Florists are facing some hefty competition in the free market. With big box stores and other flower shops, it's easy to be overlooked by customers who may be looking for flowers. To be a true competitor, you need to stand out from the crowd and give consumers a reason to choose your flower shop over others. Spreading awareness can be crucial to making a name for yourself and your shop. When customers are familiar with your name and products, they're more likely to think of you when they need flowers and go straight to you instead of researching other places to fill their needs. That's why having a strong brand awareness is so important.

So what exactly is 'brand awareness'?

We're glad you asked! Brand awareness is basically a customer's ability to recognize and remember your shop. The more brand awareness you generate with your customers, the more likely they are to remember your shop and use your services in the future. The goal of brand awareness is to help you stand out from your competitors, which is why it's crucial for you to take an active role in generating it.

Okay, that's great, but why do I need to worry about it?

So many reasons. For starters, a consumer is 60% more likely to buy a product they are familiar with than one they aren't. That means a majority of consumers, your customers, won't choose you if they are unfamiliar with your shop. That's why you should worry about brand awareness. It introduces your shop to your customers and creates a sense of demand for your products. It's all about creating familiarity with your customers and allowing them to get to know your shop.

For example, think of the laundry detergent you buy. Do you buy the first one you see or do you buy the one with a name you know? Chances are that you buy the one with a brand you're familiar with. The same idea and goal apply to your own business. The more familiar people are with you, the more likely they are to use your services.

Okay, I get it. It's important, but how do I increase it?

There are many things you can do that will help increase your brand awareness - most of them for free. Here are some ideas:

Consistency is Key Here

Having a presence on social media is crucial to building brand awareness with your customers. They're on social media and expect you to be there as well. Make sure to be consistent and communicate with your customers clearly. Remember, the more times someone sees something, the more likely they are to remember it. Post the beautiful arrangements you make on your channels and let your audience see your work first hand.

Showcase That Personality

Authenticity goes a long way with customers and is a great way to build trust and loyalty. Be authentic, open, and transparent when interacting with your customers. Show off some personality when posting on social media by using emojis, puns, anything you want. Consumers want to talk to someone real, not a robot, which means if you have personality, they'll be more likely to interact with you and remember you in the future. One thing to remember when developing your brand's personality is that it's important to have brand equity. This means you showcase your brand through one consistent voice so that consumers can recognize not only your brand but also its personality.

Host a Competition

Social media competitions are a great way to spread your name and gain more engagement and interaction with your customers. Start the competition by posting the prize for someone to win and the rules that they have to like, follow, tag a friend, or share the post to be entered to win. Make sure to say when you will be drawing and announcing the winner. By having existing followers share the post, your brand spreads to their network of friends, people you might not have been able to reach before. This in turn increases your brand awareness.

Increasing your brand recognition doesn't mean you have to go leaps and bounds above what you're already doing. Try a few of the things above and remember that showing your personality, being consistent, and interacting with your customers can go a long way in building your brand's awareness.