I’m not sure of proper twitter etiquette, perhaps my friend Jay could help me with this but I wanted to share my brief chat I was part of with Preston Bailey because Bethanne Patrick (@thebookmaven) of Bookmaven Media. She hosted this live public twitter chat (see disclaimer at the bottom) for people to talk to Preston about his new book FLOWERS! I, being a fan of his work and his blog, was excited to learn of another book I could put on my Christmas wish list this year.

I followed the hashtag #prestonbaileybook and was able to ask him some questions I had been wanting to ask about the book and about the industry. I hope that I will have the chance to meet with him in my career so that I can atleast shake his hand and thank him for being an inspiration. Such a patient man – answered all of my questions.

Here is the chat below! Watch twitter for opportunities like these to chat with some of YOUR mentors!

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey LOVE your work – do you find events are more about the ‘show’ than the table conversation? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony @thebookmaven Guests’ 1st see the wow “show.” Then I want them to feel comfortable & enjoy themselves. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings:@thebookmaven @prestonrbailey As a Wedding Planner, any tips for keeping clients realistic once they open your book? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony @thebookmaven I’d make very clear what I can
do on their budget. They can take it or leave it. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @prestonrbailey @thebookmaven PEONIES! Any tips for a
non-florist on how to get them to open in time for a party? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony Put peonies in warm spot. Spray w/ warm H2O
to remove syrupy coating. Snip 1/8 inch of stem off under H2O
#prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey Any plans to visit Toronto, Ontario,  Canada in the near future? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony No but I <3 Toronto! Great city. I was just at the
Edmonton Bridal Expo – wonderful: http://bit.ly/vRd5wl #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey I think I noticed you
dedicated FLOWERS to Joan Rivers – #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony I did! @Joan_Rivers is 1 of my fav. people.
She has taught me so much & given me so much love. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey if I’m wrong, sorry! R u
planning ur wedding now, and if so, r u feeling n e pressures? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony I am planning my wedding but I don’t feel
any pressure. We know what we want. Details to come on my blog! #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey What is the biggest change in floral design since the beginning of your career? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony The biggest change is floral design has come
into its own. Folks take it seriously & embrace bolder looks #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey Have you seen an impact on what kinds of flowers/quantities clients order in this economy?#prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony The economy had an impact. Folks requested
more local seasonal flowers. I shipped fewer exotic flowers in #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey I’ve had a florist tell me
that local flowers aren’t cheaper than imports – is this true? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony Seasonal is really the key. But shipping
flowers in from distant lands is always going to be more $$$. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey Sneak preview of book on amazon, looks like u have a great team! What’s the trick? #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony Trick to a great team? Trust & respect.
I have to trust my team & they have to trust me. Same w/ respect. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey It is much easier to hand
reign over to a designer you trust! They are the experts ! #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony @poofbooks Exactly! Trust is key. I work
very hard to make sure my clients know they can trust me. #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony There can be no true, pure art and beauty
w/o trust and respect all around. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @prestonrbailey @thebookmaven Absolutely! Customer service is key – it can be the value added when deciding to spend $$#prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: @HollyMatrimony You said it! Customer service is absolutely
paramount. #prestonbaileybook

Holly Matrimony Weddings: @thebookmaven @prestonrbailey Thanks4 taking time 2 chat w/ us 2day! Someday we will be lucky enough 2 have u inToronto #prestonbaileybook

Preston Bailey: Thanks for joining @HollyMatrimony! It was lovely to
“meet” u. Hopefully we can meet inToronto someday! #prestonbaileybook

***this was by no means a private conversation. as mentioned above it took place amidst other conversation in a planned twitter chat organized by @thebookmaven between @prestonrbailey and anyone who wished to chat with him. this chat can be verified by clicking on the hashtag link above. by sharing this I am not insinuating that Preston Bailey endorses my company.