HOW TO SELL TO WOMEN AS CHRISTMAS BEGINS

It’s amazing to think that it is November 2010 already! As I've said, Father Christmas is coming any day now and the shopping centres are all getting ready to fill up their tills with the money from women everywhere who are already getting a start on present-getting. Sure, with Christmas coming, sales increase because you can offer things now that will make great gifts. Keep in mind though, you are not only competing with other businesses but also on-line shopping this year. So, how can you be sure that you are ready as this powerful demographic of spenders gets ready to walk through your door? Here are some tips that might help you out….

How to Sell to Women

1. Do Not Assume that if a woman appears a little scruffy that she does not have the money to purchase anything of too much value. She could simply be in the middle of school-holiday-meltdown or be purposely underdressed so as not to be pressured unnecessarily on her visit. Simply smile and let her know you are there to answer any questions she might have.

2. Keep yourself presentable and approachable. Dress professionally and if possible wear/model what you are selling. I was in a store recently and a lady has a gorgeous dress on from that store. “I know”, she said “but this was last season and no longer available”….Aaargh!

3. This can be the case in other industry’s. Don’t tell the customer that you personally own “a particular item” and its great. Too bad you don’t stock that item anymore. Grrrr! It’s as bad as telling a customer that what they are looking for happened to be at a sale price… and that the sale finished YESTERDAY!!

4. Be eye-catching and creative. Women appreciate interesting styles of advertising. Approach all women as you would men, knowing they are just as intelligent and many are heads of households or businesses. Women cannot be placed in stereotypical roles when you are advertising. The mother with the pram may be the CEO of a company or that lady in the ugg boots with no make-up may have the day off due to a sore foot and be out looking for a new car!

5. Do not appear intimidating, threatening or uninterested when women approach you for business. A wrong attitude could cost you a sale or client. Never underestimate the sharp intuition of a women and their quick ability to subconsciously read body language in an instant!

I hope that some of these ideas help you in this busy season. Try not to lose perspective during this hectic time of year. Don’t roll your eyes when another customer comes in the door at your busiest moment. Just think, your eyes will roll a lot more if the customers leave you alone, like you might be secretly wishing, at that moment. Just remember, its only November…. practice for the even crazier upcoming December!

Let The Christmas Preparations Begin!!!

It’s amazing to think that it is November 2010 already! Father Christmas is coming any day now and the shopping centres are all getting ready to hit us with their best gift ideas, stocking fillers and have-to-haves for under the tree.

It’s a good time to think about preparing for the season and the holidays which will be here before you know it!

Christmas shopping...

According to a recent study by Roy Morgan Research, around 60 per cent of Australians dislike Christmas shopping, just 20 per cent plan their shopping expeditions, and the majority of us (nearly 75 per cent) often come home without a single purchase for our efforts. Stress reduction strategies for successful Christmas shopping include:
• Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy before you go shopping. If you wait for inspiration to strike, you could be wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre for hours.
• Buy a few extras, such as chocolates, just in case you forget somebody or you have unexpected guests bearing gifts.
• If possible, do your Christmas shopping early - in the first week of December or even in November (that means start NOW girls!!). Some well-organised people do their Christmas shopping gradually over the course of the year, starting with the post-Christmas sales.
• Keep a Christmas list on you all the time as you may see lovely gifts when popping to a chemist one night!
Part info taken from Better Health Channel

Try not to fall for the classic sales speels that are said. “This is the last one”…”It goes back to full price tomorrow”…”I can’t hold it, you have to take it now”.. Keep in mind the stores are all competing for your business and they are also competing with on-line shopping this year more than ever. This is good news as competition means more bargains for you and hopefully better customer service than ever. Bargains are everywhere but watch out for your spending as these may be bargains but they STILL cost money!!

Let us know of any business that treats you well despite the hectic season so we can contact them for recognition and Female Friendly™ Accreditation. There are women everywhere looking for some happy salespeople this time of year to relieve the pressure of shopping and services. Start now so your nearly done before school holidays begin and the last minute rush starts. This will help you to enjoy Christmas and hopefully relieve some of the pressure that builds before Christmas Morning!

And for all those parents out there, on behalf of your children, I want to ask that you sneak them out of school one day before the crowded holidays and spend a day in the city visiting Father Christmas making memories that they, or you, will cherish forever. Those little faces won’t always light up when they see funny mirrors, fairy floss, elves or twinkly lights and before you know it they will be all grown up and ‘too cool’ to stand for a photo with a giant rocking horse! So take the time to look into the faces of loved ones as the silly season starts and don’t let the shopping bug distract you from what Christmas is all about!