If you are looking for ways to increase your jewelry sales, gift certificates are a sure way to go.  Jewelry is a great gift for many occasions, but since it is a very personal one, a gift certificate will allow the person to choose a piece she really likes, and one that complements her personality.

A gift certificate is fairly simple to design, if you have a computer and a printer, you can do it yourself.  Simply choose an elegant template online and fill it out to fit your business, but you can let your imagination run wild and make them into an interesting and appealing thing.  It is great to use photos of your jewelry, ask your jewelry wholesalers for some great pictures or take them yourself, and never forget to put your business card inside the envelope.

Any gift certificate must contain your business name and contact information, a “To:” line and a “From:” line, an “Amount:” line, “Custom orders welcome” legend (in case the client wants to buy a special or customized piece by adding some extra money themselves), a unique certificate number, and a security sticker to ensure its authenticity (it should be accompanied by the legend: “This item has embedded security and is void if not present”.

For your personal records, it is important that you keep a log of the certificates you sell, in this way; you have a way to account for each one of them and to confirm the certificate is real and everything is correct (amount, dates, etc.).

You can allow the buyer to fill the “To:” and “From:” spaces in their own handwriting to make it more personal, but you should always write the dollar amount yourself.

Any gift certificate log must have, at least, the following information:  certificate’s number, purchaser’s name, recipient’s name, date sold, dollar amount, and date redeemed.

You will not sell any certificates if you do not let your customers know that you offer them.  Thus, wherever you show your pieces, always have a sign announcing that you have gift certificates available, and also tell everyone personally while they are looking at the jewelry.  In this way, you have the valuable opportunity of reminding them of the great advantages of buying a certificate for a loved one.

Once someone arrives to redeem the certificate, you will have the chance to sell her more than one piece, maybe something to combine with her chosen gift.

Gift certificates work by attracting clients as if by referral, this means, it can’t get any better!

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Excellent customer service, in any area, can be translated as giving the kind of service you would like to receive.  We all desire to be valued, listened to, and respected.  It makes you feel important when you give feedback that is not only heard, but sincerely appreciated too.

Once you turn to the other side of the business, and instead of the buyer, you become the seller, you must begin thinking about the best ways to provide service so that one sale turns into many repeated ones.  The best way to do this is to imagine you are the customer, and in this state, think about what you would like to receive.

In order to help you get started, here are some ideas that will put you on the right track to offering excellent customer service:

1.    Present your product accurately. You wouldn’t like to be deceived, right?  Neither do others.  Show your product in a clear way, without props that could divert attention from your pieces, use different angles if possible, and be exact about dimensions.  If there are inconsistencies in the stones, silver, or any other material used, note them from the beginning, because the customer will surely see them at some point.  Contact your jewelry wholesaler immediately if you need to exchange a piece.

2.    Have a clear sales policy. If you were the customer, you would like to know shipping time and policies for returns and exchanges.  Clarify every detail of the transaction; no matter how small, everything is worth saying.

3.    Be and act professionally. Write e-mails and letters in a formal tone, not as if your customer is your best friend.  Always be courteous and natural, but keep your distance to be perceived as a professional.  If possible, sign every communication by hand so that it looks personal, to show that you took the time to answer them with care.

4.    Act fast. You must reply to e-mails, letters or phone calls in a timely manner.  Make everyone understand that they count and are important.  Do not delay more than 24 hours to respond to a client.

5.    Become efficient. Design a fast process that allows you to present your product to the client in less time than expected, because, once a client pays, he/she expects the product immediately.  Have all your packing supplies ready in one place so that you do not have to hunt for them, and follow a simple, yet rigorous process to ensure the jewelry is securely and beautifully packed.

6.    Show appreciation. Make sure you show your clients how much you care for them and how much you appreciate their purchases.  Thank them in every e-mail, letter or phone call, double check your products to ensure their quality, pack everything with care and love, send a nice thank you note to extend your gratitude for their support.  Treat your customers with care and they will stick with you till the end.

7.    Follow up. It may not happen all the time, but from time to time, something can go wrong.  During these times, remember what customer service is all about, respect the client and find a positive solution that benefits everyone involved.  Thank your client for the feedback, and if the problem was your responsibility, offer them a discount for the next purchase and apologize sincerely.

Good customer service doesn’t have to be such hard work, if you believe in your product and wish for others to enjoy it, just think of what would make you happy and get going!

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We all understand the incredible power behind advertising to get customers to buy what we are offering them.  We know it is one of the best ways to create confidence and urge them to buy, and we also know it is one of the most expensive marketing activities.

Getting the word out about your jewelry is only the beginning.  You must fully engage into marketing and public relations if you really want to get as many customers as possible to buy your jewelry pieces.

Luckily, there are effective ways to advertise your product without spending any money, and imagination has a lot to do with it.

1.    Appear in feature articles.  Feature articles are a great way to promote your jewelry online.  Look for writers or websites that specialize in writing about jewelry and ask them to write a piece about your product in their blog or newsletter.  Writers are always in search for good material, and they will be happy to feature your jewelry if it presents an interesting piece.

2.    Ask your jewelry wholesaler for advertising materials. Professional jewelry wholesalers will be very interested in knowing how their product is being advertised, and they will be very glad to provide interesting materials to support your efforts in different ways.

3.    Answer writers’ questions. Article writers will send you a list of questions that are based on what they believe will interest the readers.  By answering these questions effectively, you can enhance the way you promote your jewelry through them.  Follow these tips when answering:

-    Open up and tell your story.  Make it brief, but accurate.  Show your passion for your business; make it interesting so that it can trigger an emotional response.  When you are able to tell your story in a way that impacts the reader, you will surely get a positive reaction.
-    Show your potential customers why they need your product, why yours stands out from the rest.  Present the added value and advantages of your jewelry.
-    Look for websites that rate and review products.  They will ask you for a sample to inspect the quality, materials and craftsmanship; please, send it to them.  This will show you are confident in the quality of what you are offering, even better, send them your star product, and let them confirm your worth for themselves.  Remember that website visitors prefer to read customer reviews instead of the designer’s description, they want to know how others feel about the product after purchasing it.

In times when money is tight, there is always imagination!  Unleash it, and create new ways of getting to your potential customers to present your jewelry in new and enriching ways.

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One of the key elements of a successful jewelry business is to be able to sell the pieces everywhere, no matter the distance.  In this way, you can grab a huge market, not just the people living around your town.  This will surely make you and your jewelry wholesaler very happy!

To be able to conduct long distance sales, you must ensure your mailing system is safe, easy, inexpensive, and efficient.  Luckily, this is possible, as jewelry is a lightweight product that can be packed easily and mailed with minimal postage.

-    First-class mail will cost you less than $1, and you can safely pack the piece inside a zip lock jewelry bag and put it into a cardboard gift box.  Then, put the gift box, packing slip, and a business card, in a small bubble mailer.  All these provide great protection for the jewelry.  You can order bubble mailers, tape, and other supplies, through the Internet and save a lot of money.

-    Priority mail is another good way to send jewelry.  It takes around two or three days for a person to receive the order through this method, and it is fairly inexpensive.  You will get free priority mail boxes from the post office, and in different sizes, which is very convenient.  You can fill the boxes with crumpled paper, recycled packaging peanuts or bubble wrap.

-    In regards to the postage, you can use USPS.com or Stamps.com to buy and print your own at home without having to go to the post office and wait in line.  You can mail the package from home, insure it and have a delivery confirmation included.

-    Do not write any jewelry related word on your return address if you do not want the package to be stolen; stick to your first and last name.  The same goes for packages that are sent to you.  Never specify that your business is selling jewelry.

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A big part of successfully selling jewelry is in the way it is displayed before customers.  Either the display draws attention towards your shiny pieces or potential customers pass it without even noticing.

Presenting jewelry to the public is an art, one that requires the right balance between style and moderation, one which should put your creativity to the test.

Every jewelry display should reflect the style and personality of the jewels as well as of the potential customers.  Utilize creative props, backgrounds and textures that represent everything your buyers like and desire.  You can get ideas from fashion magazines, antique stores and trendy clothes boutiques, to create your own original winning display.

No jewelry display should excel over the jewelry you are offering.  Remember that the winning card is the product itself; the display should basically complement its shine.  Leave room and make it easy to admire each piece without overwhelming the customers with a lot of stuff around it.  You can create an attractive and interesting corner display to add to the jewelry being displayed on neat cases, gift boxes, trays, busts or racks.

In the same way, any material you select for your props and background should allow for the jewelry to show up against it.  Look for materials that create a contrast with each jewelry piece and make it stand out from the display.

Be careful and resist the temptation to create a rainbow display.  Aim for a unified and professional look by choosing an overall design scheme.  Select up to three main colors and three main textures, and play with them to create an attractive flow.  This will make the jewelry look attractive and valuable, transforming your display into a kind of mini boutique.

It is vital to give visual interest to your jewelry display.  Play with creating different heights by using different objects, and with placing the pieces at different angles to create movement and dynamism.  Think about mounting some posters displaying photos of your jewelry, and even better if there is a person wearing the piece, it will make it more real and appealing.  You can ask your jewelry wholesaler for some attractive options.

Create a display that is easily transportable; with durable and lightweight materials to withstand continuous travelling, that is compact enough to fit into a bag or trunk, and very practical to ensure it can be set up rapidly and effortlessly.  Efficiency is a big part or your jewelry business’ success.  If the display can be set up fast, without sacrificing quality and you will grab more customers.

Always on the same line of efficiency, keep your displays pre-loaded with jewelry to go out the door or to present your product in a professional way at home, as soon as an opportunity arises.  For example, if you use rotating earring racks, load them fully at home, put them inside a plastic trash bag along with several no-tarnish strips, tie the bag shut, and put it in a plastic wastebasket container inside your closet.  Do this for other displays too and be ready to go!

Do not neglect the lights that will make your jewelry shine and sparkle to tempt your customers.  Always have portable and stylish lamps available for your displays.  Do not forget extra light bulbs and extension cords.

Make sure that as soon as customers pass by your display, the first pieces they see are your best jewels; this is a sure way to attract people to your setting, and it will be a great icebreaker.  Catch the customer’s eye effectively by presenting luscious pieces and get people talking around your display.

Last, but not least, encourage customers to try on the pieces by presenting several mirrors to them so that they can confirm that THAT special piece was made for them.  Place the mirrors at different heights to fit everyone, make sure they are not directed towards the lights, creating a very unpleasant blinding flash, and ensure you keep them clean from fingerprints.

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Cubic zirconia is a man-made diamond that is considered the best of its type in the market.  For centuries, diamonds have been considered the favorite stone for jewelry, but not everyone can afford one of these precious stones, thus, cubic zirconia came along to delight a huge number of women around the globe.

When set in gold or sterling silver, CZ jewelry, as it is also known, can be worn daily without damaging it, except in some specific cases.  In any case, regular care is always vital if you want your jewelry to remain shiny and bright.

Here you will find some tips to take good care of your beautiful cubic zirconia jewelry or to pass along to your clients, in case you are a distributor buying from a jewelry wholesaler, so that it can be enjoyed and showed off in perfect condition for many years, in every and all daily activities, be they professional or leisure ones:

-    Everyday make-up, as well as face and body powder and lotions, can dull the cubic zirconia’s shine.  To prevent this from happening, remove the CZ jewelry, or do not wear it, before applying any of these beauty products.

-    Cubic zirconia jewelry must be put away well protected around a soft cotton cloth that will prevent scratching on its surface to happen.

-    Today’s busy schedules can make you neglect your jewelry’s regular cleaning.  Do not fall into this trap!  Devote time to it; it can be once every two weeks or once a month, to properly care for your CZ jewelry so that you do not lose it just because of your carelessness.  How often you clean it will depend directly on how much you wear it, so be honest with yourself and take good care of your well-spent money.

By following these simple tips you will be surprised at how beautiful your cubic zirconia jewelry will remain overtime and you will ensure that it is ready to wear any time and on every special occasion when you need to complement your already splendid image with a touch of extra shine!

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