Mail-order Business Tip #3 – Add a little TLC

With quick turnaround times and microwave processing, many businesses are letting the TLC matters of their operations slip. Why not take advantage of this lost art form and offer personalized service to your customers.

Most consumers don’t expect this type of service anymore. For the majority, it’s a thing of the past. If you want to be different and stand apart from the rest, strive to give your customers more than what they expect. Handle your orders quickly and keep your customers up-to-date:

• Acknowledge receipt of orders and payment.
• Send notification of shipment.
• Inform customers of any delays.
• Use special packaging.
• Add little gifts or special reports.
• Offer great service.

 

Mail-order Business Tip #2 – Make it personal

Your customers are going to want to know what makes you different from the other businesses out there. They will want to know why they should buy from you and not someone else.

One of the easiest ways to build customer loyalty is by making your communication personal. By keeping your business simple (see Tip #21) and taking things slowly (see Tip #12) it will allow you to offer a personal touch.

• Write “thank you” on your outgoing packing slips.
• Personally sign your correspondence.
• Offer a free newsletter to your customers.
• Send your customers periodic offers and promotions.

Mail-order Business Tip #1 – Write down your plan of attack

Let’s get started!

Pull out a journal, notebook or pad of paper and just start writing. Make lists or just write about what you want. Dreams can quickly become a reality when you see them on paper in black and white.

Keep a creative business journal close at hand. This is where you can write everything that comes to mind concerning your mail-order business. Some of the entries may seem far-fetched. Nonetheless, they are down on paper and who knows what they may become … maybe a catalyst for a new product!

NOTE: I will be on vacation next week, so I will be posting two tips this week. I will resume posts upon my return. In the meantime, visit some of my recent posts as a refresher!

It’s In the Mail – Introduction

So you think you want to build a mail-order business? Well, you have come to the right place. I don’t plan to give you doom and gloom statistics on all of the failing businesses out there. I also don’t plan to give you checklists for the things you need to get started. There are plenty of resources for you to reference.

 

What I do want to do is give you guidance and encouragement. You see, I used to run a mail-order business myself. I enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would, and I want you to feel the same about your own mail-order endeavor.

 

It will take time, energy (sweat and blood usually), persistence and perseverance to build your mail-order business (or any business for that matter). It will become your responsibility to develop products, make contacts, test various promotion, publicity and advertising methods, establish vendors and do all of the other jobs that go into building a rewarding company—one that you intend to have around for a long while.

You must be committed to what you are selling. Believe in your product, your company and yourself. How successful do you think you will be if you do not believe in what you are doing? Why even start?

 

But if you do start, if you decide this is what you want to do, then do not give up because it will be worth every ounce of energy you commit to it.

 

So now, let’s see if we can equip you with a few tips to get you started on your way!

Success can lead to a full-time enterprise. Critics occasionally say mail-order selling is a lot of work and prone to failure. I beg to disagree. While a mail-order business certainly takes a lot of work, success is possible with preparation, research, and diligence. I kept my mail-order craft catalog business going for thirteen years. So can you. Here’s how.

1. Educate yourself about selling by mail order.

2. Create your own catalog.

3. Consider direct mail-order selling from advertising.

4. Consider co-op catalog with other artisans

5. Consider using inserts with other mailings

6. Trade lists with related craftspeople.

7. Use “bounce-backs” with every order you fill.

8. Negotiate with mail-order catalogs.

9. Become a drop shipper.

~ Slyvia Landan, author of Crafting for Dollars

It’s In the Mail – Inspiration

This week, I thought I’d start a new series…

As you know, I am no stranger to entrepreneurial endeavors. I have run at least four businesses before this, which most people might consider as failures. But, I am more inclined to view them as trial-and-error experiences. I have learned a great deal from those previous adventures. I have learned what I like to do and what I definitely do not like to do. I have learned what works and what does not work. I have even learned how to balance the business aspects with the creative ones.