Whether your consignment, resale or thrift shop uses Facebook, Twitter, your own site or blog, or broadcast email to get your message across to your current audience, remember:
It’s
not all about you (or, more specifically, what you want to sell them.)
Sometimes, it’s nice just to mention something that they’d be interested in. In other words, to be helpful. Makes the 
relation between consumer and company stronger. It’s like a little unexpected gift you can give your customers, just for being your customers.
And think of the word-of-mouth about your shop, if you simply share some interesting stuff. Imagine how your current customers might tell others, others who might be learning about your business for the first time.
The easiest stuff to share when your audience is already online? Online stuff, natch.
Here’s a few of my favs for you to go ahead and share. Let me know, in the comments, what your favorite suggestions to your customers are, and if you want to tell a story about how this helping hand strengthened your business, that would be great too.
For shops whose customer base includes of mothers who wish the best for their children: TheKidShouldSeeThis – is an ambitious project by an individual to de-clutter the millions of videos available to kids online and pick a few high-quality ones that kids should really see. These videos focus on subjects like science, nature, art, music, technology, story telling or simply videos that help kids growing up. Thanks to MakeUseOf.com for this lead, and you can read more: TheKidShouldSeeThis: Collection Of Informative Videos For Kids
For shops whose target market is the too-fashionable-for-my-shirt crowd: Pick one of the top ten “magazine” sites from this list of the Top Ten Fashion Sites, or choose one from this round-up of less mainstream sites as presented by InStyle.
For the decor/home furnishings shop’s customers who can’t get enough decorating ideas for their homes: A plethora of inspiring sites that will get them drooling, and more importantly, looking to redecorate: The Most Inspiring Home Sites.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
We try to be part of the community….help spread good news but also sometimes not so good news…for example
We had a massive fire on our street, it destroyed a few businesses and also a 12 unit apartment building. We sent out an email and posted on our facebook page what happened and what could be done to help out. Everyone seemed to appreciate the information and it was wonderful how so many helped out. After that I realized that we’re not just a store….we’re also part of the community.
Now, I’m always looking for important things to share with our customers’….right now we’re working with a local nonprofit thirft store that is collecting Prom Dresses…we don’t take them on consignment, so we gave our customer’s a great place to go with them. It’s a win win for everyone!
In include a “Community Corner” in our e-news that lists upcoming fundraisers for the local non-profits, including how to purchase tickets. I’ve found lots of folks then forward the email on to their address book too!
Excellent suggestion, Tiffany, and one that will endear your business not only to your customers, but to the charities running the fundraisers as well… always good to have friends in “high” places 😉