Whether you’re new to the floral industryor you’ve worked hard over many years to build up your flower business, as youset your intentions and goals for the New Year - improving your business andbringing more success and prosperity is likely one of the top things on yourlist.
So, what are the things that can have the biggest impact on yourbusiness success?
Hereare some ways to increase your flower shop profits - and your overall happinessfactor, too:
Laser-Focus onCustomer Service
The thing that defines your brand the most is the experience youcreate for your customers.
Even if you’ve been in business for decades, ensure you andeveryone on your team focuses on delivering a first-class customer serviceexperience at all times.
Leverage your existing customers and cultivate new clientele -establish a personal connection by being attentive, personable, and genuinewith each customer whenever possible.
Make the effort to send handwritten Thank You notes and/or emails andwish your customers a happy birthday or anniversary (use software to make thisquick and easy); you can also add a discount or free gift. Have an “early-bird” sale for your currentcustomers before you announce the upcoming sale to the general public.
Work On AttractingYour Perfect Clientele
If you want to find better clients, set boundaries and rules for yourbusiness and then create a better customer experience.
It’s happened to all of us at least once, customers pushing ourlimits, and it’s up to us to define the boundaries by creating our own rules,such as being very specific in your proposals and offers, adding an expirationdate on proposals, or stating minimums clearly.
Periodically, you may want to revisit and refine yourpre-qualification systems. The importantthing is to feel confident when explaining terms to clients, strive for promptemail replies, prompt phone consultations and prompt proposals, be clear andprecise, so customers can understand your expectations.
Maximize YourProfit Margin
You want to be able to maximize your profit margin on the cost offlowers and supplies by following industry standard markups, with the goal tomake 70% or more on the cost of it. Be confidentin applying markups and design fees, so that you can provide value to yourclients and turn a profit at the same time.
All additional expenses should come out of the 70% profit, andremember not to underestimate the value of your time and expertise.
Experiment andTake Risks
As business owners, we have to be open to trying new things, put ourselvesout there, and that means trying something that might not work out,
And, the sooner you start, the sooner you can get the experimentingand trial & error out of the way - and be one step closer to what canenhance your business.
Every business owner and entrepreneur knows that it takes a lot of dedication,work and persistence to get closer to what may look like “perfecting” theirpersonal brand. Practice makes better,so we need to start where we are and not let a fear of “not being perfect” getin the way of reaching our potential.
Here are some things you may want to try without waiting to havethe budget or the right professional to help you out:
- Record your first videos
- Photograph your own design work
- Get more active on social media/open Instagram account, etc.
- Host live streams in your Facebook group
Instead of waiting until you had enough money or time or training beforeyou finally start it, announce it, release it, sell it - start now, it all mayhelp increase your sales!
Stand Out
Focus more on individualized custom products. Feature unique and hard to obtain flowers. Be unique and authentic in the way you present/wrap/packageyour products.
If you have a store, make your display windows and the contentfresh and creative – they are your most powerful form of direct advertising. As is your website, so invest in a userfriendly, attractive, easy to navigate site.
Intrigue people with sights they don’t expect by displaying unique arrangementsof, for instance, artichokes and other lesser-known flowers (you can alwaysfind instant inspiration on Pinterest).
UtilizeTechnology
Use technology to support you in automation and streamlining ofyour processes, so you have more time and energy for building yourbusiness.
Send out regular updates about new product lines, company news andevents via emails. Have an activepresence on social media and engage with your audience on a more personallevel, and make sure to keep them posted about any promotions, upcoming events,etc.
Train YourStaff Well
Everyone in your flower shop should be taught and expected to sellfollowing the best practices and with the focus on delivering stellar customerservice. Live training is the way tomake sure your employees understand the importance of upsell, as well as theimportance of timing it well and upselling with a purpose. Upsell items and services should match yourcustomer’s floral purchase and needs.
Tailor ToEvents
Tailor your floral arrangements and cater to big holidays such asValentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas and Easter, and to special occasionssuch as Engagements and Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, and Memorial services.
Positioning yourself as a wedding florist is one of the mostlucrative ways to grow your floral business – so if you can establish yourselfon the wedding planning scene, you could secure a nice stream of high-earninggigs.
And, why not create your own random special events, as well? For example, have a “Flower Friday” when you offer10% off; “Mystery Monday” when customers who spend certain amount receive amystery free bouquet; or pick a day each month to be the “Rose Day”, wheneveryone who makes a purchase takes home a free rose –possibilities areendless.
These are some of the ways to expand your brand and increase yourrevenue as a florist, and for all your wholesale fresh flowers and other floralsupplies, turn to Schaefer Wholesale Florist (SWF), yourtrustworthy local flower supplier.
SWF has been serving the Mid-Atlantic areasince 1958 as an importer-broker of fresh-cut wholesale flowers from around theworld, proudly serving Event/Wedding Planners, Family Owned Grocery Stores, RetailFlower Shops and Wholesale Flower Shops in the Mid-Atlantic region.
