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Archive for the ‘Shopkeeping talk’ Category

Where would you put this announcement?It’s all about social media, when you want to motivate those who friend/ follow/ fan you to come in to shop.

There’s lots of stuff that you could share online that would polish the reputation of your business for the long-term, that could get shoppers in quickly, or even sell an unusual piece of merchandise you just got in. So where do you tell folks?

You want it FAST

Time-sensitive messages, such as items you just got in or today’s specials, need Facebook or Instagram. Which you use depends on your number of followers. Both, of course, is the best option. Twitter works well, too.

Scads of info for bricks-&-mortar shops using FB.
 

You want it to LAST

These types of updates should be relatively timeless: companionable “chats” about your shop’s mission or vision; casual “friends'” type info like beauty tips, merchandise use, even recipes; points of view on using the type of merchandise you sell, such as “what type of sofa suits” or “what the kids need for camp.”

For messages you want to last, use your shop blog. After all, a mini-essay or even a few links to “Decorate in eco-fashion” or “Which necklace for which neckline” can be Facebook-able for months or even years afterword: a single blog entry can be used to alert potential customers on social media to your business many times!

More on blogging for your retail store, and even a resale-specific Product for the Professional Resaler.

You want the PAST to improve your business FUTURE

Have you used your remodel, move, or even just the backstage prep for a special event as Facebook status updates or tweets? Combine them with a selling message and put it on your shop’s Pinterest. Then, later, you can remind folks of your shop simply by saying “Have your seen our Santa Sale pins? To be sure you don’t miss the Valentine Values event, sign up for our email notices!”

Using Pinterest for your resale business.

(And that brings up the issue of when and how to use your broadcast email capabilities. But that’s another post! In the meanwhile, here’s our past entries about email.)

Now, you know, or can learn, to interconnect the various social media so your contributions to the constant web conversation show up where, and when, you want them to.

Don’t forget, a good entry or update is often repeatable on that channel or others… at a different time of day, on another day, or even months later.

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Start the e-conversation with a text to join optionDo you use Constant Contact to send customer emails? Can your shoppers text to join while they’re in the shop… or reading your FB or blog?

This tutorial tells how. Looks easy… and they even create signage for you!

After all, you want the most folks you can to receive those emails from you, right?

And who doesn’t have their phone in their hand, right?

I’m guessing that the other broadcast email suppliers can do something similar. (Tip for dinosaurs who don’t text (raising hand) : THEY need a phone, not you 😉 )

 

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What? You were expecting to see some special event at my consignment or resale shop, just because my web site has a page called Special Events?

Well, sorry. “Nothing (more…)

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Print ads and flyers… lost art?

tell your consignment storyAmongst the small, medium, and large consignment, resale and thrift shops, I see an alarming lack of knowledge on how to truly communicate (more…)

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Once again, Kate’s out and about, looking for ideas to help consignment, resale and thrift shopkeepers make their merchandise absolutely irresistible! Today, we’re talking lamps.

Merchandising a recycled batch of home decor by TGtbT.com

Yum! A mini-chandelier lights up an array of previously-adored home decor items. Notice, too, the small table in front of the armoire, the two trays on top of the table, and all the for-sale goodies within.

Another ajar armoire (say that 3 times fast!), this time with a small table lamp, a mirror, and more. Makes each piece look SO much more interesting and desirable. Now that's using all your space!

Another ajar armoire (say that 3 times fast!), this time with a small table lamp, a mirror, and more. Makes each piece look SO much more interesting and desirable. Now that’s using all your space!

Who says a lamp can't sit on the floor, making these vintage linens look wonderful? KInda like a window display without needing a window, isn't it?

Who says a lamp can’t sit on the floor, making these vintage linens look wonderful? Kinda like a window display without needing a window, isn’t it?

If you’d find more ideas on making your shop a jewel box of treasures, click each photo for a glimpse of some of our Products for the Professional Resaler.

Tell us YOUR “enlightening” stories, in the comments!

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