I took over my shop almost 2 years ago, and the lady before me had been here 3 years - I STILL get people come in and say 'I didn't know you were here!', so yes people do walk round with their eyes shut!!!

I've done quite a bit of advertising, and most of it doesn't seem to work. I find that most people say they've recieved flowers from me, or seen flowers that someone else had had, and liked them - so i've decided that word of mouth and a exceptional standard of work is the best way to go (also, make sure you put 2 or 3 business cards in each envelope, then people have got 'spares' they can pass on to friends or family!)

we also find that when we change the window, lots more people notice us, so we try and do this regularly too.

Do you have any contract work? thats also a brilliant way to get noticed (make sure your card in fixed on to the vase, or stuck in on a spike) and you get a regular source of income too. We do pubs, hairdressers and a bank, so it doesn't have to be just big hotels and offices you approach.

Hope some of this helps

s

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