Do you Do Service?!?!?!?!

Most companies pride themselves on being the "expert" in their field. I as a consumer am willing to pay a higher price for your expertise. But does your knowledge include good service and more importantly patience?

Human beings as a species are quite curious. When spending hard earned money a person can be exceptionally curious about the details of the deal, what the product does, how long the warranty lasts and what outcome they can expect.

3 avenues you should BE SURE to use....

- Offer a live chat for online orders. It adds an extra step on your end but it takes the confusion away for a potential client who is not sure if they should order option 1 or option 2 and eventually end up ordering nothing because they do not want to take the time to call.

- Follow up with all inquires within 12 hrs. A 24 hr turnaround just isn't good enough anymore. With as fast as the world and internet are moving people do not want to wait around for you. Assume they sent the same question to at least 5 other people, so you better be the first to respond.

- Provide explanations in layman's terms. No one wants to look stupid so there is a good chance they wont tell you they don't understand. (They'll just go to someone else who speaks their language. )

Address all their needs, make them comfortable in working with you and you not only make a sale, but gain a sure fire referral source and GREAT word of mouth advertising.

LetterPress- so impressive!

Letterpress can be that final touch to an invitation, mailer, or announcement. The invite is the first impression people will have about your event and your company. It's always important to pay attention to the details for that added bit of pizzazz! Best to hit them from as many sensory points as possible. Make your invites look and FEEL amazing.

Two great resources: for those local Chicagoans try Chicago Letterpress
Quick turnaround time!

OR

Mercurio Brothers- they've been at it since 1946 and their pricing is quite reasonable!!

Free Help!!!

And that's what we call a volunteer. Volunteers can be very useful in creating the event of your dreams, making sure your attendees get from point a to point b and running to the store to get more ice. There are many times that I as a volunteer have been frustrated by lack of communication or direction when I've taken time out of my day to help out.

Here are a few tips to make sure you capitalize on having effective volunteers.

1. Be nice- they are not getting paid and they have little invested so appreciate them. (remember if they want to ruin your event from the inside they can ; )

2. Have a clear list of tasks and explanation of those tasks. (unless they work with you on a regular basis they might not know your standards and what you expect)


3. Ask them what they would like to do. Find out their strengths and utilize them that way. (don't take someone who is artistically challenged and ask them to help arrange the flowers)

4. Scope- fill them in on the entire project so they see how they fit in and why what they are doing is important.


5. Have a central unpacking area. That way people know where to get supplies and they are not asking you every five minutes where the easels are.



Organization is key! They will respect you, your event and your time if you have a little structure for them and respect theirs.