“Prepare your Happiness Ambassadors — let them know some people might turn away — and not to be discouraged,” SAF Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Sparks said. “Show your Happiness Ambassadors SAF’s Petal It Forward video to see examples of some commuters’ reactions, and give them something easy, short, yet powerful to say when they’re handing out flowers.”
Taking part in the Society of American Florists Petal It Forward event on Oct. 11? (We hope so!) Here’s a quick tip to keep in mind: When handing out flowers or bouquets, don’t be discouraged if passersby ignore your offer of flowers and keep walking. “They think you’re trying to sell them something,” said Zoé Gallina, AAF, creative director at Botanica International Design and Décor Studio in Tampa, Florida, who participated in the event last year and plans to do the same this year.
Gallina said there’s a way to lure them your way: “We found that we needed to start by saying ‘this is a free bouquet,’” she said.
It’s a simple fix and can be part of the training you provide to your team of “happiness ambassadors,” as SAF calls anyone who takes part in the feel-good flower giveaway.
“Prepare your happiness ambassadors — let them know some people might turn away — and not to be discouraged,” Sparks said. “Show your happiness ambassadors SAF’s Petal It Forward video to see examples of some commuters’ reactions, and give them something easy, short, yet powerful to say when they’re handing out flowers.” Read more.
Sparks recommended sharing SAF’s suggested Flower Event Messages with your Happiness Ambassadors, including:
- Keep one for yourself and Petal the other Forward!
- Research proves flowers bring happiness to the giver and the recipient. Petal It Forward and find out for yourself!
- If you’re posting your flowers on social media, please share with hashtag #petalitforward!
Last year, Gallina and her 11 happiness ambassadors learned quickly to introduce themselves to passersby: “Hi, my name is Zoé, and I wanted to give you a free bouquet in honor of a nationwide event called Petal It Forward. We want to share some smiles today. We are giving you two bouquets, one for you to enjoy and a second to hand to a complete stranger to pass it on and Petal It Forward.”
The five Happiness Ambassadors from Flowers by Julia in Princeton, Illinois, wore nametags and used SAF’s suggested Flower Event Messages, including: “A flower for you and a flower for someone who is feeling blue. Petal It Forward and change their mood,” and “We hope this flower brightens your day. Now brighten someone else’s by petaling it forward.”
At Arapahoe Floral in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Carol DeStefanis’ team said: “We are with Arapahoe Floral and are here today handing out two bunches of flowers, one for you to enjoy and a second for you to Petal It Forward to someone you’d like to surprise or brighten their day.”
For advice on recruiting Happiness Ambassadors, read “Petal It Forward Prep: Recruit Volunteers.”
SAF members in 44 states in 181 cities and Canada — and counting are planning to Petal It Forward on Oct. 11. Are you?
SAF is compiling a list of local Petal It Forward events to show national media that this event is happening all over the country on Oct. 11. Get your event listed by completing the Petal It Forward Participation Form at safnow.org/PIFform.
Members have exclusive access to step-by-step Petal It Forward advice, talking points, social media messages, and more at safnow.org/petalitforward.
