The modem fried in my computer 9 days ago. I felt a sense of panic. All of the work I have been doing is in my computer. All of my pictures, all of my writing, all of my personal thoughts, struggles and visions for what I dream my little business would someday be. I called Toshiba and talked with Tech Support several times before realizing that I would have to send my laptop off for repair.
I back up my computer once a week so everything is saved, and I am glad that I did. I finally got my pc back last night and everything is gone. My Toshiba Satellite is in original condition. No files, no pictures, no documents, nothing. I'm wondering at this point why all of my hard drive had to be dumped to change the modem? Is this a standard practice at Toshiba? I don't claim to be very computer literate and called my internet service provider (Surfbest) who walked me through getting back online and getting my email back up and running and has always been great in the customer service department. They always make you feel like you are the only person they have to deal with and are happy to help! A shout out to Wesley at Surfbest for great customer service this morning!
However, Toshiba customer service has some serious problems. They are rude and degrading. When I talk to a customer service technician I want to feel better about my problem when the conversation is over. I want to feel that the person that I have talked to cares about the product and the person on the other end of the phone. When I pay hard earned money for a big ticket item, I expect service to match.
Granted, Toshiba makes a good product, but they sorely lack in customer service.
This rant brings me to the reason for the post. Customer Service! As business people, our reputation is decided by how we treat our customers. Has Toshiba made me a repeat customer? No. Will my ISP (Internet Service Provider) get referrals from me for being so helpful and happy to talk to me this morning? A wholehearted YES! If you are having a bad day, don't take it out on your customers. If you don't care about your job, get a new one. If you have a bad attitude, change it, or someone will change it for you in short order.
Employees can make or break a business. Maybe you handle your business as it should be, but what about your employees? How are they answering the phone when you aren't there? Something to think about...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Keywords and Links
As an online presence and a store owner we rely on search engines to bring our customers to us. How can we use the search engines to our best advantage? I've written about keywords before, but they are important enough for another article and I will include links here as well.
Keywords are how our customers find us. What are keywords? Keywords describe your item. I make handmade clay jewelry, so the keywords, for my store items, would be, polymer clay, handmade clay jewelry, clay jewelry, polymer jewelry, North Shore Clay Jewelry, North Shore Clay, I think you get the idea. Use these keywords throughout the text of your site. What makes it tough sometimes is that some words are so obvious that they are only implied and are never stated often enough. Like your town name, state, or brand name. So let me go back to my keywords and revise the list now with the keywords that I left out. North Shore, Lake Superior, MN.
Be sure to use these "implied" words often throughout your text, certainly more than once.
Regarding links. Search engines consider incoming links as signs of popularity and will move you right up the list in a quick fashion. A successful tactic is to guest author an article at another site in exchange for a link. Exchange links with a fellow crafter. Etsy has many wonderful store keepers who help with this all the time. http://Etsy.com
A final word regarding your online profile. It is much better to use a few tools wisely and consistently than be spread so thinly that you can't keep up and have outdated information. Find out what works for you, what you have time for, and remember that keywords and links are, well, key!
Keywords are how our customers find us. What are keywords? Keywords describe your item. I make handmade clay jewelry, so the keywords, for my store items, would be, polymer clay, handmade clay jewelry, clay jewelry, polymer jewelry, North Shore Clay Jewelry, North Shore Clay, I think you get the idea. Use these keywords throughout the text of your site. What makes it tough sometimes is that some words are so obvious that they are only implied and are never stated often enough. Like your town name, state, or brand name. So let me go back to my keywords and revise the list now with the keywords that I left out. North Shore, Lake Superior, MN.
Be sure to use these "implied" words often throughout your text, certainly more than once.
Regarding links. Search engines consider incoming links as signs of popularity and will move you right up the list in a quick fashion. A successful tactic is to guest author an article at another site in exchange for a link. Exchange links with a fellow crafter. Etsy has many wonderful store keepers who help with this all the time. http://Etsy.com
A final word regarding your online profile. It is much better to use a few tools wisely and consistently than be spread so thinly that you can't keep up and have outdated information. Find out what works for you, what you have time for, and remember that keywords and links are, well, key!
Finding New Customers
Having an online store is simply not enough. But the question is, how do you find customers? The answer is simple, but it does take some work on your part. Go to the sites your customers visit. How do you find them you say? You ask. Then you go to those sites and engage in meaningful conversation with them. The operative word here is "meaningful". You are not trying to make a sale when you are visiting these sites that your customers visit. You are building a relationship. For example, if one of your customers frequents Flickr, and is interested in photography, figure out how it relates to your line of work and meet them there. Then you can decide which tools to use to best reach your potential customers. When you meet your customers on their turf and are interest in what they are interested in and can talk with them about those things, it will be a natural extension that your sales with climb.
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Fun New Store
I like to look for awesome shops on Etsy and I came across MonkeyMeMe. This little shop features custom made T-shirts and Hoodies that are a little naughty and alot nice! But I think they are great! Check it out at
http://www.monkeymeme.etsy.com/
Fall is quickly approaching and you will want one of these hoodies for yourself or for someone you know who likes something a little out of the ordinary. The prices are great too.
http://www.monkeymeme.etsy.com/
Fall is quickly approaching and you will want one of these hoodies for yourself or for someone you know who likes something a little out of the ordinary. The prices are great too.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Contest Thursday! Woo Hoo!
Time for something fun for my readers! Visit my store at http://northshoreclay.etsy.com and be the 5th person to email me with the number of yellow necklaces I have in my store and you will receive a free necklace! Have fun!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Craft Brokers
Craft Brokers look for quality design and execution, good value and most important, realistic production schedules. A craft broker might be a good idea is you have a minimum production of $1,000.00 a week and your crafts are unusual or extra special. Craft brokers usually charge 20% commission on each sale.
Craft brokers are only really geared towards to people who have done well and tested products at retail craft shows and are looking to get into real volume wholesaling. A key ingredient in getting your product to sell in catalogs is they have to have a different spin. Even people who have already mastered their media and are doing well in retail craft shows need that extra zing.
The best and most innovative products have come about when someone has come into their studio or office on the weekend to make something really special for a close friend that is different from their regular line. That is when the best products are created.
If you have a product that can fill a need, do it effectively and sell it in volume, a craft broker might be something you want to check into.
As always, craft on!
Craft brokers are only really geared towards to people who have done well and tested products at retail craft shows and are looking to get into real volume wholesaling. A key ingredient in getting your product to sell in catalogs is they have to have a different spin. Even people who have already mastered their media and are doing well in retail craft shows need that extra zing.
The best and most innovative products have come about when someone has come into their studio or office on the weekend to make something really special for a close friend that is different from their regular line. That is when the best products are created.
If you have a product that can fill a need, do it effectively and sell it in volume, a craft broker might be something you want to check into.
As always, craft on!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
American Pain Foundation
The American Pain Foundation and the Health Central Network have once again collaborated for the second annual"Pain and Creativity Exhibit" to give those with chronic pain a way to express their pain through music, writing, still life, video, quilt blocks, and artwork. Selected participants will be highlighted through video, online and print to share their stories of pain.
If you are a quilter who expresses your pain or a loved ones pain through quilting the APF urges you to send in an unfinished 10" by 10" unquilted block to be added to the "Pain Quilt." The deadline is August 15 and you can learn more information at www.painfoundation.org/.
Deadline for other forms of expressions of pain through art is September 15, 2008 and you can find more information at www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/create/apf
If you or someone you know has chronic pain the American Pain Foundation is a wonderful source of information, treatment options and support. You don't have to do it alone...
If you are a quilter who expresses your pain or a loved ones pain through quilting the APF urges you to send in an unfinished 10" by 10" unquilted block to be added to the "Pain Quilt." The deadline is August 15 and you can learn more information at www.painfoundation.org/.
Deadline for other forms of expressions of pain through art is September 15, 2008 and you can find more information at www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/create/apf
If you or someone you know has chronic pain the American Pain Foundation is a wonderful source of information, treatment options and support. You don't have to do it alone...
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