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Archive for March, 2011

Today’s Teeny Tip: An immediate media gallery for your shop!

Posted in My Favorite Things, Shopkeeping talk, Teeny Tips, tagged on March 23, 2011|

Can’t you just SEE this

“Frames” wallpaper, by Graham & Brown, in your shop entry or behind your sales desk?

Ready-made (more…)

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The ReEvent: Learning by Surfing

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, Used Stuff in the News, tagged , , on March 22, 2011|

Ideas grow when you take a look at similar businessesOne thing about the Internet…you can tap into some of the most brilliant minds in the world from the comfort of your keyboard. And it’s especially rewarding when you

look at a business which has some traits in common with yours, but is a few degrees different,

because you get to become a consumer again, and look at the concept through fresh eyes.

Take this one for example: it’s a “seasonal sale” of sorts. But not a kidswear consignment sale full of clothes and gear, not even one of the many growing adult resale events, no, this is a sale of previously-enjoyed….event props. It’s called The ReEvent. (Update: site now kaput. You’ll have to imagine it.)

First, the web site itself. What can we learn?

  • The clean appeal of the uncluttered home page. The crisp white background and the collage of elements all in green is as far from “musty dusty” as possible.
  • A single line that motivates, and sums up the event: Feel good being GREEN while saving some GREEN.
  • Mailing list sign-up which is so much more: It’s an invitation; it’s an “RSVP” as they call it, which predisposes you to mark the event on your personal calendar; it’s the first page you come to on the menu; and it’s got a poll right there that is customer research and motivational at the same time (brilliant!) which, since it seems to be part of the sign-up process, is less likely to be skipped.

Next, the event and how it’s presented to their prospective consignors, shoppers, and vendors.

  • Cute names for 2 consecutive evening demos: All Things Green ~ All Things Bling
  • Contest: First, they enter online. Then everyone votes online. THEN the finalists are voted on at the event. Not sure how all of this works, but the whole contest is angled to get attention and audience participation and bodies to the event itself.

But…if you’ve been following me through the web site: just what is this event? A seasonal consignment sale for everything from wedding attire to cameras and chafing dishes, seashells and bolts of ribbon? A vendor event aimed at presenting event planners and suppliers to the public? A bridal fair?

Could be all of the above…wouldn’t you love to see how it all turns out?

(and BTW, if you’re near Overland Park KS, could be a great place to pick up some display props!)

Save

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Social Media for Resale

Posted in economics of resale, Not-for-Profit Resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , , , on March 21, 2011| 12 Comments »

NHow social media can be used by the consignment, resale, thrift store industryARTS recently asked me: “What social media do you use?” It’s the first in a series of questions they are posing to the workshop presenters for Conference 2011, to introduce the speakers to association members. That’s an easy question to answer. But the bigger question I’d like to ponder is:

How do you, as a resaler, use the social media you spend so much time on?

So, (more…)

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Who’s your Ideal Consignor…Donor…Seller?

Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged , on March 17, 2011| 1 Comment »

Who’s your Ideal Consignor…Donor…Seller?

And how (more…)

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Selling is a SERIES of ongoing opportunities.

Posted in quotations of use, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , on March 16, 2011|

Selling is a series of ongoing opportunities.

The art of selling is guiding your customer through those opportunities and allowing her to (more…)

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