More than two decades ago, Robert Fulgum’s popular book of essays, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, got adults thinking about the importance of those early life lessons. Echoing Fulgum’s philosophy, Jewelry Information Center’s Helena Krodel notes that in this economy, with all the worry, it is easy to overlook basics of good business.
Krodel offers tips on how to sell jewelry like a kindergartner:
Say Please and Thank You to Your Customer: When you order new pieces with specific customers in mind, call them and say: “Please come into the store and have a visit with us. We found something perfect for you.” When that client makes an effort to come into your store and make a purchase, send them a thank you! Whether it is a phone call, a note in the mail or an e-mail, allocate an hour each week out of your busy schedule to say: “Thank you, we appreciate your business,” to those who keep you in business.
Show and Tell: Like a surgeon going in to operate, have all of your instruments and tools ready each morning when those doors open. Beautiful jewelry mats to rest pieces on and a mirror will make all the difference to shoppers.
Dazzle Them: Want to really impress? Little extras go a long way towards making people feel welcome in your store. Think about providing a tiny tube of lip gloss to women when they try on a piece of jewelry. With shiny lips and a bright smile, the jewelry will look even better!
Fill in the Important Details: Be sure to offer a detailed explanation of the metal, the gemstones and the setting. Offer print materials about the various jewelry in your store, like a handout on gold to teach customers about karat weights. Have colored gemstones brochures on-hand (you can order indepth brochures from Jewelers of America) to describe the qualities and characteristics of each precious stone.
Snack Time: Have a signature drink, treat or candy readily available in your store. If it is a cookie, offer the recipe to your favorite customers. The saying goes: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Well, the same goes for customers. Feed them and they will return. The smell alone of something yummy brings sensory experience and surely a smile to even the toughest customer’s face.
My best jewelry store experience have been when the employee offers a soda or water. It makes it a more down to Earth experience, so I love the idea of snack time.
Posted by: Rick the Wedding Band Guy | August 02, 2010 at 01:14 PM