Alexandria, VA — The Society of American Florists Wedding Flowers Twitter Party, which used the #cleverflowers hashtag, was among the top four things being tweeted (aka "trending" in Twitter-speak) in the United States on April 10. More than 250 people participated, 2,000 #cleverflowers tweets were made, and more than 4.1 million consumer impressions were generated.
Twitter is a real-time, micro-blogging social network, where users “tweet” messages of 140 characters or less. A Twitter Party is a pre-planned and promoted dialogue, in which participants use a hashtag, an identifying phrase set off by the pound sign (#cleverflowers), after every tweet to streamline the conversation and highlight the topic.
“We hope the Wedding Flowers Twitter Party inspires brides to see the importance of wedding flowers and to work with their local florist for something just right for them,” said Jennifer Sparks, SAF's vice president of marketing. “And we hope it inspires bloggers who participated to spread the floral message by writing positive floral stories.”
SAF hosted the Wedding Flowers Twitter Party to engage influential bloggers and consumers about wedding flower trends, showcase the expertise and creativity of florists, and raise awareness about SAF’s various social media channels. As @FlowerFactor, SAF’s tweets answered questions and posted links and tips from www.nationalfloristdirectory.com, www.aboutflowersblog.com, www.aboutflowers.com, www.flickr.com/flowerfactor, www.pinterest.com/aboutflowers, and www.aboutflowers.com/youtube. Examples of SAF’s tweets via @FlowerFactor included:
• Check our listing for #wedding florists in your area: http://bit.ly/jvabm9 #cleverflowers
• For gorgeous flowers & no stress, do research, gather ideas/photos & go to a florist. http://bit.ly/HbzBTR #cleverflowers
To bring the design and trends expertise needed, SAF assembled a panel of members who actively engage with @FlowerFactor to answer questions and share ideas and images:
@BlumzRob (J Robbin Yelverton, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, co-owner of Blumz…by JRDesigns Floral & Event Professionals in metro Detroit) tweeted: DIY folks, remember, you cant TOTALLY enjoy the parade when you’re marching in it! Pick a great florist! #cleverflowers
@BotanicaDesign (Ian Prosser, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, owner of Botanica International, in Tampa, Fla.) tweeted: We love seeing unusual color families such as corals against teal that set a bride apart but still brings class to the table. #cleverflowers
@FlowerSchool (Leanne Kesler, AIFD, PFCI, education director at the Floral Design Institute in Portland, Ore.) tweeted: Your pro florist can write a story with your flowers…each bloom a special meaning for you. #cleverflowers
@drdelphinium (Bryna Morrow, wedding & special events coordinator at Dr Delphinium Designs & Events in Dallas) tweeted: Another popular trend that we are seeing is all White Weddings. And from the looks of this….why not? #cleverflowers http://pic.twitter.com/G7ccQKaR
@mondayflowers (Georgianne Vinicombe, owner of Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co in Princeton, NJ) tweeted: Being open on your flower selection really helps us keep you to your budget too #cleverflowers
Participating brides and consumers who participated re-tweeted the panelists’ and SAF comments as well as shared their own advice and favorite floral memories:
• @redinthecity: AHHHHHH!!!! I’m so excited! This will help with wedding planning! Thank you @FlowerFactor #cleverflowers
• @kgseymour: I’m a big fan of flowers for no real reason other than to say you care, you know? #cleverflowers
• @ToodiesMomma: Theres nothing better than walking in the reception and smelling nothing but fresh flowers #cleverflowers
• @thelucazoo: Every year hubs brings me tulips on our anniversary. It was what my bouquet was at our wedding. #cleverflowers
The Twitter Party also encouraged attendees to vote for their favorite bridal bouquet in VaseOff! Challenge, which is an SAF public relations program designed to get consumers and the media talking about the creativity of florists and drive traffic to SAF’s www.aboutflowersblog.com and www.facebook.com/aboutflowers.
Source: Society of American Florists
