All posts in category Trends

New Trend: Selling Your Products in Online Magazines’ Marketplaces

by G.B. Oliver

Are you really thinking outside the box when it comes to where to sell your products? Right now, you probably have your own online store. But a wider distribution channel is always the best way to do volume and spread the word about your brand.

One trend I have been noticing is a lot of online magazines have their own online marketplaces. What this tells me is that content providers, such as magazines, blogs and newspapers, are trying to find more ways to maximize revenues, beyond advertising, and that may be an opportunity for you.

Some Online Magazines with Marketplaces

Screen shot 2013-05-01 at 11.23.12 AMCoastal Living Magazine Online has their own line of products that they sell, but they also act as a storefront for Wayfair, a large online home store.

 

Screen shot 2013-05-01 at 11.24.07 AMThis Old House‘s online magazine also seems to have a deal with Wayfair, and features their products for purchase directly from  the Old House marketplace.

Screen shot 2013-05-01 at 11.24.33 AMBetter Home and Gardens Online has a really interesting storefront that reminds me of ShopStyle, showing products for sale from a variety of vendors such as Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel. When you select the item, it takes you over to the retailer’s website, so you are not buying from Better Homes and Gardens, but they obviously have a referral/affiliate program, whereby they get paid for the click and the sale.

Screen shot 2013-05-01 at 11.20.31 AMThe wedding magazine, The Knot, has had an online store for years. They feature a variety of products that they say are mostly their own proprietary designs, but considering the large number of items they stock, I have to imagine they use some third party vendors.

Everyone is looking to make more money from their online businesses, and online magazines, newspaper and blogs are no different. Amazon spread its reach further by offering its Amazon Associates program (getting online businesses to incorporate the Amazon store front into their website in exchange for a fee) so why should it be any different for you?

YOUR NEXT STEP: Approach a blog that reaches your target market, that is growing in popularity and see if they would be willing to include your products in their marketplace (if they don’t have one, suggest the idea) in exchange for a fee on each sale. It could be a win win for both of you.

Download More Advice in my EBOOK SHOP. 

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

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on May 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101, Online Selling Sites, Trends
Tagged , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on May 1, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/05/01/new-trend-selling-your-products-in-online-magazines-marketplaces/

3 Easy Ways to Find Inspiration for New Products

by G.B. Oliver

Everyone wants to come up with that next great product idea. So how do you find the innovator in you and either start or identify that next big trend? Try these tips to get inspired.

Find Inspiration in Commercial Establishments

I’m sure you have noticed the huge “chalkboard trend” the last few years, whether it is in home decor products or wedding products or graphic design, do you wonder how it got started? Think of the proliferation of Starbucks and other coffee shops and how they turned their everyday chalkboard menus into works of art. The same trend is now with subway or transit signs. You’ve looked at these signs for years, but suddenly they have become decor chic.
Was it Starbucks Menu Boards that Launched the Current Chalkboard Trend?

Was it Starbucks Menu Boards that Launched the Current Chalkboard Trend?

x
So go to the downtown core of your city and check out:
  • restaurants
  • retail shops
  • coffee shops
  • churches
  • museums
  • libraries
  • historical buildings
and really look at everything. From the art on the walls to signage to  light fixtures to packaging – try to note interesting design details and how you can apply to the types of products you create.
x

keepcalm-225x300

Find Inspiration in other Eras

Another big product of the last few years has been the slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On“, a propaganda poster made by the British government in 1939 during the start of the Second World War.  People love inspirational sayings and slogans, so when a British bookstore rediscovered this poster back in 2000, it launched a whole slew of products and reworkings of the slogan itself.
  • So go to a library or bookstore and pull out every pictorial book you can on every decade and really study the photos.
  • Ask to look in your parents or grand parents’ attics (or just look around their homes) to see memorabilia from their era.
  • Take a look at their old photo albums, even their wedding album.
  • Watch movies and television shows from other decades, but with an eye for detail. Don’t focus on the story, but instead look at the set design, the wardrobe, and see what can inspire you.

Find Inspiration in Currently Popular Products

A lot of inspiration can come from creating products as add-ons to currently top selling products. iPhone cases came about because of the popularity of the iPhone and now there are over 160,000 iPhone cases listed on Etsy alone.
All the different accessory products for the iPhone

All the different accessory products for the iPhone

x
Take a journey over to Amazon.com and see what the most popular products are in any category – from food to baby to beauty to jewelry to gadgets – and see if you can find inspiration for a complimentary product for one of these top sellers. You now have a huge market to sell to.
x
Of course, pop culture is always an influencer as well. Please see my post, How to Predict Trends Before They Happen.
x
FINAL WORD: Sometimes all you have to do is stop and look around you to get inspiration. There are obviously many more ways to get inspired, these are just a few to get you started.
x
PINTEREST BOARD: Product Design I Love
x
GB Oliver
ABOUT ME: I’m G.B. Oliver, a small business marketing consultant and author of the new ebook series, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work! – 145 Detailed Tactics. I also do private consultations. Feel free to contact me at attentiongetting@gmail.com.

© 2013 G.B. OLIVER

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on April 16, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on April 16, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/04/16/3-easy-ways-to-find-inspiration-for-new-products/

What’s Hot for Spring – Top Selling Products Online

by G.B. Oliver

As you know by reading my blog, I am always up on the latest trends and the top sellers. So, here is what my research showed as currently the top selling products, for various categories, from major online retailers. If you have products that match these, you may want to move them to the forefront of your website/online store.

Current Top Sellers:

Jewelry: Ear cuffs are huge sellers, as are are large statement necklaces like bib collars, chain link bracelets, multi-color chandelier earrings and hand / body chain harnesses. Lots of turquoise, emerald green and pastel colors.

Large, bib necklace from Modcloth

Large, bib necklace from Modcloth

Purses/Bags: Satchels, hot pink, orange, leather, no prints.

Art: Art prints on reclaimed wood, large canvases (5 feet+), abstracts, kalightoscope-type patterns, black and white photography tinted with color sporadically.

Kitchen: Canisters are in big demand, floral patterns, modern tea kettles and tea pots, cookie stamps, dish towels with whimsical block prints.

iPhone Cases: Florals, bird prints, zebra prints, polka dots, stripes, silicone, metal.

Kids/Baby: Fun cutlery, personalized dishware, pyjamas with famous storybooks’ prints, whimsical book ends. brightly colored clothes hangers.

0407584979638_247x329

Twisted Family Cutlery from Saks Fifth Avenue

Outdoor: Willow bark, chevrons, Moroccan prints, coastal/beach.

Wedding: Mint, grey/silver, blush, chalkboard-style, simple/sans serif typefaces, water color designs, butterflies.

Vintage: Non-fiction books/cookbooks from 1940s -60s, lidded porcelain jars, silver teapots, posters, wallpaper, sconces, oversized wine jugs.

Pets: Stylish small dog carriers/purses, thin leather braided leashes, sleeping pods.

Other: Terrariums, drinking glasses with sayings on them, milk glass, milk bottles, humorous cat and dog faces (think grumpy cat), photography prints on clothing (dresses, leggings, scarves and more), unique watch and clock faces, bicycle prints (on everything from t-shirts to glasses).

FINAL WORD: These are products that are currently popular, so I am not saying to jump on the band wagon, but rather if you already have items like this, and they are not selling, maybe you should be giving them more focus. Or take these, add a new twist or mix a few themes together, for an original offering.

Get My VERY BEST Marketing Ideas, Only in My New Ebooks:

MalloryHopeDesign_AGMarketing_eBook_Kids

“Best buy ever!” . . “Cannot recommend this enough!” . .  ”You will not be disappointed!” . . “Incredible!” –  If you want my VERY BEST marketing tactics and advice, I save that exclusively for my Ebooks, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!, available at my Etsy shop.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumble, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

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

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

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on April 2, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on April 2, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/04/02/whats-hot-top-selling-products-online/

Google Trends – Product Search Phrases On The Rise

by G.B. Oliver

★ THIS BLOG POST  MADE NY TIMES SMALL BUSINESS, BEST OF THE WEEK 

I love looking at Google Trends and seeing which search phrases are popular, but also which ones are on the rise. The great thing about Google Trends is you can customize it by country and by time period (i.e. last 7 days), so it is a great tool to keep on top of the marketplace. So I entered some product categories to see what the top rising search phrases were, for the last 3 months, worldwide.

Unknown-2

For the jewelry vendors out there, and I know there are lots, these are the top rising search phrases:

  • Cheap Body Jewelry
  • Hematite Jewelry
  • Amethyst Jewelry (amethyst is the February birthstone)
  • Bridesmaid Jewelry

For wedding products vendors, typing in wedding was too generic, so here are the top rising search phrases, worldwide, in the last 3 months for “Wedding Invitations”:

  • Fun Wedding Invitations
  • Coral Wedding Invitations
  • Country Wedding Invitations
  • Homemade Wedding Invitations

For vendors of baby products, again, typing in baby was too generic. So I tried “Baby Clothes”, and these were the top risers:

  • Baby Summer Clothes
  • Neutral Baby Clothes
  • Crochet Baby Clothes
  • Handmade Baby Clothes
  • Unisex Baby Clothes

For vendors of art, I typed in the phrase “Wall Art” and this is what resulted:

  • Kitchen Art
  • African Wall Art
  • Bathroom Wall Art
  • Beach Wall Art
  • Kitchen Wall Art (Kitchen seems to be in big demand)

For vintage sellers, these were the breakout rising searches for “Vintage”:

  • Vintage Valentines
  • Modern Vintage Boutique
  • Vintage Swimwear
  • Vintage Prom Dresses
  • Vintage Bridesmaid Dresses
  • Vintage Style Dresses

For sellers of home products, it is a little tougher to narrow things down. So I entered “Decorative” and these were the results:

  • Decorative curtain rods
  • Decorative baskets
  • Decorative bird cages
  • Decorative wall hooks
  • Decorative ceiling tiles

FINAL WORD: When you look at searches in lesser time frames, like the last 3 months, it helps you to see popular cyclical searches, such as Valentine’s, and also how far in advance people start searching for different events or seasons. For example, people are already searching for summer items. Use Google Trends to help you find where that next opportunity lies for your online business.

★ If You Like My Blog, You’ll LOVE My New Ebooks (because I save my BEST ideas for in there!) 

MalloryHopeDesign_AGMarketing_eBook_HomeProducts

“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!. Download today at my Etsy shop.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumble, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

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

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

9 Comments
by Attention Getting Marketing on March 19, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Google Tips, Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on March 19, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/03/19/google-trends-search-phrases-on-the-rise/

How to Predict Trends Before They Happen

by G.B. Oliver

★ THIS BLOG POST  MADE THE NY TIMES – THIS WEEK IN SMALL BUSINESS

In December, Pantone chose Emerald Green to be its color of the year. Do you think it had anything to do with the fact that the movie, Oz, the Great and Powerful was coming out in spring, in which Emerald Green plays a large part in the story? Just how much does pop culture influence trends in fashion and other types of product categories, such as Home, Wedding, Kids and Lifestyle. (Please also see my post, Product Trends for 2013).

Pantone-color-of-the-year-emerald

When the Great Gatsby movie was scheduled to come out last fall (it has been delayed to this spring), the 1920s vintage trend starting showing up in early 2012. That was also helped along by the movie The Artist, another 1920s period film, which won the Academy award for best film in 2012 and television shows like Downtown Abbey.

If you were wondering why baroque styles came back into fashion two years ago and has stayed, you just had to look at the movies Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Anna Karenina (2012), Mirror Mirror (2012), Lincoln (2012) Jane Eyre (2011) and Alice in Wonderland (2010) to see the influence.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is obviously focused on Smaug the dragon and the new, very popular trailer for Game of Thrones also features a dragon. So does this mean that dragons will be one of the creatures of choice in 2013/2014?

What about human-type monsters? Remember how popular vampires have been the last few years? Well that looks to be overtaken by zombies, thanks to movies like ParaNorman, the upcoming movie, World War Z and the popular TV show, The Walking Dead.

Books are an influence as well. Studs and spikes are showing up in both fashion, jewelry and home decor, citing a definite 50 Shades of Grey influence.

So if you want to get in on a trend before it starts, keep an eye on the things in pop culture that influence us – movies, books, television, music, world events, technology, and see what commonality you can find.

FINAL WORD: While trends don’t have a long shelf life, they do help to get you publicity (because editors only want to write about what everyone is talking about) and publicity gets people into your shop to check out what else you offer.

Be Sure to Download My New Marketing Ebooks, with my Best Secrets for Selling Online!

MalloryHopeDesign_AGMarketing_eBook_HomeProducts

“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! as well as other helpful marketing tools in my Etsy shop.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumple, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

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

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

8 Comments
by Attention Getting Marketing on March 4, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on March 4, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/03/04/how-to-predict-trends-before-they-happen/

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.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumple, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

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

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

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

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.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumple, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

Click the image to order

Click the image to order

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

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

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

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 14, 2013

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

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.
x

A Photograph is Actually the Frame

80006915_01_l
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.
x

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.
x
Add Some Class to Your Cell Phone
1342006614_w670_h488
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.
x
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!
x
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?

MalloryHopeDesign_AGMarketing_eBook_HomeProducts

“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.

PLEASE Tweet, Post to Facebook, Stumple, PIN & more this post using the SHARE button below. Thanks!

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

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

 

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

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013

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

New Product Trend Alert – Action Scene Jewelry

by G.B. Oliver

Okay, so I just made this name up because I had no idea what else to call it, but I have been starting to notice a new jewelry trend as you can see from the following pieces. I came across these necklaces on various fashion blogs and it does prove my point (as I have said many times) that the unusual or unique always gets publicity.

But what I love about this new jewelry trend is the creativity. This is really inspiring if you are a jewelry designer, but also inspiring for women who want to wear more of an art piece rather than make a fashion statement.

Equilibrist and Flags Necklace

long-necklace-equilibrist-and-flags-

Equilibrist and flags necklace from shop-n2.lesnereides.com

To me, this piece by Shop N2 is a great example of product design because it is taking necklaces in a new direction. It is almost telling a story without being kitchy. I’m not sure if it is fashion as much as it is a conversation piece, and definitely only a certain type of woman would wear it. Personally, I am not one of those women, but I know my 13 year-old daughter would love it, or a woman who likes to show some personality with her fashion choices.

Parachuters Necklace

nd27-1

Parachuters Necklace from Monserat De Lucca

This necklace by Monserat De Lucca is another great example of interesting product design. You may think someone would only buy this if they actually had attempted jumping out of a plane, but I think it is a great gift for anyone who is a risk taker or just someone who has a fun, whimsical side to their personality.

A Walk in the Park Necklace 

il_570xN.416609345_rw6q

A Walk in the Park Necklace from Liliana Design on Etsy

If you are a shy person, wear this necklace to a party and people will definitely start talking to you. I love this piece by Liliana Design on Etsy because the black makes it look like a silhouette, giving it a little mystique. With laser cut design growing in popularity, I imagine you can expect to see more designs in this vein.

Will these “action” pieces start a trend that carries over into other products, such as home decor? Only time will tell, but it makes for really interesting product design.

★ GET AN EDGE ON THE COMPETITION with my new ebooks that will tell you everything you need to do to successfully sell online, including one specifically if you sell Jewelry & Fashion Accessories. Click here for more information.

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Jewelry

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, please be sure to “like” it 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.

4 Comments
by Attention Getting Marketing on January 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 25, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/25/new-product-trend-alert-action-scene-jewelry/

Product Trends for 2013

by G.B. Oliver

I took a look at the new product arrivals from some of the major online retailers, and I noticed several themes emerging that smaller online shops may want to consider when designing their products for this year.

Animal Trends

While owls and birds will still be popular in home decor and jewelry, a new trend that seems to be popping up is African wildlife, such as giraffes, tigers and cheetahs. 2013 is also the year of the snake, so that may influence design as well (and if you want to get a start on 2014, when the next Hobbit movie comes out in December, I imagine dragons will be big!).

Color Trends

Neon is back is a big way, for both home, jewelry and fashion, but many designers are also mixing neon with black, grey and navy so it is not too strong a statement. Pastel colors such as mint are also popular. Pantone’s color of the year for 2013 is Emerald Green, so expect to see it in various hues (check out this blog editorial to see what I mean).

Kate Spade Necklace at Piperlime

Kate Spade Necklace at Piperlime

Jewelry Trends

Geometric shapes (including individual chevrons, a trend from last year), twigs, branches, horns, tusks, skulls and lots of spikes (50 Shades of Grey influence, maybe) seem to be popular jewelry trends. Choker and bib necklaces continue to be current. Traditional hoop earrings do not appear to be that trendy, but rather smaller stud earrings or large dangle earrings.

Art Trends

Keep Calm and Carry On has inspired lots of word art with everyone looking for that next trendy, inspirational saying. Vintage fonts are popular in art as well, along with vintage travel posters. A lot of photography art seems to be taking on a blurry trend, or black and white with small washes of color here and there. Artistic animal heads on walls continue to find new creative ways.

Pattern Trends

Chevrons, ombre (fading from one color to the next), trellis patterns are all still popular. New pattern trends seem to be polka dots, houndstooth and global bazaar/moroccan prints.

Houndstooth art print at Inhabit

Houndstooth art print at Inhabit

Material Trends

Expect lots of accents of metal studs, metal plates and shimmery gold and silver in both home decor, jewelry and fashion. Stylish household objects in ceramic will also be really popular in 2013.

Kids Product Trends

Neon is also a big trend for both kids fashion and room decor, as is Parisian themes and sequins. Ceramic accents, banners for bedrooms, and everything in a shape whether it is mirrors, rugs, lamps, bookends or clocks. Another hot fashion trend for kids is moccasins.

Why should you care about trends? Because trends get editorial, which means you have a better chance with product submissions to the media if your products are current. Doesn’t mean your whole shop has to be trendy, just one piece will do.

IF YOU LIKE MY BLOG, you’ll LOVE my Ebooks!

MalloryHopeDesign_AGMarketing_eBook

Because I save all my very best advice & secrets for in there – Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!  

There are editions specifically for the Home, Wedding, Jewelry & Fashion Accessories and Baby & Kids markets. Just click here to go to my Ebook shop and download your copy. 

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

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

4 Comments
by Attention Getting Marketing on January 3, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 3, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/03/product-trends-for-2013/

Why Quirky Products Always Sell

by G.B. Oliver

Do you ever find you are in need of some fresh inspiration when it come to creating new products? Do you also find that sometimes the right product is just quirky enough that it requires little marketing – that it will sell based solely on its own quirkiness?

I was at an online shop called Fred Flare. They sell some unique items and are definitely the place to go when you need a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person. I went to a section on their site called “Top Sellers” because I was curious to see what people are buying these days. Here is what I found that may inspire your own unique product ideas.

Where I've Been Scratch Map Travel Edition at Fredflare.com

Where I’ve Been Scratch Map Travel Edition at Fredflare.com

Their current top seller is actually a product I think is quirky but also practical, which doesn’t always happen. It is a Scratch-off World Map Wall Poster. Every time you visit a country, you scratch it off the map the same way you do a scratch off lottery ticket. So now everywhere you’ve been is highlighted in red. Great gift for the world traveller.

Their next top seller is Hot Chocolate on a Stick. Since everything seems to be on a stick these days, I guess it makes sense. For $16 you get four cubes of Belgian Chocolate that you dunk into steaming milk. Not necessarily something I would buy for myself, but it could be one of those gifts you give a co-worker in a Christmas exchange. Definitely conversational.

Hot Chocolate on a Stick from Fredflare.com

Hot Chocolate on a Stick from Fredflare.com

Rounding out their top 3 selling items is the Mustachifier Baby Pacifier. We all know how trendy mustaches have become, and now your newborn can have one! It is a funny gift that will get people talking, and I am sure it makes a cute photo opp for your baby. How practical it is as a pacifier is another matter.

Mustachifier from Fredflare.com

Mustachifier from Fredflare.com

The point I am trying to make is sometimes a product is so unique and unusual that people will buy it solely for that reason. It may not have a long product life cycle, especially when the novelty wears off, but it could make you a lot of money in a very short time. So are these ideas ingenious or just silly or both? Whatever they are, the lesson to be learned here is that quirky always sells and always get publicity. For example, I’m writing about it!

★ Do You Want To Know What Else Sells? Then check out my NEW marketing ebooks, where you get ALL my secrets that you need to succeed online in 2013 (because I don’t give away everything here!).

© 2012 G.B. Oliver. All rights reserved.

Marketing_Ideas_Home_Etsy

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on December 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on December 17, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/12/17/why-quirky-products-always-sell-well/

Do You Have a Product That Will Get Attention?

by G.B. Oliver

The other day I was advising a shop called Escena, that sells Jewelry online, and looking through their selection one item really stood out to me. They had a pair of earrings called 50 Shades of Grey Dangle Earrings. Immediately I thought, this is your money maker. While the other jewelry items are beautiful, this is the one that will get attention.

50 Shades of Grey Earrings from Escena on Etsy

Why?

One, because it relates to something really popular in the news right now, the book, 50 Shades of Grey (1 million+ Google searches a month).

Two, because it is a sexy product that all the upcoming Valentine’s gift guides will be looking for (you should be submitting to these now, by the way).

Three, what husband wouldn’t buy this for his wife who has read the book?

Four, what woman wouldn’t buy this as a tongue-in-cheek gift for all her girlfriends who have read the book?

Fifth, what fashion blog wouldn’t show it as a homage to all the fashion being inspired by the book?

In other words, it provides a ton of opportunities for PR and sales that will bring people to the shop.

Every shop needs that one product that the content-starved media is looking for. The conversation starter, the image that will gets tons of REPINs, the product a majority of people can currently relate to in some way.

Now maybe your shop doesn’t have a product like this and you don’t want to change the focus of your product line just to include some one-off for publicity’s sake. That’s understandable, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent offering. It can be something you just offer as a special or for a limited time, or as a promotional item given free with the purchase of another item. However you want to spin it, the fact is that products that are clever or quirky or on trend with what everyone is talking about will always get publicity.

The benefit is you are pulling the curiosity seekers into your shop or website. Hopefully they will look around at your other items and not just this one. It is a hook and it works!

★ If you can’t figure out which one of your products will get attention, feel free to get in touch. I do consult! Also, if you want more of my marketing advice (I save the best stuff for my Ebooks) that will help increase the sales of your online shop, please see my Ebook shop for my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!

1 Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on November 29, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on November 29, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/11/29/do-you-have-a-product-that-will-get-attention/

Want to Make More Sales? Then Take Your Products Up a Notch!

by G.B. Oliver

I’ve never understood why people just do copycat products. Granted, it makes business sense (although, not really ethical) to jump on someone’s proven success, but I have to think your success will be short lived if you can’t come up with product ideas on your own. It really isn’t that hard to be an innovator and develop new products. In fact, you can start with the products you currently have. Just step back, take a more objective look, and see how you could take things up a notch to differentiate yourself in a very crowded and competitive marketplace.

Anthropologie’s Handpainted Monogram Letters

A shop like Anthropologie is a good example. What makes them great is that they take products you’ve seen before, but they add a new twist to make them different from the traditional. For example, wooden letters are everywhere as wall decor, but Anthropologie turned these typical letters into Handpainted Still Life Monograms by making them out of canvas and adding painted murals on them. So now they have become true artwork for your walls.

Another example is their Colorblocked Baguette Board. They took what would be a regular cutting board, dipped the ends in milk paint to add some style and made it out of a much higher quality wood so you can use it as a bread server as well. These are simple twists on everyday products that also repurposes them.

Anthropologie’s Colorblocked Baguette Board

If you want to be successful, you have to offer products that are unique, but still serve a purpose. People love products that are conversation starters. People also like unusual products because they make great gifts for those hard to buy for people. And as I say in my marketing ebooks, quirky always gets publicity! No one is going to write about a plain old cutting board in their magazine, but they will if it is now a stylish baguette server.

So don’t just copy someone’s else products. Take a look at a product that is popular and think, how can I make it more feature-rich, more useful, more interesting, more… attention getting!

★ As always, if you want more of my marketing advice (I save the best stuff for my ebooks) that will help increase the sales of your small business, please see my Ebook shop for my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on November 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on November 15, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/11/15/want-to-make-more-sales-then-take-your-products-up-a-notch/

How to Target Your Products at the Lucrative Baby Boomer Market

by G.B. Oliver

There are currently 80 million baby boomers in the U.S. This is the population aged generally in their 50s and 60s who, according to MediaPost, hold 70% of the US disposable income (i.e. they’ve got money to spend on stuff!).

~ So is your business targeting them? ~

The economy is not great right now, and yet Baby Boomers still have money to spend. The majority are still working, kids’ college is paid for, houses are paid for, if anything they are downsizing, which is putting more money back in their pockets. So if they are the people spending right now, why aren’t you targeting them?

Other Interesting Facts: 71% of baby boomers go online everyday, 53% are on Facebook and over age 50 spend $7 billion online annually!

For example, if you sell baby and kids products, do you just target moms and dads, who are busier, have less money to spend, are probably too tired to think? Why not target grandparents, who do have the money to spend and love buying gifts for the grandkids. Plus, grandparents are not up on what kids want the way parents are, so you have an opportunity to convince them that kids really want your products!

What if you are selling jewelry or fashion. Baby boomers don’t necessarily feel comfortable wearing the latest youth-oriented trends. So why miss out on this market even if it is not your style. Create a more traditional line of products, or a more mature line, that you could section off in your shop just for this market, the same way you see a regular store and a plus size version of that store.

What about home products? Baby boomers love nostalgia, so research style trends from the 1950s, 60s and 70s and seen how you can incorporate it into a “Baby Boomer Line”. Also, were there cool products from this era that you could revamp for today’s market, making them both modern and vintage at the same time.

Baby boomers don’t just buy a lot for themselves and their grandchildren, they also buy for their grown children who have less disposable income due to being new to the workforce or owning homes and raising kids. So if you have items strictly aimed at the 20 to 30 year old market, those non-necessity but nice to have items, convince mom and dad to buy it for them! Would make a great gift guide, “What to buy for your grown children besides gift cards”. In fact, encourage customers to make a wish list just for them to give to Mom and Dad.

Now go get their attention!

★ As always, if you want more great marketing advice, please see my Ebook shop for my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!

 

Leave a Comment
by Attention Getting Marketing on November 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Trends
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on November 14, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/11/14/how-to-target-your-products-at-the-lucrative-baby-boomer-market/

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 746 other followers

%d bloggers like this: