M Day Social Media Train Wreck

[RWK]

Cathy - In a good many ways.....the FTD rep is right........I know our association would not be able to present NEAR the quality of programs, conventions, mini-symposiums, and the like without the contributions, monies, and representation from the wire services.

To give some good examples - Jeff Corbin AIFD ( a terrific marketer and a hugely successful businessperson - He has a multi-million dollar grossing shop in a town of less than 30,000 people........but to get him to speak, you have to go through FTD.
Another great example - Hitomi Gilliam - (We all know how great a talent she is and a fabulous presenter) - but to get her you have to go through Teleflora
Yet another example - A designer just getting started good on the design show/convention circuit - Jackie Lacey AIFD - to get him, you go through Bloomnet/800-Flowers

While I share the opinion that it is best for a florist in today's marketplace to be wire service free - when it comes to associations, conventions, showcasing talent, education, and more importantly.....drawing a crowd to your presentations.......It is EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY hard to do ( not impossible, but hard ) without the involvement of the wire services.

 

[theRKF]

Cathy - In a good many ways.....the FTD rep is right........I know our association would not be able to present NEAR the quality of programs, conventions, mini-symposiums, and the like without the contributions, monies, and representation from the wire services.

To give some good examples - Jeff Corbin AIFD ( a terrific marketer and a hugely successful businessperson - He has a multi-million dollar grossing shop in a town of less than 30,000 people........but to get him to speak, you have to go through FTD.
Another great example - Hitomi Gilliam - (We all know how great a talent she is and a fabulous presenter) - but to get her you have to go through Teleflora
Yet another example - A designer just getting started good on the design show/convention circuit - Jackie Lacey AIFD - to get him, you go through Bloomnet/800-Flowers

While I share the opinion that it is best for a florist in today's marketplace to be wire service free - when it comes to associations, conventions, showcasing talent, education, and more importantly.....drawing a crowd to your presentations.......It is EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY hard to do ( not impossible, but hard ) without the involvement of the wire services.

Where I think we have to draw a distinction (and historically our industry has done a poor job of this) is between a vendor paying to support a function, and a vendor dominating the function or group because of their wallet and the willingness of organizers to hand over the keys. I see no problem with a wire service helping to fund an educational event, but when they start dictating the direction of the event that's crossing a line.

 

[NicoleAtTF]

Thanks, guys. You've all made great points so far in this thread. I can tell you that from last year, I'm handling over 400% more people posting on Facebook & Twitter. That's a huge difference, and I think it's going to impact you all, as well. It's interesting because I've noted a number of people asking me the name of the specific florist so they know NOT to use them again, while others are telling us they'll leave us in favor of local.

My experience is that once you present your business (large or small) on a social channel like Twitter or Facebook, you'd best be prepared for complaints. The funny thing is, I know it's a tiny fraction of the people who ordered and that most are satisfied. But those for whom something went wrong are the most vocal and boy, it seems like they've all adopted Facebook or Twitter as their method of choice.

Hope watching us do our thing is educational, at least. I've been working tons and tons the last week and a half.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Hi Cathy,
I hear your concern. What Ricky and Ryan have to say are quite valid points, though. I don't think you would do yourselves any favors by barring a ws from joining your association. Just make sure that the voices are equal. You could run into the same type of problem you fear with any charismatic person with an ability to sway a group of people.

Frankly, I think you should welcome the support. A rep can bring resources and knowlege. That does not mean you let that person "hijack" the association, and along with trying to educate future members, this rep could learn a thing as well. Perhaps some day the ws can morph back into the respectable institution it once was.

 

[Rhonda]

I don't know about why this thread has swung this way but the statement made by the FTD rep stating that our Association couldn't do shows without wire service money/participation is absolutely wrong............... We have done many shows without sponsorship from any of the wire services. Money making shows.......... Yes we love having top name designers who can do something for our audience (mostly small town shops, not event shops, but bread and butter design with flair and some up selling)........ BUT we do not DEPEND on them for our shows. Know your members, know what they want to see, then go from there. Nuff said...........

Now Back To Social Media Suicide???............. yep all the wires/OGs/ are getting ragged on and more than a few complainers are stating "Use your local florist........google a florist in that town....." My how some people ARE getting the message

 

[concord]

I couldn't agree more with what you have said. I am reconsidering my 30 year relationship with Teleflora because of all the undervalued orders that came in this Mother's Day. In the past we have always had nicely priced orders for this paticular holiday. How was your business this year? Did leaving FTD make a huge difference in your planning and did your new website work as well for you as your FTD site did in the past. I am not certain I am ready to give up my teleflora site just yet.

My independent web site generated 70 % more orders for this Mother's day than my TF web site did last Mother'sDay. Even though I have a long way to go to get my prhotography skills better, people have really loved my site. Everyday day, almost every person that calls has looked at the site, as well as many who order on line. I was lucky to get 5 orders a week from my TF site. Remember TF is looking to to drive customers to TF.com first and also to every other TF member in your town. When you have your own site that's not the case. People can really tell the difference, too. The shop local movement is growing all over the country and having a web site that really looks local is a huge benefit! Go for it!