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“I’m the boss. How come they don’t treat me like I am?”

March 4, 2019 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

A great question in Auntie Kate’s email box recently. T. H. asks:

Why do customers and consignors give me a hard time? They always argue with me (My things are more in style than what they have out here or They priced this too high, you need to mark it down) and that “they” really irks me. I’m “they” for heaven’s sake! Even my employees are always picking on me: they rearranged my work area last week when I was off! I won’t even tell you how service providers and salesmen treat me.

I’m the boss. How come they don’t treat me like I am?

Auntie Kate answers: A boss needs to look and act the part.

Perhaps your boss-persona needs some polishing. What type of impression do you make on people? When a stranger walks into the shop, can she tell you’re the boss by your charming inviting manner? Or are you often mistaken for the cleaning lady because you have your head down and barely mutter Hi?

Do you dress professionally? It’s hard for a client to respect you and your wonderful store if you are wearing Continue Reading »

Posted in Mailbox: 1-on-1 Advice, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments »

What better symbol for resale… than a St. Patrick’s pot of gold?

February 28, 2019 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

A rainbow (of color, style, sizes, brands) ending in a pot of gold (value, desire, fashion!)…

the symbol of good luck is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.

And of course, the treasure- seeking aspect is what Continue Reading »

Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , |

Quiet Day in your Resale Shop?

February 26, 2019 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

Slow times in your resale shop?

Don’t be bored… there’s so much to think about!

If you’re twiddling your thumbs and worrying about business, don’t.

There’s LOTS you can do on a slow day in the shop, and many of these suggestions will actually

make you MORE money than a busload of shoppers pulling up to your door in the next 5 minutes.

Pick your favorites from this list

  • Clean up your desktop On your computer, organize folders and files. Neaten your sales counter and acceptance area too. You’ll be amazed what you’ll find…. 
     
  • Plan social media posts Having a backlog of creative content is like money in the bank.
     
  • Write your “How to..” brochure, finally You know you need a “How to Consign with Us” or “Clean your Cluttered Closet for Cash” or “How your Underloved Items Help our Community’s Underprivileged” brochure/ webpage. Now you finally have the time to do it.
     
  • Create a presentation  Did you know you can make a slide show, about maybe your business history, your services or mission, and why folks should shop with you? Then upload it to SlideShare so you can link to it periodically from other social media channels. Ditto for videos and animation. Don’t know how to do this? Mr. Google is there waiting to be asked.

  • Check your website copy and social media “About” text Is everything up to date? Have you thought of better ways to say things since you wrote it?
     
  • Clear out your inbox If you’re like me, there’s stuff there you really don’t need, want, or use. Clean all those old emails out, and unsubscribe to any lists that you are no longer interested in.
     
  • Learn something new What better way to spend a slow day? YouTube is a treasure chest of interesting, quirky… and maybe even money-making ideas.
     
  • Write your Marketing Plan Effective promotions take time. Now you have time. Match made in Heaven.
    >> Download Resale’s BEST Promotions.<<
     
  • Brainstorm If it’s slow and staffers are just sitting around, turn on their creativity: have a brainstorming session. Talk about where you want your business to go, and ask for their thoughts on how to get it there.
     
  • Create In busier times, there’s no time to rearrange your sales floor, make a zany display, write fun signage. Today, there is.
     
  • Write thank you notes to clients A hand-written thank you is always an A-1 way to build your business. Write a dozen today, mail them at intervals if you’d rather. You never know what magic might happen when a customer feels appreciated.
     
  • Snap some great photos Use this time to really get those shots you’ve admired in other businesses. Try out some filters, stickers, whatever… and while you’re at it, try some different photo apps as well. Stockpile these for busy times.
     
  • “Spy” on your competitors Check out their online presence and note their strengths and weaknesses and use this intell to make your business better. (Tip: You can learn a lot from businesses similar to yours but in other towns, cities, states.) 
     
  • Catch up on your business research.  There’s blog posts to read, Pinterest visuals to be amazed by, fact sheets to mull over. Get a free education in success.
    .>>Here’s a list of Free Resale Resources.<<
     
  • Drop a note to influencers in the industry Send an email telling them how their wisdom has helped you. Ask how you can give them a testimonial, a thumbs-up, or a online review as your gift to them. Strengthening your connection to these people can lead to unexpected things.
     

Thanks to Byrosanna for inspiration.

Want more slow-day ideas? Kate’s got ’em… even that crafty one involving old mannequins.

Posted in Shopkeeping talk |

How to gain over 4000 Closed Facebook Group members in 11 months.

February 19, 2019 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

I’m a member of a closed group that had some incredible customer testimonials and photos of their purchases… so I looked into what was going on. Contest? Not exactly...

The shop has 161,000 likes on its business page.

And over 4000 members in its closed group.

Here, I think, is why. On Continue Reading »

Posted in Kate's Must-Sees, Really good ideas, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , , , |

8 Tips to Make Networking WORK

February 12, 2019 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

The benefits of “knowing people” are very real, in personal and business settings. And that, really, is all that networking is: putting yourself out there, making contacts, working with others who have something in common with you. If you’re not comfortable reaching out to make strangers part of your network, here are eight ways to get started:

1- Keep this first and foremost in mind: you’re 

Continue Reading »

Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , , |

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