The florists are catching on...
10:31 AM by Chris Nordyke
Twila Weder, a friend and client of mine owns a successful florist here in town call Expressions in Bloom. (www.inbloom.com) She got the following best practices from a florist forum she follows. Despite the fact there's a glut of tutorials, lists and instruction manuals for social media, it's good stuff to read and review periodically. We're all still learning this new paradigm. A good primer to maybe pass along to a newbie- Chris
1. Avoid automation. People instantly unfollow people who write like bots. Demonstrate that you’re human by writing each of your tweets. It’s one thing if you write them and schedule them to go out later, but don’t publish automatic prescripted tweets.
2. Be personal. Personal tweets let people see who you are. If your tweets are just about your niche, then followers may think you’re just a robot. Lesson: Post occasional tweets that aren’t strictly about your niche.
3. Be a copywriter. To write effective tweets, learn about and use fundamental copywriting techniques. Write tweets so effective that even you would want to click on them.
4. Adopt it. Tweeting is a new form of writing, so make your own conclusions as to the fastest way to improve. But one great way to develop your own writing style is by adopting great techniques you see in others’ posts.
5. Be familiar. After you’ve mastered how to get people to click on your links, standardize your writing style so that your followers become familiar with your voice. When followers know what to expect, reading your tweets can become part of their daily routine.
6. Big message in small ways. If there’s a big event going on – a big launch maybe – the best way to promote it is to direct your followers to your blog. On your blog, you can update as much as you like. Twitter is not the place to publish updates every half hour.
7. Branch out. Use Twitter as a tool in your marketing toolbox, not as a complete business model.
8. Slide in. Twitter is great for opening up dialogue with big names in your niche, even JV (Joint Venture) partners. JV partners are effective marketers who can help launch your products. Ease your way into relationships with them by answering questions they ask in Twitter. In responding to them by tweet, you are helping them gain popularity.
9. Build better business partners. When you follow people you become familiar with their views and interests. Reading people’s tweets will help prepare you for meeting people face-to-face. You will discover common ground for discussion and relationship building.
10. Appreciate Twitter culture. Follow Friday is an example of how to use Twitter quirks to strengthen your relationship with your followers. Follow Friday is when members recommend other Twitterers to follow. Try recommending four or five people who you feel others will get value from following. Participating in Follow Friday is a great way to fit into the Twitter community.
11. Email it, blog it. Include your Twitter URL in the signature of your emails and blog posts.
1. Avoid automation. People instantly unfollow people who write like bots. Demonstrate that you’re human by writing each of your tweets. It’s one thing if you write them and schedule them to go out later, but don’t publish automatic prescripted tweets.
2. Be personal. Personal tweets let people see who you are. If your tweets are just about your niche, then followers may think you’re just a robot. Lesson: Post occasional tweets that aren’t strictly about your niche.
3. Be a copywriter. To write effective tweets, learn about and use fundamental copywriting techniques. Write tweets so effective that even you would want to click on them.
4. Adopt it. Tweeting is a new form of writing, so make your own conclusions as to the fastest way to improve. But one great way to develop your own writing style is by adopting great techniques you see in others’ posts.
5. Be familiar. After you’ve mastered how to get people to click on your links, standardize your writing style so that your followers become familiar with your voice. When followers know what to expect, reading your tweets can become part of their daily routine.
6. Big message in small ways. If there’s a big event going on – a big launch maybe – the best way to promote it is to direct your followers to your blog. On your blog, you can update as much as you like. Twitter is not the place to publish updates every half hour.
7. Branch out. Use Twitter as a tool in your marketing toolbox, not as a complete business model.
8. Slide in. Twitter is great for opening up dialogue with big names in your niche, even JV (Joint Venture) partners. JV partners are effective marketers who can help launch your products. Ease your way into relationships with them by answering questions they ask in Twitter. In responding to them by tweet, you are helping them gain popularity.
9. Build better business partners. When you follow people you become familiar with their views and interests. Reading people’s tweets will help prepare you for meeting people face-to-face. You will discover common ground for discussion and relationship building.
10. Appreciate Twitter culture. Follow Friday is an example of how to use Twitter quirks to strengthen your relationship with your followers. Follow Friday is when members recommend other Twitterers to follow. Try recommending four or five people who you feel others will get value from following. Participating in Follow Friday is a great way to fit into the Twitter community.
11. Email it, blog it. Include your Twitter URL in the signature of your emails and blog posts.
Comments (1)
John2:48 PM
Chris, It is good to see florists are receiving this advice. I was in a great flower shop this weekend and asked the owner if they had any social media tools. She said "we have a website". It is so much easier to comment on a businesses service if they have a way for customers to share information. This florist could benefit from that forum.
@johnflurry