It’s that season again: the caps and gowns, the dresses and tuxedos, and of course the flowers. Graduation and prom season is always a wonderful time of year, and with the right preparation and marketing, it’s a great opportunity for your floral business. Following are a few tips to graduate your business to the next level.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Graduation ceremonies are held at all levels, so make sure you do your homework and find out when graduation ceremonies will be held at high schools, colleges, elementary and middle schools, even preschools in your area. Proms are held at different times of the year for different schools, so gather this information as well. Make a calendar of dates, and prepare targeted emails to go out in advance to the planners of the ceremonies or dances. Offer them a discount on their flower order as an incentive to order from your store.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT

Make sure your shop prominently features “Class of 2018” signage, to show your support for the new graduates. It’s a great way to connect with parents who may be planning graduation parties. If space permits, set up a “Class of 2018” area in your store where customers can receive consultations or review a look book of graduation flower ideas.

MAKE ATTENTION-GRABBING PROM BOUQUETS

Prom night is a big occasion for flowers, and while corsages are a traditional and lovely choice, the newest trend is for the young ladies to receive a small bouquet of flowers. With these tips and your own creativity, you’ll graduate with high honors, and big profits, this season!

FEATURE SCHOOL COLORS IN YOUR ARRANGEMENTS

Again, it’s all about the homework: Make sure you know the school colors in your area, and feature arrangements with these colors. If the school colors are blue and yellow, create a bouquet of blue iris and yellow tulips; if the school colors are white and red, perhaps a bouquet of red roses and white lilies. Be sure to order enough flowers in these colors ahead of time, so you have plenty on hand for last-minute orders.

LET YOUR CREATIVITY SHINE

There are so many ways to use flowers in graduation ceremonies and for proms. While bouquets and boutonnieres are always a lovely choice, why not take it to the next level and create something more interesting? Flower crowns for graduation caps, for example, are a new, fun way for graduates to make their cap stand out in the crowd. Take a few photos of a graduate with a crown of flowers on their cap and share it on social media. Make a few creative graduation party displays and share those as well. The possibilities are endless!

With these tips, and your own creativity, you may be surprised just how rapidly your shop becomes the go-to place for graduation flowers!