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bellasflowers

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Feb 9, 2008
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Countryside
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Illinois
Hello My name is Ramon and Our store is located in Countryside IL, We just opened our business about two month ago and we are having some days that we do not have any business at all. We are trying to attract customers to our store and without any luck so far. So we are in need of some advise from some of you that has been in the business for a while. Our main concern is how to incrise our business on the daily basis. As of today we had avertise with the YP and done a mail out, we are also working on a website as well. Also during valentines day we did have a busy day but we would like to maintaine a steady flow of customers as well of orders. I thank you'all in advance for your comments.

Sincerely
Ramon
 
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Hi Ramon,
Welcome to flowerchat.
I've been in business for four years, and still have the occasional day with no customers. It happens :).

I've found one of the best ways to gain new customers is through cross promotions with other businesses. Ask a hair salon if you can offer their customers entry into a contest for a free rose bouquet. The clients fill out entry forms, with address, phone, e-mail. Pick a winner, but follow up with all the entrants with an e-mail or mailed packet of info about your shop, a coupon for a modest giveaway bouquet.

Best of luck - you've found a terrific resource here!
tracy
 
I would suggest getting the website up ASAP and getting it listed on Google, Yahoo and the likes. Your website may be your best selling tool, ours is.
We are in a beautiful, upscale high traffic area and still we have days with only a few walk ins. If we had to make it on walk in sales we would be bankrupt. Most of our customers find us on the web and order for deliveries in our area. Your website will be your best selling tool!
And it will never be "done". Always add to it and change it and add more pics etc....The cross marketing idea is also great. Also, if you can make something fabulous and put it in a local coffee shop or restaurant with your cards, thats a huge help. I think the more traditional ways of advertising are not working as well, we gotta be innovative! We had terribly dead days the first 6 months or so in business but it is getting better. Hang in there and don't be afraid to do crazy cool arrangements to show off your stuff!
 
Bella's... have you tried the "Name Game"...just to get folks into the shop?

It DOES work, as many here will testify...

Using a changeable letter sign we put someones name out front each day, usually changing the name twice a week..our sign reads...

If your name is
**BOB**
Stop in for
your free rose.

It does work to get folks in the door, and the cost of one or two roses is worth the price to show off your stuff...
 
If I had to do it all over I would of had my website up 6 months before I opened for business.

Hair Salons are a great start but remember you want to show what you can do but don't over do it! Places that have foot traffic is a great place to start. Show people what you are selling and don't forget to have a nice holder for your business cards. If the place keeps the cards behind the counter they aren't helping you!! Heck I would find a nice resturant and see if they would be willing to let you bring in some arrangements to place on the tables. Nothing fancy but something more then just a bud vase.

Also don't forget to market to those people that helped during Vday. Thats your starting point for the best referal of them all. Word of mouth!!

It takes time to build up your rep and you need to be prepared to wait it out. Keep close tabs on your spending and save your money don't give it to yellowpages!!!
 
THANK YOU Everyone and HAPPY SATURDAY, Well I just wanted to thank everyone for your imput on my request. I'm already incorporating everyone of your suggestions.
Thanks again.
Sincerely
Ramon
 
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If it were only that simple... You have to try multiple ways of marketing, long term planning , to get results.Just know you will have days maybe weeks with nothing if you are in a small community, it takes time and nerves of steel to get thru it. Keep reading the posts and you will get thru it and find your way .
 
Show your art and place them in a busy coffee shop, dentists or doctor offices, &
school offices, elementary is best, etc. with your cards. This is how I got off to a
great start. I always did something that showed off my designs and vases. I never
just put flowers in a cheap vase. I did this on a weekly basis and always exchanged
the vase. I write it all off as advertising.
 
Ramon,

When I first opened 2 years ago, I would send out what we called a business of the week. I would pick a business in my town every week and personally deliver an arrangement and a letter about us. I made it like a contest that noone had to enter. It got me quite a few customers and I should still be doing it, but I have much less time that I did 2 years ago and a driver that really doesn't do the CS thing that way I can....Hope this helps
 
Welcome Ramon. The advice you have received thus far is great. I have one "don't" for you... it's been said before... DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY TO YELLOWPAGES. Spend your money on your website.

V
 
something I've been doing since I opened in Sept is I put a sign out, near the street with a couple of balloons tied to it.. we thought we might discontinue it after Valentine's day but decided against it because it's such an attention grabber..

doing the flowers to businesses has worked for me as well.. and will start again..

People are busy with thier lives, and seem to have the attention span of a gnat. you can't take for granted that they will remember you when they need to. so make sure your name/brand and your product is out in front of them every chance you get.

The first person they will call is the last one they see, so just make sure it's YOU!
 
Victoria said:
Welcome Ramon. The advice you have received thus far is great. I have one "don't" for you... it's been said before... DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY TO YELLOWPAGES. Spend your money on your website.

V
Click to expand...

I think you at least need a presence in the YP's - just at least an alphabetical listing.

But no DON'T listen to them telling you what you need cuz they don't care if you go bankrupt paying them and will sell you enough to make it so.
 
Ramon, You'll find a lot of organizations asking for donations. I no longer give money or product. I give them "six months of flowers" coupons. The winner gets a 10.00 bouquet once a month for six months. I put on the envelope "60.00 vaue". It can't be used for wire orders, plants or balloons. I works in a few ways. It makes you look generous, people have to come to you shop and they get to meet you and see your shop, they get used to getting flowers and they get a sampling of your product. There are also free web-sites out there. freewebs.com and officelive.com
 
Hey, been a little slow my self, think I,ll put some of the advice I just read to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But thank you Lord I booked 3 weddings in last week!!!!!!!!
But not time to start rocking yet,I,m at the starting gate---- waiting tho.
Have a great rest of the week everyone.
Elmo
 
Website and networking along with attention getting signage
 
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