Jun 27, 2018
When most business owners think of the word “free”, they immediately draw the conclusion that there is no money to be made in giving something away. However, as many entrepreneurs have proven time and time again, the total opposite is true. Freebies are well received by consumers, no matter the industry. Who doesn’t like getting something for free?
Remember that “free” comes in many forms.
You don’t have to give away your jewelry in order to make it more appealing to members of your customer base. Sometimes, it’s simply the giving of your time than can make your brand more appealing. On LaunchGrowJoy.com, Betsy Cross from betsy & iya explains that engaging with your customers to make your interactions more personal is one of the best ways to market your jewelry business.
“Tell a story!” she encourages, “Oftentimes in business, we are advised to be professional and leave out the personal. While I completely agree that remaining professional throughout the journey of your business is non-negotiable, I think one of the biggest missteps is actually not making it personal. Strike a balance. One of the strongest choices you can make as a business owner is to give your customers a genuine glimpse into who you are.”
Free perks help to build loyalty.
Do you sell your products online? If so, free shipping is a great way to lure customers away from your competitors. Consumers are prone to sticking to retailers that offer additional perks with their purchases. As Ari Shpanya points out on Econsultancy.com, “free” is a great way to build loyalty – something he believes is one of the most valuable tactics an online retailer can use to boost sales.
“By influencing customers to come back and earn free shipping or a free item, retailers can keep shoppers from visiting a competitor’s website,” he offers, “Plus, 54% of customers would consider increasing the amount of business they do with a company for loyalty rewards.”
Don’t underestimate free advertising.
Not every marketing campaign you invest in has to cost you a pretty penny. Sometimes, your best advertising comes in the form of wearing your items yourself. On LaunchGrowJoy.com, Diane Batoff of Micassileo Jewelry reminds jewelers that every person they meet is a potential customer. “Wear a piece of your jewelry every day, everywhere you go,” she advises, “Be friendly, positive and smile to everyone you see.”
The many benefits of making new friends are among the top reasons that TK Enterprises Inc. conceived its one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services. By investing in our experienced team of phone agents who can call your customers to invite them to your upcoming in-store event, you will be given many priceless opportunities to grow the relationships you have with the individuals who have supported your business in the past.
Our call center has the capacity to contact your entire database of current customers allowing you maximum potential for increased traffic and sales. For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Jun 20, 2018
Summer officially begins tomorrow! And for people all over North America, it’s a pretty exciting time. As a jewelry store owner, it’s wise to consider one of the most important aspects about summer. And that’s the fact that it brings more people out of their homes. Naturally, the more people who are out and about, the more opportunities you have to entice them to visit your jewelry store.
However, it’s important to remember that just because more people may be in the shopping mood, it doesn’t automatically mean they’ll be coming to your store. It’s your job to launch some clever summertime marketing campaigns that will help to boost business.
Here are three:
1. Launch a special summertime giveaway.
People love getting things for free. When you run a contest or announce a giveaway, it will undoubtedly gain some attention. Why not welcome the summer season by letting the members of your customer base know that there are some freebies available to them when they visit your store? On JewelryMakingJournal.com, Kamilah Campbell explains how this strategy worked for her brand.
“Last year I came up with an idea for a contest called ‘The Pink Email Extravaganza.’,” she explains, “I sent out an email blast to all my current customers to forward this email to all of their family and friends, and the person who sent it to the most people received a jewelry piece from my gallery of their choice. It helped to build excitement and increased hits on my website as well.”
2. Begin your blog.
If you haven’t yet started a blog on your company website, you’re missing out on numerous opportunities to draw attention to your business online. As you can tell, this tip is straight out of the “practice what we preach” book. We post one new blog per week to help increase the strength of our online presence.
“A blog is a great supplementary marketing strategy for a jeweler’s website,” informs WebpageFX, “Blog posts give you an opportunity to drive more traffic to your website. A regularly updated blog sends a good signal to Google and other search engines. Search engines like to see your website is being updated—although that’s not going to be a problem for you, since you’ll be updating your website as you get new pieces of jewelry in, right?”
3. Host a fun summertime event.
Without question, summer is the season when the most outdoor events take place. We’re talking barbeques, picnics, golf tournaments, live concerts, ball games, festivals, trade shows and so much more. It’s definitely wise to have your business represented at events where the opportunities to showcase your goods and meet new customers are plentiful. However, as Campbell insists, you should try co-sponsoring an event yourself.
“Team up with another business or organization and plan an event together,” she advises, “Last year my cousin, who owns her own PR company, had a cultural event and I sponsored giveaways for the event. I was even listed as a sponsor on the program and email blast.”
The TK Enterprises Inc. has many years of experience helping jewelry store owners to host successful in-store events. Put our team to work for you! For information about our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Jun 13, 2018
It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. This is an idiom we’ve all likely heard several times over. It’s one of those sayings that is absolutely true. Tone and inflection means a lot to just about everyone. There’s a way to say “Have a nice day!” that conveys a sincere wish for a person’s enjoyable experience and a way to say that exact same phrase to convey a desire to see that person live a miserable existence.
Most of us know exactly what sarcasm sounds like.
We also know what boredom, indifference and agitation sound like as well. When you’re conducting business over the phone, it couldn’t be more important for you to master the ability to convey friendliness, interest and enthusiasm through your inflections and tone of voice.
“There are ways to say things so that a customer never forgets you and your pitch — they are called hooks and tone control,” says Grant Cardone on Entrepreneur.com, “No matter what you do for a living, at some point in your career you will rely on a phone to either introduce yourself or get an appointment. Other than your commitment and attitude about success, the telephone itself will be one of the single most important tools you use in building your brand, your company, and your revenues.”
Wording plays a major role in your ability to please customers.
Sometimes, the simplest change in your wording can mean the difference between keeping a customer and losing him/her forever. For example, you’re not always going to be able to provide your customers with exactly what they’re looking for. In many cases, you’ll need to provide alternative solutions.
The go-to thing to say, for most people, falls along the lines of “I’m sorry, I can’t do that for you”. Immediately, this communicates a negative response. Although it’s not untrue, it’s just not a statement that’s going to promote the growth of your customer relationships. Instead of responding solely in the negative, try responses that provide positive outcomes such as “While I may not be able to get that item to you by tomorrow, what I can do is ship a replacement free of charge.”
Keeping it positive is a key to strong customer relationships.
CallCentreHelper.com is a big proponent for using positive words and phrases. The website champions such responses as “That’s true, Sir/Madam, but…” in order to acknowledge a customer’s concerns. “The next stage would then be to demonstrate why there is no need to be concerned,” says the site.
“We can certainly do that for you, Sir/Madam” is another suggested over-the-phone phrase from CallCentreHelper.com. “Again, this statement is assertive and ‘certainly’ is a good positive word to use,” the website notes, “This is because using words with an ‘-LY’ ending is a little-known persuasion technique that many marketing agencies have recognized. Just think of the slogans to some of your favourite brands.”
At TK Enterprises Inc., we’ve mastered the friendly phone call!
With our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services, you can have our experienced and highly motivated callers make personal phone calls directly to your customers to invite them to your businesses events, teach them about your promotions or follow up on a recent sale.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Jun 6, 2018
There are tons of ways to promote your jewelry business. And unless you’re losing money in the process, there isn’t a particularly wrong way to advertise your brand. Okay, maybe there are some no-no’s out there (spam, for example, is not recommended). But, for the most part, a sound marketing strategy is bound to bring some new customers your way. Or is it?
In 2018, many creative marketing strategies exist. However, we’d argue that there is none better than the genuinely pleasant interactions your staff has with its customers. Happy customers make for excellent marketers. If your team is putting concerted efforts into ensuring that all customer experiences at your place of business are stellar, word is definitely bound to spread. And there’s simply no better type of promotion than word-of-mouth promotion!
Never underestimate the power of the first impression.
It all starts with the first interaction you have with someone who either calls or visits your jewelry store. If that person genuinely enjoys being there because of how you made him/her feel, you’ve likely made yourself a loyal supporter. More important than your products is the experience your store gave its visitor. This is especially true when a new customer calls your store for help. That phone call becomes a “make or break” situation.
“A customer who contacts customer support about their first order is just as important as a customer who contacts customer service about their tenth order,” says Steven MacDonald on SuperOffice.com, “Treat each customer with respect and take appropriate action. A happy customer is likely to tell at least three friends about a positive experience and great customer service leads to increased sales.”
Feedback is your greatest ally.
Who better than your customers to tell you how to improve your customer service practices? Never take feedback lightly. Constructive criticism can go a long way in improving your brand’s reputation. Quickly implementing changes based on customer feedback will show that you respect your customers and care about what they have to say.
“Yesterday’s customer feedback can be tomorrow’s golden ticket to success—with the right approach,” says John Oechsle on CustomerThink.com, “If numerous complaints were lodged about high prices, for example, a small business would be wise to consider marking items down. And if customers were inquiring about a product your store didn’t yet carry, consider taking steps to meet that demand.”
Let’s call your customers!
At TK Enterprises Inc., we work with jewelry stores across North America and have a customer-first mentality. In the past five years, we have made over a million calls for our clients and have proven that excellent customer service breeds long-term loyalty. With the help of our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services, jewelry store owners are able to politely and professionally offer exclusive invites to upcoming in-store events.
Is there are a better way to show a customer you care than to offer a personal invite to a special event? For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
May 30, 2018
We are just about ready to embark on a brand new month. And it’s a special one! June brings us the official start of summer. And for most people all throughout North America, it’s the most exciting time of year. Especially for areas of the continent where summer is widely known for being an end to the cold and dreary months of winter, the season works wonders for getting people to go outside.
This is an important thing to keep in mind for your jewelry business. The more consumers who leave their homes, the more opportunities you have to welcome them into your store. Although there’s no time of year when it’s a good idea to stop promoting your brand, the summertime provides an excellent opportunity for you to launch a brand new campaign.
Go where the people are.
Although the summer is bound to bring people out of their homes more often, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll all be flocking to your store. Naturally, lovers of the year’s hottest season will be attending a variety of festivals, outdoor concerts, theme parks, picnics, barbeques and sporting events. It would be wise to plan on being at these events yourself, representing your brand!
“With summer comes a variety of seasonal marketing opportunities at popular summer activities such as pop-up sales, fairs, farmers markets, festivals and other community events,” points out Yamarie Grullon on ShopKeep.com, “Take a look at your local calendar to see what’s scheduled for your area this summer and start looking out for the types of events that your ideal customer would likely attend. Make arrangements to set up a booth, table, or exhibit at the ones that are most likely to help you find more customers.”
Take your jewelry on the road with you.
Not only is it a great idea for you to attend events that will provide you with opportunities to meet new customers, you should give those potential new customers opportunities to personally view your products. The best way to do that is to wear your items all summer long! Robin Kramer of Flourish & Thrive Academy actually recommends that you take things one step further by offering your jewelry as free gifts.
“(One) of my favorite things to do when I was the director of sales for a jewelry company was to gift the jewelry I was wearing,” she reveals, “When someone complimented me on a piece of jewelry (from my company) I was wearing, I would gift it to them…The company would get a customer for life, the gift recipient would get a piece of jewelry they really wanted and a wonderful story to share, and I got to give some good unexpected love.”
Encourage your customers to visit you.
Getting out there and meeting new people is a lot of fun during the summer. But it’s important to remember the customers who have supported you in the past. At TK Enterprises Inc., we have mastered the personal invite. Contact us today to learn about how our Event Marketing services can help you throw one of the most successful events this summer!
Please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
May 23, 2018
At TK Enterprises Inc., we have over 30 years of call center experience. As a result, our team is made up of experts in understanding customer behavior. We’ve developed one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services that utilize our skills and know-how to provide you with greater access to your entire customer base. By contacting your customers on your behalf, we maximize your potential to increase traffic and boost sales in your jewelry store.
No matter how much modern technology has pushed people towards using messaging apps and social media platforms to communicate with each other, phone calls remain highly effective at delivering messages about the upcoming events that businesses are hosting. From our experience, customers much prefer direct and personal forms of communication. An exclusive phone invite goes a long way. It’s just one of the keys to providing excellent over-the-phone customer service.
We’ve also learned how to master the voicemail message.
Naturally, not customers we call for our clients pick up their phones. In some instances, we’re required to leave voicemails. There is a technique to leaving voicemails that many business representatives tend to overlook that our phone agents do not. Enthusiastic, energetic, engaging – these three E’s are all ingredients of the perfect voicemail!
On CanadianBusiness.com, Kat Tancock elaborates about the importance of leaving strong voicemails. “Ensure voicemail messages are easy to understand and include an introduction, any information you might need from the caller and when someone will return their call,” she advises, “End the message by directing them to the company website and informing them of any further relevant information (such as restricted hours during holidays.)”
The ability to empathize and de-escalate is an important skill.
Being warm and friendly to customers over the phone is generally pretty easy when the customers themselves are warm and friendly. But how well are you able to handle irate customers? Although we rarely encounter any negative responses to our calls, the ability to empathize with dissatisfied customers and de-escalate angry individuals is yet another key to providing excellent over-the-phone customer service.
“When a customer is upset or frustrated, they might not be able to take in what you say – even when it’s the right answer,” informs Zendesk.com, “First, really listen to help them calm down. After saying all they need to say, they’re more likely to be receptive to hearing the solution you offer—even when it’s not what they’d like to hear. You can find some practical advice for how to say no to customers in Tough talk: when ‘No’ is the right thing to say to a customer.”
Choose us to do your calling for you!
The TK Enterprises Inc. team has spent the last five years making over a million calls for jewelry stores all over North America. Our outstanding track record within the industry and the various accountability systems we have in place, provides our clients with the transparency and peace of mind that 100% of the calls will be completed with passion and enthusiasm.
For more information about our unique Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
May 16, 2018
A month in advance of Mother’s Day, we offered up a blog that helped jewelry store owners to prepare for the annual celebration of moms. With Father’s Day now one month away (Sunday, June 17th!), we thought that is was only right that we assist you with some ideas for how to prepare for the yearly celebration of dads. After all, men love jewelry too!
All too often, discussions of jewelry tend to revolve around rings, earrings, bracelets and anklets. These pieces are traditionally worn by women. However, we can’t forget about all of the watches, cuff links, chains and other accessories worn by men. And you can rest assure that they all make for excellent Father’s Day gifts!
What can you do to ensure that your jewelry store enjoys a boost in sales in the weeks to come before Father’s Day?
Highlight your Father’s Day sale!
Father’s Day tends to get underappreciated when compared to Mother’s Day. As Kirk Olsen points out on AdAge.com, “Father’s Day undeservedly lives in the shadow of Mother’s Day, both on the calendar and in consumer minds. When we asked 3,000 people across the U.S. about their Father’s Day plans this year, only 60% said they would celebrate Father’s Day in any way.”
By highlighting the fact that your store intends to celebrate fathers just as excitedly as it celebrated mothers, you will alert shoppers to the fact that they can depend on you for their Father’s Day shopping needs.
On Nexternal.com, Matthew suggests that you utilize your company website to promote the fact that your store is a great location for those thinking about Dad. “Consider creating a featured category called ‘Father’s Day Gift Ideas’ or ‘Top 10 Gifts for Dad’ that will help to inspire your customers,” he recommends, “Be sure to include a relevant category description and creative imagery. Some Dads are hard to buy gifts for so don’t forget to include Gift Certificates so he can pick out exactly what he wants.”
Target first-time fathers.
Many young men will be embarking on their first-ever Father’s Days next month. They most certainly deserve to be celebrated. Especially since our current generation of fathers takes on more parenting responsibilities than ever before, it would be a great idea to acknowledge them. Olsen writes that he believes “first-time fathers represent the ripest, lowest-hanging fruit for marketers.”
As a result, he encourages retailers to tap into the “First Father’s Day” approach to advertising their goods via digital media. “It’s time for a hero brand in a dad-centric category to help dads everywhere speak up, own their parenting prowess and get the Father’s Day celebrations they deserve,” says Olsen.
Host a Pre-Father’s Day celebration.
Father’s Day offers your jewelry store yet another ideal opportunity to host an in-store event. By doing so, you will entice your current customers to choose your store for their Father’s Day gift shopping over your competitors. And, as you may be aware, TK Enterprises Inc. can help you!
Our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services put our experienced team of phone agents to work for you. They will call your current customers to invite them to your special upcoming Pre-Father’s Day celebration in order to boost their interest in all of the wonderful gifts your store has to offer.
For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
May 9, 2018
In today’s world, consumers want so much more than to simply find what they’re looking for in stores. Most shoppers are looking to develop genuine connections with the brands they do business with so that they can enjoy lifelong dependencies on their favourite stores to fulfill their needs.
Many consumers also enjoy bragging about stores they’ve “discovered” and they’re only too happy to recommend them to friends. As a jewelry store owner, it is vital that you take advantage of this. Know that it’s not enough to simply please the individuals who enter the front doors of your store. You need to work to build the relationships you have with those individuals once they exit those doors.
Make the phone your friend.
Back in the 1970s, Bell System used the motto “Reach Out And Touch Someone” to promote their services. This slogan came into even greater prominence in the 1980s when it was famously used as AT&T’s tagline. And, in 2018, while those advertisements are long gone, the phrase is still entirely true. When you put in efforts to reach out and make connections with individuals who have supported your business, you stand a much greater chance of securing long-term loyalty.
On Medium.com, Ahmad Iqbal explains that there are numerous benefits to calling your customers to show them your appreciation for their business. He insists that you offer your thanks, but also use the opportunities to provide your customers with exclusive information about your store’s offerings. That way, your phone calls of thanks will double as upselling opportunities.
“When you’re on the phone with a customer and you’re just broken the ice by thanking them for their trust in your business, you’ve opened a conversation with someone who falls within your customer base,” writes Iqbal, “If they have bought once, they are likely to buy again. By using the call to build report and get to know your customer better you will have a better idea of their needs and can suggest another product they might like.”
Calling your customers will generate positive reviews.
Let it be known that, these days, online reviews count for a lot. Most customers are quick to jump online in order to read customer reviews that will help them to make their buying decisions. By making genuine connections with your customers, you will encourage very positive reviews of your brand online. Studies show that this will help to boost sales.
“In a recent study, it was found that 70% of buyers consult reviews before making a purchase,” reports ConnectWithScout.com, “If you find the customer loves your product, make sure you send them a link to leave a review. It’s common knowledge that positive reviews act as social proof and lead to increased sales.”
Let TK Enterprises Inc. do the calling for you!
Our one-of-a-kind Event Marketing services put our experienced and highly motivated callers on the phone for you. They will make personal phone calls directly to your customers to invite them to your businesses events, teach them about your promotions, or follow up on a recent sale.
For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
May 2, 2018
Now that May is officially here, people all over North America can officially start enjoying the spring! Depending on your neck of the woods, you may not have been enjoying the warmest of weather in recent weeks. It’s safe to say that we’re now experiencing the time of year when, for the most part, days are sunny and bright and the temperatures are mild, at worst.
So what does warmer weather mean for your jewelry store?
Well, firstly, allow us to state the obvious. When the weather is nicer, more people tend to leave their homes. That gives retailers more opportunities to welcome more customers through the doors of their stores. But with the impending summer (it officially starts next month!), you can be sure that there will be many scheduled events that people will look forward to attending.
Why not schedule a summer event to be hosted by your company?
We don’t just offer this suggestion as a way for you to enjoy the warmest months of the year. Although we recognize that most people enjoy a good barbeque, company picnic or summer festival, we’re also aware that summertime in-store events work wonders for jewelry stores. You don’t have to take it from us! The good people over at JCK Magazine have gotten the scoop from a number of industry professionals.
On their website, they field a question from Vic Hellberg who is the owner of Hellberg’s Jewelers in Marshalltown, Iowa: “What’s the most creative way to capitalize on slow summer months?” We’re not surprised to see that many of the responses included the hosting of in-store events.
“We typically have two to three events,” responds Nicole Lasker who is the vice president of Lasker Jewelers in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, “In June [we had] a wedding band show and a restyling event. In July Pandora is planning a gift-with-purchase program. In August we’d like to host a launch party for Belle Étoile…We’ll also be stepping up email blasts. This summer we decided to spend 5 to 7 percent more on radio…in part to promote our summer events.”
Charity events are great ways to get exposure.
Cindi Rottermond is the vice president of Michigan-based, Rottermond Jewelers. She also chimed in to inform that her company enjoys hosting charity events, pointing out that they are great ways to get exposure so that customers don’t forget your business. “Even if customers aren’t coming in to buy something, a charity event can serve as a means of clienteling,” she offers.
At TK Enterprises Inc., we’re dead set on helping jewelers all over North America launch their most successful in-store events to date this summer. With the help of our Event Marketing services, we’re confident we can help jewelers all over the continent significantly boost their sales. History has shown it works!
Our call center has the ability to contact your entire database of current customers allowing you maximum potential for increased traffic and sales. For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
Apr 26, 2018
The personality of an administrative professional is usually someone that is well rounded, who has a glimpse of a characteristic of everyone in the office, making them effortlessly approachable. They are easy going, organized, one of the most trusted and often go beyond their generic duties to do whatever is necessary at the time of need.
Administrative professionals are often the hub that brings everyone together, whether it is for meetings, questions or concerns and are depended upon in the absence of their executives. They are accountable for the little things that are missed or the loose ends that need to be mended to keep the flow of the workday or events progressing. It is the little things they do that have the biggest impact; that take the load off others in the office and drive an overall successful company.
Listening to a radio station this morning, on 93.1 CHAY-FM, they were conversing on how administrative professionals, especially assistants, know their executives sometimes better than they know themselves, or some even more than their significant others! They are someone that spends more time with you throughout the day than most and who are there in the blink of an eye, no matter the request.
It is not about the administrative work, but it is learning how their executive thinks, their needs, and putting it above their own. It is being able to give a sense of ease to their executive so they can focus on the needs of the business, bringing in business and making their day a little more tranquil.
The workplace is an ongoing force that changes daily and though there is very little time in a workday, today above all days, take a moment to show appreciation for all that your administrators do for you!
Give your administrative team a break today, and give TK Enterprises Inc. a call for all your event marketing needs! For more information about our Event Marketing services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-622-0195. You may also email us at heidi.tke@tomkaufmann.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and have someone contact you!
