The Change and the Tired

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired after a busy week between the craft show, orders, school, and keeping house. I am exhausted! But, after I get this inventory done, I can take a little break for a week to relax and recharge a bit. Right now, I don't feel like doing anything! But, I know if I don't do it, it won't get done.

I think for those who are in the same position as me, the best thing to do is make time for yourself when you can. If you keep putting yourself off, you won't be able to give the other parts of your life the attention needed.

So, today, I am going to clean and reorganize my house, do inventory, and that's it! I'll worry about my new soaps later. I have time.

Oh! did I mention that my application to display my soaps in the Artisan's Emporium store was accepted? Well, it was accepted yesterday and I am so excited and busy planning an exclusive line for the store. So, I'm buzzing around like a busy bee trying to figure out which soaps to include in the store and which to keep for online sales. There will be new soaps and projects coming up as well. However, the store soaps will have different packaging and will be taller than the ones we have available now to help them stand out in the store.

So, be on the look out on here and on Facebook for those upcoming events and soap goodies!


Cheers!
Kristine

Professionalism: Language! Part I

So, as promised in my Professionalism Prologue post, I will be addressing the use of appropriate language and communication in the workplace. It's really a simple concept, just speak politely and watch what you say. However, there can be other factors and situations that can present themselves as questionable.

As someone who has worked in a retail setting with the public since I was 18 (let's see, that's 11 years! Wow....), I can tell you that it's not an easy job by any means. Sometimes you will deal with the rudest customers that belittle you and try to publicly humiliate you while other times you will come across the kindest customers that make you feel wonderful and appreciated. The important thing to remember when working with the public is not to take things personally. If a customer does try to belittle you, you just have to remember that it's not a reflection of you but of that customer and their actions.

With that being said, there are different forms of communication that are common in the workplace in which your tone and language can be misinterpreted if not taken into consideration.

Written Communication: Email, Social Media, and More

Some people many not converse with customers via email on a daily basis. However, for those who do communicate with customers constantly through email and written communication, this section is for you!

For me, sometimes I enjoy communicating through email and written communication because it allows me to take my time to think about how to respond. Since I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past two years, I have not been in contact with people on a regular basis, so I feel somewhat similar to a hermit! It does take time to get used to talking with others especially in crowds and at markets where you are trying to sell your products to people. It can be difficult for people who are introverts. You get super nervous and have all of these negative thoughts in the back of your mind that you will fail, but you just have to set that aside and move on with what you need to do.

When communicating with customers and potential customers via written communication, it is important to remember these simple guidelines:

1. Avoid ALL CAPS- Capitalizing words suggests shouting. Customers may find this offensive and you may potentially lose customers.
2. Avoid bolding words- While good intentions may have been the idea, bolding words in customer emails may give the impression that you're assuming the customer is incompetent and can't read.
3. What your tone- How on earth do you convey a tone through an email? Simple, by choice and use of words. Is your message short, clipped, or lacking the respective words 'please', 'thank you', or 'you're welcome'? Well, maybe you should reconsider the tone of your message if you said yes to any of the above. A written communication with customers should be warm, friendly, and professional. Here's an example:

Customer:

Can you send me a sample of the following soaps please:

Lemongrass

Blackberry Sage

Clear Complexion

Here is my address:

Elizabeth Johnson

123 ABC Street

Roxboro, NC 27573

Considering that you send samples upon request and this customer is female, this is an appropriate response:

You:

Mrs. Johnson,

Thank you for contacting me in regards to samples. I can certainly send these out to you. I will send these today. I will send a confirmation email once your samples have been processed and shipped. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kristine

Owner/Operator

Simple, professional, and friendly all at the same time. No need to over-talk your customer, but provide all of the information needed. Of course, this is not the only way to present yourself in written communication, but it is just an example.

The same applies for social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Watch for the second part of this post:
Professionalism: Language! Part II

Cheers!
Kristine