Off Topic: ULTA Beauty Moms Day?

So this post is a little off topic, but it’s Saturday and I feel compelled to discuss this.

First, an ULTA Beauty store just opened up here in Flowood, MS a few months ago. I first had the opportunity to visit a couple of days after my birthday earlier this month. I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket and I was dying to see what all the fuss was about. Let’s just say that I have a new favorite store. They have ever hair, face, nail, scent and body product on the planet practically and many things I have never heard about.

Now most of you know that I have two daughters, one is 4 and the other will be 5 months tomorrow. So with a 5 month old, a 4 year old, a business and household to run, I don’t have a lot of time to get all primped up. Seriously I am at home the majority of the time. So I decided that it was time to get some advice about my skin and update my makeup. I won’t even tell you how old my makeup is and honestly, I never liked it anyway. I hate makeup that looks caked on, turns your face orange, or doesn’t cover enough flaws (not the I have any) and I can never find the right products. Therefore I don’t wear makeup often unless we’re going out on the town…which is never…or I have business to do which mostly doesn’t apply since I work virtually.

So moving on. I just found out today that ULTA Beauty has a College Day the 1st of each month where they give exclusive offers to college students. How great is that!? Only one problem…I’m not a college student.

So therefore here is what I propose to ULTA: We NEED a Mom’s Day at ULTA. Now I realize that college students are understandably a pretty big market for ULTA. But we moms need to look gorgeous, too, and unfortunately for us we tend to take care of everyone else first, leaving little or no time for ourselves. But when we find something that makes us feel beautiful or great…a piece of clothing, a new purse, a new scent, or even a fantabulous store like ULTA, then we wear it, carry it, and shop it into the ground. Case in point: I have worn the makeup I bought from ULTA every single day since I bought it two weeks ago! Why? Because I look better and feel better and I actually like it. Now I don’t get all dolled up just to run down to Target, but I do put on my foundation and lip gloss at the very least. Don’t you hear the song in your head right now…”I feel pretty, oh so pretty…”

So I guess what I’m trying to say is that because I wear my new products from ULTA daily, as opposed to maybe once every two weeks, I’ll be in need of replacements more frequently. But as I mentioned before, we moms take care of everyone else first and of course we have to budget as well. We have to feed our families, pay the bills, pay for preschool or daycare, buy school clothes and supplies…and the list goes on. So who better to give exclusive offers to than moms so we can frequent your store more often and continue to look great and feel better about ourselves? After all, a happy and content mom equals a happy and content family!

I’m sure there are many other mom’s who would LOVE a Mom’s Day at ULTA. Just think of all the moms piling into your store, say on a Tuesday morning, after dropping the kids off at school! Hint, hint!

Freebie Friday: A Flowchart on Making Flowcharts

I’m in a humorous mood today so thought I’d post something fun…again.

Have you ever made a flowchart? Well, here is the flowchart of all flowcharts…The flowchart of should you make a flowchart. Follow it to find out!

Click to see the full size version.

Answer the Question Please – A Lesson in Customer Service

Businesses that employ a receptionist, or any other position with similar responsibilities, where that person is the first to be connected with your customers or potential clients, I ask YOU this question: Do you train this person on phone etiquette or are you throwing caution to the wind?

One of my BIGGEST pet peeves is to call a business, ask the person who answers the phone a question that results in their immediately transferring me rather than…answering the question. Let me give you an example that just happened to me, yet again for the millionth time:

Them: (answering the phone) “ABC Fictional Company, how can I help you?” [great start]

Me: “Hi! Can you tell me if Dan is in the office today?” [note, this is a question]

Them: [no response at all, I just simply get put on hold, transferred, who knows]

Next thing I know, I am now listening to Dan’s voice mail, which of course is what I wanted to avoid. You see I left a voice mail for Dan 2 days ago needing some very time sensitive information emailed to me to meet a deadline for a client. If I wanted his voice mail, I would have just asked to be transferred to Dan.

Me: [pressing "0" to get back to the operator]

Them: “Can I help you?”

Me: “Yes, I asked if Dan was in the office today and was transferred to his voice mail. Can you tell me if he is actually in the office today?”

Them: “I’m sorry, Dan is out of the office today. Would you like his voice mail?”

I’ll stop the conversation there because it didn’t get any better. The point is that I run into this ALL the time. I ask if someone is in or I’ll call to ask who I would talk to about putting my widgets ad in their publication (this is made up of course). But instead of answer the question and giving me the name and possibly direct number to the person who is responsible for widget ads, they just transfer you and you have no idea whether or not you were transferred to the correct person or not. Trust me, I’ve had people call me back and tell me they are the janitor and have nothing to do with the widget ads. [Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit as I've never had a janitor call me back]

So I ask you. Are you training and monitoring your receptionist/operator to make sure they are not irritating your clients…all the way to your competition? Believe it or not, many employers think a receptionist position is very entry level and does not require any skills other than a voice. This is the very first person anyone contacting your business connects with. And believe me first impressions are everything.

Freebie Friday: Just Plain Fun

My family and I are on a little mini vacation right now in Memphis, TN. So while we’re have a great time at the famous Memphis Zoo today, I thought it appropriate that you should have a little fun, too.

If you haven’t met hoops & yoyo over at Hallmark, then head on over there to meet these two hilarious little creatures and their friends. I’ve been a huge fan of hoops & yoyo since their debut many years ago. They’ve gotten a few of my previous co-workers and I through some pretty stressful times just by visiting them. We loved all their animations poking fun at working at the office…which of course always hit home because they are so true.

They offer downloads, animations, printables, e-cards, a blog…heck they even have a Facebook page! My favorite is the Office Lingo Notes (PDF) on their Free Downloads page.

For those of you who are familiar with hoops and yoyo, then you already know what I’m talking about, but head on over there just the same because you KNOW you’ll be having fun in no time.

I warn you though, going to this site will make you laugh or just down right roll and you may just have so much fun that you forget all about work all together.

Have fun!

The Key to Subject Lines

key In design and marketing, it’s all about image and getting your message across. So brainstorming and offering advice to my clients just comes with the territory when you design logos, websites and various other printed marketing materials. But what about email marketing campaigns? Because I help set up and manage eZines, broadcast messages, and drip campaigns, the subject line always seems to be a hot topic…and the hardest to come up with at times seemingly.

So what’s my advice on subject lines for email campaigns? Simple…the subject line of your email should describe the content of your email. Sound stupidly simple?

Besides those who use their subscribers to only sell, sell, sell, I believe the masses would totally agree with me. Nothing is more annoying than a confusing or misleading subject line. You’ll simply aggravate your subscribers and in turn lose them all together. Case in point: I received one this week titled ” did you blow up my server??” (written exactly like that). Needless to say I unsubscribed immediately because all their subject lines were seriously that stupid.

If you’re sending a newsletter, then put the name of the newsletter and date or issue number in the subject line. If you’re sending a special or promotion, let them know what’s inside via the subject line. If your subject line sound salesy, chances are they won’t open it anyway which really defeats the purpose, right?

The bottom line is when it comes to email marketing, the best subject lines are direct, to the point, and tells what’s inside. Your subscribers will appreciate it and won’t be so hasty to drop out all together.

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Welcome to In The Worx! This blog is dedicated to the start-up business owner and the savvy solo entrepreneur...because after all, as business owners, isn’t everything always In The Worx?