How to start a low-cost and risk-free business? The steps for flower sales you should take now
[Hua11.com Original] Many students from Hua11.com often ask: "Teacher, I've learned a lot and am ready to open a store (or studio) next month. How should I approach sales?" Or they inquire: "Teacher, are there any low-cost methods for entrepreneurship? I'm not quite ready to open a physical flower shop just yet~" This article aims to address these questions.
The marketing concepts involved include:
1. Marketing Funnel: Understand the stages of customer engagement, from awareness to conversion.
2. Mobile Internet Marketing: Leverage mobile platforms for reaching potential customers.
3. Fission Effect and Building a Marketing Ecosystem: Create a network effect where satisfied customers refer others.
4. Passive and Active Marketing: Combine strategies that attract customers (passive) with those that actively engage them.
5. Service Marketing: Focus on delivering exceptional service to retain and delight customers.
Now, let's dive into practical steps:
I. Market Positioning:
First, carefully consider your market positioning. You have two options:
- A. Mid-to-High End: Cater to customers seeking premium products and experiences.
- B. Mid-to-Low End: Serve a broader audience with more affordable offerings.
If you're reading this article, you probably lean toward option A. So let's continue with the mid-to-high end approach.
II. Choose Your Battlefield:
Observe the social platforms used by friends who match your positioning. Typically, it boils down to:
- A. WeChat
- B. Weibo
- C. QQ
Consider your situation. If your friends' circle aligns with your target market, use the same personal WeChat account but organize contacts into groups. This way, you can share private moments selectively. Customers prefer connecting with a person rather than a purely work-oriented account.
Keep in mind:
- WeChat has a friend limit of 5,000, which is more than enough to support a flower shop.
- If you use your personal account for work, new customers can see your previous Moments posts. Be cautious if those posts are private.
III. Are You Already a Student of Hua11.com?
- Yes: Congratulations! You have access to plenty of ready-made materials. Hua11.com and the chain of physical flower shops it operates are positioned in the mid-to-high end.
- Not Yet: In that case, you may need to spend some time collecting and organizing materials on your own. Alternatively, consider joining Hua11.com now.
IV. Daily Actions Going Forward:
- Explore various channels:
- When attending classes or practicing at Hua11.com's designated training points (physical stores), take close-ups of individual flower items—especially those rarely seen. Hua11.com's physical stores cater to the mid-to-high end market, often stocking expensive and imported flowers that other general flower shops might hesitate to carry.
- Capture interior soft decorations and details of works within the store.
- Obtain picture materials from backstage sources within the Hua11.com student community.
- Browse works shared by teachers and classmates in the Hua11.com communication group.
- Explore the work library of the 24-hour flower小程序 (app).
What makes a photo topic-worthy?
- It should evoke comments from others. Whether it's rare and beautiful, informative, or controversial, the goal is to engage readers and leave a lasting impression.
- Follow these best practices:
- Limit your posts to one to three times a day. Excessive posting can annoy others and lead to being blocked, regardless of how good the photos are.
- Time your posts based on your target group's habits. Ideally, choose times when they're actively scrolling and not overwhelmed by other content (e.g., around 8 am, 12 noon, 6 pm, and 10 pm).
- Keep accompanying text concise and fun. WeChat users scroll during fragmented moments, so brevity is key.
- Develop your own distinct style.
Why Treat These Flower, Store, and Bouquet Pictures as Your Own?
- Marketing is a long-term process. Posting consistently on Moments lets others know about your wonderful work and dedication. When they have a need, they'll think of you.
- Start early—don't wait until your skills are perfected. Hua11.com's professional florists can assist if you receive an order you're unsure about.
Over time, both existing and new customers will become familiar with your work. With a clear positioning and unique style, trust will naturally follow.
Not everyone scrolls through Moments, and even if they do, they might miss your post. Take the initiative to contact friends individually and tell them about your flower business. Beautiful flowers are universally appreciated, so don't hesitate to share.
Important Note: This step falls under active marketing. Whenever possible, engage with different people and introduce them to your flower business. (Refer to: [Hua11.com · Marketing First Step Series 8] Why prioritize ground promotion for flower shops and studios? Isn't online marketing easier?)
V. Prioritize Exceptional Service:
Your mid-to-high-end positioning means your customer group expects top-notch service. The higher the market segment, the greater the emphasis on service quality. Some customers, especially those with high emotional intelligence, can even sense your service attitude behind the screen. (Refer to: [Hua11.com · Marketing First Step Series 4] Boost flower sales with strategic services)
Golden Rule: Never treat customers as fools or gods. Treat them as friends. In business, it's an equal exchange—no side is inherently superior. Be sincere, dedicated, and professional without being overly humble or pushy. Your personality shines through in these interactions. When customers recognize your authenticity, they become long-term partners and may even refer others to you.
Remember, selling floral works is a fundamental level of sales. Selling your personality and building relationships is at a higher level. Strive to improve your abilities across the board. Understand the unique needs, work situations, and even personal lives of different customers. A friendly chat can go a long way in winning their hearts.
These specific steps, when consistently applied, gradually expand your customer base. As it reaches critical mass, a qualitative shift occurs. You'll create a small-scale marketing ecosystem that grows organically.
While this seems straightforward, it's the foundational step in marketing and remains effective. Based on student feedback, we've seen numerous successful cases of low-cost entrepreneurship in flower retail. The marketing theory behind this approach is detailed in [Hua11.com · Marketing First Step Series 2] 3 must-learn practical marketing tips for affordable flower sales.
Now, it's time for execution. Don't let procrastination hinder your journey toward this promising career. Start now!
Copyright Statement:
This article is an original creation by Hua11.com and is included in the “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” Ebook. The content of this article may be periodically updated and is initially published on the Hua11.com official website blog. You can find the article at this link: https://hua11.com/blog/4699.html.
Reproduction of this article is permitted, provided that it is reprinted in full and all copyright information is retained. Any form of plagiarism, whether partial or complete, is strictly prohibited. Legal action will be taken against violators.
The work titled “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” is copyrighted by Hua11.com. Additionally, the “Practical Floral Training” model and the concept of “Light Decoration” are original creations by Hua11.com. The trademark “花艺意” is registered and protected by relevant national laws.