WHY PROFESSIONAL FOLLOW UP IS SOOO IMPORTANT?

The wholesale shows have passed and the next ones aren’t happening until January/February, right? So what happens when you have clients that did not visit your booth at the recent wholesale shows or you simply have not heard from them.

You are probably wondering why? what happened? was my product good enough for their clientele?  and  did my product met their sales expectations? etc., etc.…One of the main things your have to find out is making sure they have received your information which means your new catalog, brochure, etc., etc.…

Don’t wait to find out that the post office did not deliver your wholesale catalog and that you lose an order because of that. That just happened to me. I was hoping to get an  order from a very important client BUT GUESS WHAT? my client never got my catalog and when I spoke with her she told me. I am really sorry because I already placed all my orders for the rest of this year. So please contact me back in January. OH WELL! maybe it wans;t my time BUT I was really upset. Although I learned a lesson. With your VIP’s make sure you mail your wholesale catalogs via certified mail.

Anyways…as the fall is coming and the weather is changing I can not just sit down and wait for calls to come in to get orders from my clients. So I am actively calling my clients to make sure they have received my wholesale catalog and if they want to place another order.

Following up is SO IMPORTANT! Don’t feel bad by calling and getting feedback on your product. Every time we learn something and don’t be afraid of hearing some constructive critic.

Surprisingly, few businesses actively follow up with their existing clients. This is a mistake. Your existing customers produce more sales at a lower cost to you. They already know and trust you.

If you follow up, it will help you to identify problems that customers had but didn’t complain about. This will allow you to resolve those problems and keep those customers. You are providing excellent customer service, and you will generate positive and ongoing word of mouth advertising about your company.

You can read  Word of Mouth Advertising for more on this subject.

Marketers tell us that it costs 5 - 8 times the amount of money to get a new customer than it does to keep an existing customer satisfied. Well, it’s true. Think of customer retention as pebbles rolling down a mountainside. Happy customers spread the word, and soon you can have an avalanche on your hands. Follow up is the key.  

Follow up works to build customer loyalty. It’s how you tell your customers that they are important. Research shows that 68% of customers that don’t return to a company say that the company never contacted them, was indifferent, or had a poor attitude. Sending your customers follow up letters is the solution.

And of course your competition is trying to win your customers. But you can beat them. A follow-up personal note is more powerful that a full page ad in the New York Times. If you invest in your customers, they will keep bringing – and sending – you business for life. No competitor will be able to win them away if you stay in contact and follow up with your customers.

For more information of Professional Follow Up

PRESCHOOL vs WORKING MOM

This is a very personal post that I like to share with all of the working mom’s out there. Who hasn’t missed the 1st day of Preschool, the 1st day of 1st grade, kindergarten, etc.…

Yes there is a feeling of guiltiness BUT I think we also have to be responsible workers, right? I got mixed feelings last week when I had to choose between attending one of my most important events of the year and bringing my little one Tyler (2 and 1/2 years old) to his 1st day of preschool. I had to choose and I hope I made the right decision.

I got this picture at 910a and I was in tears cause I wasn’t there. I will try and do my best to make sure I am there for his 1st day at elementary school. Hopefully there will be many 1st days in his life that I won’t miss.

This is a whole new chapter in my life as a mom, wife and as a working mother entrepreneur. I have to adjust my schedule based on the days Tyler goes to school. I also have to adjust the meals we eat, nap times, bed time that is on the personal side and on the working side meeting times, perhaps will have to sell more online so I have more flexible time, too?

With the flooding we had last week Tyler only went to school on Thursday and  on Friday he did not go cause’ his school was flooded. That was something that I did not expected to happen. I was wondering what would have happened if that day I was committed with a client, or to deliver an order or to have a show, etc., etc.…Luckily that day I did not have anything scheduled and I was able to stay home with him. BUT I am thinking that now I also have to take in consideration that when the weather is not looking good Tyler may not go to school

I wish there is a book that tells us what is the best and the perfect thing to do for your kids. But there isn’t. I think when you have kids you do the best, hope for the best so they have a brilliant future and better opportunities.

Tyler one day you will read this post.  I want you to know YOU MOTIVATE to grow as a mom, to be your best friend and to continue proving the world that you can be a mom and also a mompreneur. I hope you feel PROUD of MAMA when you read this email.

LOVE U – TE QUIERO MUCHO

Evelyn Brooks

Partnering with The Green Cup Polo…

My partnership with the Green Cup Polo began last year. But Evelyn Brooks Designs has been part of the Green Cup Polo for already four years. It all started in 2008 when Evelyn Brooks Designs donated a piece of jewelry to support the efforts of the Green Cup Polo.

Then in 2009 we came back to participate as one of their vendors during the main event and at that point the organizer/event planner and myself were already talking about the possibility of designing a customize piece of jewelry that would help raise funds for the Green Cup Polo. This proyect did not happen until November of 2009 when we started the process and creation of the Green Cup Polo bracelet. The final piece was ready by February of 2010 at that point we thought it would be a great idea to add cufflinks to the Green Cup Polo Eco-Sustainable Jewelry Collection.

The bracelet is made with natural peridot and recycled silver  (Suggested Retail $150 – Yours for $95). The cufflinks are also made with recycled silver (Suggested Retail $195 – Yours $150)

Evelyn Brooks Designs supports the efforts of the Green Cup Polo initiative of preserving our world while working with eco friendly materials to create a final product.

It has been a wonderful experience and partnership. Last year Evelyn Brooks Designs was also invited to be part of the Eco-Fashion Show accesorizing the georgeous models.

During last year pre-events and the main event we were selling the Green Cup Polo bracelets and cufflinks with proceeds benefiting them. Lots of guests were proudly wearing their new jewelry pieces.

We are ready for the 2011 Green Cup Polo and look forward to seeing you at the 1st Eco – Gala  happening on Sep. 15th at the L2-Lounge of Georgetown and during the main event happening on Sunday Sept. 17th at The Capital Polo Club in Poolsville Maryland. 12n – 6p)

Tickets are on sale NOW – GET YOURS! COME OUT & SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE GREEN CUP POLO 2011 this year benefiting the National Resources Defense Council.

You can also support The Green Cup Polo 2011 buying the bracelet and cufflinks.

Watch our  PROMO  VIDEO  (Click below)

Green Cup Polo Jewelry Promo Video

 

Nos vemos!

Evelyn Brooks

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EBD celebrates its 5th years as part of the Latina Style family….

On Thursday September 8th from 7a-3p the 8th National Latina Symposium is back!  This years event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel (2799 Jefferson Davis Highway. Arlington, VA 22202)

My relationship with Latina Style started five years ago at the 3rd National Latina Symposium. They gave me the opportunity to showcase my jewelry line; at that time I was working my natural gemstones jewelry line with sterling silver. I was giving my baby steps in the corporate world. Learning to display my jewelry, learning about my clients, what they like, their preferences, networking and more… (don’t get me wrong there is still a lot to learn…)

Every year I come back and I am excited to see old time supporters of Latina Style & Evelyn Brooks Designs as well as meeting new supporters and network with the most notable and influential Hispanic entrepreneurs in the United States.

I look forward to showcase my latest designs. I am  adding new  pieces to the excisting “Moschik Collection”

The 1st two hundred attendees will find inside of the Latina Style gift bags a beautiful Passion Red Heart bracelet (Sugg. Retail Value – $95) This bracelet has been designed especially to celebrate our 5 years attending the National Latina Symposium for this occasion.

We like to thank Robert Bart and all the organizers behind the making of the 8th National Latina Style 2011. Evelyn Brooks Designs is proud to be part of the Latina Style family; for all the support you have given me ever since I joined your family.

To those of you who like to know more about the 8th National Latina Style Symposium – Some of the subjects that will be talk:

• Nurturing Latina Success – Showcasing leadership inside and outside of your organization to create a pipeline of talent.
• The Power of Networking – How Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Groups can play a vital role in your professional growth and development.

ALSO ATTEND THE DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE AWARDS LUNCHEON 

 Register NOW – Don’t MISS OUT!

Nos vemos , sinceramente…

Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: evelyn brooks designs,national latina symposium,latina style magazine,latina success,robert bart,power of networking

Finally the Summer Wholesale Season is Over…

Dear followers I like to share with you my experience during the wholesale Summer Shows I attended. Evelyn Brooks Designs was accepted and maintained a booth at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft (BMAC) in Baltimore. Overall it is been a great experience. I have heard that during the Summer show there was not much traffic but I can not tell you for sure cause’ this is only my third wholesale show with BMAC.

I think as a new wholesaler things are much harder than they use to be. We have to prove ourselves that our jewelry is worthwhile in new venues and that final clients will buy them.

Luckily I have continued to build relations with my exciting wholesale accounts and the Buyer's Market of American Craft has give us the opportunity to meet with new clients.

Our Booth During the Buyer’s Market of American Craft in Baltimore

Beginning October you will be able to find Evelyn Brooks Designs at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, The Baltimore Museum of the Art in Maryland, Gallery Five in Tequesta (Florida) and we are also finalizing details with two other museums that will be carrying my jewelry line.

The Nazka Collections

My suggestion to new jewelry designers embarking onto the wholesale world is mainly BE PATIENT. Results will not come to you as quickly as you think. If they do ,CONSIDER YOURSELF REALLY LUCKY. Also you should know some accounts will only pay you 30 days after you have delivered your order.

I would recommend to inform your wholesale accounts how soon you can turn in orders during Christmas season. If your turn around is quick ,you may land a lot of last minute orders.

I also visited the New York Gift Show. Why you may ask? Because, I definitely want to be part of it. I certainly wanted to have an idea of which pavilion would be the best for my jewelry to be featured. Also, I wanted to talk to some of  the artists exhibiting there. I was lucky enough to see some of my current clients on-site who also gave me their advice about this show.

It was totally worth visiting The New York Gift show. I heard there was a section called THE NEWEST DESIGNERS…located at Pier 92. I actually thought there was a pavilion inside the Javits Center called Pier 92. Not that you have to take a ride bus of about 15 minutes to get to this new section. I honestly did not hear many good things about this new addition. I wish them well to everybody who participated. Hopefully we will be part of the New York Gift Show in 2012.

For wholesale inquiries you can email me at wholesale@ebrooksdesigns.com

See you in Philadelphia during the 2012 Buyer’s Market of American Craft