Florist's video blog has business coming up roses

Claire Sawyers. Photo / Supplied

Claire Sawyers of the Roses are Red florist in Papakura is using social media to promote her business.

Sawyers runs a Twitter account, has a Facebook page and is just about to create a channel on YouTube.

"At the moment we take photos of all the flower arrangements we make ... then at the end of the week we load them on Facebook," she says.

"People like to see the different arrangements we do and the site acts as a showcase for our work in tandem with the business' main website.

"Our Facebook page is an extension of the marketing activities we are already doing. It would be very time-consuming to create content just for Facebook. We take photos of our products anyway, so placing them online is just a moment's work."

And when she uploads new content to Facebook, Sawyers' followers get an email alert prompting them to visit the Roses are Red website.

"It definitely brings in business and gives people the chance to refer our site to others," she says.

But now Sawyers is taking her social marketing up a notch with an account on YouTube.

She plans to create videos in which she talks to camera answering viewers' questions about flowers, flower arranging and the industry.

"With a video I can show people arrangements and give viewers far more information.

"And as they send in questions, I get a chance to interact with potential customers from all over the world and raise my profile as an industry expert."