Okay, it’s time for me to condense 562 pages of notes about why consignment, resale, and (yes even) thrift shops should have a blog. Yes I really do have reams of info, graphics, links and resources that will help shopkeepers build their businesses with a shop blog. My opening session workshop,
Who, ME Have a Blog?
will be stuffed with ideas and excitement right after the keynote.
Kate gets so excited giving workshops that her bra straps just quiver with enthusiasm and her name badge does somersaults.
But since my workshop at NARTS Conference is limited to 45 minutes (plus 15 minutes for questions), I’m gonna have to limit my presentation. They won’t let me have the room all day. Besides, who wants to listen to me all day long when there are other fascinating workshops to attend. Like my second workshop, Putting your Right Foot Forward at 4:30.
So I need your help. Even if you won’t be in the room when I do my thing.
Use the comments, below.
Tell me if you have a blog. Tell me if you don’t. Tell me if you have one but you’ve abandoned it.
Tell me why you love it or hate it. What is keeping you, perhaps, from having a blog. Tell me how often you aim to create a blog entry. Tell me what you fear about having a blog. If you’re brave enough to allow me to use your blog as a case study, include its URL.
Here’s what you don’t need to tell me: “I hate blogs and never read them.” (you’re reading one right now. ) “I will never have a blog.” (Well that’s fine. There’s lots of other workshops to attend, including some I will be sorry to have to miss.) “I hate to write.” (I’ll tell you what to say and even show you some almost-keyboard-free ways to fascinate your followers.) “I’m too #%&# busy to have a blog.” (I will stun you when I show how it’ll take less time than you now spend on social media. )
So:
- Tell me if you have a blog. Tell me if you don’t. Tell me if you have one but you’ve abandoned it.
- Tell me why you love it or hate it.
- What is keeping you, perhaps, from having a blog.
- Tell me how often you aim to create a blog entry.
- Tell me what you fear about having a blog.
- If you’re brave enough to allow me to use your blog as a case study, include its URL. If you’re not, no worries.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Hi Kate, I have 2 blogs…the first is on blogspot, and I use it mostly like facebook, for those folks who aren’t on the site. I’m on it every so often, probably not enough: http://www.shopclothespins.blogspot.com. The other one is on wordpress, which I started with new partner, who had a lot of blogging experience ( and who recently flaked out on me, and left me holding the bag, and the rent, all by myself)…anyway – we were going to use it to write about the artisans/crafters items that are in the shop, and interview each one of the crafters to generate a buzz about supporting local artists… That one kind of stalled out since the partner left. I keep thinking I should do what we planned…but there’s so much to be done with keeping up with emails and Facebook, and planning promotions, and non-profit groups are always asking me for ‘free’ stuff (but, funny thing, their members don’t support my shop), racking my brain to think of ways to get people to shop (and not just consign…my problem: there’s a thrift shop down the road and people take their $$ from me and go spend it there. And they tell me that’s what they are doing, too!),,, Sorry to vent, but blogging is last on my list at this point.
I hear ya, clothespins71! Never enough time, always issues that need correcting. Sorry you’re feeling hassled at the moment. Perhaps you’ll be able to attend my workshop, but if you aren’t, I hope to get enough info together to provide some guidance on the subject to shopkeepers. Hang in there… I’ve been watching your metamorphosis into Peace Love & Clothespins, and enjoying it immensely.
My blog is the first page of my website: http://www.saigeconsignment.com I used it to post teasers such as new items that have come in or events that are coming up. The thing I hear most from people is that they were impressed by my blog and they think it’s more professional than my competitors. When people find you online, this is the first impression of your shop so it should be taken seriously. If you are going to have an online presence, treat it as importantly as your storefront. Do your homework, learn about SEO and learn about blogs so that you don’t put in a lot of effort for something that no one will see. Keep it true to your brand. Make sure your blog is the same web address as your website. Make sure you are blogging about YOUR SHOP. There are thousands of established bloggers already blogging about everything else and you can’t compete with them, so concentrate on telling your customers and future customers about your SHOP. It’s the one thing no one else is doing. I have my blog posts feed directly to my facebook page so I don’t have to post the same thing twice. If you pay someone to start one for you, ask them to teach you how to maintain it yourself, this will save you a LOT of money in the long run. One secret I have is that I take one night to stay late and I take about 50 photos of new items. I go home and edit my photos (remember, they represent your shop and your inventory.) I divide the photos up into a couple of different posts and then write up all the posts at the same time. I then schedule them to post every couple of days rather than doing it manually. Do not use ignorance as an excuse to not have a good blog. Online marketing is the current and the future trend of marketing and business so if you aren’t with the trends, you will get left behind. Good luck and get blogging 🙂
What can I say, saigeconsignment? All very good points. Many thanks for your concise remarks!
Kate,
I don’t have a blog mostly because I think my time is already stretched too thin with my store hours, keeping up with Facebook and Craigslist. When I think about it, I worry that I will get it started and then not be able to keep up with it in any kind of meaningful way and it will be boring or outdated without fresh creative material on a regular basis. The next “project” we plan to undertake is upgrading our web site with more pictures and online inventory. Maybe after that?? Who knows!
Hi Jenni. How do you use Craigslist for your store? I found our Austin board to be pretty restrictive. Do you post items that you are seeking? If so, how? Please explain. Thank you!
I am in the process of starting an online consignment shop “Mi Cherie Treasures Consignment” trying to figure out the best ways to get word out. currently I’m collecting inventory and running a few items to my store which is on ebay. How do you use Craig list for consignmen. Would love to blog I just don’t know what I would say.
Thanks Melissa for your input!
“What to say” seems to be a big fear of those who see the value in blogs… I’m working on a treasury of ideas for shops to use right now! Watch for it at our Products Shop.
And best wishes with your online shop. We have a special category for online-only shops on HowToConsign.com, which I hope is in your business plan!
Jenni, I’ve been collecting up ways to make blogging a snap time-wise, because everyone wants to be careful not to spend too much time doing something with mediocre results. I see that you are a furniture consignment shop, so every minute you spend getting the word out is many more potential dollars than a shop with lower average sales… AND more importantly, you have to have a constant influx of new clients, both suppliers and shoppers (after all, how many sofas can one woman buy 😉 ? )
I think that a blog would be the next logical step for you.
christinesconsignment.com/blog. We created this blog late winter and are still “finding our way”. One of my employees is taking on this project. I find I am very confused about all the social media avenues and online Marketing and how they interact. Goal is to blog at least twice a week. Of course, I’m happy to help, but being newbies to the concept, I am sure I can benefit more from listing to other more experienced wihiz kids!
Hey Christine, I see that you are using wordpress.org, so your webmaster must have set it up for you. Once an .org blog is set up, it functions very similarly to a wordpress.com site, which is what this here is… I look forward to being able to clarify some of the confusion re social media interaction and to suggest some embellishments to your blog that will boost the visibility of your business to the general public!
I don’t have a blog, and would love to have a blog. I just don’t know how to set it up. I have a Facebook page that I try to update every day, but I love to write and think I could put a blog to good use if I just knew how to do it! (P.S. I want my blog to grow up to be like yours!)
Thanks Nancy. Setting up a blog is actually VERY simple. Warning, though: You DO NOT want your blog to be like mine. Reason? Mine is a B2B (business-to-business) blog, and yours will be a B2C (business-to-consumer) blog. Two VERY different animals. Hope you can join us at Conference; if not, I hope I can gather my presentation there into something that can stand on its own without the notes, slides, etc… I’m grateful for your input!
Hi Kate. We do have a blog for Little Green Beans, which was started by my intern and me in the Fall of 2011. I’ve taken it over since I really enjoy writing and sharing my point of view on consignments and local items of interest for my target audience: moms and grandmas of children ages 0-5.
I write something brand new once or twice per week and also repost some of my better work and short updates (e.g. items we are seeking for the store) at least once per week. I use Tumblr and am still learning its many features. I promote my blog posts using Twitter and Facebook. The blog can be found at lilgreenbeans.tumblr.com. I will certainly help you with a case study if you like what you see.
Thanks Sharon, I always look forward to your posts on your blog, and you have every right to be proud of it! I am SO bummed that you won’t be at Conference this year, but family comes first, for sure…
Wish I could “clone” myself and be there, Kate. I love your blog and am fortunate to be able to learn remotely through it and your other great resources.