Using Social Media as a Floral Introvert to Grow Your Network (And Confidence!)
Justin Kuo Photography
The floral design industry can be a lonely place for an introvert. There is so much talent and creativity and tons of technical knowledge to learn, not to mention, ever-increasing trends to stay on top of. It can all be pretty intimidating. However, by using social media as a helpful tool, you can overcome those feelings of isolation.
Follow these three easy steps to begin making social media work for you and your business!
1. Log On
The first step to using your new BFF social media to the fullest is actually logging on to your accounts. You must make time for social media in your day. Consider it your daily networking opportunity!
Use the search bar and browse designs, venues, magazines, and even photographers that bring you inspiration. (Don’t know where to start? The Team Flower Community is a great place to begin your social media connections!) Using hashtags is most helpful, especially on Instagram. This will help you feel tied to the industry, keep you in the loop regarding trends, and help you stay connected. Plan for a minimum of 30 minutes a day to log in and search for what interests and inspires you.
2. Like & Comment
Figure Eight Events
In a room full of people, it can be scary as an introvert to interact. Social media makes it so easy to reach out to meet new people in the floral design industry who are like-minded—and maybe are even introverts themselves!
When you participate by liking and commenting, you are not only increasing your business visibility, but you are also laying the groundwork for friendships and your own network of cheerleaders and supporters all over the world. However, the relationship must be reciprocal. You must share and post on social media regularly so that your followers can do the same for you. Relationships are not a one-way street, even digital ones! Establish social media friendships based on mutual respect as you would any other friendship. You never know where this could take you. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a flower friend everywhere you go?
3. Ask Questions
Direct messages are golden when used appropriately. There may be times you will see a floral design mechanic that you may want to practice or deliver to a client. Sometimes you may want to know the name of a flower variety. Don’t be afraid to ask a question in the messages! The worst that can happen is that you will get no response. No worries, there is no humiliation in that. No one is around to see it happen—ha!
Joining flower groups and communities on social media is another way to participate in asking and answering questions. For example, on Facebook, the group functions are fantastic. Or the Team Flower Community is another incredible resource. If you are scared to post your own question, you can search within the group and it will show you all of the posts previously related to your inquiry.
Little Honey Photography
As you get more comfortable on social media and start to build your friendships and network, you will begin being more comfortable with in-person opportunities to attend small-group meetups, design workshops, and even large conferences. You will be more excited to say hello to fellow designers that you recognize from social media when out shopping at your local wholesaler or flower market. There’s also a great chance that you’ll become more confident in your design capability, aware of your areas of expertise, and feel supported by the relationships you have established! When used with good intent, social media can be your best friend and open up a world of possibilities.
