This Episode: 6 Things You Must Start Thinking About Now
You’re probably tired of the pandemic. I’m tired of the pandemic. Your customers are tired of the pandemic. We don’t want to think about it. We don’t want to talk about it. We don’t want to deal with it. Unfortunately, as independent brick and mortar retailers, we have to. And starting to deal with it now is critical for this all-important fourth quarter. So, for this week’s Real Retail TV, I am going to share with you six things that I think are absolutely critical to start thinking about right now.
Which of these 6 things are you going to start working on today? Let me know in the comments section below.
Great ideas. Thank you so much!!
You’re welcome Dixie!
Bob
Hi Bob, thanks for reiterating the ease that providing bundles provides for our customer. During this season of COVID, while we are very blessed here in NZ, we are continuing to take a customer centric approach to solving the problems they don’t yet know they have.
And with you ADD approach we have brainstormed with the staff what these potentially will be. We will be doing this again thanks to your prompt.
Thanks again for keeping us all on task and staying true to what makes great retail so exciting.
Wishing all fellow retailers in the US a prosperous season.
Regards
Stephen
Stephen,
Thanks for your comment and congratulations on the success you’ve all had in NZ. It would seem to make the holiday season a lot more straight forward!
Bob
Great video, as always, Bob! These are all points I have been thinking about for over a month and I need to get a jump on them NOW Life happened and I feel so behind! Thanks for the push. We have been doing all we can to protect our clients and have had multiple shopping options for months, but I need to market it better, especially with cases increasing. Because I am in a hotel out of state with the family medical (non-covid) emergency, I don’t have my normal gear for video making. But, the time is now! As you say, cannot let perfection get in the way of progress. I will get a video done today with just my laptop camera on our preparedness and our multiple shopping options. I will put it on our website, on social media, and send the video in a newsletter. I will make some bag stuffers with a QR link to the video for those shopping inside now (who might not want to later). Also, I should make a window sign with the options and a giant QR link to the video there, too. What ways of communicating the message am I missing?
Way to get on it Cyndi! I don’t think you are missing anything, but I would encourage you to make your safety marketing message constant. Beat that drum! Long and hard!
Bob
I’m wondering if you have a link to the cdc or health department recommendations for if an employee tests positive. We had this happen and just closed for 10 days. Everyone else got tested and we’re all negative. I’m thinking that we didn’t need to close but it’s hard to find the “rules”. Thanks for this video. So helpful!
@Candy- If you are in the US, your State’s Dept. of Health should be able to provide this information. Google your state, “covid”, and “department of health”. All states seem to have their own coronavirus business rules. It should bring up your state’s page. Our State is a lot more proactive in trying to contain the virus than the federal government and has Public Health Orders that each business must comply with. If a person tests positive here, they ask where they work, the business is shut down, and then they send a Rapid Response Team to the business. Everyone is tested who works at the location, all close contacts have to quarantine at home for 14 days (regardless of test results), and you cannot reopen until the business is cleaned to their satisfaction. I would check with the state to make sure you follow their Orders. This CDC website might help you with some planning, too: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
Candy,
I am sorry, but I don’t. I would call your local health officials. They will be able to point you in the right direction.
Bob
I think it would be interesting to do a FB poll (or mailchimp survey to us) to find out the average sales % for a FB live as it compares to a “normal”day of sales. I would like to learn from the super-performers As to what they r doing to maximize sales during them. (I promote on social and send out emails the day of- but I am thinking i can do more during the Live)
Hi Carol,
Your survey idea is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
If you want to learn about what the “super performers” are doing, join our Retail Marketing Club and check out the meeting titled “Social Selling.” You will LOVE what you learn!!!
https://whizbangtraining.com/retail-marketing-club/
Bob
That was such helpful information. Thanks again.
Thank you Luz! I appreciate your comment!
Bob
How do you sell on Live Facebook without Comment Sold? Can you do a Live on Facebook and send the customer to your Website to shop?
Or is there another way?
The person comments during the Live and says what they want. Afterwards you tally and send them bill. Watch some Lives and you can see the process talked about. (Mine are at oldetownspiceshoppe on Fb)
@Renee- I think there are lots of options in how to do it. If the items are on your website, you could show QR codes during your Live or put the QR code for each product in your comments have that QR code take them directly to that product on your website to purchase. More directly, depending on your merchant account, you can also email them an invoice and they could just pay securely online. If you can take payments over the phone, you could have people DM you the product they want and phone number for you to call for payment. Depends on your set up and what you think would be easiest for you. I am thinking I will go with Comments Sold as it does make life a little easier. We are in a labor poor market and I don’t want the extra work of tracking the orders and payment process.
Yes. I’m wondering this too. I’ve been on the trial for comment sold and find that people are hesitant to sign up. I’m in my last week if the trial. Blair at comment sold has been super helpful, but I’m not getting results. The first few lives were very rough. But I have it under control now. Still very few sales. Do some people use comment sold but not require it for customers to buy?
Carol, Cindy and Karen,
Thanks for chiming in!
Bob