and serious issue.

 

What Images Should You Use? 

Before you copy a picture you like on to your website, make sure that it is not copyrighted and you are able to use it freely without repercussions.

• Use websites that offer free images or Creative Commons licenses.
• Pay for images using stock photos from a stock photo company.
•  If you are using the image for selling a product on your website make sure the license allows for that use.
• If you don’t know if an image is copyrighted, just ask! Many artists/companies would be happy to talk to you about the work in question.
• Best Option – take your own pictures of your work. With cameras everywhere now it is not so hard to take a quality picture.

Tip: We like to point out that some images you like may cost a bit but it is certainly worth to pay the small price tag to have the look and feel you are going for and save yourself the hassle of dealing with Copyright Trolls.

How To Fight Copyright Trolls

Once a Copyright Troll locates a picture on a website that is © (they have websites that locate these pictures on anyone’s website across the world), they will bombard you with threatening letters to pay a lump sum or else suffer litigation. If letters are not responded to, they will file claims for damages. This is such a hassle! Remember this is their daily job, they have nothing else to do but send you letters and make you pay.

The Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act – known as OCILLA – has some great advice to follow:

Let’s say you post © images on your website, you can protect yourself from claims under   Digital Millennium Copyright Act ( DMCA).

• No actual knowledge of copyrighted content on your website.
• No money is received by posting the copyrighted image.
• Removing the copyrighted image quickly once notified.

 

Florists lets us know any feedback on Copyright Trolls you may have. Share in the comment section below.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.

 

 

 

 

Bold floral blooms fill this 2017 spring season for florists!

Flowers are certainly trending in all aspects this spring. We are not just talking flower arrangements, think fashion, home decor, artwork and much more!  This week’s blog, we will focus on the “Must Do” floral trends for spring 2017.

Floral trends have now reached an ultimate high with florals in every aspect of life. Wedding trends for this year’s spring are so much more relaxed and less rigid, with an array of different techniques and some fun ways to showcase your floral designs and tricks.

Matching Floral Arrangements: 

Try matching your floral designs to the bridesmaid dresses. What? Yes, one of the most desired trends is matching flowers and patterns of the wedding dress wedding party attire to their actual floral bouquet.

This makes for a great social media post. With customers up with their social media and hashtags, they are making an impact with visually appealing images. This, of course, works in your favor for increasing your SEO, with great backlinks as well as a gallery of trending floral work for new customers.

Cascading Floral Wedding Bouquet:

Cascading wedding bouquets are trending this season due to its lush and romantic feel.  You may opt for a smaller cascade.

Fact: Brides are gravitating to the classic elegance of these cascading floral bouquets.

Once trending was an overly large hand picked bouquet look. Now a slightly more tailored look and not so large, with an organic feel is making its way to the head of the line. The updated cascading bouquet design complements the bride in every way without steering the attention from the bride.

 Dainty Wedding  Floral Garlands:

Not just used as centerpieces, these little dainty floral garlands are used to adorn place settings.

 

Blooming  Floral Plants:

Incorporating blooming plants is so hot right now! These are used mainly as centerpieces with added touches of nature, such as twigs and moss.

Note: Floral plants are an added touch with other florals throughout the wedding.

Click here to see spring 2017 wedding trends!

 

Modern floral arrangements are in the lead of the mainstream of floral design. Using beautiful textures and containers with a less is more approach.

Blues & Copper Florals:

Two of the biggest colors for this season are shades of blues and coppers. Purchasing containers in these color hues and adding simple floral arrangements is a big hit.

What’s Old Is New:

Think baby breath, mums and carnations, we know, not usually a customer favorite. These reasonably priced classics are making a huge come back when incorporated with higher end flowers or beautiful greens.

Queens Annes Lace is also taking the floral market by storm, try Queen Annes Lace in brown hues.

Think of the super fashion floral trend, where they use mainly daisies, mums and roses to adorn prints. Stock these in your cooler in various colors.

 

Floral Colors:

We can almost say that color is trending this up and coming warm season, however, it’s all about combinations. Trending now is bold and brights, muted color combinations, burgundies and reds and of course whites and grays.

• Go Bold – Go for the gusto with bright bold hues (bright pinks, oranges, and lime greens)
• Muted Colors –  Hues in a muted tones all in the same color family (rose, peach, soft browns )
• Bright Burgundy and Reds – These hues offer super visual impact. Do not forget to incorporate with dainty flowers in the pink tones.
• White & Gray – Always a classic is the white floral arrangement. This time try incorporating the ever so popular shade of gray with lush greens that come in this hue.

Click here to see spring 2017 floral trends!

Trends certainly come and go, however interesting enough, floral design allows for all trends to come together. The thing to remember with specific trends is that there are patrons that still like what they like, regardless of what is trending.

We are curious to see what, if any, trends leave your flower shop. What are your customers gravitating to a far as floral design? Please share in the comment section below your feedback and questions.

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Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.