I just can't help but talk a little about personal service! The topic is prompted by a copy I received of the January edition of Bloomin News (www.bloominnews.com) in the mail. Editor Peggi Ridgway ran an article/review on my book A Retailer's Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions (www.budurl.com/RetailersGuide) in that issue (page 12) and I had seen it online, but she still cared to pop a paper copy in the mail to me so I'd have the real thing for my records. Yes, with a personal note enclosed.
It reminded me that personal service runs both ways. We retailers know about extending service to our customers. Everyone does. But it isn't as often that our vendors and the media do the same for us. Anyway, I thought I'd return the favor by mentioning it in this blog. Marketing (at its best marketing is gratitude) can by cycled and recycled. In fact that's one of the most cost efficient way to do it!
So here's the return favor. On p. 14 is an article titled "12 Great Ways to Grow Profits in 2012: BRIGHT IDEAS." The first one was "Hold seasonal events." It made me smile. Perhaps she had just finished reading my book!
If you're a florist, I know you'll want to subscribe. If you're a retailer of some other ilk, keep my mantra in mind. We can learn much from what is happening in other industries. It seems Bloomin' News has a lot to report about what's happening the world of flowers.
PS: On page 15 is an picture of a beautiful arrangement using what I think of as diametrically opposed flowers--succulents and the palest of roses. Any retailer could use this inexpensive idea for flowers at one of their own events.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson's FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques launched at the National Stationery Show at Javits Center. Because she is the author of the multi award-winning how-to books for writers,The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success, retailers will also find essentials of writing for blogs, Web sites, and newsletters on this blog. She is the author of an award-winning novel, This Is the Place; and other fiction and poetry. She blogs on better writing at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog. Find her tweeting for retailers at @frugalretailing . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use this little green widget to let them know about it:
Friday, January 20, 2012
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Thank you for mentioning The Bloomin' News, Carolyn. As editor, I am so very pleased to see our circulation among California's retail florist community growing, and to have florists and designers submitting stories, news and pictures from their events. Thanks to their participation - and yours, by sharing your Retailer's Guide to Frugal Instore Promotions - Bloomin' News (now in its 62nd year)is a nifty little newsmagazine for the floral community in Southern California. Drop by - www.bloominnews.com
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