Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

It happens to everyone. Let's say one morning you're going through your normal routine and BAM - out of nowhere you receive a negative review. It's crushing. It feels unfair. Unjust. A personal attack on you. It's going to happen at some point. In this episode, I want to walk you through how to take care of it and what to do when you get a bad review.

1. Answer Every Review - Now is not the time to panic. It may feel truly threatening to your reputation, but now is the time to put your CEO hat on and respond respectfully.
2. Take the High Road - Kill them with kindness. Offer to resolve the problem and take your time in responding so you can be responsive, not reactive.
3. Look at the Big Picture - What can you learn from this?
4. Be Proactive - Ask your loyal customers for reviews on a regular basis.

One bad review is not going to ruin your business. Just make sure you are prepared when they happen.

Full show notes at

https://wendybatten.com/105/

Let's turn old inventory into cash flow. Think of all of your inventory as dollar bills. And I mean everything. Inventory is cash sitting on your shelves, backrooms, closets, and storage bins! Let's turn some of that inventory cash sitting there and help meet your revenue goals, pay the bills, fulfill payroll, etc. In this episode, you'll learn some great tips to help you boost your cash flow just by clearing out the clutter. Have a Blowout Sale and "Marie Kondo" your inventory to get rid of everything that doesn't spark joy (or make you money)!

1. Assess the Mess - Take a good, honest look at your stock room inventory and jot it all down. Including your project pieces.
2. Make the Decision and Do it - Don't think about it, don't ponder. Declare it publically!
3. Promote it - Hyping up the sale will help you win! Keep it simple and don't overthink. Email, Facebook, Instagram, local businesses, online bulletin boards, etc.
4. Move it - Consider your pricing. Get the items that are no longer serving you and get them below cost. Detach from what you paid for the item and get it sold.

Do you hold a clearance sale in your shop? What's your process?

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-104/

When is the last time you thought about your signage? Your signage can do SO much more than just inform about pricing. Think of your signage as: Your Silent Salesperson.

In this episode, we are discussing actionable steps, strategies, and tips on how to use your signage properly.The "Do" List:

• Use simple font
• Help customers find "hidden gems" - ex: Staff favorites. Stick to your brand and make signage that helps your customers make decisions.
• Location - place signage on products, on the mat at the front door, etc. Ask a question or mention events and workshops. Allow your signs to do the work for you!
• Outdoor Signage - Does it say who you are and what you do? Be clear.
• CTA - include a Call to Action wherever you can.

The "Don't" List:

• Only have SALES signs - don't become the discount store.
• Dismiss the Quality - Make sure the sign reflects the quality of your brand.
• Location - place signage too high (have it at eye level).

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-103/

There's no easy button or magic wand that we can use to increase our sales during workshops and events. However, if you're doing your job right, if you're making people feel seen, you're prepared, and you come from a place of service - magic can happen!

In this episode, I share actionable steps to increase your in-store sales after workshops, events, and demos. Easily and effortlessly. All without feeling slimy, icky, or yucky.

1. Get them to imagine themselves doing the project/thinking about the pieces at home - ask your event attendees to imagine the project/piece/item in their home, where would they put this? How would they use that? What piece do they want to paint? Etc.
2. Make it easy for them - No pressure, no hoops to jump through, no hassle. Give them something special, a value add, that will make your customer feel excited, happy, and wanting more right now.
3. Plan for "what's next " for them - Be prepared after a workshop with what's ahead. What event can they sign up for next? Catch them while they are in excitement mode!
4. Extra tip - Never rush anyone out of a workshop/event or make them feel like they have to go. Entice and encourage them with private shopping after the event!

Always come from a place of service. When you do that, magic really does happen!

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-102/

If you've ever struggled with WHY you should send email or WHAT you should send - this episode is for you!

It's so important to connect, serve and sell in a way that resonates and connects with your customers. My guest today is the incredible Kate Doster, who believes that sales will follow by having fun, treating people like people, and being genuinely helpful.

I'm a true fangirl of Kate!

As a retail shop owner, you may find it hard to find the time or wonder what content to share - or why you should even bother? But the stats don't lie - customers are much more likely to purchase from you if they have CHOSEN to be on your email list. Even if you are on Instagram and Facebook - you NEED email.

Email Marketing is a mindset. It's a simple, helpful conversation.

Kate really dives into how to give yourself permission to truly have fun with your email list and not get in your own way. There are no rules. We discuss strategies to grow your email list, topics to discuss besides discounts, how to batch content, and more!

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-101/

Hey there, friends, and welcome to our 100th episode of The Creative Shop Talk Podcast!

Do you celebrate your business milestones?

I call them champagne moments! So many of us just don't take them, we just move on to the next thing on the to-do list. Is that you? It was (and can be) me.

In today's episode, I'm sharing lessons learned from doing 100 episodes of our podcast, 3 of the biggies that you can use in your business. Why it's important and HOW to celebrate.

We do hard things every day. If you are listening - you've already done a hard thing in opening your business. The million little things you've had to learn and do.

Big or small. It's important to acknowledge the things that are happening.

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-100/

It's Ask Wendy day today!

One of the questions that I'm asked quite regularly is, "How do I greet customers?"

What should I say? What shouldn't I say? I share the "bad words" that most of us say!

This is such an important step in the customer relationship and helps them feel welcomed and stay loyal (and help us make more sales). This episode really breaks down what we should and could say with the reasoning behind it.

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-99/

All of the books mentioned in today's podcast could be yours if you join us for our upcoming free, three-day Spring challenge- The Retailer's Refresh Spring Challenge. Let's get reset for the new season together starting on March 28, 2022! Doors are open!

Even if you are not a reader, try the habit of reading 15 minutes a day. It's all it takes to open up your mind to new concepts and new things, new mentors, and bigger ideas.

Here are some great business books that I love and their "highlight reel".

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-98/

Why, as retailers, do we need a website?

Not only does it give you credibility and a professional look, but it's a marketing asset you OWN. It is something that is yours and simple goes a long way. Let's face it, not everyone is on Instagram or Facebook, but they are searching Google, maps, or Google My Business.

But let's make sure you aren't making the five mistakes we talk about today.

Have you covered all the basics on your website? Make your website CLEAR for your customers so you're not leaving money on the table.

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-97/

We are covering a big topic today: Marketing. What should we know? Where should we spend our marketing money? What should we do? These are questions I get all the time, and in this episode, we are discussing a simple way to look at what we can do BEFORE we spend one penny on paid advertising.

We must first think about the first impression we are making when people DO find us.

Do we have our ducks in a row? Is the info correct and accurate? We control and own what's out there.

Then we need to think about things already available to us, social and sharing in different communities. Then, earned marketing - what opportunities are available to us because of the reputation we are building in our communities?

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/episode-96/