Thoughts from Paris

[Former_Member]

I'm currently writing you from my last travel stop: Paris! I learned something when I just arrived – it is much better to say "I'm sorry, I cannot speak French.", rather than, "Do you speak English?" You are much more likely to get help if you aren't making a demand of it. This got me thinking – how often do we ask our buyers to participate in our way of doing things instead of asking for their help? I started this Etsy Success forum thread to get us brainstorming ways we can encourage participation from our fans and buyers.

One thing I did when I was selling jewelry – I started an online form asking my buyers to suggest images they would want to see etched on my jewelry. (This form also asked my buyers if they would like to sign up for my newsletter.) This was one way I received feedback, collected contacts and made my buyers feel like they had participated in the growth of my business!

[Former_Member]

Bonjour! I find that my buyers love to participate in my projects on my facebook fan page. One idea will lead to another and before I know it fights are breaking out over the latest pieces :-)

By the way, NEVER ask a Parisian if they speak english, they do love to feel superior....

*hides from Parisian friends*

[beadsofaquarius]

By the way, NEVER ask a Parisian if they speak english, they do love to feel superior....
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@ mentalembellisher , Lol! :) it's true!

[MilkandCookies]

Huh, mental?! There's nothing "superior" about not speaking English in a Non-English speaking country!

Good points Danielle!

[Former_Member]

milk, i think she meant the stereotype that the french look down on us 'lazy Americans' lol

[Former_Member]

Milk, I'm being tongue in cheek, I've lived in France for over 25 years, believe me, it's better to never presume a french person will speak a foreign language!

[NutfieldWeaver]

Bonjour, Danielle & Etsy neighbors!

I have been sort of passive about this. I have had many clients approach me with their specifics. For example, I've made several sets of table napkins, which were variations of dishtowels, in custom colorways. Brides who come to my shop are often very specific about their color palettes -- but I think that they are accustomed to approaching potential vendors with their preferences and are in general very clear about their visions/needs.

So your post got me thinking, too. I tend to wait to be asked. I think that this tendency is in keeping with my personality, and I'm not so sure it makes for good business. However, I am approached regularly by potential custom order clients, so I'm not completely off track (maybe people at custom order listings and/or feedback...)

More food for thought. Thanks for the virtual Parisienne pastry...

[Former_Member]

Getting inspiration from buyers is something I do all the time, and also it's a good place to get motivaion! When I'm in the middle of a project that's either frustrating or I lost the motivation for, I post pictures and blog about it. I don't have a huge following, but the ones that do respond are usually positive and keep going.

ALSO Once I post my norwegian paintings one here (not sure when that's going to happen) I plan to put my descriptions in BOTH english and norwegain. I like to use goodle translate for languages I don't know, when the buyer has a different home language. In fact, I've actually google translated my hand written notes, which I think it is a nice touch. It's so nice to do it 'their way'.

[MilkandCookies]

hehe, fair enough! :)

[Quiltwear]

I've gotten some good ideas from customers asking me to make something.

In English of course!

Do love Paris though!

[Former_Member]

I love feedback from buyers but then I love custom designs. With custom designs you may end up with 40 plus convo but you end up with a satisfied customer. I enjoy the convo and telephone conversations with the brides and other customers. I have huge inventory but not sure how to market custom designing.

[Former_Member]

marking to read and think of ideas... btw my computer decided to randomly start spelling checking in French this morning... I have NO idea why lol Do you think it took a trip to Paris without me? Did you run into my spell checker while you were there Danielle?

[Former_Member]

Great points Danielle and Artists. I opened up my blog and will speak more about it on my facebook, asking for ideas and things my visitors would like to see. Merci beaucoup !!!

Vive la France! I'd love to move there, my friend and his family just did. I am in a distance relationship with my love of Western Europe. However, my family base is very tight and they have no plans to leave the US soon. So I travel a lot.

If you are not foreign language speaker, please try to learn courtesy phrases and be gracious. I encounter many people overseas and in French Canada who just don't see a point to speaking in the native language b/c English is "well known." Using phrases like, "I'm sorry. I don't speak very good Mandarin. Can you help me understand?" will go a long way with your foreign acquaintances and getting around town.

It's not just France, it's every country with a cultural language and heritage.

Happy Travels!

[ScrapsofLuv]

Ahhhh Mes Amis- great points! (see I am bi-lingual (heehee)).

-pat

[Former_Member]

Interesting thoughts NutfieldWeaver, thanks for sharing!

& I love that idea about translating your descriptions whimsicalmai!

[Former_Member]

newhopebeading - lol! maybe! ;)