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Casual Articles - Making the Connection: Customer Relationships That Build Your Business
I am on my way to the quarterly status update with my Sales Manager. The last quarter has been terribly bad. We reached nowhere near the Sales target. Naturally, I am moving ahead with a great resistance and a palpitation rate of the highest order. I have no idea of what will turn out for me in the meeting.Fifteen minutes later, I come out of the room. There is a sigh of relief on my face; a similar _expression can be seen on my Sales Manager's face. As soon as I come to my cubicle - out of my Sales Manager's sight, this "sigh of relief" explodes into an _expression of joy - I DID IT, AND I DID IT AGAIN !!!I could convince him easily about why the sales couldn't happen this time, why I had absolutely nothing to do with the figures not being met, and why it would be a cake-walk in the next quarter. He is absolutely convinced about it. I am safe. At least for the next 3 months!Is it that I am more skillful at providing execuses than meeting sales figures? May be.MAY BE NOT.May be, I just didn't apply myself enough at meeting the sale
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discove
Whenever we go out to eat what we look for the most after good food is the customer service. Most of the people prefer to eat at places where they like the customer service as when we go to eat outside then we are overwhelmed by good service to get that special feel. The customer service is therefore very important for a hotel or any other establishment if it want to survive in this competitive world. Customer service is not an easy job as you have to deal with stressful and thankless business sometimes. I have experience of eight years in this industry and all times were not good, some were worse enough to scatter my confidence. Even if you are not from hotel industry still you can understand the need for customer service as for people in hotel industry you earn your rent from the public by providing customer service.I started my career in this industry by working at a Chinese restaurant owned by my best friend's father. In my interview my best friend's father and my new boss questioned me about the importance of customer service which I could not answer a
Believe it or not, the same concept holds true for your art career. While you don't want to ignore potential customers, you'll find that when you pay a little more attention to the customers and collectors you already have, it will really pay off - in increased sales and profits for your art business. The following 10 practical strategies will get you started.
1 - Understand how and why your customers buy art
Put yourself in your customers' shoes. What's in it for them when they purchase your art? Maybe they feel great about owning a piece of original artwork. Or they're happy to support an emerging artist. Perhaps they're looking forward to showing their new painting to friends. Start listening to your customers and asking questions, and you'll learn a lot - fast.
Don't underestimate the power of being an art collector yourself. You'll know firsthand how your collectors feel when they purchase your work, and you'll be a great role model for them. Even better, you'll be supporting other artists.
2 - Make the first purchase a fabulous experience
When you sell a piece of artwork, remember that it's also an exciting event for your customers. So let them be excited about their purchase. Accept any compliments graciously. Then share something personal that lets them know that you're excited about the sale, too. Tell them how the sale is meaningful to you: It's your first; your first to someone in New Jersey; your first in this series, or your last one like this. A positive connection now can pay off for years to come.
3 - Be businesslike in everything you do
Treat your art as a business, and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.
In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discover
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Did you know…According to a national survey of employees who accepted a counteroffer, 75% voluntarily left their employer within six months of accepting the counteroffer because of promises not kept!The majority of the balance of employees that accept counteroffers involuntarily leave their current employers within twelve months of accepting the counteroffer (terminated, fired, laid off).What should you do???Don’t be surprised by a counteroffer. Ask yourself, why would a company wait until the eleventh hour to keep someone it claims to value so highly?Don’t be fooled. A counteroffer is not what’s best for you; it’s about what’s best for the company!Your loyalty is in question. If you were going to leave once, your manager will be on alert that you will leave again.If you want more money…Resign! It is costly for any organization to lose talent. If you are looking for more money, you will get it. The problem is nothing will change and it is usually an empty promise…you may not even get the
1 - Understand how and why your customers buy art
Put yourself in your customers' shoes. What's in it for them when they purchase your art? Maybe they feel great about owning a piece of original artwork. Or they're happy to support an emerging artist. Perhaps they're looking forward to showing their new painting to friends. Start listening to your customers and asking questions, and you'll learn a lot - fast.
Don't underestimate the power of being an art collector yourself. You'll know firsthand how your collectors feel when they purchase your work, and you'll be a great role model for them. Even better, you'll be supporting other artists.
2 - Make the first purchase a fabulous experience
When you sell a piece of artwork, remember that it's also an exciting event for your customers. So let them be excited about their purchase. Accept any compliments graciously. Then share something personal that lets them know that you're excited about the sale, too. Tell them how the sale is meaningful to you: It's your first; your first to someone in New Jersey; your first in this series, or your last one like this. A positive connection now can pay off for years to come.
3 - Be businesslike in everything you do
Treat your art as a business, and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.
In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discove
I often travel the country speaking to various companies and franchise associations on the topic of great service. While on the road, I try to take those opportunities to visit chains not found near my North Texas home. On two of those trips, I visited Culver's locations in the Chicago area and Mukwonago, Wisconsin.While in the Culver's in Mukwonago, I had the pleasure to meet a server we'll call “Gretchen.” The ordering process was standard, but the service was extra-friendly as two or three people actually said hello to me as I entered the building. It's nice not to be greeted with “Next” or “Ready to order?”While I stared at the menuboard, Gretchen asked what I would like and helped by making a few suggestions. I was soon out of the menu-panic mode and placing an order. Further, when I asked if I could pick up my dessert later, my request was cheerfully granted—far different from the sigh and eye-roll that same request has earned at other places.Culver's employs a semi-service system where you place your order at a cashier, fill your own beve
2 - Make the first purchase a fabulous experience
When you sell a piece of artwork, remember that it's also an exciting event for your customers. So let them be excited about their purchase. Accept any compliments graciously. Then share something personal that lets them know that you're excited about the sale, too. Tell them how the sale is meaningful to you: It's your first; your first to someone in New Jersey; your first in this series, or your last one like this. A positive connection now can pay off for years to come.
3 - Be businesslike in everything you do
Treat your art as a business, and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.
In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discove
If math was your strong suit in high school and college, you might consider giving a career as a financial engineer a try. Leading brokerage houses such as Merrill Lynch are increasingly interested in hiring financial engineers to help guide their businesses. In fact, Merrill Lynch provided a grant to MIT to launch a financial engineering program.Nowadays, a certificate in financial engineering is considered to be an express route to Wall Street and to the job security and financial rewards that it represents. Mathematical modeling is a hot property in the investment industry—and financial engineers can provide it.An advanced degree is absolutely critical to obtaining a position as a financial engineer. Preferably, you should have a graduate degree from a highly reputable institution known for its advanced math and financial management programs. While there is some glamour associated with the term financial engineer, the work of such an engineer basically involves repackaging financial products. As a result, you not only have to have a mind for math, b
3 - Be businesslike in everything you do
Treat your art as a business, and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.
In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discove
Most small business owners have considered financing at some point in the life of their business. You may have considered expansion, buying new equipment, more inventories, purchasing real estate, or just looking for a new capital infusion. But the confusion surrounding SBA loans may perplex or frustrate even the most astute entrepreneur. Conflicting information from your trusted advisors or the internet may not help to bring you closer to separating fact from fiction.There are many myths surrounding SBA loans. Some of these myths are substantial and strong enough to discourage a small business owner from expanding, getting out from under onerous debt, or even staying in business. Understanding how an SBA loan works and how to successfully get one for your business is a matter of separating the facts from the myths. You may recognize yourself in some of the following misconceptions of SBA loans. You will finish this article more informed and in possession of the facts. The facts regarding SBA loans can help you to be a better, more successful small business o
Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discovered the artist's name and phone number were nowhere to be found. The result? He or she lost a sale.
Put your contact information on everything that leaves your studio: letterhead, invitations, show announcements, note cards, etc. Affix a personalized label on the back of each painting that includes your name, plus your e-mail address or Web site.
And send your new collectors home with an "Artist Pack": a professional-looking folder with your business card, resume, artist statement, bio, articles about you and by you, and so on. You?ll be amazed at how often your customers will share it with their friends and associates.
5 - Ask for another sale
When liquid shampoo first came out, it gave consumers a convenient and easy way to wash their hair. "Lather and rinse," the label said. But shampoo sales really took off when just one word was added. Your shampoo bottle now says, "Lather, rinse, and repeat if desired."
Repeat sales can revolutionize your business, too. So display your work in your home and studio where visitors will see it. And when customers are making a purchase, be bold: Ask them if they'd like to purchase a second (or third) piece. Ask your collectors for referrals to another collector, or to a shop or gallery where they think your work might fit in. Or suggest a commissioned piece you'd like to do for them. The key here is to ask for the sale.
6 - Upgrade your customers
Another way to increase your income is to upgrade your customers to a more profitable product ("deluxe" shampoo for color treated hair, for example). It's really pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. Here are some upgrade ideas that have worked well for my clients:
• Encourage your customers who ordinarily buy giclee reproductions to purchase an original painting.
• Introduce your existing customers to some of your more expensive or larger pieces of art.
• If you have collectors who so far have bought only your sketches or drawings, suggest they purchase one of your paintings next time.
7 - Cross-sell your customers
Cross-selling is simply selling your customers something different from - but related to - what they're already buying. Think back to the shampoo example. Wouldn't it be relatively easy to cross-sell hair conditioner to someone who already uses shampoo?
Now take a look at your own artwork. Cross-selling might mean selling a piece of your pottery to one of your painting customers, selling a painting to one of your sculpture collectors, or suggesting your art note cards as an add-on
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