I don't know about you, but when I make a purchase from a business, particularly an indie business, I expect to be contacted by the seller to one acknowledge my order, and two, to thank me for my business. I don't care how busy you are, it only takes a minute to drop a quick line. If I can take the time to buy something and immediately pay for it, the least you can do is e-mail me and say "Hey, got your order, thanks...shipping details to follow...."
I've been in the service business since I've been old enough to work, and that's the first thing I was taught: Thank your customer! Not only is it professional and the right thing to do, but it can make or break the potential for repeat business. Where is all this coming from? I've been shopping a lot on Etsy lately, and of the five purchases I've made in the last week, only ONE of the sellers took the time to thank me for my purchase and tell me a little about what it was I bought. That really impressed me, and I'm going to buy from this seller again.
There, I've said. It's been bothering me for days, and I hope that my message reaches someone who may forget that thanking the customer is part of making the sale. Til next time.....
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Great Debate
No, I'm not talking about the Presidential election. I'm talking about CP vs MP. For all you non-soapers, that's cold processed vs melt and pour. Cold processed is the method of combining oils (the same kind found in your kitchen or grocery store shelves), water, and lye until they saponify (that's the chemical reaction these ingredients undergo to form what we know as soap.) Melt and pour is just that: The saponification process has already occurred, and you're taking a block of premade soap and melting it down to add your own special touches.
There are many different kinds of mp soap on the market, but not all brands are made equally. I personally love mp because it's quick. It's easy. More importantly, for me, it's versatile. I love using shaped soap molds to make what I call soap creations. You can embed things in it. You can use additives such as herbs and salts. You get the point. BUT.... not all mp soaps are the same. There are many different brands on the market, and many of these brands contain stuff I can't even pronounce. For that reason, I only use what's called natural or organic soap-no sulfates or foaming agents. They can be very drying which is why extra glycerin is added to mp soap.
CP soap, on the other hand, is made from scratch. They're unique in appearance, color, and texture. No two batches will hardly ever look the same. There are dozens upon dozens of different oil and butter combinations you can use to make cp soap. That's where the science of soap comes in. It can be dangerous because it involves the use of lye or sodium hydroxide. You must wear protective gear whenever making soap from scratch. You must never attempt to make soap from scratch with children or pets around (I'm not saying if you have children or pets, do not make cp soap. I'm saying, don't have them in the same area when making soap.)
Okay, I'm getting off my "soap box." I just had to put it out there that I believe mp is real soap, and that you have choices-not only as a soap maker, but a lover and buyer of soap. Now, go wash your ___________________.
There are many different kinds of mp soap on the market, but not all brands are made equally. I personally love mp because it's quick. It's easy. More importantly, for me, it's versatile. I love using shaped soap molds to make what I call soap creations. You can embed things in it. You can use additives such as herbs and salts. You get the point. BUT.... not all mp soaps are the same. There are many different brands on the market, and many of these brands contain stuff I can't even pronounce. For that reason, I only use what's called natural or organic soap-no sulfates or foaming agents. They can be very drying which is why extra glycerin is added to mp soap.
CP soap, on the other hand, is made from scratch. They're unique in appearance, color, and texture. No two batches will hardly ever look the same. There are dozens upon dozens of different oil and butter combinations you can use to make cp soap. That's where the science of soap comes in. It can be dangerous because it involves the use of lye or sodium hydroxide. You must wear protective gear whenever making soap from scratch. You must never attempt to make soap from scratch with children or pets around (I'm not saying if you have children or pets, do not make cp soap. I'm saying, don't have them in the same area when making soap.)
Okay, I'm getting off my "soap box." I just had to put it out there that I believe mp is real soap, and that you have choices-not only as a soap maker, but a lover and buyer of soap. Now, go wash your ___________________.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Honestly? Do You Use Your Own Products?
Or whatever it is you craft, make, sew, paint, draw.... you get the picture? I, for one, can emphatically say YES! My bathroom is overflowing with my own soaps and those of other incredible soap makers. My living room is filled with lit candles that I've personally created. I love my stuff not just because I made it, but because I know it's really quality stuff made with care and attention to detail. When a potential customer asks me a question like, how does it lather or how long should this bar last, I can answer them with honesty and confidence. When you instill consumer confidence, you've got a lifelong customer. It also helps if you actually make something you personally love not just because you think it'll be a cash cow. Trust me, with all the thousands of other soapers out there, this aint hardly a cash cow for me, but a true labor of love. What say thee about this?
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