Week 11: Online Advertising part 1

Since we are a pretty small company with a tight niche, at the moment, I don't think advertising would set us ahead from other companies. We aren't looking for weddings of any kind, but we look to connect with  brides who are open to non traditional flower design.

There's different kinds of ads for different objectives. There are domain ads (not mobile compatible but can be cheap. only show to the right of the page), page post links (most commonly used that catches the user's attention with a photo and directs them to your website, found on the news feed), multi product ads (available only in the Newsfeed for desktop and mobile, is  similar to the normal page post link ad but instead of featuring only one link it will show up to 3 different pictures to show different products.) 

I would probably try the page post links if I were to try advertising. I think it would get a lot of engagement from my audience since people respond so well with photos that are visually appealing. I like that it is also mobile compatible, since a large percentage of people on facebook are accessing it through their mobile devices.

I would probably start off with a small budget of about $10-$20 for a day and to show up in the morning and night. I would guage how people are responding to it and if it is getting any engagement. 

I think these ads would be effective because I am capturing the audience with a colorful flower arrangement or installation, and hopefully people will want to see more and comment or like on the post. I think it will intrigue people to click on my website to see what other designs we have come up with. 

Week 10: Email Marketing part 2

Comments I left for: Tiffany Edwards, Chris Deddo, Ben Simsuangco

Week 10: Email Marketing part 1

I think a great topic for a newsletter for my business would be for upcoming workshops or events where my readers could attend. This would probably be something that is monthly on slow months and quarterly for busier months. 

Another could be talking about trends in the floral design world. What's hot for this season's weddings, etc. This would probably be quarterly.

I could also offer a fun tutorial on how to create a floral arrangement, boutonniere, or wrist corsage.  This could be seasonal also, paying attention to the time of year (wedding season, prom season, etc.)

Another topic could be for any flash sales or rewards programs. Referring a friend to us and if they book sending the referrer a free t-shirt or discount off their next arrangement. This could be one once or twice a year. 

I think by switching it up and keeping it fresh and by doing monthly or quarterly emails, we could keep people engaged and informed on whats going on with our business and have an exclusive look into the floral world. 

Week 9: Blogging for Business part 2

A few different categories on my blog I would have are:
-Weddings
-Behind the scenes on styled photoshoots
-Misc Events (baby showers, parties, etc)
-Little tidbits about our companies and what inspires us

I think this would be a really good way for people to see what we are all about and get an inside view on what it looks like to be on the job. Instagram, twitter, and Facebook can only say so much. This is like our personal diary of events where people can see how things came together. This is a great avenue to expand on my business!

Commented on: Lori Barry, Don Steier, Marilyn King

Week 9: Blogging for Business part 1

 Getting personal on a blog is a great idea for a small business owner. I think that it shows transparency and honesty when you can be yourself, share insight, and show your followers what you are like outside of your busy business. People like to see other real and genuine people behind a successful business. It's inspiring to others to see that you can run a successful business and be a human also. There is a balance between showing your professionalism and also your "humanism". I think that be being genuine as much as you can and including your audience and engaging them in conversation, you will be liked on social media and create more business!

Week 8: Twitter

-The words I used to find these connections were: wedding, san diego, engaged, florist. I also made these as hashtags in a different search and changed the location to San Diego, CA and also Oceanside, CA. I had a hard time finding potential customers this way, as it was a pretty broad search and didn't find very many people posting about their personal engagements. 

- I created a "potential customers" list and "good match for cross promotions" list. This helped me keep the two distinct from each other and that each one will require different tactics to become connected to them. 

- Customers would most likely see my tweets in the morning at around 8 or 9 when they get situated with their jobs. Another good time would be around lunch time on their breaks when they can look into some wedding planning and inspiration pictures on social media. Another good time is in the evening at around 7 or 8 when they are relaxing at home after a long day and browsing the web.

Potential Customers

@lamorford - Female Oceanside resident who is engaged

@tdonnelly7 - Male recently got engaged in San Diego

Good match for cross promotion or collaboration

@MaxandMollyFilm - videographer

@SteveCowell_ - photographer

@amorology - Wedding planning service

@greylikes - Stylist and blogger

Week 7: Get Visual, part 2

1. 
http://www.fleurchicago.com/
This is an example of a floral design company that is doing very well. Their instagram is growing with followers each day and they have engaging photos for their viewers to see!
https://instagram.com/fleurinc/
https://twitter.com/Fleurinc
Twitter is also a great avenue for them. They offer more than just floral design, but also have a shop in downtown Chicago.  Having social media accounts has definitely helped them attract more business, as their product is very visual

2. 
http://powwowdesignstudio.com/
We have worked a few times with this business, and this is one I really look up to and am inspired by. We work in the same industry, and It's really cool to see Pow Wow's roots and how far they have come. They have strong social media avenues with facebook, instagram, and twitter.
Their businees heavily depends on having the right visuals for their customers to see, so these social media platforms have been very effective for them also!
https://twitter.com/powwowmelissa
https://instagram.com/powwowdesignstudio/
https://www.facebook.com/powwowvintagerentals


Just like social media has worked for these two successful companies, I think it is just as important for my business to keep up with them so they will keep growing. What a better way to see flower design when it can be shared infinitely with thousands of people?