The Ultimate Tea Stimulus Plan
by Dawnya Sasse
Alright, I admit it. What you are about to read is part article part rant. It all started on a beautiful spring day when I decided to leisurely stroll through an upscale shopping center. Work had been hectic lately and I looked forward to clearing my head and refreshing my soul. I began to wander, as I did I came across a variety of specialty stores, a dog boutique, a cat boutique, a Christmas shoppe, a card shoppe, etc. Finally, I came to a specialty loose leaf tea store. Marvelous!
“A cup of tea to clear my muddled mind”, thought I. Smiling broadly I entered the doorway to see an impressive array of loose leaf tea displays. I looked up at the counter and grinned brightly at the tea tender. In return I got... nothing.
No smile, no wave, no hello or welcome. I lingered in the aisles picking up teas and gazing at them. Again.... nothing. After 5 minutes I walked out of the shop frustrated and ready to write!
Here's my secret “Tea Stimulus” plan. Ready?
Get involved with your customers and SELL them tea.
When a customer comes in the door you have about 60 seconds to make a positive connection. All the beautiful displays in the world can't take the place of a simple “Welcome, I am so glad you are here.”
If you are an Internet based company, you have even less time to connect with your potential client but CONNECT you must.
Clients WANT to buy. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but they want to build a relationship with a place they can trust. You can be that place and eventually your tea company will become their source.
Looking for a bail out plan?
Here it is.... talk to your customers. Educate them. Honor them. Tea DOES NOT sell itself.
Need a step by step? Here you go:
-
SMILE!!
-
Meet and greet all customers as they enter your door.
-
Offer them a tea sample within 60 seconds of a client entering your door.
-
Engage your clients by asking them what type of tea they usually drink.
-
Match their preferred taste profile with a tea from your product line.
-
Ask for the sale. If you don't ask the customer to buy they won't.
-
Offer customers a generous exchange policy.
O.K. end of rant. End of article. Now, go out and SELL some tea.
Hi Dawnya,
I've been to that store. It has got to be Teavana, because I received the same customer service.
The one thing I loved about the tea house was chatting with people about tea. It is our job. Hope all is well...
jean
Posted by: Jean | April 24, 2009 at 02:33 PM