The Big Question

Status
Not open for further replies.
Geez: You picked the hardest business you could to run! I do WS;s but its not for a beginner. Lots of good suggestion's so far, I especially like one about Free Rose. We have sign ordnances here also, I have a big broken down box van, in parking lot of both my shops loaded with advertising, I keep plates current and there is nothing code can do about it. I like selling cheep, but to sell cheep you have to buy cheep, its hard to get started, but if you can put a sign on a truck Roses 14.99 a dozen, you will get some folks in. You must collect names and e-mail addresses of all you can, a POS is expensive, but a great tool if you will use it to market. A quick way to get persons in is a big sign on a stick and pay a homeless to walk in medium during busy hour, sell something cheep, get there name.If you are persistent you will make it!
 
Your website has a great start.

I don't understand why I see so many florist advertising on yellowpages online without having it link to a website with just pictures and no prices or descriptions.

Take those images and place them on the website with prices and descriptions. You say you are throwing flowers away. Use them in arrangements for your website and then give them away. This way you can tell the prople that this arrangement is being featured on the website.

Hang in there it does take time.

And hey whats up with being closed Sat sun and monday and your only open 10AM to 5PM? If only it could be that easy!!!
 
ABOUT OVERSTUFFING:

I have found it interesting that talking to the 2 biggest florists in the US stuffing is not at all a concern. One told me "why would I want to waste time with a calculator - what's the cheapest things in your flowershop?"

The other said "This is a slight exhageration, but if a designer drops a carnation on the floor I don't really like them wasting the time to pick it up."

neither of them care at all about what the rest of us would consider overstuffing.

Just food for thought.
 
bloomz said:
ABOUT OVERSTUFFING:

I have found it interesting that talking to the 2 biggest florists in the US stuffing is not at all a concern. One told me "why would I want to waste time with a calculator - what's the cheapest things in your flowershop?"

The other said "This is a slight exhageration, but if a designer drops a carnation on the floor I don't really like them wasting the time to pick it up."

neither of them care at all about what the rest of us would consider overstuffing.

Just food for thought.
Click to expand...


That is probably because when you get into a much higher level of volume your costs on flowers is greatly reduced but they still charge the going rate for flowers. Stuffing on this level is a problem, but just so hard to control that most shops give up and work on other areas like speed and production to make up for it. For smaller shops stuffing is a huge problem and can make or break profit. We buy everything for top dollar so we make less that the big guys on every flower...
 
bloomz said:
ABOUT OVERSTUFFING:

I have found it interesting that talking to the 2 biggest florists in the US stuffing is not at all a concern. One told me "why would I want to waste time with a calculator - what's the cheapest things in your flowershop?"
Click to expand...
It's funny, a friend of mine now works at one of the stores I *think* you're talking about and I asked him about whether they relied on recipes or calculators.

He said they use a forumla and that designers are spot-checked to make sure they're not over-stuffing or using too few flowers. They have a tote board with stem prices that designers are supposed to use.

The problem with over-stuffing is that there's no consistency for the store or the consumer. Over-stuff a $50 arrangement one time and the next order from that customer often generates a complaint for receiving a 'skimpy' design.

Better to be consistent in value - and I believe the most successful and largest operations have that down pat.
 
Give them a reason to come in!

I agree with everyone has said on here, Reputation speaks for itself, also maybe it is that time of the year, Winter is a big time of the year for flowers, also check your store, what does it smell like? I don't mean to sound sharky, but hey does it smell like fresh flowers, is it to clean , does it have life in it, is it comfortable to be in, also the customers you have had or do have , get feed back from them as to why they came or they don't come any more, We can all give you great ideas, but take alook at your shop, then build from that, price points, look, style, windows, most important, is oneself, What can you offer that no one else , ,,,,customer service, great product,be there, emotions , you could be selling crap but if someone likes it then sell it, sometimes it doesn't matter what you do, it is in all that you do, the smallest detail is what makes one come back to you, for instance first impression, is very important, when you do just have someone come in to look they bye nothing, Do you give them a reason to come back, Reach in the cooler hand them a flower, say thank you for stopping bye, look forward to seeing you again, folks remember this, It is that little thing makes the big difference ,and it will all come to you, light some candles in that store, make it feel welcome,and a smile goes along way, Sorry to ramble, just my 2 cents, instead of stuffing go and hand a flower to just anyone on the street with a business card, That is how I started, and 20 plus years still at it, Just a few ideas for you.
 
Great Ideas

Great Posts, If they do not fire you up, nothing will! The trick is to stay fired up when the rent is due and the phone don't ring. If you digest everything in these posts, than do a pro and con on each, than number the perceived value 1-10 and assign out to each family member based of the most valuable first, etc, you will win! I am in business over 50 years and I an heading for the book store right now thanks to Ryan. I like Rick's ideas too, there all good.
The trick is doing it, I have one of the most expensive POS systems you can buy and its taken me two years to just get started in using all that gold to market to. Especially e-mail it costs almost nothing. try a florist search site, I like: http://www.locateaflowershop.com/ and http://www.localflowershop.com but neither will do any good till your site can accept orders. Manny of the group do not care for the latter but he gets me the second most orders.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
The Queen reminded me of something else, when she mentioned mining your existing customers for feedback and info.

Steve Jobs of Apple had to do a quick fix, and did it well, when Apple dropped the iPhone price by $200 this past week. Steve realizes that early adopters matter.

Early adopters are the first to try a new thing, and usually have a level of influence over their peer group. It's vital to build strong relationships with your early adopters - the first to visit / shop at your store. Whether it's perks, special promos or first access to new items - and of course, mentioning them in your blog! With Pictures! - make them feel special and appreciated. Treat each as their personality requires, this isn't the time for a blanket approach to customers, save that for the early and late majority.

Ryan
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back