WAHM chatall the ins and outs of being a Work At Home Mom, how to get popcorn out of your keyboard/printer, and when not to send that invoice with the scribble.
ATTN Customers of WAHM's...what would your best tip to WAHM's be?
Some from me:
-Include a business card in your pkg so the customer remembers where he/she got the product from.
-If selling to another WAHM, ask if you can send along several of your biz cards for him/her to pop into her customers' order pkgs.
-FREE samples. Buy or trade for some samples of another WAHMs' products (say, soap!) to put in your pkgs for your customers. The customers get a freebie and the other WAHM gets exposure. Win-Win situation!
-Answer your e-mails in a timely manner. We know you're also a parent, wife and home-maker as well as WAHM. At least reply quickly saying you'll reply in length later in the day or something....to at least let (me) know you're not ignoring me or not getting my e-mail.
-ASK your clients for honest feedback and listen to what they say. No use selling a product that no one wants, but with a few alterations could be a hit!
Sooo....what are YOUR helpful tips for WAHM's (new and old!)?
Well, for me the most important thing is friendly customer service. Another is for a WAHM to stand behind her product. I'm not one to complain, but if I order a product for the first time and it just doesn't workout for me, it's sure nice when the WAHM is willing to work things out. It makes me want to buy again.
Sandra
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Proud Mama to my Guatemalan Angels
Marianna (07-08-01)
Faith Marie (05-18-05)
Location: Right where I wanna be- south bay area of sunny CA
Posts: 13,561
friendly customer service is also a biggie for me too.... If I feel less like a number I am more likely to re-order. I also tend to recommend and bump those mamas. I know being a WAHM is hard (I don't sell anything tho) but I think it it worth it for the WAHMamas to take time with each costumer and making sure they know who they are talking with (instead of a c&p type of email). jmo
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KD
newly single mom to three awesome kids
4th of July with my best friend. Really HE is the one holding me up right now...
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,924
I agree with all of the comments so far!
Just going to bump this so more people can share their thoguhts
i really would love for diaper making wahm's to add a label to their diaper's.. i've had like 3 diaper's i LOVE and never knew who made them..
for all other WAHM's..
1- customer service(this can make or brake your business)
2- refund policy w/o the hassle
3- a very pretty and easy site to browse
4-when you answer emails or pm's please be polite
5- speediness(ship on time, if late please let the person know) and i think if you are really behind like say for 2 weeks or more.. i THINK it would be NICE to give a little something extra if the person doesn't want a refund and still want their product.. it just shows that they really want this product and that you are really a super wahm to give a little something for your delay..
6- clothes making wahm's-- please have the measurements listed on your site.(i've even seen some that just have the weight listed) but some of us, like myself go by inches..
7- NEVER be rude
that's about it...
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A FRIEND is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your
Brianne Nicole 10/9/96
A'Leah Bre'Asia 8/30/02
Jesus paid a bill HE didn't OWE!
THINK aboutTHAT
blessings
Remember that you are a business owner (WAHM) and should conduct yourself in a positive manner at all times. What you do and say can come back to bite you (and your business) in the rear end.
(example: getting arrested for a DUI; bad business practices; etc)
Something I learned as a customer that I now try to do as a WAHM:
Communicate with the customer when s/he purchases the product, when I receive payment for the order, and when I ship the order. I also include the Delivery Confirmation number when I send that last email. I found that when I didn't hear from a WAHM after my purchase, I was always wondering if they got my payment, or when they sent my order, etc.
Let me know when it ships, I know you are busy, and that is just one more thing to do. I don't care if you send a standard message that says "Just thought I would let you know I shipped your order off today, and I look forward to helping you again."
I also like a more personal CS. If you talk about kids, use names, make me feel like I am buying from a real person, not just some business. If I know more about you, (and like it ) I will order from you more often. KWIM? Treat me as a friend, so to speak.
One last tip: I LOVE FREEBIES AND GOOD DEALS!!!!
Amy
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Amy
Army wife to John, mommy to Hannah 12-17-99 & Hope 01-06-02 & Hunter 09-01-05
I was thinking of something along the lines of being courteous on the board. There are several mama's here that I will no longer be purchasing items from because of some rather nasty comments made about other mama's here. Those type of things are rarely forgotten. Even if someone doesn't post at the time, they still remember.
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Delpha
Homeschooling Sahm to 2 boys - Devin Grey 10!, and Logan Dale 3, happily married to Casey
As a WAHM-supporter, I think CS is #1. And the biggest thing is getting back to e-mails promptly. Believe me, I know what it's like to be swamped, but like Stacy mentioned, a quick note saying "I'll get back to you soon!" is better than silence. Otherwise, it makes me feel unappreciated and I'll go elsewhere.
That being said, do I owe anyone email? *biting nails* LOL
If someone pays extra for priority they probably need it soon...not shipped pritority 2 weeks later, by then they will probably just be mad...
Yes! I agree!
__________________ nikki busy little mama to fiesty Lilee and little Looters Granola Moms Swim diapers are here! Get prepared for warm days full of swimming lessons, pool parties, and lazy days at the beach.
I will emphasize a couple of things that other people said, which boiled down are about communication:
1. Send me an email acknowledging my purchase/payment, that clearly states when the item will ship, and send me another email when you ship the item, with the DC number.
2. If you run into difficulties with shipping when you said you would (hey, stuff happens, and this is very forgiveable), send me an email and let me know that there is a delay. What gets me really worked up and pissed off is when I have to chase you down via email weeks after I expected my order, and ask you what's up.
3. When you communicate with me about delays in shipping my order, please explain the delay with as little detail and as much professionalism as possible. You do not need to tell me the intimate details of your life that have caused the delay; I don't need an elaboration justification (because I really just want to know when my order will ship, not why it's late). I would prefer no explanation or something generic like "personal stress or difficulties" rather than the very intimate information that I have been told. It's not that I don't care about you or what you're going through, but hearing intimate information from a stranger makes me feel uncomfortable.
ATTN Customers of WAHM's...what would your best tip to WAHM's be?
) I will order from you more often. KWIM? Treat me as a friend, so to speak.
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