Giving a talk on flowers

[Pandalou]

I have to give a talk on flowers/my shop to a group next week. Any ideas on what to talk about? I haven't done this before. My husband tells me I have never had a shortage of words : ) I seemed to be having a block - any ideas?
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Sharon

 

[DistinctiveFlorist]

If the group is not someone in the floral industry I would talk about ways to get longer life out of their flower purchases. Subconsiously, you will be educating them as to why they should buy from you and not from the farm market/grocery down the road.

Wanda

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Pandalou - are you only speaking, or demonstrating? We have done demos at various garden clubs/ladies groups, and find a brief talk on creative ways to arrange flowers is well received. We use empty soup cans, with wired ribbon tied in a pretty bow around the can; liquor cannisters, antique teapots & teacups - I try to show them to think outside of the normal "vase" for containers. Also, we bring 1/4" clear oasis tape, and teach how to "cheat" with a tape grid on vases. This invariably brings attendees into the shop to purchase the magic tape, which exposes our shop to more people etc etc.

Also, we give coupons for complimentary bouquets when they come in the shop - another drag 'em in item.

If you are speaking only, it would depend on your age group, but I like the SAF studies on how flowers enhance mood .... something demonstrating that would be interesting.

Good luck - hope this helped.

tracy

 

[Pandalou]

Thank you both for the ideas. I've been toying with doing some designing, they are a mixed crowd. I'll check out SAF too.
Thanks again,
Sharon

 

[CHR]

In a thread from earlier this year, Kathy Dudley outlined a presentation she gave to a business group.

I made and handed out 5 cards with large numbers written on them (86, 88, 89, 92 and 99).. asked the people with those cards what they thought those numbers represented in the context of this study. We had great responses.. the audience got involved, and they were an integral part of the rest of the presentation.. These five numbers were the backbone of my talk, and together represented concrete, tangible reasons why businesses should give flowers as gifts. For those of you who are interested: 92% of people remember the last time they received flowers. 86% of people say that receiving flowers makes them feel special. 88% of people say that a floral gift changes their mood for the better. 89% of people feel that floral gift givers are sophisticated. 99% of people say that floral gift givers are thoughtful. Combining these all, you end up with a strong point -- Flowers are the best gift for businesses to give.

Kathy pulled together the perfect points to tie her products and their benefits to the interests of her audience.

That underlying principle - crafting your presentation to make your products' benefits relevant to the specific group to whom you are addressing - is the most important aspect of public speaking opportunities. In short - know your audience.

Different groups respond to different messages but they'll all be interested in what your flowers can do for them.

HTH

 

[Pandalou]

This information is great! Thank you so much.
Sharon

 

[Holly]

In an attempt to show alternative ways than arranging in a vase, I ask the person in charge of the group to gather containers from any members who might be celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important day. They are brought to me a couple days in advance of the presentation and I bring them with me filled with an appropriate fresh arrangement. It shows ways to use their special containers instead of keeping them packed up in a cabinet.
This always pleases the crowd and gets them thinking about their own containers (which they then bring to me for filling).
I also bring many of my giftlines that are appropriate to the season and set up little vignettes to showcase not only the fresh flowers but decorative accessories. This helps open up more conversations and keeps the talk going a bit longer.