Social Events of the Season

Hello everyone! During the last blog we discussed how to use your best customers as advocates and now we need to discuss your best advocate...YOU! This is the season for all the local charity and specialty events and you need to be there! How many charity events are you participating in? Are you volunteering or working in any booths or tables at these events? Do you donate a portion of your proceeds from that event or do you buy a table? Anything from a fashion show to a garden party can work in your favor, if you do it right. Here are some guidelines...

1. First and foremost: The event has to support the image of your store and vice versa. DO NOT SIGN UP for something you don't believe in and/or don't support. It will show through!
2. Bring yourself and your BEST, NATURAL, salespeople. DON'T BRING THE HARDCORE SALES CLOSERs unless they are the ultimate in making small talk. Over the years, I have noticed that these traits do not usually run side by side!
3. Make sure whomever you bring can have a glass of wine and not make a fool of themselves! This seems pretty obvious, but I have seen the worst in people at these events! :)
4. Dress to kill and have the jewelry that steals the show on YOU! Show off what your store brings to the table. Have your salespeople do the same-only the best at these events and what you really want to promote for this season. It is ok to borrow from yourself for the evening!
5. Have plenty of business cards to pass out and don't be afraid to!
6. Use gift certificates as a way to get new or potential customers to the actual store. Prize giveaways are great except you don't normally see the people ever again.
7. Have an informational flyer that highlights what your store has to offer. Make it look like a million bucks. These can be made in just about any computer program and then printed at an office supply store. Give them just enough information so they need to make a special trip in to experience the rest.
8. This is an ART! Remember to make lists of everything you need to bring, and update the list after every event so you can fine tune the experience. You will never remember to bring more invoices, more boxes, bags, etc., a few days later. Write it down now!

I know that a lot of owners get tired of these events and don't want to do them.
This is the worst attitude you can have! You might not make a fortune or even a dollar at these events, but they are priceless for the new customers you have the potential to meet. You also have the potential to make current customers, advocates. It doesn't take any effort to make these people feel on top of the world if you see them at an event and you acknowledge them! There are so many people out there that attend all of these charity events and you should be a part of them! It is your time to shine! OWN IT!