Courses - Real Flower Business

If you’re a floral designer in the midst of your busy wedding season there’s a good chance that 3 things are true:

1. You’ve been creating a lot of beautiful work.

2. You’ve been sharing photos of your beautiful work on Instagram and Facebook.

3. Your own website and blog has been getting no love or attention.

Am I right? (of course I am.)

I will admit that after years and years of steady blogging and website TLC I let it slip.

I became a mom (so I became understandably busy!),

my calendar was booking consistently early (so I wasn’t as motivated to create new content!),

I had years and years worth of blog posts (I could just rest on my laurels!),

and now, between my 18th wedding season and my weekly updates for Floralpreneurs on my e-mail list (and now a Facebook group where thousands of florists from around the world can connect!), well, I have plenty of good reasons why blogging has not been at the top of my list…

BUT I truly had an ah-ha moment as I was writing my Wedding Workflow course, (which includes my 16 steps to client management), when I realized I WASN’T FOLLOWING THE FINAL STEP!

I was missing out on the follow-up conversation with my customers because I wasn’t diligent about blogging.

THE FIRST STEP WAS ADMITTING I HAD A PROBLEM.

The ah-ha moment was when I realized that I’ve been creating all this free content for Instagram (which is awesome and fun!), but I’m missing out on creating this current content for my own website! What was I thinking?

There’s an instant gratification factor that only Instagram can give a floral designer these days.

On the other hand we think: “No one reads my blog.”

That’s the #1 reason we become disenchanted with blogging and go for the quick fix of Instagram or Facebook….the “likes” can be seen, heard and felt ’round the world. It’s instantly gratifying to share.

BUT on my blog the comments are few and far between, so I don’t feel the love as readily.

On the surface the “likes” seem relevant, but in truth, what’s relevant is a good, strong brand with integrity…

and the only thing I “own” online is my website, which is where my blog lives, and I love my blog, and I love the SEO I’ve earned through all the hard work of writing and labeling my images.

So the only logical conclusion is that I have to get back to blogging and adding photos of my most recent work to my website.

Conclusion: If I don’t love my website, no one else will either.

If you’re ready to take your website even further, take the leap to try my Website Bootcamp!

Warning: Deliberate learning and practice will be required to improve your website. You will be forced to allow yourself to possibly make a mistake or misstep. The sooner you can accept that “it” (your business, your decisions, your efforts) sometimes cannot be perfect, the sooner you can create the room to bloom and grow….because nothing’s ever perfect. Progress over perfection.

Start before you’re ready. And if you’re not sure if a course is right for you, drop me a line any time. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have before, during or after taking a course. You can contact me at floralartvt@gmail.com

As always…

Keep doing beautiful work.

With love from me to you,

Alison

Still need a kick in the pants? Check out my video below: The Most important Thing You Can Do For Your Business Today!

Thanks so much for reading and watching!

You can check out a full list of my course offerings HERE!

Hello, floralpreneur!

Thanks for noticing me! I’m truly happy that you’re here.

Welcome to my brand new blog.

I’ve been sharing free business education with floral designers for over 6 years now, first on FlirtyFleurs.com and via my YouTube channel, and now on my very own blog.

People often ask me why I share so much for free? The answer is easy:

I am passionate about the art of good business.

In October 2015 I invited florists to join my e-mail list and in November I released my very first online course, Flower Math, The Florist’s Guide To Pricing & Profitability.

I didn’t really have a plan when I created my first course. I knew there were florists who struggle to turn a profit and I knew I could show them exactly how I price my work & create recipes to ensure my profit margins. It felt like a big risk to share such an intimate behind-the-scenes look at my process, but it was all very organic (aka genuinely from my heart!) so I had to move through any worries or doubts about whether this was a good idea and just do it!

I didn’t have any intentions to create more courses. I thought Flower Math would be “my only course” because I hadn’t considered teaching any other topics.

Pricing is my wheelhouse.

Profitability is my jam.

Over the past year my e-mail list has grown to nearly 900 subscribers and a few months ago, I started a Facebook group just for floral pro’s (which has been pretty awesome and includes almost 900 members…and counting!) and now, here I am, blogging on my newly re-named website: realflowerbusiness.com.

This has been a major year of growth and production for me.

I’ve never worked quite so hard…and it’s been really rewarding.

After I released Flower Math a florist-friend (half jokingly) suggested I make e-mail templates to help other floral pros with tricky or difficult conversations. I thought it sounded brilliant. I love to turn a phrase.

At the time I was already about half-way done with a proposal template I’d been working on, so I hopped right on it and about 2 months after releasing my “one and only course idea”, I suddenly had 2 new downloadable courses; 12 E-Mail Templates and How To Write Proposals That Sell.

A few weeks ago I released my third downloadable course, Wedding Workflow, which shares 16 Steps To Client Management. This course gives designers a look behind the curtain at my own personal approach to customer service from the initial inquiry to the post-wedding day follow-up and I’m really proud of the value it provides.

When florists tell me they used one of my templates and booked a gig or refused to reduce their price I celebrate that victory with them. What you say and how you say it tells your clients so much about who you are and what you’re willing to accept. Honing the voice of your business (and hence, our brand) is no small detail. I’ve been mining this area of branding and customer service for a long time…

And now I have my biggest course yet! The Art Of Good Business.

This week I’m so excited to announce my newest and biggest course: The Art of Good Business.

Floralpreneurs will leave the course with a deeper understanding of who your ideal customers are and how to attract more customers that love you.

You’ll develop skills to identify your own unique blend of talents that make up your one-of-a-kind brand by looking inwards and practicing talking directly to ideal customers.

Florists will also learn how to better improve website engagement to increase inquiries and improve the overall first impression/first point of contact with potential customers.

In regards to customer service, florists will gain valuable strategies around client management, prequalifying customers and creating an outstanding customer service experience.

You can read the full details on my sales page here. I call my new course “a digital experience” because I will be walking through the course with you virtually from start to finish.

I’ll be hosting a private Facebook group to correspond with the course with monthly livestreams and live office hours so I can answer your questions in real time. I will vary the times a bit to allow designers in other time zones/hemispheres to hop on for some live discussions. (I know some of my favorite Aussie’s are usually sleeping when I host live events! I don’t want you to miss out!)

So that’s the word. My “big reveal”. I have a newer, bigger, “more online than ever before” online course and it is awesome!

Click here to read what florists say about The Art of Good Business!

And…I’m blogging now! So you’ll be able to hop on over here to find the free content you’ve come to know (and hopefully love) from me.

If you have questions for me or want to drop me a line any time you can reach me at info@floralartvt.com

Thanks so much for stopping by my new blog!

Keep doing beautiful work!

With love from me to you,

Alison

P.S. If you’re a floralpreneur who’s digging my content please share the love with a floral designer you know and love!

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