Today’s blog post in my series of Instagram for Florists online course Success Stories features Surrey based Nicola Bird. Nicola runs The Floral Project, an initiative to encourage others to grow cut flowers to give. Before we delve into her interview, let’s take a look at her amazing Instagram transformation!
NICOLA’S TRANSFORMATION
Since Nicola started the course, she has gained over 2,600 followers, a 1,120% increase – such an incredible accomplishment! She’s changed her Profile Photo, tweaked her Bio and has created a more cohesive Grid. In Week 4 of the course, we focus on photography. And one of the exercises involves finding your favourite ‘Photography Spot’. I’m so pleased that Nicola’s settled on a textured stone wall as her go-to place.
INTERVIEW WITH NICOLA
What prompted you to sign up for the course?
I wanted to sign up to the course as I was completely new to both flowers AND Instagram. I was posting ad hoc pictures and massively over-using the filters because I thought that looked really cool (!). But then as I started to follow other flower growers and florists, I could see there was a simple beauty in their feeds and a cohesive look that I wanted in mine. But I had no idea how they were doing it. I also realised a beautiful Instagram feed was really going to be a key part of my future business success. I realised that your course would help me unravel the secrets behind all of that. So I couldn’t wait to jump on board when you opened registration.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
Even though I’m not a florist, I got so much out of it. I’m a tech geek. So I loved the part where you share tools to make your Instagramming less time-consuming. I also really enjoyed the simple photography tips. But I think the most helpful part for me was creating a consistent look and feel to my feed. AND making sure I put myself in front of the camera every 9 squares so people can get to know me. 🙂
It’s now over 5 months since you first started the course, what has been the resulting impact on your Instagram account and your business?
On day one of the course I had 234 followers. Today I have 2,858. Enough said. 🙂
What do you feel you’ve gained most from taking the course?
A foundation in how to use Instagram and the confidence that goes with it that means I simply don’t have to give it any of my brain space any more, which gives me more room to focus on my business! I know there were very experienced people that took the course alongside me who got a lot from it too. But for me it was being able to go over the absolute basics that took me from thinking I was ‘doing it wrong’ to knowing how to do it right.
Would you recommend the course to florists and others working in the floristry industry?
Of course:) But I also recommend it to all those growing with The Floral Project too because all these gardeners are so excited to share their first seedlings and flowers to their friends, families and followers. And it’s great to be able to do it in a way that a) creates a feed that represents the actual beauty of the flowers and b) reaches the greatest number of people to inspire them too.
I’m so thrilled at Nicola’s transformation! If you’d like to discover more about her wonderful initiative, simply head over to The Floral Project website. And of course, please do visit Nicola’s Instagram account.
FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP | How to Share Your Flowers on Instagram
I’m very excited to let you know that tomorrow, Thursday 8th October, at 8pm GMT I’ll be running a free workshop with Nicola – How to Share Your Flowers on Instagram. We’ll be sharing the fundamental things you need to know about how to share your flowers to create the most impact on Instagram.
We’re going to be exploring:
- Why Instagram? What’s so special about this social media channel when it comes to flowers?
- Key elements to include in your Instagram Profile so that the people who you want to inspire get to see your posts
- Putting a name to your floristry style
- Who your ideal audience is, so that you’re getting in front of who you want to be getting in front of
- Your Instagram Style Guide, featuring the practical steps to make sure your feed looks ‘put together’ and professional
- We’ll have plenty of time for questions on the call too. The workshop will be held using Zoom. So no need to travel. Full instructions will be sent once you register. If you can’t make the call live, it will be recorded and sent to you if you’re registered.
Both Nicola and I would love to ‘meet’ you and put a name to a face. So we hope to see you there! Simply click on this link to secure your place.
P.S. In the meantime, if you’d like to read about other past students Success Stories, click on these links : Emma Spowage | Passionflowers & Rachel Goodwin | The Petal Girl.
(Images : Nicola Bird | The Floral Project)
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