TIPS FOR BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES CUSTOMERS WILL LOVE

Here are some tips for ensuring better customer service:

1. Show, don’t tell. Train everyone (including owners) to show customers answers to queries rather than pointing. If a customer asks where something is, take them to the product. Pointing is lazy. It is what you would experience in a big business.
2. Use your real name in social media posts and emails from the business.
3. Add customer service value. What this means depends on the season:
   1. Card giving seasons. Setup a table with pens where people can write on their cards.
   2. Personal shoppers. Put people on the floor on busy days of major seasons with a t-shirt or sign indicating they are there to help you make choices.
   3. Additional sales points. Move away from the counter and transact on the shop floor to help clear the traffic jam.
4. Share product information. On your receipts include product care information where appropriate.
5. If you sell chocolate or candy – always, every day, have something for people to taste.
6. Show off your knowledge with free classes. Run classes relating to your products. Show off your knowledge, and through this, your point of difference. Here are some in-store class ideas top get you started:
   1. How to store birthday cards for wonderful memories in the future.
   2. How to care for your collectible bears.
   3. How to collect and care for Beanie Boos.
   4. Learn about the history of pop vinyls and collecting.
   5. How to choose the right pen for any task.
   6. How to run a Halloween Party people will love.
   7. Come and see our new cards. Do this while the shop is closed, run a wine and cheese event.

Yes, good differentiating customer service is hard work. The pay off is shoppers remember it and seek it out.