Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/182-2/

Show Notes:

If you want to put your best foot forward this Holiday season and beyond in your retail shop, join the Retailer's Inner Circle! The Inner Circle is my private coaching group. We've got a vibrant group of retailers from all over the globe in our community and we want to help you too! In October, we launched our monthly playbook inside the Inner Circle. The monthly playbook is changing the way my retailers approach marketing! It's taking the pressure off: you'll no longer have to ask yourself "What do I need to do? When do I need to do it? What emails should I be sending?" In addition to goal setting, it's full of tips, ideas, and timelines to help independent creative retailers navigate small business ownership. Check it out today!

Holiday Retail Marketing can feel so hard. But it doesn't have to be.

One extra step and an important step in the marketing framework I teach is to "wow & delight" our retail customers to keep them coming back. This is such an important part of independent retail because it is one of our true advantages over the big box stores. We can build communities of allies, believers and advocates for our shops. Hospitality is what connects people to you and your retail brand. This week on the podcast I'm sharing some extra tips for you this season.

Tips to Wow & Delight Your Customers:

1. Send a gift to your top/milestone clients: Even if you don't have access to home addresses of your best customers, you can make up small "thank you" gifts to hand out when your best clients come in to shop. Get creative!

2. Think beyond the bench: Do unexpected things! We've all thought about placing a bench outside of the dressing room or a place for the husbands to hang out, but what else can we do that will wow your customers unexpectedly? In this episode, I'm sharing a bunch of ideas my clients are using now.

3. In-store and ongoing promotions: Think about what you can do in your shop that will help out your clients that is unique to you. Make your promotions fun and different. Elevate your gift registries, bag stuffers, all of the things! How can you make your customers smile?

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 93: How to Wow & Delight Your Customers to Keep Them Coming Back

Episode 143: How to Plan and Host Successful Events and Promotions in Your Shop

Episode 145: How to Market Promotional Events in Your Shop

Wow and delight

Episode 181: 3 Areas to Focus on in Q4 in Your Retail Shop

About your host, Retail Coach Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's sources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/181-2/

Show Notes:

If you are looking for support in your retail business, now is a great time to join my private coaching group, the Retailer's Inner Circle! We just added a monthly playbook that will help guide you through your weekly CEO dates. We'll give you marketing tips and ideas, email topics for your list, number tracking, event organization, ALL THE THINGS! We are so excited for this new document. It will surely help every member of the Inner Circle, and YOU can be one of them. The Retailer's Inner Circle is the group I couldn't find when I had a brick + mortar and needed support. Get more info and join us HERE.

In Episode 181 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm sharing 3 things that will help you maximize your sales this holiday season end the year in your retail shop with a little more energy and profits. Remember: it's not about chasing the sales and our top line.

Three Things to Focus on in Q4

1. Your Team: Ensure your team knows the daily/weekly sales goals. Think about how you can motivate them to meet those goals. Can you gamify the goals for your staff? Make sure your team is feeling empowered, are trained properly in the products you sell, and that you are communicating properly with them.

Does your team know to greet your customers? Are you asking "is there anyone else you have to buy for?"

2. Stop Random Acts of Marketing/Discounts: Random last minute sales confuse our customers and our staff. Any sales/discounts should be planned in advance with intention and communicated properly to our staff and customers.

If you are starting to panic because things are slower than you expected, try going live on Facebook or Instagram. Show the value of your products through bundling, offering gift baskets etc.

3. Wow & Delight New Customers: This is the time of year that new customers will be coming into your shop. Maybe their friends told them about you, maybe holiday shopping gave them a reason to make their first visit. Take time to show them around your shop, introduce yourself, and make that first impression a good one. We want these customers to come back in the new year.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 169: 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Profit Margins (And Why You Should!)

Episode 168: Merchandising to Sell: Intuitive Merchandising

Episode 107: Turn Browsers Into Buyers

Episode 99: Listener's Question: How Should We Greet Our Customers?

Episode 93: How to Wow & Delight Your Customers and Keep Them Coming Back

Check out the top Holiday Sales Podcast Playlist of our top retail sales podcasts.

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendysources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/180/

Show Notes:

Did you know we have an active book club in my Level Up Mastermind? It's true - we do! One of our amazing members - Millie Blackwell of Mrs. Blackwell's Village Bookshop - curates an incredible list of books for our Mastermind members and leads our book club each month. Today on the podcast, Millie and I are having a fun time reviewing the books we read so far this year, complete with star ratings!

Don't miss the first episode Millie and I recorded together. Bonus points for whoever knows which of the books we review today Millie called out as a favorite in Episode 132. It's linked below!

A quick reminder - before you shop the big guys for you reading and listening think local retail first.

How to support your local booksellers:

1. Shop in store! This is the very best way for your local booksellers to help you find exactly what you are looking for - and maybe even a little more!

2. Shop your local bookstore's website or through bookshop.org . Bookshop.org is an amazing alternative to shopping on Amazon. You can choose which shop you want your purchase to support. Use bookshop.org if your favorite local bookstore doesn't have their own website.

3. Purchase audiobooks through Libro.fm. Libro.fm is an alternative to Audible.

New Zealand followers, you can shop directly with Millie HERE.

The Books:

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr (2014)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: To us, this book was all about overcoming your inner critic and self doubt.

Millie shared this quote:

"Feedback can only tell you something about the person giving you the feedback. It can't tell you anything essential about yourself." - Tara Mohr

I loved this one:

"I wrote this book because I'm tired of meeting women who have important messages to share but whose self-doubt is keeping them quiet. I'm tired of encountering woman after woman diluted by the myth that she needs to be MORE of something: more qualified, more prepared… than she already is in order to share her ideas." - Tara Mohr

Millie & Wendy's Star Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars - We both loved the book but the themes have been exhausted over the past 9 years.Therefore, it didn't hit home as much as it would have had the book been read back when it was written in 2014.

Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored by Mike Michalowicz (2021)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: Following your industry's "best practice" marketing creates white noise. If everyone else is doing it, your business won't stand out. We have to differentiate our marketing to stand out from the competition.

Millie and Wendy's Star Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars - Millie loved this one so much that she listened to the audio and then bought the book to highlight and refer back. We both liked that this book had practical, actionable marketing ideas for small business owners.

I'll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again and Again by Shep Hyken (2021)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: Customer loyalty is not about a lifetime, it's about the next time every time. Hyken talks about marketing for loyalty vs. loyalty programs: We need our customers to want to choose us. We need to have our team on board with knowing why we can't just be mediocre.

Millie & Wendy's Star Rating - 4 / 5 stars: Shep knows his audience (busy shop owners) and caters to them: this book is easy to read and has great chapter summaries.

I interviewed Shep Hyken back in Episode 118.

Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work That Lasts by Ryan Holiday (2017)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: We need to always be looking outside of our own industry for inspiration. Another takeaway that got us thinking was Holiday's idea of relationships as a platform that needs to be nurtured.

Millie & Wendy's Star Rating - 4.5 / 5 stars: Lots of the ideas in this book were new ones that we hadn't heard before.

4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (2021)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: If you live to the age of 80, you will live for 4000 weeks which, according to Millie is "terrifyingly and insultingly short." This "time reminder" (not time management) book is all about embracing that limit and realizing we will never get everything done in our lives that we want to get done. We need to be intentional about what is important to us including rest and recovery.

Millie's Star Rating - 5 / 5 stars: Millie reminds US readers to not judge this book by its cover.

Wendy's Star Rating - 4.75 / 5 stars: I would give the audiobook 5 / 5, but found the paperback harder to pick up.

How to Grow Your Small Business by Donald Miller (2023)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: This one is textbook-like, specific, all-action: A great how-to guide for someone who wants to start a small business. Miller uses an airplane analogy to break a business down into 6 parts which when we discussed in the mastermind, many had strong feelings.

Millie and Wendy's Star Rating: 4 / 5 - Neither of us were in the space of needing a book like this at the time we read it, but it is great if it is the type of business book you are looking for.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (2014)

Our thoughts/themes/takeaways: Millie loved the chapter on sleep and buffering: creating buffers in our lives to relieve stress. My big takeaway was the reminder that there are trade-offs with every decision and you have to be disciplined with decision making.

"Simplify, eliminate, reduce. Do less but better." - Greg McKeown

About Millie and Mrs. Blackwell's Village Bookshop:

Mrs. Blackwell is a specialist in non-fiction categories and stationery. She grew up on an apricot orchard in Central Otago but never really cared for the taste of the fruit. Mrs. Blackwell's Village Bookshop is an independent bookshop for inquisitive minds and romantic souls in Greytown, New Zealand.

Website | Instagram

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 132: Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell

Episode 118: How to Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author Shep Hyken

Episode 98: My Top Business Books for Retailers (the giveaway in this episode is closed!)

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendysources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/179/

Show Notes:

I'm talking with Retailer Inner Circle member Jessica Gebauer. Jess owns Krysset Artisan Boutique & Market in Yardley, PA: a shop full of unique products and gifts made by artists all over the United States and Canada. Jess's business started as a monthly subscription box and evolved into a brick and mortar when she realized the subscription box was limited and she had bigger dreams.

Working with makers has its challenges: being able to meet margins, being able to pay staff, etc. Jess's advice is to focus on makers who are set up to do wholesale and want to sell their goods to independent retail shops like Krysset. Jess uses Faire and other wholesale marketplaces, trade shows, local craft shows, and years of experience to find her vendors. Krysset has over 100 vendors in rotation.

We talked a bit about Jess's journey to CEO. It has not been linear, as most shop owners will tell you! Jess describes opening her shop as being on the water skis attached to the boat, rather than being the one actually driving the boat, which is so true and an analogy I love.

Jess opened Krysset in September 2021 as the pandemic lingered. She describes her first year as "really (really, really) rough." She had a number of challenges she was facing in her personal life, leading to her first hire: her current shop manager, Michael.

Her CEO hat has been coming out more and more in 2022 and 2023 as she settled into her shop, something we focus on inside the Retailer's Inner Circle.

Here are a few very simple marketing ideas that have been working well for Jess and Krysset:

1. Treating their customers well and with respect when they come in the door. Jess's employees intuitively know that the people coming through the door want to be treated as a friend. It is so important to hire people who believe in genuine hospitality.

2. Updating the exterior of her retail store. With the help and suggestions of the Inner Circle community, Krysset got an exterior makeover that brought new customers into the shop. Immediately following making some changes, her foot traffic multiplied.

3. Carrying products that aren't carried at every boutique on the East Coast.

At the end of the episode we have a conversation about why independent brick and mortar retail is so important. Jess was asked recently why she opened an independent retail store when "Amazon exists" and we both have strong opinions on that question as you probably do too! Tune in for our answers!

About Jessica and Krysset:

Jessica Gebauer is an entrepreneur who turned her passion for jewelry and artisan-made products into a successful retail shop. Her boutique, Krysset, is brimming with unique products from independent businesses across North America. As an advocate for the creative community, its her mission to support the dreams of other entrepreneurs.

Why Jess exclusively sources from other small businesses and independent makers:

"People think it's "novel" to shop small but they truly don't understand the magnitude of that decision. They don't understand the significance of choosing small, what that means for people's livelihoods, how much it's truly needed to maintain diversity and uniqueness among product choices plus how it encourages ingenuity and enriches people's lives - both the maker and the recipient of the product." - Jess Gebauer

You can follow along with Jess and Krysset here:

Website | www.krysset.shop

IG | @krysset_shop

FB | www.facebook.com/KryssetShop

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 174: 5 Ways to Network in Your Own Community

Episode 158: Becoming a Destination Shop

Episode 122: Retail Success Series: CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis from Louisville Mercantile

Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendysources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/178/

Show Notes

Running a retail business doesn't have to be so hard, but sometimes it can be, right? You want your business to be successful, but sometimes as your business grows you face more challenges and bumps in the road. Today I'm going to share 3 must-have mindset shifts you need in order to keep growing your successful retail business. I promise today's episode can change your retail business for the better.

Before we get started, I wanted to shout out my Retailer's Inner Circle. The retailers in this group are doing the work, supporting each other, and growing so fast - and there is always room for more! If you need support in your retail business, join me and a community of heart centered, like-minded retailers who are working on bettering their retail businesses. Joining comes with access to countless masterclasses (some I mention in today's episode) that you can work through at your own pace. We meet at least monthly via Zoom and our Facebook group is active pretty much daily! If you've been hesitant, ask yourself why? The monthly investment is low and the rewards are so high. It's a vibrant space because of retailers like you who want to grow their businesses, make more profit, and have more time in their lives.

Together we are always working on mindset.

Successful retailers need these 3 mindsets.

What we cover in the podcast this week.

Three Mindset Shifts You Need for Success

1. Circumstances happen so you need to build your resilience muscle. We have all had bad things in our businesses: bad buys, bad reviews, a good team member leaves. How do you react when these things happen? Following the CTFAR model will help you control your thoughts, your feelings, and your reactions. I talk about the CTFAR model at length in Episode 172. It makes your resilience muscle stronger; and therefore you can show up for your team as a better leader. As your resilience muscle grows, it gets easier to be proactive when things go haywire.

2. You need to understand the mechanics of your retail businesses. You need to make decisions based on your data, to know where your money is going, to know how the risks you are taking will affect your retail business etc. The numbers can be scary especially to a lot of us who run creative businesses, but it is crucial to have a grasp on them. There is a masterclass called Money Matters that you'll have access to with your membership to the Retailer's Inner Circle. The masterclass breaks it down for you so you can be confident when talking about money and your numbers.

3. You need to be open to growing, learning, and changing. You cannot stay still in retail. Even if things are going great for you in your business right now, it likely won't stay that way if you aren't open to evolving and growing in some way. You don't know what you don't know, right? Growth can only happen when your mindset is open to what is possible for your retail business. What exciting opportunities have you said "no" to because you were nervous? Could you have made it work? Have you shot down the idea of business coaching because you didn't think you needed it? Let's change your mindset around change and see what magic can happen in your business!

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 172: Solve Any Problem and Get Better Results With This!

Episode 157: Best of Series: Growth Mindset with Inner Circle Member Jeff Lee

Episode 128: 5 Ways to Recreate That Disney Cash Flow Magic in Your Shop

Episode 89: Money Talk and Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

S

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/177/

Show Notes:

Let's talk about LOCAL SEO for retail. Today on the podcast I'm talking with Matt Diamante, owner of a Canadian digital marketing agency called HeyTony, about all things LOCAL SEO. If you aren't sure where to start with SEO, this podcast episode is absolutely it. Matt and I talk through the basics and the small steps you can take today to get your retail business and website optimized on Google.

"[People use Google] with intent: they are looking to buy, they are looking for more information, maybe they are looking to do research to buy later. And if you are not showing up higher on Google, you aren't going to make that sale." -Matt Diamante

Simple Tips to improve local SEO on your website and Google Business:

1. The footer on every page of your website should have your business name and logo, your address, and a contact phone number.

2. Delete duplicate content from page to page on your website (this doesn't apply to the footer). If more than one page on your website explains the same thing, rewrite it.

3. The more reviews you have on your Google Business, the better you will rank. Ask your customers to leave reviews on Google.

4. Ensure everything is updated on your Google Business page: your business name, address, phone, description, services, photos, etc. Make sure you list ALL of your services.

5. Remember that social media isn't necessarily used by people who have an intent to purchase (except TikTok sometimes). Use social media for instant feedback from your customers (likes, comments, etc.) SEO, on the other hand, gives us delayed gratification. It can take time to see that it's working; however, locally, it can work fast if you put in the work.

6. Use Google Search Console. Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site's presence in Google Search results. It helps you learn and use your data.

7. Blog as often as possible as long as you are putting out good pieces of content - at the very least, one time a month for retail shop owners. Answer the questions your customers have inserting your keywords, it doesn't always have to be selling.

About Matt and HeyTony:

Hi! I'm Matt! I run a digital marketing agency called HeyTony. I've helped my clients get over 55M+ website visitors through my organic digital marketing efforts. Oh, and I love talking SEO. Don't get me started, cause I won't stop!

Check out my free course, Understanding SEO.

Follow along with me on Instagram @heytony.agency and on the HeyTony Website.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 95: Tips to Tame the Admin and Stay Ahead of Business Trouble

Episode 97: 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Website

Episode 160: Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendysources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!'s FREE Re

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/176/

Show Notes

We all know that differences exist across generations, but have you given any thought to how those differences could impact your marketing? Today on the podcast we are going to dive into just that: generational differences among our customers and how we can market differently to ensure we are serving all of our customers without leaving money on the table.

This question came up in my Level Up Mastermind retail group recently and as a group we did some digging. Today I'm sharing some research and findings with you all. If you are interested in learning more about the group, you can check out my website here.

How to Market to Different Generations

Here are some notes about each generation: where they are in life, what they respond to, what they are looking for, etc.

• Gen Z - (ages 12-26 currently) - Gen Z spans a wide age range, but the older bunch is at the age where they are getting their first apartment, buying their first home, getting married, etc. They will tell you that they have a short attention span. This group (more than others) responds to short form video (TikTok)

• Millennials - (ages 27-42 currently) - Millennials have a busy lifestyle. They are often parents of young children. A few things that characterize their shopping experience are frictionless buying, connection to community, loyalty to brands they love, driven by peers (reviews). Surprisingly, Millennials are still listening to the radio. They love curbside pickup and Instagram buying - anything that makes life easier.

• Gen X - (ages 43-58 currently) - Gen X shares characteristics of both Millennials and Boomers. They are totally loyal to brands they love and expect great customer service. Traditional marketing typically still works amongst Gen X (value added, coupons, discounts etc.) They are a very nostalgic bunch and often purchase from Facebook ads.

• Boomers - (ages 59-75 currently) - Surprisingly, Boomers are the best at opening emails. They are very brand loyal and not motivated by FOMO, meaning last minute or exclusive deals won't speak to them. Boomers love online ordering and still purchase gift certificates.

How to Make Sure You are Serving Multiple Generations

Some follow-up questions to think about as you listen:

1. Who in your community does your shop serve?

2. Who do you want to serve?

3. Who actually lives in your community?

4. Who is buying for whom and how does that affect your marketing?

5. What can you offer in your shop that crosses multiple generations?

6. If you serve a specific generation, what can you do to serve the generation coming up behind them?

Be sure to stay open and curious about your marketing strategy and how you can market your business across generations. For example, if your ideal customers are primarily Gen Z, how are you reaching Boomers when they are looking to purchase gifts for this younger generation?

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 31: 7 Tactics to Attract Foot Traffic to Your Brick and Mortar

Episode 79: Your Competitive Advantage Over Amazon

Episode 82: 5 Steps to Simplify Your Content Planning

Episode 101: Making Email Marketing Fun with Kate Doster

About your host, Retail Coach Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/podcast/

Don't miss - my 6-week Sales Accelerator Workshop starts again on September 27th! This workshop was a game changer for the retailers who participated in the first round back in July. In this workshop, we work together step by step on the sales funnel: how you find your people and move them from lurkers to repeat customers. If you need more info or would like to join us (you totally should), here is the link.

Show Notes

First impressions count.

Your brand assets are your customer's first glimpse into what your shop is all about. That's why ensuring they tell a cohesive story is SUPER important. Today I'm going to give you a few tips to ensure that no matter where customers are looking for you, they will find a clear, cohesive story of what your shop is all about.

Remember that reality is what our customers think of our shop and our brand, not necessarily what we want them to think. Keep in mind that you have control over this! No matter how customers find you, your shop's first impression matters. The information you present online via Facebook, your website, LinkedIn, Google Business, etc. should be accurate and convey consistent information and branding. You need to ensure that your platforms answer these questions: (1) who you are (2) what you do and (3) who your shop serves.

A few tips:

1. Use keywords that your customers will be searching.

2. Don't be too generic with your description of what you do.

3. Make sure all the basics are correct: your phone number, address, store hours, etc.

4. You don't have to be for everyone. Speak directly to your ideal customers.

5. If your social media accounts or Google Business haven't been updated lately (much like the exterior of your shop), you are likely repelling customers.

6. Ask a friend or business buddy to look at your socials and website with fresh eyes. If you are in my Retailer's Inner Circle, grab a buddy and work together on this.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 174: Five Ways to Network in Your Own Community

Episode 166: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Return Customer Rate

Episode 165: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Increasing Your Average Order Value

Episode 164: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Foot Traffic and Conversion

Episode 163: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Where to Start

Episode 96: Before You Pay for Ads, Do These 3 Things

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/174-2/

As independent shop owners, we are always looking for ways to improve our shop's visibility within our communities. We want our shops to be better known by the people who live and work where we do, right? If that sounds like you, listen up. Today's podcast is all about your Attract Strategy through networking; or, in other words; getting you out of the door to get people in your door.

Before we dive in, I wanted to let you know that we have a new Sales Accelerator Course starting in October. Sign up here.

5 Ways to Network in Your Community

1. Get social on social media: In addition to nurturing the clients you already have who follow you on social media, take a few minutes every day to comment, share, like, etc. on the posts of other businesses/groups where your ideal customers are hanging out. Check out who is watching your stories and who is following you and reach out to thank them or like some of their posts.

2. Get involved in your community: Getting involved can mean joining the Chamber of Commerce, shopping around and supporting the other local businesses, joining a club or group, etc.

3. Host a community event or service: Host an event that doesn't have anything to do with your shop but supports your community. Examples from my clients are pet adoptions, paper shredding events, flea markets, book clubs, outside group meetings, etc.

4. Set up collaborations: Think about your customers and what collaborations you can offer them to make their lives easier. What goods or services are complimentary to your products? Collaborate with other local businesses to offer workshops/events/products that your customers will love.

"[A mindset of] Collaboration over competition can work miracles for you."

5. Introduce yourself to people in your community: Retailers need to get out. Drop by some businesses in your community and introduce yourself without expectations. If it's doable, offer a gift certificate or small gift as well. Having people know and recognize you and your business is incredibly valuable.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 173: Find the Right Customer for Your Shop

Episode 166: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Return Customer Rate

Episode 165: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Increasing Your Average Order Value

Episode 164: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Foot Traffic and Conversion

Episode 163: Simple Sales Strategy Series: Where to Start

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/podcast/

Before we get started today, I wanted you to know that I am offering a FREE private coaching call for everyone who joins the Retailer's Inner Circle during the month of September! It's a GREAT time to join - we've added the revamped Holiday Bootcamp to our long list of masterclasses. Join us on the inside and work through it with us! Remember: You don't have to do this alone.

Today on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, we are talking about the people we want in our shops: our ideal customers. Where do we find them? How do we attract them? Let's dive in!

You'll need to first identify who your ideal customer is. In identifying that person, remember that great brands are not for everyone. It is okay to repel some people while you work on attracting your ideal customer.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help with this process:

-How is your retail shop different from the other shop down the street?

-Who are you currently serving versus who do you WANT to be serving?

-What are 3-5 words that describe how you want your ideal customer to FEEL when they are in your shop?

-Think of everything about your brand from your customers' point of view. What are the words your customers use to describe you? What do your customers WANT to buy in your shop?

-Are your customers value-driven? Connection-driven? Pride-driven? Something else?

-Where are your retail customers hanging out? What other shops/restaurants in your town are your ideal customers frequenting? Where else do they shop?

Throughout the episode I'll give you some real examples of my clients who adjusted their offerings based on their customers' needs/wants with great success. In order to find your people, you need to understand them. In order to attract them to your shop, you need to make sure that every piece of your brand is speaking to your ideal customer.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map

Episode 126: 10 Simple Ways to Level Up Your Shop

Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple & Powerful Marketing Tool to Use

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!