Boosting Customer Connections: Utilizing Customer Contacts on Your PWS

[MGG]

Hi Everybody,
I just got off the phone with my director and I told her that I add the hostess guestlist to customer contacts on my PWS. She told me she never ever does that and it is a betrayal of their trust. I told her I just assumed that was what we were suppose to do since it is an option on the pull down menu. I also told her the only emails I have sent out to people on that is for HWC and an open house from this weekend that the flakey Premier Jewelry Lady cancelled last minute. She said she never does that and to ask other directors if they do. She then got off the phone--I feel terrible. Does anyone else add guest to their customer contacts?
MGG

 

[raebates]

I don't add the contacts to my PWS, but I don't really use that except for host contacts. I don't consider it a betrayal of their trust, though, especially since you don't seem to automatically start emailing them a newsletter or anything.

 

[sfdavis918]

I've done it. I don't think it is a betrayal of trust at all. (BTW, that is pretty harsh wording!) I think it's ok because everything I send out has an option to reply and opt out of further emails.

 

[MGG]

OMG, thank you guys soo much for replying as soon as you did. I really am soo crushed; the last thing on earth I would ever want to do is alienate a hostess. I rarely use Customer Connections because it goes to spam so readily and I never auto sign up anyone to my newsletter. Thank you sooo much for the feedback.

 

[priscilla]

I don't add the guest listI do not add the entire guest list, I only add folks who came to the show or ordered. At this point they are my customers and I can send my newsletter, info, etc.

Robin

 

[AJPratt]

Umm... If people give you their phone number or email, they are giving you permission to contact them. And they gave that info knowing it was going to you (the PC Lady).

I'm sorry your Director is so dramatic. If you SOLD those names, THAT would be a betrayal of trust; not letting them know when stoneware is on sale. Sheez.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Here's the thing - WHO gave you the contact info. If the guest gives me their info, I still ask each person if I can add them to my emailing list. If I get the info from the host, I DO NOT add them - it gives me a reason to do CCCs. Also, getting the guest list from the host is much easier if they know I will not use the info for anything other than the show.

 

[angmillar]

I don't add every name and email from my host's guest list. But, if a guest purchases something, I do add it. Basically, I don't phish their guest lists for email addresses, but when I get an email that guest has purchased from a show, I add the email to my list. I'm guessing that's okay?!??

As for other emails, if a guest at a show provides their email info on the door prize slip, then I automatically enter it in my email contacts.

It's funny that you posted this today. I just sent an email out to my contacts about my phone sale this Friday, and I had one person reply and ask to be removed from my mailing list. I guess I've sent out too many emails in the past couple of weeks. (I've sent 3- one offering incentives for booking a July show, the one today about my Friday phone sale, and I just sent out the July newsletter as well.)

What do you all think? Is three emails in the past two weeks excessive??

 

[chef131doreen]

I add them all on too and I don't send out emails that often but there is a check mark for the guests that say PLEASE TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST so if they dont want any more they will check that box

 

[AJPratt]

I add them all on too and I don't send out emails that often but there is a check mark for the guests that say PLEASE TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST so if they dont want any more they will check that box

I add them all. And I respect if they asked to be removed. If there is something extra special, like the new kit program, I send something out. I usually just send out my monthly newsletter. Which, BTW, I had someone respond that they wanted to order. And this was someone who was invited to a show, couldn't make it, and didn't place an outside order. So, as long as you don't take advantage of it, that's fine.

And, like Kate does, I use them as CCCs. I'll f/u to an email I sent. "Hey, did you get my newsletter? What did you think? Any suggestions?"