While you and your team have been diligently prepping for Valentine’s Day for weeks — or longer — you know last-minute customers are inevitable come...
Sincere Apologies, Gestures Cure Customer Complaints
Dealing with angry, disappointed customers is an unfortunate reality of retail — especially in the aftermath of a busy holiday. But it doesn’t have...
Give Poinsettia Flier and Brochure to Customers
Remind customers that university research has shown that poinsettias are not poisonous to people and animals. The Society of American Florists...
Reach Out to Local Funeral Directors
Maintaining positive relationships with local funeral directors is essential to build your sympathy business. When submitting death notices, some...
Strengthen Your Relationship with Customers in 5 Words
“Saw this. Thought of you.” Those two sentences — the kind of verbiage often tacked onto a forwarded news article —might not sound revolutionary,...
United’s Mistakes Present PR, Customer Service Lessons for Businesses
“It made me cringe.” “What were they thinking?” “Totally avoidable.” Those are just some of the responses floral industry members are sharing in...
Remind Consumers (and Sales Staff) about Easter Lilies and Cats
When taking orders for Easter lilies, ask customers if the recipients have cats and be ready with alternative gift suggestions. According to the...
Sustainable Design Among Five Trends Slated for 1-Day Profit Blast
How do you design and market in a way that appeals to the sustainability-oriented consumer? How should the personalization mandate – “made for me” –...
How to Defend Your Business With Poise
A few weeks ago, a man had some beef with Wendy’s, which resulted in a now famous Twitter exchange. The fast food company posted a photo of someone...
Every Order Deserves the Royal Treatment
Reporters conduct research in January for Valentine’s Day “test order” news stories, when they pose as consumers ordering flowers. Published in...
Free Test Call for SAF Members
Have you ever really listened to what your staff says to customers on the phone? Are they energetic and engaging? Do they upsell and cross sell and...
Florists Ponder Pricing Strategies
How do you set prices? Do you offer “charm” prices (those ending in the number 9) or rounded prices? Do you charge for delivery and services...
Five Super Bowl Strategies To Win Over Your Customers
In case you weren’t among the 11.9 million who watched Super Bowl 50 Sunday, February 7, the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10....
Multiple Promotions Keep Christmas Spirit Strong All Season Long for Pennsylvania Florist
Piggybacking on local holiday events can be a great way to get a bump in your holiday traffic without having to create an event from scratch....
Customer Service Protocol Empowers Employees to Put Out Fires
Dealing with angry, disappointed customers is an unfortunate reality of retail. And if your employees are always running to you to put out these...
How to Click With Brides to Be on Social Media
Social media is an enticing tool to court brides-to-be. (After all, it's free!) But with 1.5 billion Facebook users, 316 million Twitter users, 300...
California Growers, Shippers Host Buyers at Fun ‘N Sun
Leaders of CalFlowers (the California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers) are thanking an improved economy and a growing appreciation for...
Out of Stock? How to Suggest Substitutions With Ease
We've all been there. A customer calls requesting an arrangement she saw online, but you don't have the exact flowers or containers pictured in your...
Let Customers Linger a Little Before You Say Hello
How do you greet your customers? "How may I help you?" is friendly, but direct — a good choice for people who order over the phone and appreciate...
Angry Customer? Imagine a Cute Kid
Here’s a simple strategy to keep your cool when dealing with an angry, flustered customer:Picture him or her as a small child, “happy and running on...
Customer: “Puleeze…can I give you more money?” Florist salesperson: “Nope.”
The headline sounds harsh, but that’s still the gist of many “secret shopper” conversations sales expert Tim Huckabee with FloralStrategies, LLC,...
How to Win Back MIA Customers
It doesn’t take something as unforgivable as, say, delivering the mistress’ arrangement to the wife, to lose a customer. Quite the contrary,...