You Said WHAT? on Facebook?!
Bad-mouth flowers and, chances are, you’ll get Alice Waterous all riled up.
As a certified Professional Floral Communicator—International (PFCI) by the American Institute of Floral Designers, Alice is one of only a handful (and we mean that literally! Fewer than 100 have that designation in the United States) who are certified by AIFD for their dedication to the improvement of professional communication for the floral industry.
So when Alice recently saw some florists post negative comments on Facebook, she immediately tried to set to work to change the tone of the conversation. But Alice, who is president of the Michigan Floral Association, among other industry involvement, knew the matter was too important to simply end there. So she contacted FlowerChat to see if we could help get the word out to more florists about the dangers of talking negatively in a forum the public can see.
We turned the tables on Alice, though, and asked her to explain her concerns in her own words. Following, then, is Alice’s critical message that every florist who spends any time on social-media platforms—or even just chatting with the public—needs to take to heart:
Flower Chat: Let’s Stop Shooting Ourselves in the Foot!
By Alice Waterous, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI
Owner, Alice Waterous Floral Consultant, LLC (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
I was recently dismayed to see some of our respected fellows in the floral industry making negative comments on Facebook.
I responded and reminded them that, though I’m sure they didn’t mean to cause harm, what we say as floral professionals is gobbled up by the public. One person immediately apologized and deleted what contained less-than-flattering remarks about roses for Valentine’s Day. Although this was taken down rather quickly—and replaced with several positive posts—there were a number of folks who had seen it and took the invitation to bash roses as a gift. All on Facebook!
Another seemingly innocent remark by a wedding/event specialist questioned a design of peonies with gyp and leather leaf. Some responded that they wouldn’t use such “cheap” items with a luxury item. When we start labeling any fresh floral product as cheap and less-than-desirable, we shoot ourselves in the foot.
Having been in the industry for approximately 45 years, I have seen the wave of carnation, chrysanthemum, BB and leather haters come and go, bashing the basic foundational materials used throughout our industry Odd isn’t it, that European and Asian countries, who seem to have so many choices, seldom limit themselves in this way?
It’s ironic, arriving home after Valentine’s Day, to open my latest edition of Fusion Flowers magazine to see an article featuring pomps and gyp, along with phaleanopsis, roses, anthuriums, nerine, Oriental lilies , callas and jasmine together. I guess no one told Bjorn Kroner not to use inexpensive items with luxury ones.
My response to this overall topic is simple: I am happy to provide the consumer with what they want at a reasonable price.
Further, we—as professionals—need to be very careful about negative comments on social media that may cause consumers to spend their “gift” dollars on nonfloral items.
What are your thoughts? Would you speak up if you saw florists make damaging comments that consumers might misconstrue or that put the industry in a negative light? Tell us how you would handle a similar situation. Send a note to [email protected] with your suggestions.
Bad-mouth flowers and, chances are, you’ll get Alice Waterous all riled up.
As a certified Professional Floral Communicator—International (PFCI) by the American Institute of Floral Designers, Alice is one of only a handful (and we mean that literally! Fewer than 100 have that designation in the United States) who are certified by AIFD for their dedication to the improvement of professional communication for the floral industry.
So when Alice recently saw some florists post negative comments on Facebook, she immediately tried to set to work to change the tone of the conversation. But Alice, who is president of the Michigan Floral Association, among other industry involvement, knew the matter was too important to simply end there. So she contacted FlowerChat to see if we could help get the word out to more florists about the dangers of talking negatively in a forum the public can see.
We turned the tables on Alice, though, and asked her to explain her concerns in her own words. Following, then, is Alice’s critical message that every florist who spends any time on social-media platforms—or even just chatting with the public—needs to take to heart:
Flower Chat: Let’s Stop Shooting Ourselves in the Foot!
By Alice Waterous, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI
Owner, Alice Waterous Floral Consultant, LLC (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
I was recently dismayed to see some of our respected fellows in the floral industry making negative comments on Facebook.
I responded and reminded them that, though I’m sure they didn’t mean to cause harm, what we say as floral professionals is gobbled up by the public. One person immediately apologized and deleted what contained less-than-flattering remarks about roses for Valentine’s Day. Although this was taken down rather quickly—and replaced with several positive posts—there were a number of folks who had seen it and took the invitation to bash roses as a gift. All on Facebook!
Another seemingly innocent remark by a wedding/event specialist questioned a design of peonies with gyp and leather leaf. Some responded that they wouldn’t use such “cheap” items with a luxury item. When we start labeling any fresh floral product as cheap and less-than-desirable, we shoot ourselves in the foot.
Having been in the industry for approximately 45 years, I have seen the wave of carnation, chrysanthemum, BB and leather haters come and go, bashing the basic foundational materials used throughout our industry Odd isn’t it, that European and Asian countries, who seem to have so many choices, seldom limit themselves in this way?
It’s ironic, arriving home after Valentine’s Day, to open my latest edition of Fusion Flowers magazine to see an article featuring pomps and gyp, along with phaleanopsis, roses, anthuriums, nerine, Oriental lilies , callas and jasmine together. I guess no one told Bjorn Kroner not to use inexpensive items with luxury ones.
My response to this overall topic is simple: I am happy to provide the consumer with what they want at a reasonable price.
Further, we—as professionals—need to be very careful about negative comments on social media that may cause consumers to spend their “gift” dollars on nonfloral items.
What are your thoughts? Would you speak up if you saw florists make damaging comments that consumers might misconstrue or that put the industry in a negative light? Tell us how you would handle a similar situation. Send a note to [email protected] with your suggestions.
