Just opened a new business....need marketing ideas?

I just opened a new flower shop in central Arkansas. I am a very talented designer and have the ability of wiring flowers anywhere in the United States. I have lots of gifts and candles. But business has been slow this month. Any ideas on how to spruce up the outside of my shop for April to tie me over until mother's day? Also, I would like some marketing ideas on Prom. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Check out our website at www.occasionsflowersandgifts.net and remember I can wire flowers anywhere! :)

Just opened a new business....need marketing ideas?
Another holiday you should check into before Mother's day gets here is Secretary's day, which is April 23rd.



(Or to be politically correct Administrative Professionals Day)



Target some Dr offices, professional offices, school prinicipal, (don't forget private schools), factories, etc.



For prom.........Put a sign outside that says order your corsages here.

Guys are responsible for buying those and the sign itself may trigger an oh yeah moment. Put small signs (like real estate signs) near the school with the same message and a phone number.
Reply:location of any buisness is very important,"always".
Reply:If weather permits, create an outside display of flower arrangements. Lots of flowers and colors. Also advertising in big letters about online ordering and wiring to anywhere would help. Some people don't have time to shop during the day, but at night when they are at home they may consider. Putting business card posters in the entrance of some stores works well. Fliers in or on the mail boxes of the nearby residents can generate sales. 1 of about 50 fliers is a sale. Advertise grand opening in the local and regional newspapers and state paper. You may want to connect to the FTD system. That will generate you some money without ad cost. Possibly shortening your advertised web address that redirects customers to the actual address of the site you created. One that can be remembered well. Selling plantable flower bushes will get you through april and may.



For prom, I suggest you do some of the above, but introduce prom related ideas into sales and student discounts. Also providing floral arrangements for the graduating ceremony for free or highly inexpensive. You may take a cut in profit loss, but the advertising of your talent could quite possibly open doors to decorate weddings and birthdays. This is where your talent would pay off. Doing an annual donation of floral decorating at the graduating ceremony will create deeper ties with the local community, in turn people will shop from your store instead of the other shops, because you are giving back. Communities have more respect for you, and will prefer you.
Reply:Are these flowers you are doing or Teleflora?...because your part of the www.findaflorist.com/ network, in which almost everyone has the same site and same flowers...



For example, here is another site with the almost exact same flowers:

http://www.bandbflorist.com/
Reply:have you tried those mailers? I always go throught them and find new places by my house.



For prom, are there any schools near your shop? You may be able to post something there or work something out with their decorating committee
Reply:If you don't mind, I would like to invite you to visit my website at http://workathomehappy.wetpaint.com Maybe there some course or program can inspire you or give any help. Good Luck and to your success!