5 Steps to Successful Jewelry Bars

 Does a football team go to the biggest game of the year without doing special practices before hand?  Does a soloist at a dance competition just show up? No!  They practice. They rehearse. They put in some time before the big event.

Success at a Jewelry Bar is the same way. I have been known to go into the bathroom at my hostess's house and look in the mirror and say "YOU CAN DO THIS" . Yes! Sometimes Jewelry bars can be scary, but they don't need to be, if you are prepared. So let's get prepared.

 1. KNOW YOUR SET UP AND YOUR PRODUCTS.  Whether you are a brand new designer or you have a large inventory, you need to practice setting up your display. How do YOU want your table to look?  O2 has suggested we stick to the colors of Teal, Pink, Yellow, White, Burlap and Black for our displays. You don't need to spend a lot to have a beautiful display. Add in some free flowers or something seasonal (like this pumpkin). Keep your display simple, not cluttered. And most importantly, make your display USER FRIENDLY. After all, we WANT our guests to PLAY with our products. Get familiar with the TOM (Take out Menu). Know the differences between lockets, faces, charms etc. Guests aren't expecting you to have it memorized but it is helpful if you are familiar with it.

2. KNOW YOUR PAYMENTS.  How are YOU going to accept payments? There are lots of different ways to accept payments. I personally have a PayPal swiper. It fits on my phone and can swipe all credit cards. The money then goes directly to my pay pal account and I can use my PayPal credit card to spend it. Another way I like to accept payments at Jewelry Bars is by setting up my lap top. I have my Jewelry Bar shopping link up on the screen. When a customer is ready to order, I simply add their items to the cart (OR I ASK MY HOSTESS TO DO THIS) and the customer can enter their credit card directly to the O2 website. Other ways; cash, check (made out to you), Square swiper, Payanywhere Swiper.

Next, have a CHECK OUT location at your Jewelry Bar.  Put a small Jewelry display there- earrings or a core bracelet. Something that can be "added" to the purchase. Think about your favorite store. Is there stuff for sale at the cash register? YES!  Have you ever bought something just because its right there at the register? YES! So plan your Jewelry Bar the same way.

Have a sign at your Jewelry Bar check out- IF I DON'T ASK YOU TO HOST A PARTY, YOU GET YOUR SHIPPING FOR FREE, IF YOU HOST A PARTY, YOU GET FREE JEWELRY.  This holds you accountable to ask every customer because if you forget and they call you on the carpet for it, then YOU have to pay for their shipping!

Practice writing up an order. Practice placing an order online. Practice running a credit card.  PRACTICE MAKES AWESOME!

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 3. GET EVERYONE INVOLVED! Everyone has a story. YOU as the designer are responsible for getting everyone at the party talking about their story. How do you do this? Here are a few ideas...

• Have your jewelry bar at a table where guests will naturally come to sit down at. Instead of having a formal display with rows of chairs for the guests.
• Mingle and encourage your hostess to mingle. Introduce yourself to every guest. I like to say "Let me show you my locket"  -- side note, always wear a locket that is easy to explain...don't wear charms that you can't buy anymore. I like to include a Mom charm, a butterfly "to remind myself to be okay with change", an ice skate "because I figure skate" and a suitcase charm- 'because I love to travel and seek out new adventures.
• When guests arrive, ask them to pick up a picture from a table (or floor)- pictures are print outs you have made of things that represent charms- Anchor, Photo of  mom with a baby, Sail Boat, Ballet shoes, Soccer ball, Piano etc.  Ask the guests to find a picture that they connect with or feel represents them. Then later you can show them that there is a charm for everyone!
• Encourage kids to make lockets- BUT stay close by...I have seen lockets get dropped on cement and shatter, as well as kids not screwing the face down so the locket opens and all the charms fall out.

4. PAY ATTENTION. Listen to conversations and look for clues. Does someone have a college student? Offer the watch. Someone getting married soon? Inscriptions would be perfect- Inscribe the Wedding date or a simple "Rick Loves Angie". Find ways to up sale- sale a pave slider along with a leather wrap to give a second look.  Know the monthly specials (Current September 2015- spend $85 get a free chain and two faces-- knowing this can help you help guests get a good value). KNOW WHAT'S OUT  OF STOCK. This info is updated every few days in the back office.

5. BE YOU!  I know this is a simple concept but it's so true.  Often we think "I'm not a salemen" or "I don't want to be pushy". Just be YOU. Remember WHY you fell in love with the jewelry and chances are good that someone else will fall in the love for that same reason. Be yourself.  Be friendly, Happy, Smiley. YOU are unique gifts and talents that no one else has. Channel those. Use them. Be smart, clean, sharp. And always SHINE.

Watch these three videos...SO MUCH GREAT INFO HERE!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2XuCuHkwi4


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MLYYEyDH30

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfhAd4ndJfg