New "cookie cutter" Menu
- Thread starter LJVF
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The book actually is a jumping off place for my customers since they usually are like brides and change almost every flower in it anyways. :boggles: They want it higher, lower, a different color, container, you name it. Love it when they are wiring out and they ask me what I have that they can send, I very patiently explain that it depends on what the receiving florist has.
I'm like most of the folks here, we don't have a good portfolio, we take pics but aren't getting ones good enough to print off for a book. I make my pieces to send out for orders and they don't particularly photograph well, heck, I don't photograph well. I'm working on it but I'm REALLY picky, their pics in the book are very good quality photos. Teleflora does have one or two that I like because they are different and we can usually add our own twist for our orders.
trish
I'm like most of the folks here, we don't have a good portfolio, we take pics but aren't getting ones good enough to print off for a book. I make my pieces to send out for orders and they don't particularly photograph well, heck, I don't photograph well. I'm working on it but I'm REALLY picky, their pics in the book are very good quality photos. Teleflora does have one or two that I like because they are different and we can usually add our own twist for our orders.
trish
For the red dotter..... I am lightened up. I try to show the tone in my posts. I really am not angry while I post about wire service. I have a challenging approach much like an athlete feels at the start line. I am not attacking or provoking. As far as my posts directed at Bloomz, I think he knows the context that I am projecting. I just like messing with him because he is witty and funny. If my red dotter felt differently, please read my posts while visualizing me grinning. :kuddle:
master J
Well-Known Member
The WS do have professional images and have great books to use in the shop, however, I bet you, that if you take your own picture, give it a name and personal description, & upload it to your website along with leaving up all your WS images too......it will sell more than the WS images.
Of course the image wont be as good as the WS image but it shows shoppers a personal side to your shop. Anybody can hide behind WS images, but this business is about being creative, and designing your own brand. :brandreco
Of course the image wont be as good as the WS image but it shows shoppers a personal side to your shop. Anybody can hide behind WS images, but this business is about being creative, and designing your own brand. :brandreco
Flowerchatter03
Co-Owner and Floral Composer
I think everyone has good points to consider from both sides. I do agree with Inferno regarding the wedding books from the wire services.
Since a wedding is not something that you would normally "wire" having the ws books can work for you or against you, especially when a bride might be going to more than one shop and picking out the same picture.
Personally, I think flower shops can benefit from having both. You can have the WS books for your wire outs and books of your own work for your local clientele.
I do agree that the books are to pricey. You pay enough for the membership fees and all the other fees. You'll get the book and they will still send you their web image orders (not in the book) for 23.99.
Since a wedding is not something that you would normally "wire" having the ws books can work for you or against you, especially when a bride might be going to more than one shop and picking out the same picture.
Personally, I think flower shops can benefit from having both. You can have the WS books for your wire outs and books of your own work for your local clientele.
I do agree that the books are to pricey. You pay enough for the membership fees and all the other fees. You'll get the book and they will still send you their web image orders (not in the book) for 23.99.
Here's some more info on the guide:
http://www.ftdi.com/images/email/fsg/New2008FTDFloralSelectionsGuide.pdf
http://www.ftdi.com/images/email/fsg/email.html
http://www.ftdi.com/images/email/fsg/New2008FTDFloralSelectionsGuide.pdf
http://www.ftdi.com/images/email/fsg/email.html
Chezbloom
Well-Known Member
"Of course the image wont be as good as the WS image "
Master J.........why?
I disagree, don't put WS images on such a high pedestal, many of us can and do create images as good and better than WS images. We have the technology, we can rebuild him....no wait, thats the 6 million dollar man line. anyway, I think our own images CAN be as good or better than any stink'n WS!
Call me crazy.
Master J.........why?
I disagree, don't put WS images on such a high pedestal, many of us can and do create images as good and better than WS images. We have the technology, we can rebuild him....no wait, thats the 6 million dollar man line. anyway, I think our own images CAN be as good or better than any stink'n WS!
Call me crazy.
It's good to remember, too, that different folks have different standards of quality as to what they are willing to show / use to represent their business.
Ryan
Very good point. I do like the clarity of the ws images and try to duplicate it with mixed results. I'm getting better but photography is an art in itself (obviously) which has taken me a while to grasp. I don't wanna put just any old image out there and call it good.
If I did not have candid opinions from my customers, I would change my approach. But, I ask them in many different ways, do they want to see my work or a nice picture? FTD has me beat on photography but I have them beat on giving my customers confidence in MY work. As for all who find success any other way, kudos to you. If it aint broke don't fix it. I for one, IMHO, don't think that WS sets a positive "standard" in this industry.
For all who don't want to read my opinions, hit ignore. I am okay with that.
Price of the new FSG
My biggest complaint is the "Price" we to pay for this book. While some may think that the $14.99/month is good, look how many years you have been paying in advance for this book. this one took 4 years. 48 x 15= $720!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is truly insane, there is no book worth that fee, the price was supposed to be for the old cost of the book spread out over 2 years but instead since they already had my money they kept the fees going for 2 more years and wa-laa a $720 book. I am betting that the pricing CD once again will have all the branded product with the recipes set so we can not change them to our SRP's. This program must be formalized or the next version will be in 10 years! The single biggest issue is the fact that these designs are simply handed down from on high. Who and why is this process without real florist input? they want us to simply buy into the new book but asking any florist seems too troublesome.
lonely in oregon
Keith
My biggest complaint is the "Price" we to pay for this book. While some may think that the $14.99/month is good, look how many years you have been paying in advance for this book. this one took 4 years. 48 x 15= $720!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is truly insane, there is no book worth that fee, the price was supposed to be for the old cost of the book spread out over 2 years but instead since they already had my money they kept the fees going for 2 more years and wa-laa a $720 book. I am betting that the pricing CD once again will have all the branded product with the recipes set so we can not change them to our SRP's. This program must be formalized or the next version will be in 10 years! The single biggest issue is the fact that these designs are simply handed down from on high. Who and why is this process without real florist input? they want us to simply buy into the new book but asking any florist seems too troublesome.
lonely in oregon
Keith
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