“My spelling is Wobbly. It’s good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.”
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Does Anyone Want My Money?
“We asked ourselves what we wanted this company to stand for. We didn’t want to just sell shoes. I wasn’t even into shoes – but I was passionate about customer service.” Tony Hsieh
I have noticed a very sad trend happening with small businesses and it makes me wonder if anyone really wants or needs my money. I do not have a ton of it, but when I need something, when I am ready to spend it, is your business ready to take it? I know, sounds a bit fundamental, but there is a reason I was inspired to write this post.
The Awning
My beautiful awning in the backyard has been slowly deteriorating for some time. A few Santa Ana winds (what we call wind in la la land) literally tore my awning apart. I called USAA where I have my homeowners insurance, they are awesome. They were ready to give me the money to get the awning fixed, I just needed to get a quote. Easy enough I thought. Well, not really come to find out.
It took me 3 months to find an awning company in LA to take my money, well part USAA’s and part mine. Why? Not a single company returned my emails and phone calls.
Finally, I stumbled upon an awesome company called Superior Awning. Found them on YELP. To my surprise, they actually answered my email inquiry with a phone call, within 24 hours. They had a highly trained awning guy at my house within 36 hours and had the job complete within 2 weeks. They clearly wanted my money and I happily gave it to them. I guess those other companies were doing so well they had no desire for a new client for life.
The Salon
My Mom just moved back to So Cal after 30 years on the East Coast. To say I am thrilled is an understatement. What is one of the first things people do when they move to a new city? Find a salon. How do people go about finding salons in today’s connected economy? They head to Google, YELP and ask their friends and family.
Since I did not know any salons in her new town, I went online and found a couple via YELP that I thought she should look into. So as any good Mom does, she follows her daughters recommendation. :)
She found one she liked, and used their “Contact Us” form on their website. And the waiting game began. One week, radio silence. No response. No reply. Well, my Mom is pretty patient so she decided to call the salon. She left a voice mail. And waited. One week, radio silence. No response. No return call. I guess that salon is fully booked and has no desire to engage with new clients.
Mom did finally find an awesome salon & hairdresser, Penelope at Salon Ana, based on a good old fashion referral from a friend, and she is very happy.
The System
You have systems for cutting hair, for creating color formulas, for ordering inventory, for cleaning brushes, but do you have a system for engaging new clients?
Here are a couple things you may want to take a look at in your salon:
1. What is your system for returning voice mail messages?
2. What is your system for email inquiries from your website?
3. What is your system for email inquires from your Facebook biz page?
4. What is your system for client questions posted to your social pages?
Change the system. Change the result. It’s really is that simple. If you want new clients that is.
If you are in the LA area and are looking for awning repair or a new awning, Superior Awning is the BEST.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
The Social Awesomeness Manifesto
“Always be yourself. Unless you are a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”
Unknown
Here is an audio recording of this post. Thank you for listening. <3
The Social Aweseomeness Manifesto
The world has changed. And change can sometimes mess people up. As an artist of business, with a huge passion for engaging, I created a manifesto of sorts for those seeking some guidance on how to be socially awesome on social platforms. I like many am not one for rules, but I dig manifesto’s, so I made one.
One thing I really think we need to understand is this is real life. The new real world. The same “rules” apply online as they do offline. So when in doubt, just remember this is about people. And I know you know to engage with people. It’s what you do every day.
A Squared
Be awesome. Be authentic. I am smart, at least that is what my mama told me. I can see right through you. Do you. Keep it real. And I promise to do the same.
Caring Matters
If you cannot or do not care to listen, engage, respond and reply, you are not ready to engage in the social space. If I ask you a question, I will be waiting for an answer. If I give you a shout out, a simple thank you goes a long way.
Chill On The CAPS LOCK
You really think I want to engage when I am being yelled at? Does anyone want to listen when being yelled at? No. Be cool, chill on the caps lock.
Nobody Likes A Litterbug
Spamming my wall with your product, event or political agenda only makes me want to hide you, delete you or block you. And I love you, so please be mindful of littering on my wall. If you ask nicely, and are offering something I believe in or see value in, then trust, I will share it, buy it, or like it.
Don’t Bleed The Feed
Whether its Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, be mindful that when you post 17 pics of your dog, baby, Starbucks, etc. in a row I may get hostile and stop following you or hide you. Same goes for hitting the share button. Post. Then chill. Share. Then chill. Inspired by the awesome Instagram i love you vid by Casey Neistat.
Link Love
If you are trying to lead me somewhere, like your website, event, your salon, or a blog post, please include the URL, phone number, email, Morse code, whatever in your post. It’s super helpful if you actually want me to do something.
Check One Check Two
And while we are on the topic of links, check your links on your social pages. If you are a business, and you want me to check you out, working links (on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, YELP, etc.) will get me to you much faster. In fact, if your link does not work, you may have lost me, forever.
Hide And Seek Is Fun But…
If you are a human, please share that with me in your About section on your social + digital pages, profiles, etc. The Internet may seem like a super secret shield, but if you are hiding from me I will be scared and hide from you too. Marketing is about stories. Tell me one.
Sharing Is Caring
But taking credit for someone else’s stuff is lame. If you see something that inspires you, and you know the source, like someone else’s page, just hit the share button (or repin, or #repost #regram) and credit the source. It’s good karma. And the right thing to do.
Quote This
If a quote came from you, awesome and congrats. If it came from someone else, like Thomas Edison or someone cool like that then give them credit. If you don’t know, Google it. If anyone reading this knows who created the unicorn quote, please share, I have Googled for days, but no luck so far.
To be continued…
Have something awesome to add? Know someone who is socially awesome? Please share in the comments below or with me, I’m listening and I care.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
Look For The Helpers
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr
Here is the audio version of the post. Thank you for listening. <3
Look For The Helpers
It is so interesting to me how this world works sometimes. How in the blink of an eye, everything changes. That is what happened as I was boarding my plane yesterday afternoon. My heart was full, after spending the weekend in San Jose at the Spring Style Show, sharing my passion with the people that I love. Then I saw the heartbreaking news. And everything changed.
My Love + Prayers for Boston
I had another blog planned for this week, and normally I post it on Monday mornings. But this week, I chose to wait till this morning. As I turned on my computer, my heart told me my previous blog could wait. There was something more important I needed to share.
So today, I dedicate this post to the people of Boston, to the precious lives that were lost, to the beautiful souls injured, to their families and friends, to this community of Passionistas who choose light over darkness, and love over hate.
Look For The Helpers
You see, no matter what happens in this world, in our lives or in our business, what matters is how we respond. And over the last 12 hours, we have all been witness to so much love both online and offline, but we have also seen so much hate. I choose love. I choose to “look for the helpers”, as Mister Rogers so awesomely said.
Within moments of the tragedy, helpers were everywhere. Google Person Finder helped people locate their loved ones. Over 1000 residents opened their homes to those affected. Southwest Airlines stepped up to help people get home safely. Airbnb immediately took action to help those in need.
Here are some ways you can help.
Choose Love
We have a choice everyday when we wake up, a choice about the energy we bring to our world. In the salon, in our community, and our family, both online and off. We have a choice to be hateful or loving. Our world needs more love. Our businesses need more love. Our families need more love.
As my hero John Lennon said; “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Love is the answer, it always has been. And today, I choose to do my part to bring more loving energy to myself, my family, my friends, my business and my world. Will you join me?
(shared with LOVE + PRAYERS for Boston from Nina)
Unsubscribe
“Follow those who follow something – an idea, a belief, a vision, a cause. Avoid those who need to convince us to follow them.”
Simon Sinek
Please enjoy the audio version of this post if reading is not your thing.
Unsubscribe or Subscribe. Your Choice
In today’s world, we can get so wrapped up in all the “noise”. Whether it’s the news, social networks, TV, e-mails, phone calls, etc. But one thing many of us forget is that we have a choice. We can subscribe and we can unsubscribe.
I Took A Stand
An interesting thing happened on Facebook on March 26, the day the Supreme Court began hearings on Prop 8 and DOMA, two issues that are very near and dear to my heart as a gay woman.
