More of our mini-series

SNOOZE ALARM: Really really
boring ways to say things

Facebook and your shop blog are great places to let fans, friends, and followers know what your customers want to buy. And many consignment, resale, and thrift shops do, indeed, mention “what we need.” Good idea….done in an intriguing and interesting way.

But oh, oh, oh. Watch your language.

Here’s an actual example from a shop (name deleted):

Because we have such an extended waiting list for select items/brands we thought we would post a few in hopes that our facebook fans may be interested in consigning some of them with [name of shop].

Really? SNOOZE ALARM. Now I don’t know this shop personally, but I am guessing they don’t talk that way… so why write that way? Stuffy, long-winded…and all about them. Four– count ’em, 4— “we” and “our” references and not a single “you.” Or why their FB readers should give a hoot… can this shop say WIIFM?

So let’s un-stuff and WIIFM this message. And while we’re at it, let’s make it friendlier and shorter too.

How about, instead, we say something like

We have buyers craving these things. Got ’em? You could make money!

or even, the famous HowToConsign.com tweet:

Got it, don’t want it? Want it, don’t got it? Consignment, resale &thrift shops tell U how! http://HowToConsign.com

Explore more:

• Read the previous SNOOZE ALARM entry.
• Follow HowToConsign on Twitter to get easily-retweeted messages to build your business.
• A treasure trove of favorite HTC tweets you can retweet when you can’t think of what to say. (Remember, retweet, don’t steal.)
• More on WIIFM from Auntie Kate the Blog.