Getting A Jump Start on 2011- Marketing Ideas For Your Small Business Part 3

(Continued from Part 2)

(Click here to read Part 1)

Welcome back to the continuing series on creative ways to market your online boutiques in 2011! I have been working this week on my shop samples that I will be giving away this year and have created a TON of mini sushi magnets with my biz card & coupons! I am very excited on how they turned out and will be sampling them all year- including this blog. So far we have only just scratched the surface on how we can inexpensively promote our small businesses. We all have unique and personal shops, our best strengths are in our abilities to connect with our customers. So with that thought here are a few more ideas for you!

16. For your very best customers who give you the most repeat business send them something out of the blue
I have been blessed with connecting to several really great customers during 2010. I was so thrilled when I would see them in my PayPal inbox more than once. These people are your core business. They represent who your key market really is for your product. From mini cakes to in my case mini sushi- every shop should be looking at these people carefully. Where do they live? How old are they?  What feedback have you gotten from them? Are they men or women? Are they telling you it is for a gift? This is VITAL information for you to use when designing, pricing, packaging and writing your descriptions. Imagine your customers are around 50-60. You certainly would not use trendy language or slang or funky photos, you would probably use simpler clear photography that is more tasteful and refined, perhaps shorter product descriptions and specifics on details such as size and colors. This information you can only get from your customers. Reward your best ones with a surprise gift basket, t-shirt or small gift and give them several business cards to pass out to friends. Can't afford to do that? Then just send a thank you note to them with a coupon and some biz cards. Referrals and word of mouth from these people are GOLD! Treat them like the special people they are.

17. Do public demonstration of your products and the creative process
I LOVE this idea- just get out there and be seen in your community! Many communities have festivals all though the year. Buy a small booth and sell your products in a new way. If you sell food items, give out samples. If you sculpt- bring some clay and small tools and give demonstrations on how you make a simple item that you like to make. People will find you so interesting and what to take home a piece to remind them of the fun they had. It doesn't have to be a craft fair- in fact be different. Where I live we have a scarecrow fest in the fall- many shops have sidewalk sales, people rent tents and there are rides. Look to you community to see what is going on in your area during 2011 and make an effort to be a part of it. You may gain customers, exposure and press- along with meeting some fun new people in your area!

18.  Create sell sheets
The sell sheet is all about your products and services. The sell sheet typically describes one product or service or a series of familiar ones. Here you want to take your best photography you can and list all the benefits, it's description and all other improtant information about the product. Be sure to include you company contact info and the price or sale price. Designing doesn't have to be a chore, try Microsoft publisher or other inexpensive design software. I like to create sheets for the items I have multiples of. I find having a few fun items I can produce many of has really helped my small business. If I have a customer buy a similar item I will print and include a sell sheet in their package before I ship it out. I also ALWAYS include a packing slip and a busines card along with a small sample or thank you gift. This has gotten me some of my return customers as well! If you can, you may also what to consider creating a brochure to add as well. This may require some more time to design so make sure you include products that reflect the core of your business and that you can make more of- OR - try making a special brochure just of your OOKS! Anything extra you can stick in your shipping box to keep the customer looking at your items, thinking about your shop or remind them of it at a later time is in your favor. Don't forget that!


Well today we have covered a lot dealing manly with our lovely customers! I have met some really awesome people last year and I am just so excited to have people live with the creations and art I make. What we do is special, it comes from our heart and has a story. Part of your job as an artist and business owner is to share that with your customers! Well I hope everyone has a great week and I will be back soon with more tips to help you market your small business this year!

Posted by Susan of the Alla Prima Art Mall. Owner of Jade Dumpling on Etsy, The Garden District on Etsy, and Global Jewelry Bazaar on Etsy.  Susan has an MBA and is an instructor in both art and business where she teaches marketing, SEO & SEM, and other small business classes. 

Getting A Jump Start on 2011- Marketing Ideas For Your Small Business Part 2

(Continued from Part 1)

After an entire week since the 2010 holiday rush, I am beginning to miss the hustle and bustle. Most of all I am missing the sales that seemed to greet me in the morning that were more then I have seen all year. Now is the time to begin to think about your 2011 market plans. If you are stumped for ideas on how to get customers to you with little cash to spend- read on!

11. Create free items or samples

Creating free items or samples for your websites and shops are a great inexpensive way to allow new customers to get to know your products or services. It doesn't have to really be just a product, but also could be a free service or a free trial. For every customer that makes a purchase, I do include a cute little sample that includes a cello sealed bag that includes my business card, some stickers from Japan (so cute) and one of the following a free pendant, sushi magnet or a bracelet. These work for my Jade Dumpling shop on Etsy, but it is really easy to come up with an inexpensive themed give-a-way. Most of the feedback I have gotten in 2010 was about the free stuff and how much they enjoyed. It had even gotten me a few really good repeat customers!

12. Send out your products for review

Similar to sending out free samples of your work only this is a slightly different tack. Here once you have developed a new product line, try sending it out to a few of your best customers, bloggers, and people you know as a sample. The trick for this is to send along with the sample a short questionnaire for them to fill out to give you more feedback than is normally given during a purchase. This allows you to work out any bugs, adjust pricing and other critical things before listing on your Etsy shop or websites. This works best for those who have incorporated production work into their studio time. Etsean's that sell one of a kind (OOAK) items might not want to try this one!

13. Get decals printed and place them on cars and other noticeable places

Now you can go online to many print companies and even on Etsy and find decals, bumper stickers and other fun items. People love to decorate their cars- and then they turn into moving bill boards for you. Since they are cheap to have done there is little investment needed. They even have special sticker paper packs you can buy at most office supply shops to print the bumper stickers and decals on your home printer! This is a great thing to include in your box as you ship out items to your customers.

14. Send Promotional Items with orders

Again, here the idea is much like the pens or stickers - keep your mind open to new and fun ways to get you logo and name and brand with the customer. You can find magnets, pinback buttons, pocket mirrors, stuffed animals, wine glasses, seeds, stress balls. Definitely check Etsy because many sellers will make custom promotional items specifically for your shop!  Whatever you can dream of- trust me someone is selling it and can put your logo on it. When sending out promotional items I suggest you tie it into a sale or promotion that you have running. For example- since we just ended the holiday season let's imagine that you had a Christmas sale and everything was 20% off- put that info on your shop, website, blog and then also say that each order will get a free ornament. The ornament can just have something like Happy Holidays from the Jade Dumpling and on the bottom 2010. If it is cute, they will hang it on their tree and pack it up with the rest of their ornaments and next year... when they unpack-- well they are reminded of the gift, their purchase and how much their friends liked the gifts they bought from you! (and order again!)

15. Press Releases

All towns and cities are different. What is news in my town may never get any coverage in yours. Contact your local newspapers, go through them for several weeks reading cover to cover and find out what is news to them. Most newspapers are more than happy to get story ideas from local business men and women. Be sure to ask the editors how they want the information sent to them. Some of the easiest ways to get a news story written about you is to participate in your community. Do something to help others, donate part of your proceeds to a local charity, teach art classes at the local high school or go in and talk about running a business or being an artist. It doesn't matter if you have 100 employees or one or it is just you- it is the job of the business to go out and seek publicity. I suggest searching online for press release template forms. I have found many over the years for free!

These five marketing tips are still just the start! We have many more to go through before the end of January! Try to brainstorm now on your own for half an hour. What ideas can you think of to let your customers know you are out there? Have fun and look for the next post in a few short days!

To read Part 3 of this post, click here.

Posted by Susan of the Alla Prima Art Mall. Owner of Jade Dumpling on Etsy, The Garden District on Etsy, and Global Jewelry Bazaar on Etsy.  Susan has an MBA and is an instructor in both art and business where she teaches marketing, SEO & SEM, and other small business classes. 

Getting a Jump Start on 2011- Marketing Ideas For Your Small Business Part 1

After a long holiday season I know we are all tired and excited about how our businesses have grown in 2010. Now is the time to not just assess our progress but to also look towards the future. Setting sales goals and creating a solid marketing plan is key for any small business. Keep in mind a set budget for your marketing efforts and get creative!

Marketing does not have to break the bank and there are many more techniques and ideas out there that cost little or no money! Not all of these ideas will work with every type of business, use these ideas to brainstorm and have fun, promote your beautiful work and try something new! Be sure to track your success month to month and for each promotion.

Marketing Ideas For Small Business Owners:

1. License Plate Frames- an inexpensive item that gets seen by a ton of people especially if you travel to shows during the year via car

2. Set up email signatures- Be sure to use this feature on your emails include your name, title, email address, and other types of info you want your customers to have easy access to

3. Small promotional items- pens, pencils-etc. cheap and lightweight- pens are are fun and practical way to get your company name seen on a daily basis and remind a customer of your great shop

4. Blogs & forums- blogging and participating in forums is fast and easy- especially at Etsy (TM) and other handmade selling venues, but make it a goal for 2011 to start your own blog- showcase your studio, your product and your unique perspective- clients are sure to enjoy and come back often!

5. Create grants and annual awards- this may sound out of your league, but it isn't! set a price, however much you can afford- find a school or organizations you want to work with. Approach the staff with an idea such as an arts grant for a school. Many many organizations will print this fun event in newsletters, websites, and other promotional materials. Be known locally. Get involved in your community whenever possible.

6. Create a tip sheet for customers- tip sheets are terrific ways to get out the word that you are a knowledgeable artist and in your industry. If you make jewelry why not create a fashion trends sheet to include with a purchase? do you make ornaments? How about a fun sheet on decorating for the holidays! Whatever you make, create a fun and informative read.

7. Do something newsworthy in 2011- many small business owners do things newsworthy all the time, but don't seek out the recognition. "being newsworthy means different things to different people- but again doing things in your community is a great way to start. If you have employees, you can set up a program to volunteer at a local food pantry, visit and bring flowers to a retirement home, tailgate at a local sports venue- come up with an activity that means something to you and works with the spirit of your business. Never participate in an activity that will damage your brand however, so put some thought into what you want to do. Other things to do are create a new product line, hire new top staff etc- make an effort to seek out your local media outlets this year- local radio or tv- learn how to write a press release.

8. Create a website- For most businesses a strong online presence is needed. Although handmade selling venues are terrific and are an easy way to sell your products, they are not a great way to promote your items. Limits on space, rules to follow and common practices can super cramp your style for sure! Even if you don't want to expand and have your own shopping carts to sell your creations, having a small website that you can call your own is fast and easy. I use Yahoo! for all of my websites- they have free sitebuilder software that is easy to use and FREE! Their hosting plans are many and you can be up and running in no time. Make sure you buy a domain name that matches your business name and get designing! Many artists and crafters really enjoy this project and your customers can enjoy a better sense of you, your product and your craft.

8. Create free items- now that you have decided to create a website for your business, nothing can drive traffic to it better than quality free content! Create a free pdf, articles or other down loadable fun stuff for your customers- how about a project sheet or pattern? Many websites feature games, facts, or information- find what works for you and get to it! Customers will be flocking to your site!

9. Send out new products for review- Many small business - especially artists and crafters who do production work can gleam very valuable knowledge about a new product line by sending one or two out for free to your best customers. Create a short survey that asks their opinion if they would buy the product. Make sure you ask what they would pay for it, what the price is and give room for comments. Don't wait for feedback Etsy (TM) style- be aggressive and make sure you are spending your time on product lines that appeal to your target market.

10. Wear you logo often- cheap t-shirts can be made online through many sites! Create a logo and put it on hats and t-shirts and wear it! People will ask about it especially if paired with a fun graphic or saying. If you make jewelry-- WEAR IT OUT~ people love to see pieces worn. Make a few special pieces this year just to take with you and share. If you create sculpture- why not make a mini version of your best design into a key chain- you and your work will always be the best spokesperson for your business and people like chatting about fun and unique things they see people wearing.

This is just the start of what you can do for this upcoming new year! During the month of January check back often to read the rest of the 100 ways to market your business in the new year series! New posts will be brought to you every week!

To read Part 2 of this post, click here.
To read Part 3 of this post, click here.

Future topics include how to write a business plan and many others to help strengthen our team and businesses in 2011! Enjoy and have a great day!

Posted by Susan of the Alla Prima Art Mall. Owner of Jade Dumpling on Etsy, The Garden District on Etsy, and Global Jewelry Bazaar on Etsy.  Susan has an MBA and is an instructor in both art and business where she teaches marketing, SEO & SEM, and other small business classes. 

Monday Munchies

Teeny Pepperoni Pizza Ring by Erica Schmerica Studios

Saturday Sugar

Sweetheart Iced Sugar Cookies by Divine Sweetness

Candy!

1. The Candy Shoppe
2. Crochet N Clay
3. Lampshades n' Lollipops
4. Mr.Nadavik Jewelries & Miniatures
5. Summergerine
6. Vesper Miniatures

More information about the sellers can found on the right panel of the blog. All the sellers have sweet and yummy shops, check them out!

Tuesday Treats

Les Madeleines Collection vintage style ring by Le Chou Chou Bijoux