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Advice to business owners (a thread)
Do not under sell yourself/your product. Know the value of the product/service you're providing and charge to fairly compensate yourself for your time, skills and investment into the item (for eg. Ingredients in a cake)
Only you can decide what your product is worth. If someone finds it too expensive, that's fine, they can look elsewhere. Do not dilute your brand by charging beneath what you think yourself to be worth
Consistency really is key. Practise and perfect your craft/work as much as you can before choosing to sell. I'm not saying you have to be a pro to sell but hold yourself to standards: for cakes for eg, make sure the taste is the same every time.
Looks do matter - branding is important. Treat everything you do as though it will affect your brand cause chances are - it will. Aesthetics - we're in the digital age, persons love to snap whatever they've received - ensure your product is as "snappable" as possible. Pretty pls
Good Customer Service. What did I say? GOOD
CUSTOMERSERVICE
The customer isn't ALWAYS right but your aim is to please - be as polite and honest as possible. Transparency - learn the word.
CUSTOMERSERVICEThe customer isn't ALWAYS right but your aim is to please - be as polite and honest as possible. Transparency - learn the word.
If as a provider you are unable to manage a request SAY SO. "Unfortunately, we do not have the availability to accommodate your request" or "I do not offer the particular service you are requesting". You can even go the extra step and offer recommendations for someone who does
Give MORE than you're asked for. Nothing wrong with putting in a little extra - thank you notes, discount cards, 1 extra cupcake - it won't hurt. Each item you provide, give your best, it will not go unnoticed!
Be honest with yourself about your capabilities - know yourself - time management wise, other workloads, skills. Ask yourself "can I truly provide what this person is requesting? Can I wow them, blow their mind with what I give?" If the answer is no, well, you know your answer
You get out what you put in. Invest in yourself and your business. Work on improving always. Take/seek feedback. It is important. "How was the taste, presentation, customer service experience? Was there anything you were dissatisfied with? Did you get your money's worth?"
Your mental health is important - if you're in a bad headspace, what you produce may not be up to standard. Take rest days, breathers and time for yourself.
Do not take on more than you can handle!!! We have to be realistic with ourselves - if you know it takes you 1 day to prep, bake and design a cake DO NOT take orders for 2 cakes in a 24 hour timeframe. It's okay to only do what you can manage
YOU are your brand. As much as you may want to separate, human nature is to associate. "Saam is homophobic? Her brand/business is homophobic." It translates like that. That's the reality of it. What you do reflects on both you and any brands associated with you (eg an ambassador)
We all start somewhere. It's okay to grow and improve over time but differentiate in your mind between SELLING an item and simply giving to friends/family. You're taking someone's hard earned MONEY. Would you pay money for what you are giving?
Family/friends usually gas you to motivate you and build confidence which is great BUT they aren't always brutally honest. It's important to get honest reviews/feedback on your work (from strangers).
