Florist Marketing
• Online reputation is critical – Stay on top of Yelp, Google Places, and other review websites. Customers are turning to online outlets to express their praise / frustration – stay in control.
• Low cost/No cost marketing – if often the best – community activity gets free marketing.
• Email marketing – send out coupons and discounts at least every month. Make sure your florist website supports this.
Florist Wire Services
• Avoid Wire Service Lock-In – Don’t get stuck with long-term commitments for florist POS and florist websites. Flexibility is key for any small business.
• Wire Services Ads – your money is going to fund ads running against your business in your local area.
• Statements – Review you statements with an accountant or bookkeeper to see if you’re actually making money.
• Codified Products / Containers – Know your options. Sometimes the minimum purchase of these expensive containers far outweighs the earning potential. Many florists team up to split a box or you can choose to not buy the codified container and instead purchase something similar from your trusted vendor. In that case you can still fill wire-in orders that allow for a keepsake substitution without breaking the bank.
Florist Credit Card Processing
• Big Costs – Credit card processing is an unexciting but critical part of your business. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by choosing the right merchant account. Compare processors.
• Statements – Compare your statements to be sure you’re getting a good deal.
• Contracts – Contracts can be okay, but avoid early termination fees and similar lock-ins.
Florist Software
• Floral POS pays for itself – Good floral software increases productivity and has built-in marketing – you will save on time, labor and get more orders.
• Independent solutions – think independent for your floral software – you will get lower prices and more flexibility.
• Florist websites – Make sure your website looks unique – it’s a critical part of your brand.
Flower Shop Operations
• Delivery Confirmations – are practically expected by customers these days as a part of basic customer service.
• Check your work – Have a checker on all designs that leave the store.
• Handling complaints – create an action plan for your staff so everyone feels empowered to help that occasional sour customer with a smile and grace.
Holidays (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day)
• Record keeping – it’s essential to predict future years – keep notes on sales, prices, weather.
• Planning – Make a game plan weeks before any holiday for staffing, buying, and marketing.
• Be aware of your competition – See what the wire services and other florists in your area are offering and offer up something unique and/or comparable.
Flower Care
• Keep buckets clean - change water and recut any flowers that haven’t sold within 3 days of arriving.
Florist Staffing
• Do not over staff – use part timers for flexibility.
• Staff smart - Experienced designers will require a higher wage than a General Shop worker. Schedule designers enough hours to fill orders and create some designs for the display case then let the general help take it from there.
Working with Vendors
• Share information – don’t be afraid to ask other florists who they get their supplies from.
• Check invoices – to be sure you are paying a reasonable price for your supplies and check each delivery to be sure you have received everything you paid for. Mistakes happen!
• Know what you are paying – and what you need to charge with your mark-up . Be sure your staff knows this too!
• Communication - with vendors is key. Let them know when you receive unsatisfactory product or when they deliver in a timely manner. These relationships will help you stand out against other shops.
Florist Community
• Florist Advice – Lean on other florists for advice with free Facebook florist communities. Some are invite-only, so be in touch with other florists to find the most popular communities.
We Care
Eagle-Link Flowers Exports Flowers of Premium Quality to Our Clients Worldwide. Fresh cut flower like Roses, Spray Roses, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Lilies & Fillers; for Major Floral Outlets, Supermarkets, Wholesale Markets like Auctions, Florists and Flower Shops, weddings and Events Planners, Resorts and Individual Customers
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