As above, we have a florist in Nuneaton which was opened this year and we are looking to push it on as soon as possible, seeing as there are many successful business men on this site can anybody push me in the right direction regarding reading material, promotional ideas, facts on advertising- what worked for them/what didnt etc etc.
It being retail- our local area is where our customers will be coming from so do local radio ads work, leaflet drops and Gala days work and what % of return we looking at for all of the above?
Regards Mark

 

Pay me a couple of £k and ill put a mahoosive sticker down my car

 

Stand at the cemetary gates and hand out leaflets as mourners leave

 

 

Have you got many competitors in your local area?

Unless someone has already done it, I would try to make the business known and remembered as the local florist shop.

"Nuneaton's local florist" - does anyone currently use that slogan?

Local radio is meant to be fairly effective. I would also suggest local paper advertisements.

Leaflet drops would be ineffective because it's not the kind of item people buy when they're memory is jogged. Neither would it attract many regular customers. The news needs to reach thousands of people, not hundreds, so that's why I'd go for local radio and newspaper advertising.

Have you got a website showing your creations? What about an online order form?

You could start advertising as the local florists now, before we get too close to Christmas, and then have another push in the month up to Valentines Day, Feb 14th.

Maybe a 20% discount offer for Valentines Day orders placed by 7th Feb? That gives you time to ramp up production, even at lower profit margin.

Then obviously screw those who phone up on the morning of Valentines Day itself, like I did.....

All the best, Ralph.

 

get your order in for the next one LOL

Yeah we are setting up a website this weekend, brief meeting to outline format and content, should be live in a couple of weeks, does ebay charge much more for business use as opposed to private sales or are charges similar as an ebay shop was recommended to me too.
We have a florist literally round the corner from us but she isnt a threat unless you want Carnations and tack Im afraid (I wont bitch though), Our flowers are best quality and the arangements definately unique, modern, and inventive, my girlfriend has so many ideas and original takes on things she will be fine but we need to get our name seen and known.
Stickers are going on whatever we can to promote the shop- it will stand for quality and it must be well presented at all times, no cheapening of the brand as per £2 rallysport sunstrips though!!
Local radio seems to be a must and we would specialise in weddings, we have bookings for weddings in 2010 already, so far averaging one a month so word is getting round... just not quick enough.

Anybody do retail sales promotion, we need a big day as a start to our campaign, more ideas ta. Who want so dress up as a 6ft flower for us?