Oops…you meant to have a small but meaningful holiday gift around to give to your most cherished consignors, sellers, donors and customers, but time got away from you
(it does do that, doesn’t it?)
and now there’s no time to order something wholesale. But you still want to offer a small token of holiday cheer and friendship. What to do?
Maybe check the dollar stores? Maybe holiday photo frames? Fill the photo window with a greeting: Thanks for being the picture-perfect friend to MyShop. Scented votives (choose a holiday or a LIGHT scent!)? Wrap one or two on a square of tulle and attach a note to the ribbon…You’re the Light of MyShop’s Life!
Or try elsewhere: Pretty little tiny boxes of candy or tiny jars of jam (We’re sweet on you ’cause you’ve made our year as yummy as chocolate!)? Especially effective if you are (of course you are!) shopping local, and gifting small local treats. OurTown’s salami is famous for its good taste…and we’re so happy you find MyShop to your taste!
You get my drift: figure out a clever saying/ reminder/ thank-you that will go with the little gift… because THAT is more meaningful and word-of-mouth-worthy than the actual item.
Or simply, a red carnation. Tie a thank-you message to the stem with curly ribbon. Look up “wholesale florists” in your neighborhood and buy LOTS… they will look and smell great, as well, in a big glass vase in the shop.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
I buy cute, bright, blank cards at Michael’s (crafts) at 8 for $1.
Add a business card in the envelope flap and tuck one in every new customers bag. So many people have commented about the ‘nice little card’. I add a DITTO sticker to the back of the card so the advertisement is passed on.
For my regulars, they almost always get a little something in their bag. I’ve used Blow Pop’s saying “pop back in soon”.
Candy canes, little organza bags with candy or a mini lip balm, coupons, glow bracelets with a note attached ‘You will get glowing reviews in your new outfit from DITTO’.
I keep a basket under my checkout counter stocked full of goodies I pick up here and there. Make sure to print a sheet of labels to attach or tie on a business card or put your name on whatever it is. Tiny baggies, pouches, colorful little envelopes from the craft store work well for containing things that are hard to label.
Great suggestions, Jan… and a great lead-in to my holiday gift to all, which will be the 7, or 5, or 9 Best Ways to be Memorable in 2011 (I haven’t organized it yet, but hint, one of the ways involves things like this year-round!) Stay tuned, and be good, everyone. Katie Klaus is so Goin’ to Town! 😉
We tied a coupon for 10% off in January and February to a candy cane and a packet of hot chocolate last year, and gave it to our customers and consignors. It went over great and we got over 5% of the coupons back which is a pretty good redemption rate. Give ’em a reason to come back!
Thanks, Bonnie! Aren’t come-back incentives great? Even if your customer never uses them, chances are the coupon, flier, certificate of savings is kept around, and seen several times…and each time is another impression you have made on your customer. Bravo!