Real Flower Business

Education and Business Training for Floral Designers.

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Wedding Postponements, Canceled Events, and Your Floral Business

Let’s talk about cancellations, deposits, refund requests and YOUR BUSINESS….

First, this is your business, which means you don’t have to do things my way.

What I do doesn’t have to be what you do. I recognize that there’s a lot to consider around postponing and pushback and you can watch a replay of my live Q&A where I address real florists’ questions.

Because what strikes me over the last couple of weeks/days is how florists are feeling sensitive and defensive about their own decisions.

For example, if a florist chooses to refund a deposit or partial deposit due to a COVID “situation”, that doesn’t mean that YOU have to refund and it doesn’t mean that you’re being judged or that you’re a bad person if you choose to keep a deposit.

It’s not unwise to amend your terms under these circumstances in order to reach an agreement with your clients.

HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO PROCEED UNDER THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IS UP TO YOUR BUSINESS POLICIES.

Ideally, your heart and mind are at peace with how you choose to proceed.

As a lawyer in my group put it:

You can be just as creative, and collaborative with your clients, regarding altering contract terms to fit the times, as you are in doing design work and taking care of your clients in the happier, floral area of your business.“

Frank Sinatra said, well sang, “I did it my way”….and that’s the situation you’re in now.

[Read more…]

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February Flash Sale for Floralpreneurs

flash sale realflowerbusiness.com

To close out February, I’m having a flash sale on 2 of my most popular Wedding Templates designed to help you book clients quickly and confidently! I’m offering $20 OFF BOTH TEMPLATES til 10pm Eastern Time Wednesday 2/28! CLICK BELOW TO SAVE:

In these templates I show you how I spend less time typing proposals AND walk you through the clauses in my wedding contract (plus a few additional clauses you might want to add)… 

If you want to:

  • Feel CONFIDENT when presenting an initial proposal,
  • Forget FEARS about explaining your terms,
  • Gain AUTHORITY and build trust with clients,
  • Increase the INCOME you’ll be able to generate when you state your minimums clearly so clients say YES to your next proposal, no questions asked…

… then my templates are made for you! Here’s how I know:

*Allison Schrade wrote to say, “I just have to say that I have been hating proposals for five years now because I put so much work and detail into them. Your templates have inspired me to just simplify and I love it!…I tried a bridal software program last week and it ended up being more work for a result that I was unhappy with….I have just spent my morning enjoying your tutorials and loving your course templates…”

*Chantelle shared in the Facebook group, “Just a quick THANK YOU to Alison as your videos and templates have helped me immensely in streamlining my client workflow – this client only contacted me a few days ago and we met yesterday – I had her proposal to her in a couple of hours (used to take me 2-3 weeks!)…”

*Melissa said, “Just downloaded the 12 E-mail Templates, Wedding Workflow, and How To Write Proposals That Sell…..ALISON! You are the flower fairy god mother we all needed! Information overload! Do it guys ;)”

Point Blank: Templates Save You Time & Stress.

And during this Feb Flash Sale they’ll save you money, too!

To discover how to increase your authority, grow trust with your clients, and streamline your proposals…check out my Feb Flash Sale —>CLICK BELOW TO SAVE: 

Each course I create is made with love from me to you!

Feel free to be in touch with any questions for me! And enjoy the Flash Sale Savings!

xo. -Alison

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Cyber Monday Sale

CYBER MONDAY SALE! SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $10 OFF ALL TEMPLATE BUNDLES TIL 9PM ET!

You can access these pdf’s as soon as you purchase. (Floralpreneurs often tell me they use my templates the same day they buy ’em.)

Try ’em. You’ll like ’em.

I’m proud to present 5 downloadable courses to help you streamline your e-mail and proposal writing process.

SAVE $30 $40 OFF ALL 5 PDFS HERE.

Testimonial:

“Just downloaded the 12 email templates, wedding workflow, and how to write proposals that sell…..ALISON! You are the flower fairy god mother we all needed! Information overload! Do it guys;)”

-Melissa Denise

BUY AN E-MAIL BUNDLE & SAVE $10 20 OFF!

10 E-Mail Templates for Florists $39

This downloadable pdf tackles ten difficult conversations we have with customers and potential customers including How to Present A Proposal That’s Over Budget, How to Reply To A Complaint, How to Tell A Client You Won’t Work with Them, and How To Respond When A Wedding Is Cancelled. Get it here for $39.

12 E-Mail Templates for Florists $29

This downloadable pdf gives you the exact wording I use when writing to a client. It’s a bonafide look at how I communicate with customers to create both a friendly and business-centered relationship based on mutual respect and crystal clear communication. I often hear florists say they use these templates within the first 1-2 days of purchasing them! You’ll find some valuable phrases you can embrace and adapt to your own unique voice. Buy it now $29.

“Man do I wish I had used them earlier…sent off all my latest proposals using your email templates and 3 from 3 have come back before the expiry date in acceptance!!  [You’re] a floral super star Alison thank you so so much for the time and effort you put back into the industry.”

-Casey (from the Facebook group)

GET MY 3-COURSE WEDDING BUNDLE & SAVE $20 30 OFF!

How To Write Proposals That Sell $99

This downloadable pdf shows you how to create a template for wedding proposals that sell by sharing the steps I use to create a more streamlined proposal process without committing hours and hours of time before booking…including tips to create a sense of urgency around booking so you really can book more quickly. Get it here $99.

Contracts For Florists $99

Included in this pdf you get the 14 Terms & Conditions I include in my contract, along with notes on some of my very favorite and most important parts, plus I’ve added 10 additional clauses you might want to consider, and a BONUS e-mail template, “What if someone asks you to modify your contract?” Contracts For Florists is not intended to be a “template”, although you do get all of the terms of my contract. My hope is that you’ll use this course to draft a contract with a local attorney in your area! (I’m a florist; I am not a lawyer. You should consult an attorney when drafting an official contract.) Get it here $99.

Wedding Workflow $19

This downloadable pdf takes you behind the scenes of my business to show you how I choreograph a customer service experience that fosters a relationship of trust and confidence with 16 Steps to Client Management from initial inquiry to post-wedding followup. Get it here $19.

Not sure which course is right for you? Get in touch: floralartvt@gmail.com

I’m happy to answer any questions you may have before, during or after a course!

CYBER MONDAY SALE ENDS MONDAY, NOV. 26TH, AT 9PM EASTERN TIME!

Find out more about Flower Math HERE.

Read more about Alison HERE.

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How should florists charge for rentals?

realflowerbusiness.com, floral design, flower school

When I asked florists what they most wanted to learn in the upcoming year, the #1 answer was “pricing”.

One of the most frequent pricing questions I’ve received over the years is on rentals; precisely, “How do you charge for rentals?”…..

You’ll find multiple methods for charging for rentals, but here’s how I do it and why! Click to watch:

And if you want to learn EXACTLY how to “price for profit” on every arrangement you make, my course Flower Math course will show you how!

SAVE $100 off Flower Math!

Rentals can be a smart income stream for your business. If you find that your clients are most-interested in renting vs. buying centerpiece vessels, then offering items for rent is one way to fill a need for your clients.

If you tend to work with clients who want to “own everything” and feel free to give flowers away at the end of the evening or re-use them for brunch, etc., then perhaps you don’t rent as many centerpiece containers, but you have some “other feature pieces” that you can rent over and over again.

It can be difficult to speculate on “what people will want” (for years and years to come….), which is why you want to start with practical rental items. (see below!)

You must consider your storage space as well. For example, if you have to rent a storage unit, do you *really* need the expense involved in storing those rental items?

Start with a few practical rental items:

2 Large fiberglass urns for ceremony/altar,

65-100 Mercury glass votives,

10-12 Lanterns (for centerpieces or to light a pathway),

Signage, table numbers, place card holders,

3-4′ columns or pillars for ceremony arrangements,

Various centerpiece vessels,

Chuppah or arbor structure(s).

Remember: Styles come and go. Don’t go “all-in” with something that’s not particularly versatile!

Pro-tip: Sometimes rentals “walk away”. Make sure you have a clear rental agreement that covers a deposit for damage, loss, etc. Every contract requires a meeting of the minds; make sure your client knows how you will bill for lost or damaged items.

Thanks for taking the time to tune in and watch.

With love from me to you,

Alison

More FREE Resources:

Do you need a pricing guide on your website? Click HERE to find out.

Do customers think your prices are too low? Click HERE for more.

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Should you set an expiration date on your proposals?

Do you ever wonder how long you should wait after sending a proposal before checking in with a client?

I used to send out proposals and then wait and wonder for days, (or weeks!), whether a client was ever going to book with me! Then, one day, a business savvy friend told me to put an expiration date on wedding proposals and voila, my client management systems was forever changed.

Setting an expiration date on my proposals and was the single best move I ever made in my business. Period.

The expiration date is designed to set the parameters of your offer to honor this quote or “hold their date”…it’s a prompt for you to check in and see if they’ve made a decision or if they have any questions you can answer.

Checking in with a customer on, or before, the expiration date is to be expected when you’re trying to close this sale.

It’s not an ultimatum (most of the time), but it IS a clear signal that there’s a time limit on this offer because you don’t just “hold dates” indefinitely. Most offers are not open-ended. Neither is yours!

Click below to watch “Should you set an expiration date?”

Need some tips to write your next proposals in less time and present the expiration date to clients?

Do you have a “System” for your client communication?

A “System” is essentially a process (or protocol) for how you accomplish a task in your business. Typically you document your systems in writing (ie your operating procedures), and use them to identify inefficiencies or opportunities for automation in your business.

Systems are critical for a successful business, because they allow for you to:

  • generate income with way less effort

  • reply faster and more effectively with less stress

  • automate and streamline to get more done in less time

I have a system for client communication (and you should too).

Your prospects MUST see you as an authority and understand your rules.

That’s it.

Before you earn trust as an authority, you MUST nurture the relationship.

And the best way to do that, hands down is with:

CLEAR COMMUNICATION THAT ESTABLISHES AUTHORITY.

Emphasis on the word “AUTHORITY”… In fact, just like it’s “OK” to want to make money, it’s also totally OK to WANT clients to respect you, and follow the rules of your “systems”, and treat you like A LEADER in your field.

In fact, that authority status is the key to unlocking your maximum potential so that you can be creative, profitable, and fulfilled.

Now the good news is… there’s a BETTER way to get prospects to see you as an authority… better than working without a system…and much better than starting from scratch on every single e-mail and proposal for every single event.

It’s called…TEMPLATES!

Here’s what a real florist said about implementing my Templates…

“A couple of weeks ago I bought a bundle of Alison Ellis templates after all the talk of expiration dates. Reading through the templates gave us a fresh pair of eyes and ideas over what we were already doing. BUT what I really want to say is – we decided to try the expiration date approach and we have a record breaker! Our ideal bride just booked with an 8 day turn around from quote to deposit! Wooohooo try it.”
-Danijela FitzGibbon (from the Facebook group)

Oftentimes florists ask, “How does this expiration date work? Does the price go up after it expires?”

Well, that’s up to you. Do you need to increase the price for some reason?

I don’t increase the price after the expiration date. I just want to make my offer clear; here’s what I can do, here’s what it costs, here’s when I’d appreciate an answer…

If the client needs “more time” (for whatever reason), then that’s up to you, too. Can you extend the expiration date? Or will the clock truly run out because you have another inquiry for that date? Or is their hesitation a sign that they aren’t really serious about committing to you? What is the reason for the hold-up?

An expiration date serves as a prompt to both you, the business owner, and the client.

  1. Clients know that they should look it over sooner rather than later because you gave them the expiration date!
  2. As a business owner you now have a bonafide reason to follow-up, check-in, invite questions and close the sale.

I want to be an easy choice for my clients. I want to be an easy “yes”.

Thanks for taking the time to read and watch!

And if you decide to implement an expiration date, I’d love to hear how it’s working for you!

With love from me to you,

Alison

If you want to shortcut your proposal process and present an expiration date with confidence, click here to read more about my downloadable templates!

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