All posts for the month February, 2013

Are Your Keywords Covering All Aspects of the English Language?

by G.B. Oliver

When you are adding tags and keywords to your website, shop, product listings, and so forth, are you considering all variations of the English language?

As you are aware, the English language has slight differences whether you live in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia and other English speaking countries. You could be missing out on these areas being potential customers (if you do ship product to these countries) simply because you did include their more commonly used phrases and spellings.

In the UK these are baby rompers or bodysuits, not baby onesies.

In the UK these are baby rompers or bodysuits, not baby onesies.

For example, if you are selling baby onesies, no one in the UK or Australia will be searching for that phrase. Instead they will be searching bodysuit, playsuit, sleepsuit or romper. So, if you want to sell to this international market as well, it couldn’t hurt to add these keywords to your tags.

If you sell pants, no one in the UK and Australia that will looking searching on that word either, (unless they are looking for underwear) but rather, they would be searching the word, trousers.

Words that are different in the U.S. and UK:

  • Overalls are dungarees
  • Toiletry bag is wash bag
  • Swimwear is beachwear
  • Sweater is jumper
  • Backpack is day pack
  • Pillows are cushions
  • Message boards are notice boards
  • Cupcake liners are cupcake cases
  • Cookies are biscuits
  • Underwear is knickers (women’s)
  • Ring bearer is pageboy
  • Stroller is pram or pushchair
  • Crib mobile is cot mobile
  • Diapers are nappies
  • Birdhouse is bird box
  • Sleepwear is nightwear
  • Subway is metro

Not to mention slight spelling differences:

  • Personalized is personalised
  • Jewelry is jewellery
  • Wedding favors are wedding favours
  • Organizer is organiser
  • Color is colour
  • Center is centre
  • Pajamas is pyjamas
  • Gray is grey
  • Mustache is moustache

So simply by adding a few extra keywords that cater to other English markets, this will help expose your products to even more customers.

Want more advice on keywords that will attract your target market? You’ll find that, and hundreds of other innovative ideas, in my marketing guides, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work! as well as other helpful marketing tools in my Etsy shop.

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 26, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Google Tips, Home
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 26, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/26/are-your-keywords-covering-all-aspects-of-the-english-language/

Will a Blog Help Your Business?

by G.B. Oliver

I get this question a lot, “will a blog help my business?” And my answer is always the same, “it depends”. Let me explain.

Facts About Blogging

1. It is Time Consuming – you have to write at least one 400 word blog post Monday through Friday. Do you have something to say every day? Plus, you now have to promote the blog, in addition to your online business.

2. It is Free – there are a few upfront costs, like paying for your domain name or a layout, but otherwise it is free.

3. It Can Be a Source of Additional Revenue – if you take advertisers, but you have to build up a sizeable audience before that is an option.

4. It Can Help Establish You as an Expert in Your Field – which is helpful if you are selling your knowledge.

5. It Can Help Sell Your Products – if you do it right. And you can get ideas on how to do it right from these online stores below.

Blogs from Popular Online Stores

To help give you some examples of how a blog can help your online store, here are a couple of ones I like, and how I think their blog helps up-sell their products.

LaylaGrayce-1361630160_600

Layla Grayce sells everything from home decor to baby items to women’s fashion. Their blog is amazing because they have interesting, very visual blog posts that showcase their products but in a helpful way. For example, regular features include showing a product in their shop that matches something worn by a celebrity; inspiration boards that pull together various items in their shop for creating a certain look in your home; clippings of their products when they have appeared in popular magazine editorial. In other words, their products are the focus of every post, but they are doing it in a way that creates a need and helps establish use. Plus, the blog is pure eye candy, which will always keep people coming back.

westelm-94_600

West Elm has a blog called Front & Main. They offer lots of design advice with their Ideas & Inspiration section where they give you tips on colors, patterns and how to decorate with objects, all the time including their own products. Their We Love Handmade section profiles Etsy sellers that they carry in their online store and catalogs. In Your Open House they show before and after decorating photos and have guest posts offering insight from some of their designers. And in their Born in Brooklyn section, they include a link to every blog post, online article, inspiration board or Pinterest board that mentions one of their products, giving their press even more press.

wpd-logo-2012-11-16.gif

Wedding Paper Divas  is one of the most popular wedding invitation companies around. On their blog you will find photos from real weddings, wedding inspiration boards built around one of their designs, as well as tips for brides on how to add custom touches to all the paper products they offer. They even frequently have guest wedding experts that they let their customers ask questions to.

Want more suggestions and advice on how to use your blog to attract more customers? You’ll find that, and hundreds of other helpful ideas, in my marketing guides, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Social Media Marketing
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 25, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/25/will-a-blog-help-your-business/

Products I Love – February 2013

by G.B. Oliver

I love smart and innovative product design for many reasons. One, it is inspiring. Two, it always gets publicity. Three, social media followers love spreading the word. Four, it sells!

I went over to one of my favorite shopping blogs, Outblush, and found some of their recent picks that I think are brilliant.

Deep Tea Driver Infuser

Deep Tea Diver by Kikkerland from Modcloth

Deep Tea Diver by Kikkerland from Modcloth

How great is this $15 tea infuser from the online store, Modcloth? Even the name is smart. I love this because it is just so clever. How could you not want to buy this, whether you drink tea or not? Now, granted, you have to use it with a glass mug or it kind of defeats the purpose, but you have to admit it is just makes sense.

Recipe Writing Rubber Stamps

Recipe Writing Rubber Stamps from Paper Cookie

Recipe Writing Rubber Stamps from Paper Cookie

I love these stamps (4 for $24.95) from the Paper Cookie. This is a practical product that appeals to the person who still wants to write out their recipes the old-fashioned way, but made a little easier by the stamps. The stamp market is a big business, and it is nice to see a company finding a new, creative use for them.

Constellation Lamp

Constellation Lamp from Urban Outfitters

Constellation Lamp from Urban Outfitters

What kid is not going to love this lamp ($49) from Urban Outfitters in their room at night? Plus, it’s educational. Educational + fun always sells!

Teacup with Wood Saucer

Teacup with Wood Saucer from Scandinavian Brands Online

Teacup with Wood Saucer from Scandinavian Brands Online

Smart product design is when you solve a problem for the user. That is why this teacup with wood saucer ($28) from Scandinavian Brands Online works. It solves two problems – needing a saucer for your tea when you are drinking it and keeping it hot when you are not. Plus, it looks good.

You Got Your New Dog Kit

Got Your New Dog Kit from Uncommon Goods

Got Your New Dog Kit from Uncommon Goods

This New Dog Kit ($25) from Uncommon Goods is smart for so many reasons. The obvious is that it makes the perfect gift, and gift sets are big business and dog gifts are big business. But if you sell a variety of pet products, why not package them all together as a great way to up-sell your other products. This kit includes practical items like doo-doo bags (their words, not mine), a training clicker, dog treats and a quick start instruction card for the new owner, which to me acts like a very effective business card so the gift receiver knows exactly where to get more.

Be like these online sellers and take your business to the next level! I offer a variety of helpful marketing tools in my Etsy shop, the best advice to market your small business!

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 22, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing I Love
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 22, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/22/products-i-love-february-edition/

Do You Know Who Your Target Market Is?

by G.B. Oliver

I am always amazed by businesses who don’t seem to know who their target market is. These are the primary people who are most likely to buy your products and/or services. It is one of the first things you must identify before you can do any type of marketing.

Why is it important to know who is most likely to buy from you? Well, you can’t find them to sell to, if you don’t know who they are.

missed+target+dart

Your Target Market Q&A

1. Gender – Are your products for male, female or both?

2. Age – You just need a range. For example, if you are selling wedding products, the age range is probably 23 to 33, for the most part. If you are selling orthopedic shoes, then probably an age range of 60+.

3. Income – For example, are you selling luxury products? Then you need to target buyers in the higher income range.

4. Business or End User – Are you selling products a business or profession wants or for personal use? Maybe you have a product aimed at teachers, or in my case, small business owners. Maybe you sell art which you think is mostly for the home, but businesses look for art for their offices as well.

5. Primary Buyer – Is the buyer of the product not the user? For example, if you sell baby products, obviously you are selling to the parents, not the baby.

6. Location – Is this a product only of interest to someone in a certain city or country? For example, you have a product with the Union Jack flag on it. Would someone outside of the U.K. still be interested?

7. Needs – What are the current needs of your target market? Is it someone who is getting married, having a baby, starting a business, going to college, buying a new home, etc.

There are other factors you can consider as well, depending on what you sell, such as your target market’s style (traditional, modern, etc.), ethnicity, education level and so forth.

Once you have identified your primary target market, go back over this list and identify possible secondary markets. For example, my primary target market is small business owners, but I have actually had marketing students buy my ebooks. A secondary market can be the gift giver, an event planner, a fashion stylist, a daycare provider, etc. – basically, WHO could benefit from your products?

Once you have identified your primary and secondary target markets, now you have to go and find where they are and what makes them buy. I always recommend asking friends, family and colleagues who fit the description of your target market. It should NOT be guess work.

FINAL WORD: It is impossible to market your business effectively if you do not know who you are selling to. Make that your first priority to determine who wants your products and/or services, and everything else should work around that.

My New Marketing Ebooks

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Take your online business to the top TODAY, before your competition does. My expert, innovative advice, ideas and tactics will make you an online superstar! Download your copy of Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!, HERE.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 20, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 20, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/20/do-you-know-who-your-target-market-is/

Outsell Your Competition With This Checklist

by G.B. Oliver

I often have customers complain to me that they have too much competition. In all honesty, everyone does. But you can actually learn from your competition to make your products and services better, and that could put your business on top.

Unknown

Your Competition Checklist

Take a look at your competitors (just the successful ones) and compare to see where you falter and they succeed and vice versa. Then make the necessary changes.

√ Features – Are your products identical in every way? If not, you need to emphasize the benefits your products have that their doesn’t, and remember features are not always benefits if they are of no use to the customer. If you don’t have any benefits that your competition doesn’t, then you better add some. And the best way to do that is to ask your current customers for a wish list.

√ Services – What services do you offer that your competitors don’t? Again, these advantages you need to emphasize in your product copy to help your potential customer decide. Do you offer free shipping, discounts on multiple purchases, customization, etc.? Again, if you don’t have any advantages in terms of service, you need to get some. You’ve got to match the top players tit for tat.

√ Target Market – I am going to be writing about this more tomorrow, but more than likely you are targeting the same market, otherwise they are not really your competition. But does your competition have additional markets that they are selling to that you are not?

√ Price – Believe it or not, price is not always a deal breaker. You want to be in the same ball park, but a few dollars isn’t going to make a difference so don’t price yourself below your competition. What you want to do is show the value that comes with your price, and that is why you have to detail what you offer in #1 and #2 above.

√ Reputation – Have you won business awards, gotten amazing reviews, been in business a long time – all of these factors can give you an advantage over your competition in the mind of the consumer.

√ Branding – Do you look professional? Do you have a company logo, a positioning statement, professional-looking photos, well-written, grammatically correct product copy, contact information, etc. You’ve got to look legitimate, especially if your competition does, and it is worth it to make the investment to do so.

√ Promotion – Are you finding your competition everywhere? Are they on Facebook, Twitter, running ads on Google, hosting a blog, appearing in editorial… this list goes on. Take note of what they are doing and try to be everywhere they are (and aren’t).

Competition doesn’t have to be a bad thing if you choose to learn from it. It’s what fosters innovation.

If you liked this article, YOU’LL LOVE my marketing guides, with all my tactics and secrets to take your online business to the top. Click here for more information.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 19, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 19, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/19/your-competition-checklist/

How Trends at NY Fashion Week Can Inspire Your Products

by G.B. Oliver

It’s good to remember that fashion influences products in all areas – children’s products, home products, decor, art, wedding products, you name it. New York Fashion Week just wrapped up and here are some trends to note that may carry over into your market. A lot of these trends were inline with a previous blog post I wrote, Product Trends for 2013.

Teal, fur, 60s patterns at the Anna Sui show (photo from The Cut)

Teal, fur, 60s patterns at the Anna Sui show (photo from The Cut)

Trends from New York Fashion Week Fall 2013:

∞ Materials – Fur (including colored fur), leather, beaded fabrics, brocades, embroidery, shiny materials, quilted materials

∞ Patterns – Menswear patterns such as houndstooth, checks, pinstripes, large thin plaids, herringbone as well as camouflage, florals, cheetah prints and weaved materials

∞ Eras – Mod 60s and Glam 70s with retro patterns and gold metallics

∞ Countries – A lot of the oversized fur hats, coats and mittens gave a nod to Russia, possibly because they are hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics

∞ Colors – Burgandy/wine, army green, purple, camel, teal and black

∞ Jewelry & Accessories – Huge, oversized flowers on necklaces and bracelets; large cluster necklaces, chain chokers, large colorful pendants on very long chains, color blocked purses (black and a bright color), clutches (a lot of purses that looked like iPad covers), handle bags,  large gold belt buckles, fisherman caps, beanies and fur hats. Did I mention large?

How to Apply These Trends to Your Products: 

  • Maybe we’ll see faux fur throw pillows in teal or in a weaved pattern of leather and metallic gold.
  • Wedding invitations might be moving away from chevrons and ombres to bright plaids and florals.
  • Possibly we’ll see lots of colorful, oversized faux fur mittens for kids.

Take a Couple of Trends and Mix Them Together:

  • Try clutch purses in cheetah prints with beaded accents.
  • Maybe quilted camouflage iPhone covers.
  • Choker necklaces with large plaid flowers.

While you may not be interested in applying trends to your products, to have just one trendy product is good for getting editorial and publicity, which will then bring people over to your shop.

If you are still not sure how to apply trends, then check out this article at CasaSugar that shows how today’s fashion trends can carry over to home products.

My marketing guides will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, including how to create products the current marketplace wants. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 18, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 18, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/18/how-trends-at-ny-fashion-week-can-inspire-your-products/

Why Quirky Products Always Sell – February Edition

by G.B. Oliver

I love quirky products. To me they show innovation and creativity and are so inspiring in terms of product ideas. Plus, as I’ve said many times, quirky products always sell and always get publicity!

So, I went over to my favorite online shopping site, Outblush – who loves quirky products – and found some of their finds that I think show really creative design.

Kate Spade “Say the Word” Word Search Dish

Word Search Crystal Dish by Kate Spade New York

Word Search Crystal Dish by Kate Spade New York

I love this crystal dish by Kate Spade. There are also matching mugs with crossword patterns as well. It is fun, colorful and conversational, which is perfect when you are using a dish like this to serve to guests.

BFF Pendant Set

Zelda and Becky Play Telephone from Flapper Doodle on Storenvy

Zelda and Becky Play Telephone from Flapper Doodle on Storenvy

Just when you thought there were no more ways to do a BFF necklace (Best Friends Forever), Flapper Doodle on Storenvy comes out with this adorable pendant set. What I love about this is the originality. No heart divided in two that has to fit together or one pendant says “Best” and the other says “Friend”. Instead they really did something fresh and eye catching.

Skeleton Shirt

Skeleton Shirt by Romwe

Skeleton Shirt by Romwe

What I like about this Skeleton shirt from Romwe, is that it is definitely not something you would normally see on a traditional white shirt. Now, it is made to be street fashion, but you could probably get away with wearing it to work on Halloween.

Office Chair Cell Phone Holders

Office Chair Cell Phone Holders from the Lakeside Collection

Office Chair Cell Phone Holders from the Lakeside Collection

Cell phones have created quite the cottage industry, and unusual holders have been one of the most popular products to result. This set of 3 office chair holders from the Lakeside Collection is pretty whimsical if your daughter doesn’t steal them for her Barbies.

Grey Cat iPhone Case

Grey Wool iPhone Case from TokyoInspired on Etsy

Grey Wool iPhone Case from TokyoInspired on Etsy

There are so many creative iPhone cases out there, but you have to love this one from TokyoInspired on Etsy, especially for the cat lady in your life. Really creative design by incorporating the zipper as the mouth and using wool fabric. Love it!

My marketing guides will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, including how to create products the market wants. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

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Click the image to order

Click the image to order

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 14, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/14/why-quirky-products-always-sell-february-edition/

How to Get Blogs to Mention Your Products

by G.B. Oliver

★ THIS BLOG POST  WAS FEATURED ON NY TIMES SMALL BUSINESS BEST OF THE WEEK WRAP-UP

Blogs have taken over online content in a big way. According to Blogging.org, WordPress alone hosts 42 million blogs with 329 million readers. That is an unbelievable statistic!

My New Blog Lists for Fashion, Wedding & Home Decor

My New Blog Lists for Fashion, Wedding & Home Decor

Blogs range from everything from people writing their opinions on world events or their everyday life, to category-specific, informative blogs, including blogs for fashion, parenting, food, home decor, weddings, sports, entertainment, marketing – you name it.

Now, it is not easy to write a new blog post every day (trust me), so, as a result, bloggers are constantly looking for content. Writing about products they like is one possible content idea on those days when they have reached a blank.

So that is why I just launched a new marketing tool to help you. I’ve released up-to-the-minute blog lists covering Fashion, Wedding and Home Decor (more lists coming out later this week) where I painstakingly researched active blogs (active means they have posted something in the last week), that will take product submissions, if you pitch them a story the right way.

How to Submit to Blogs

Before you pitch your products to any blog, you need to check out their content first, and my list makes it very easy because it is hyperlinked to each blog. So you simply click on the name of the blog and it takes you either to the home page or their online submission form.

Typically, a blog’s editors will detail what they are looking for, and what they are NOT looking for. It is best to read this part and do what they say for the best chance of success.

Also, if they are asking for submissions by email (I include email addresses as well), they will tell you what to put in the subject header of the email. If you don’t follow their instructions, your email won’t get read.

Success Stories

I have a client who took my advice and got her products mentioned on a top fashion blog. As a result, she got hundreds of product views and several sales just in the first few hours that it appeared (this is a good conversion rate, remember not everyone buys right away).

I have another client whose product appeared on a shopping blog, resulting in 330 product views, but more importantly 49 sales, in just a few days. In other words, a 15% conversion rate (which is very good), mostly because it got directly to her target market, and not just to the masses. As an added bonus, her product got pinned to Pinterest from the shopping blog over 200 times. And almost a year later, she is still getting traffic and sales from that blog post.

Want one more reason why it is a good idea to make blogs aware of your shop? Because it has become a big trend for online marketplaces to have popular blogs pick their favorite products and act as guest pinners on Pinterest. Etsy recently did this with the blogs Camille Styles and Daily Candy. Fab.com has profiled favorite product picks from bloggers, as has One Kings Lane.

So, if you are ready to get your products out into the blog world, my new PDFs will help you do just that (just click the links below):

And, as always, my marketing guides will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, including pitching your products to the media. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 12, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Getting Publicity, Home
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 12, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/12/how-to-get-blogs-to-mention-your-products/

Storenvy, Another Player in the Online Marketplace

by G.B. Oliver

You know Etsy, Artfire, Lilyshop, Fab, but do you know Storenvy?

Storenvy touts itself as the only store builder and marketplace in one. They allow merchants to create an online storefront, for free, and then uses their social marketplace to reach customers. It is hoping to be the Tumblr for e-commerce.

Storenvy started in 2008, and in the last two years has grown from 2,800 stores to over 30,000.

Online Sellers Can Get a Customized Storefront for Free at Storenvy

Online Sellers Can Get a Customized Storefront for Free at Storenvy

The Facts about Storenvy:

  • Free – no listing fees, no commissions on sales, no monthly fees (however, on the site they talk about introducing a “Market Revenue Share” in the future, so not sure what that entails).
  • Independence – Here you can have a customized Storefront as well as a Storenvy store, so you have more control over the look and feel of your store.
  • Community – The Storenvy community promotes your products by “envying” them or buying them.
  • Promotion – Products appear on the front page in real-time based on their popularity (“Envys” and purchases).
  • Email Promotion – Storenvy emails their customers regularly with picks based on their likes, previous purchases, etc.
  • Connected – Storefronts include direct hyperlinks to a seller’s website, Pinterest, Wanelo, Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter pages.
  • Social Media – The Storenvy Facebook app gives merchants a free store on their Facebook page.
  • Followers – People can become a “Watcher” of your store. Basically this means they will get instant updates when you add new things to your store.
  • Extras – For $4.99 you can secure your own domain name, and there are fees such as $2.99 to use discount codes, but they do promote your discounts for you.
  • One Checkout – Customers can buy from a variety of stores on the Marketplace and they all appear in one shopping cart and one checkout.

As the online marketplace continues to be a billion dollar one, you will see more players and eventually it will shake out who stays and who goes. But, as as online seller, you have a lot of options!

Whatever marketplace you choose, you still have to promote!… My new guides that will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, whether you are established or just starting out. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Wedding

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 11, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Online Selling Sites
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 11, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/11/storenvy-another-player-in-the-online-marketplace/

Product Photography I Love – February 2013

by G.B. Oliver

There are some photos that just make you want to have the product. Usually, it is when the product is shown in use, because then you can really visualize why you need it and how you would use it. Plus, with the popularity of Pinterest and Tumblr, great photos are really getting noticed. Here are some examples of what I think works and why.

Dancing Candy Garland from Modcloth

Dancing Candy Garland from Modcloth

Why It Works: This garland from Modcloth is shot it on an all-white background, so it really makes the colors pop. Also, they show it in use, so not only do you get an idea of how to use it, but you also get a better perspective of the size. Nothing worse that buying something online and when you receive it, it is much smaller than you thought.

Driftwood Candelabra from VivaTerra

Driftwood Candelabra from VivaTerra

Why It Works: I love this product shot from VivaTerra for a few reasons. They blurred out the background and objects to the side of the candelabra. As such, it really draws the eye to the piece and makes for a more artistic photo. Plus they show it in use. If I saw this candelabra, without the candles, not on the table, and not in a rustic setting, I probably wouldn’t know what to do with it. They really sold me on the whole look it could create.

Kate Spade Necklace at Nordstrom

Kate Spade Necklace at Nordstrom

Why It Works: When I first saw this Kate Spade necklace on its own, I had no idea what I could wear it with, and I also thought it was much larger, until I saw this shot. By showing it on a model, and giving a suggestion on how it can be worn, now I want it!

Fruit and Berry Bread from Harry & David

Fruit and Berry Bread from Harry & David

Why It Works: Foods products are so difficult to photograph, but Harry & David does it so well. I love when food products are shown in a kitchen-like setting, makes me think they were just made. I also love how the color of the tabletop and the plates compliment the food, don’t overshadow it, along with the soft lighting. More than anything it is the close-up that really show the texture of the bread – definitely makes you want to taste!

Drinking Straws from ButterCreamDream Shop on Etsy

Drinking Straws from ButterCreamDream Shop on Etsy

Why It Works: This photo is a good example of a product shot that will get pinned to Pinterest, because it doesn’t look like a product shot. What I love about this photo at Butter Cream Dream Shop is how the various colors of the straws have been pulled out by the lemons and the green in the flowers. Plus, it is shot from a different perspective, making it more interesting. Visually, you just like looking at this image. And, it shows the product in action on a lemon stand. Pretty cute.

Remember, great product photos can never hurt your business, so it is worth the investment.

I HAVE A LOT MORE MARKETING ADVICE… in my new guides that will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, whether you are established or just starting out. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

Just one of my Marketing Guides – Guides also available for Home, Kids & Baby and Wedding Products

Just one of my Marketing Guides – Guides also available for Home, Kids & Baby and Wedding Products

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 8, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing I Love
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 8, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/08/product-photography-i-love/

Examples of Product Copy That Sells –Williams-Sonoma

by G.B. Oliver

When ever I come across effective product copy, I have to share. It is a skill, but if you can tell your product’s benefits, create a need and convince the reader to buy, all in just a few sentences, you’ve done your job. Williams-Sonoma is great at doing all of these things, so I thought I would show you a few examples from their website.

Carving Board at Williams-Sonoma

Carving Board at Williams-Sonoma

Monogrammed Carving Board

Personalized with one carved initial, our board makes a welcomed gift for your favorite barbecue chef. Handsome enough to double as a serving platter, it’s crafted in Vermont of solid maple. $150

  • Crafted from sustainably harvested North American maple, durable enough to withstand daily use yet gentle on knife edges.
  • Deep perimeter well collects flavorful juices.
  • Integral handles make the board easy to lift and carry.
  • Doubles as an impressive presentation piece for turkeys and roasts.
  • Made by the venerable J.K. Adams Co. of Vermont, specialists in finely made wooden kitchen wares.
  • May be monogrammed with a single initial.

Why It Works: First of all, they have positioned it as a Carving board, not a Cutting board. So this is the big strong board you need for carving meat, not some whimpy board for chopping vegetables, and therefore justifies the high price tag. They have sold me on the features of it being solid maple (a strong wood), told me what that perimeter was for (who knew?), given me multiple uses as it doubles as a serving platter, and the fact that it can be monogrammed suddenly turns it into a gift!

Valentine's Day Petit-Fours from Williams-Sonoma

Valentine’s Day Petit-Fours from Williams-Sonoma

Dragon Fly Cakes Valentine’s Day Petit-Fours

An exquisite treat for sharing on Valentine’s Day, our petits-fours are adorned with hand-cut hearts. Prepared for us by Dragonfly Cakes in Sausalito, California, each is hand made with three layers of light, moist sponge cake and three layers of buttercream, topped with a thin layer of marzipan and then draped in chocolate. Delightful with dessert wines, afternoon tea or after-dinner coffee, our assortment includes three flavors: Raspberry: Layered with raspberry jam and raspberry buttercream; Chocolate: Layered with chocolate ganache filling and chocolate buttercream; Vanilla: layered with white chocolate ganache and vanilla buttercream. $45

  • 12 petits fours (4 of each flavor); 10 oz. total.
  • Shipped frozen.
  • Made in USA.
  • A Williams-Sonoma exclusive

Why It Works: They definitely described in detail what I am going to get taste-wise if I buy these petit-fours. They also remind us they are handmade (better quality), and the different ways to serve them in case we have never had petit-fours before. The words exclusive and exquisite, again, are to justify the higher price. If you’ve noticed that they do repeat features from the main paragraph in the bullet points, it is to cover off the fact that some people will only read the bullets.

Baked Loaf Pan from Williams-Sonoma

Baked Loaf Pan from Williams-Sonoma

Baked Loaf Pan

We partnered with legendary New York sweet shop Baked NYC to create a ceramic pan that turns out perfectly tender quick breads – and goes from oven to table with panache. The stoneware’s dark exterior glaze absorbs heat quickly, and the clay retains its temperature for even baking and a golden finish. $43

  • High-fired stoneware is exceptionally strong and ensures even heating for sweet or savory baking.
  • Safe for oven or microwave use and fits our Breville countertop convection oven.
  • Glazed with a chocolate exterior and a vibrant orange interior.
  • Angled handles offer a steady grip.
  • Will not absorb odors or flavors.
  • Pair with one of our Baked NYC mixes to create a sweet gift.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • 40-oz. cap.
  • Interior: 8” x 4″ x 2 1/2″ deep; 10″ x 4 1/2″ x 3″ high overall.
  • Made in China.
  • A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Why It Works: They have quickly answered any question I could have about a baking pan. The design of this loaf pan was overseen by a legendary bakery, so this is top of the line design. I can serve right from the pan it looks so good. Even I can’t screw up a recipe using this pan due to the clay allowing for even baking and a golden finish. Can I find a better pan out there? And this can also become a gift by simply throwing in one of their bake mixes (nice up-sell of their other products!).

So find the unique value in your products, show how you are the best out there, create a need and get them to buy!

IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING SALES, I can help! My new marketing guides will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, whether you are established or just starting out. The early reviews have been great! Click here for more information.

My Marketing Ebooks

My Marketing Ebooks

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing I Love
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/05/examples-of-product-copy-that-sells-williams-sonoma/

New Product Ideas for Art Prints and Photography

by G.B. Oliver

Art and photography can be a tough sell these days. Thanks to the online marketplace, it is becoming even more saturated and as a result, prices have dropped. It is a wonder that artists can make any money any more.

But that is when you have to get creative! Just like any product that is in a saturated market, you need to find new ways to repurpose your art for different markets in a manner you don’t feel hurts your artistic integrity.

Everyone has gone in an art museum gift shop and seen Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, among others, repurposed onto umbrellas, note cards, coasters, you name it. Now, I have found a few other unique ways art and photography have been “repurposed” that may inspire the artists out there.
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A Photograph is Actually the Frame

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This frame is based on New York Skyline, an original gelatin silver print by Irving Browning. The photo was put onto brushed aluminum frame and is sold at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Definitely a cool way to find new life for your art photos.
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Embossing Makeup with Fashion Sketches

Christian_Dior _Tailleur_Bar_Palette
I thought that this eyeshadow palette from Christian Dior, called Tailleur Bar Palette, was such a clever way to reuse vintage fashion art. The make-up is embossed with the iconic New Look sketch by Dior artistic director Rene Gruau done back in 1947. This is a limited edition product (which is already on back order) making it a great collector’s piece.
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Add Some Class to Your Cell Phone
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These iPhone cases were done in collaboration by British mobile phone case company, Proporta and the National Gallery London to bring some iconic museum pieces to cases for iPhones, iPads and other tablet and readers cases. A little more classier than rhinestones.
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Wear Your Art 
02072013082749
These leather booties, from Free People, gets their design from a great abstract print. We’ve seen art on silk scarves and tees, but now it go even be worn on the feet!
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So all you artists out there, do not get discouraged if your work is not selling. Instead, try to find new, exciting ways to bring it to customers. See more ideas for new product ideas for art prints and photography at my Pinterest board.

Have You Heard About My New Marketing Ebooks?

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“Best buy ever!” . . “Cannot recommend this enough!” . .  ”You will not be disappointed!” . . “Incredible!” –  just some of the customer reviews of my new ebooks, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!, available at my Etsy shop.

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© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

 

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/05/new-product-ideas-for-art-prints-and-photography/

How Getting People To Ask You a Question Increases the Chance of a Sale

by G.B. Oliver

Have you heard the phrase “Engaging Your Customers?” The feeling is that once you make some sort of personal contact with a potential customer, the greater chance you have of selling to them. That is much easier when you are selling face to face, so how do you engage someone when you are selling online?

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Encourage People to Ask You a Question

Social media pundits will always say engage your audience by asking them a question. My theory is a little different. Engage potential customers by getting them to ask you a question.

The other day I was looking at the product copy of an online seller. For each of her products she had written a very long, detailed description. So detailed, in fact, that she answered every question I could possibly have if I had decided to read everything she wrote. So absolutely no reason for me to contact her unless I was going to buy. Now, this, in my opinion, is kind of a mistake.

Sometimes, not giving all the information, leaves the door open for communication. But you have to ask for it. Simply state, “If I have forgotten any details you need to know, please feel free to contact me (no obligation, I answer questions all the time!)”. When they do contact you, here is your opportunity to make the sale and close the deal with a friendly, helpful conversation similar to face to face selling.

Why do you think real estate agents never put the price of a house on the For Sale sign? So you’ll call them and ask.

Now, it can be time consuming answering people’s questions, but if you are just starting out and need those initial sales, it is a good way to get them.

Questions Help Create a Dialogue

When you answer a question, your customers can see that you are a real person that does exist and not just some online entity. Plus, it proves you know what you are talking about, which assures them that you are not just getting all your information from somewhere else. Plus, if you get back to them right away, they will see that you are serious about your customers.

So try to get your visitors to ask you a question, that will open up a dialogue, that can lead to a sale.

By the way, feel free to ask me a question at attentiongetting {at} gmail.com, but you can always get my very best marketing advice (I don’t put all my secrets on my blog!) in my new marketing guides that will tell you EVERYTHING you need to do to successfully sell online, whether you are established or just starting out. Click here for more information.

My Marketing Ebooks

My Marketing Ebooks

PLEASE LIKE this post using the button below and follow my RSS feed to know when new articles are posted.

PLEASE SHARE this post on social media using the share button below. Thanks!

© 2013 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on February 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 1, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/02/01/how-getting-people-to-ask-you-a-question-increases-the-chance-of-a-sale/

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