Holiday Sales Are All About SERVICE!
- November 2nd, 2008
- View Comments (8)
Since the holidays are literally just around the corner it is time to think about holiday selling and still working through the hussle and bustle of the holiday season. I’ll admit, in the past I have always been intimidated by November and December. The first year I was working my business I did a craft bazaar at a church and when I called the leads many were too busy due to holiday plans. This year (5 years later) is different! For the first time I am READY for the season and will take control of the situation.
Last year I was at one of our local events and a director talked about holiday selling and how the focus should not be on selling, but on providing service to our customers! What a concept! When I look at it this way it is less intimidating and everyone wins. Now, to my surprise, I have been getting requests for November appointments which is new for me, but I also have customer calls to make.
Since the holidays are all about giving one approach is to provide gift giving services. I have a fabulous order form that I can give to my customers. On it, they can list who they need to buy for and write down the gift idea and price. So they can keep track of it and just give it to me to total up. It also has a section for their own little wish list.
Next, holiday makeovers are always suggested. My unit is doing its calendar face model contest and that makes it a little easier to book these types of makeovers, at least it is making it easier for me. If your unit isn’t having a contest, simply ask them to be models for your business portfolio. I have used this approach, too.
Finally, there is the plain customer service call. Just calling to check in and see how things are working (for new customers) and seeing what needs replaced (for existing customers). If you aren’t accustomed to making these calls (and I’ll admit, I have not been) here is something you can say to break the ice. You can say that you want to improve your customer service and you will be calling more regularly to see what they are in need of. Then simply ask if there is anything they need right now. I’m going to do this. I have found that when I don’t call my customers, they come looking for me. To be honest, I would rather not have them feel they need to hunt me down.
What services are you offerieng for your customers this holiday season?
Tags: Cosmetics, Customer Service, Holiday Sales, Moving Product, NaBloPoMo, Positive Attitude, Product Knowledge, Sales, Selling
Shades of Pink
Pink Biz
warzmondu
Vanessa
Stumble It!
Great ideas Shades! Customer service means being available for the customer (she might have a wish list to fill, but not time to sit down with you)! One of the things I am offering my customers this year is “layaway” program! They can preorder their holiday items~~~pay at least 1/2 plus tax on retail~~and I will wrap, deliver or ship by December 1, while receiving the balance of the payment at that time! In these times of economical uncertainty, it is real helpful to the customers! I am finding mine are placing larger than usual holiday orders because they are not being requested to pay full price up front!
Love your lay away idea!
I am having an open house between now and Thanksgiving. I’m making appointments with customers to stop by my house for hot cider and cookies (at their convenience)and do some Christmas shopping. I figured as long as I was going to set up my display table, I’d leave it up the whole month.
Great idea luv2! I wish I had a house/family situation conducive to having an open house! I tend to see if my best customers would like to open their home for me~~they can shop that day for up to 45% off everything if they allow me to use the house for the day
I have had a couple of takers the last 4 years, but this year both are not available, so I am searching through my customer file 
Good for you Shades, ahead of the game and ready for the holidays. You have a lot of good ideas here that people should listen to and try also. Have a great sales season!
Hi Shades,
Havent heard from you in awhile, hope everything is going well.
Hi Beepink,
Things are going well. I sold $95 in 2 days! I’m not getting as much activity as I had hoped while off work, but I’m definitely enjoying the break from the daily grind! Tonight we’re doing a pajama party. Everyone wears loungewear or pajamas and guests get Satin Facials which basically means Microdermabrasion and night time supplements to get them ready for bed. Next week it’s MK Bingo and that is always a hit. I’ll be mailing invitations out to that tomorrow!
How are things going for you?
wow that sound like fun. Things are slow at my end, but I got a call from someone who happenned to visit my open house last year and was wondering if I was doing another one this year.
LAst year I did one with differnt vendors at my house and I didnt get a huge turn out, but I was exhausted, but I did enjoy it so I am thinking of having one again, but I cant decide which days and times are perfect.
Also I’d love to hear what all of you do at your open houses that your customers love.
NAvida