When you’re running a flower shop, marketing isn’t exactly the only thing on your to-do list. You’re designing arrangements, answering phones, making deliveries, ordering flowers, helping customers, managing employees, and handling everything else that keeps your shop moving. Then suddenly you realize you haven’t posted on social media in two weeks. That’s where a simple monthly marketing plan can help.
The start of a new school year means fresh notebooks, packed schedules, Friday night football, and plenty of opportunities for local businesses to connect with their communities. While back-to-school season may not be a traditional floral holiday, that doesn’t mean florists have to sit this one out! From partnering with local businesses to getting a head start on homecoming, there are plenty of ways for florists to join the back-to-school excitement. Here are seven marketing ideas to help you make the most of the season.
When we see the same things repeatedly, we start to tune them out. Our brains are designed to notice change…
Digital marketing is essential, but the printed materials in your shop and those that leave with your orders have a major impact on your marketing. Carrying items such as branded merchandise, custom packaging, and advertising materials can give you more visibility than you might think. Print marketing leaves a lasting impression on your customers and helps introduce your shop to new audiences! Looking for some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Finding your niche and being known for something is one of the greatest marketing strategies. When a business is “known for something” specific, you’re positioning your shop to give a clear, memorable reason to choose you over everyone else. If you’re not “known” for something, customers default to comparing on price, convenience, social media, or “who’s closest,” and most of the time, that’s a race that’s hard to win.
Making a strong first impression is important, and your storefront is often the first interaction customers have with your flower shop. If you’re not fully utilizing your shop windows, sidewalks, outdoor signage, and other storefront decor, you may be missing valuable marketing opportunities. Your storefront should clearly communicate who you are, what you offer, and how customers can order, even after hours.
A press release is a written announcement sent to media outlets to share newsworthy updates about your flower shop. It helps generate publicity, build credibility, and increase community awareness. Today, press releases are typically distributed via email to editors, journalists, bloggers, and digital media contacts, and are rarely mailed or faxed.
Print advertising can still be an effective way to promote your flower shop when done strategically. The key is choosing the best places to advertise. Local newspapers, community magazines, event programs, school sports booklets, church bulletins, and neighborhood mailers can all help you reach customers in your service area, especially for sympathy and everyday occasions.
A business isn’t just the products or services that are sold, the building, or the branding; it’s the people. The people are the heart and soul of what makes a business great. Marketing strategies, promotional materials, and advertising are great ways to get your name out there, but happy employees, staff, partners, and customers are the lifeblood and the single greatest promotion for you. Those that saw you from the beginning and still stick around are your biggest cheerleaders, now it’s time to celebrate them too.
