subject: Marketing Advice For Florists - Three Things You Need To Know [print this page] I've been working in the florist industry for nearly thirty years and I am often asked to give marketing advice for florists. Use my experience - I know what works and what doesn't work!
It can be hard to come by good marketing advice these days, good tips are not easily found. It's tough if you're running your own small business, particularly in today's economy. And it's challenging to be heard above the big floral chains out there in the marketplace. But, there are many benefits of having your own florist business.
I love smelling all those beautiful flowers and working with and meeting some wonderful people. The seasonality of flowers is also fun, with the varieties that change as the year progresses. As we all know the business of selling flowers is mainly a positive happy industry.
Here are just three of the many areas of marketing advice for florists that I offer
1) Get to know your customers personally. Make a note, either on a computer file, or keep a customer card, with the details of birthdays and anniversaries. Then you can phone your customer before each of these dates and offer them a personalised service - people are always happy to hear from you when you are making their life easier. If they know they can rely on you, you will have their business forever!
2) Get a website! You don't have to pay large amounts of money for a website these days. There are many straight forward ways to get this done. Find a friend who can do this for you, or offer another local business an exchange of services to get this done. It is important these days to have a presence on the internet, whether you are local, national or international. Today, every business needs a website!
3) Get involved in your industry!! Don't be the lone ranger. There are always national, state and regional associations for florists and also for small businesses. Mix with like people who face the same daily challenges as you. They will have ideas and ideal solutions for areas that confront you, no matter how big. And you in turn will have ideas to offer them for their challenges. The information you gather through being involved in these associations far outweighs the time spent.
Yes, we're in the middle of a recession. And it's hard growing a small business, often on your own. Make no mistake about it, our business is not just designing bouquets and learning new arranging techniques. There are many challenges that come up that you don't have the answer to, but the above marketing advice for florists is just three ideas to grow and strengthen your business. Give them a go!
