All posts tagged etsy blog

Product Photography I Love – March Edition

by G.B. Oliver

I love great photography. It really does help sell a product. Here are some favorites I found, and I will explain (in case it’s not obvious) what works that makes this a photo that sells.

Beauty Products

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Why It Works: I love this product shot by Crabtree & Evelyn for many reasons. One, I think by including the oranges in the shot, it really does convey that you will find them in the product. Two, I love how they positioned the bottles on this white washed table, making it feel like a very natural, fresh product. Finally, grouping all four products together really does help upsell, making you want the whole set.

 

Vintage Products

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Why It Works: The vintage shop, Dreamy  Whites, does an amazing job of shooting their vintage finds with magazine quality photos. The soft lighting makes the vintage product feel like it will fit into any type of home today. Showing the product in use is always a good idea. If you just saw a photo of this basket on its own, empty, would you be as inclined to want it?

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Pet Products

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Why It Works: This is a great product shot from a company called Kurgo selling on HSN. You can never go wrong showing a cute dog, and this one is a great model. Again, showing the product in action helps me visualize it in my own car and with my own sized dog. And they make it look just too adorable to pass up.

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Paper Products

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Why It Works: Invitation company, Luscious Verde, shows various aspects of the design in one photo, really highlighting nice details you might have otherwise missed. Doing a collage is a great way to ensure the customer see all the features and benefits.

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FINAL WORD: Photos really can sell a product if you use them to highlight use, need unique features. Plus, with today’s image-hungry online environment, top quality photos are more likely to be “pinned” and “liked” helping your products to go viral.

Want My Very Best Marketing Ideas, That I Don’t Put Here on the Blog?

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“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!

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on March 27, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing I Love
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on March 27, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/03/27/product-photography-i-love-march-edition/

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!

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

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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/

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.

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

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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
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 12, 2013

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

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
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on February 5, 2013

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

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.

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on February 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101
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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/

Want to Expand Your Market Quickly? Repurpose Your Products

by G.B. Oliver

People are always asking me why their products are not selling. A lot of the time there is nothing wrong. Usually they are in a saturated market where there is a lot of competition. Then they don’t know what to do with the inventory they have sitting around. The answer is often simple – repurpose it. I’ll explain what I mean.

Glass Vase Fillers at Pottery Barn

Glass Vase Fillers at Pottery Barn

Christmas Ornaments Become Vase Fillers

The other day I was speaking to someone who had these beautiful acorn cap Christmas ornaments that were rolled in silver glitter. Really stunning. But Christmas is over and no one is buying ornaments so what to do. I told the vendor to sell the ornaments as vase fillers (just remove the ribbon). Vase  fillers have been a decorative trend for years now and these ones, because of adding the glitter (which just happens to be a big trend in 2013 – please see my post Product Trends for 2013) made them a unique entry in this market.

Necklace Pendants Become Drawer Pulls

Another person I was speaking with sells these lovely stoneware necklace pendants. At first look, I thought some of the round and square ones would actually make really beautiful and unique drawer pulls, especially for a kitchen or bathroom or on a rustic piece of furniture. Again, another possible revenue stream for the same product by simply repurposing.

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TOMS White Crochet Wedding Slippers

Crocheted Slippers Become Bridal Slippers

Another person was asking why their crochet slippers were not selling. When I looked at the white ones they were offering, they reminded me of the white crocheted TOMS shoes that have become a huge wedding trend for brides to wear at the reception (on the TOMS website they have a section now called Wedding Collection as a result). So simply add a few pearls and start selling to the bridal market.

My point is, don’t give up on products that are not selling. They could have a new, very lucrative life in another form.

NEW SERVICE! My Product Consultation: I am offering a new service called my Product Consultation. It is very difficult to be objective about your own products because you are too close to them. So, if you have items that are just not selling and you don’t know why, please get more information here.

Product Consult

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, please be sure to “like” it below and follow my RSS feed to know when new articles are posted.

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on January 18, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Marketing 101
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 18, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/18/want-to-expand-your-market-quickly-repurpose-your-products/

How to Pitch Your Products to Editors

by G.B. Oliver

Some sellers seem to be at a loss about how to submit their products to editors of blogs, magazines, newspapers, etc., in order to get editorial (have their product included in an article). So I thought I would give a couple of tips here  – but, as usual, I save the best tips for my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work! – so you can see what will really get the attention of an editor or writer.

man-sitting-clip-art-silhouette

Pitch a Story, Not a Product

Writers are constantly running out of story ideas, so if you feed them one, they are very appreciative. So do not send them an email asking them to just blatantly promote your product, they will hit delete. Instead, give them a few editorial suggestions for which your product would fit in nicely.

Below are some real-life blog and magazine articles to help you get a better understanding of what ideas to pitch:

Examples of Product Editorial Pitches – Jewelry & Fashion

  • 17 Red-Carpet Worthy Jewels
  • 5 Winter Fashion Must-Haves Under $50
  • Fashion inspired by 50 Shades of Grey

Examples of Product Editorial Pitches – Home Decor Products

  • 15 Hostess Gifts Under $20
  • 12 Throw Pillows for a Rustic Home
  • Decor Products to Dress Up the Mantle

Examples of Product Editorial Pitches – Kids & Baby Products

  • Baby Shower Gifts Under $25
  • Products for a Nautical Theme Kids Room
  • 22 Products That Will Make Moms Lives Easier

Examples of Product Editorial Pitches – Wedding Products

[Note: Wedding blogs are very tough to pitch too, because they typically just want photos of real-life weddings and they want vendors to pay for ads. However, the bridal magazines are a lot more responsive]

  • Latest Wedding Trend: Embroidery
  • Emerald Green Wedding Inspiration
  • Passion for Pink Wedding Invitations

Examples of Product Editorial Pitches – Food Products

  • Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas
  • Need a Chocolate Fix?
  • 15 Fantastic Gifts for Foodies

Keep in mind the more intriguing the story pitch, the more unusual the story pitch, the more current (in terms of time of year, what’s going on in the news) the story pitch, will all increase your chances of success.

IF YOU LIKE MY BLOG, you’ll LOVE my ebooks, because I save all my very best secrets & advice for in there – Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!, available here, with copies for the Wedding, Kids & Baby, Home and Jewelry & Fashion Accessories markets. 

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Baby

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, please be sure to “like” it below and follow my RSS feed to know when new articles are posted.

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on January 11, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Getting Publicity, Home
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 11, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/11/how-to-pitch-your-products-to-editors/

My Latest Google Search Tips – Apostrophes, Plural and Gender

by G.B. Oliver

I was doing research of a particular Google search for a client when I noticed some subtle differences on how people search for products that may change how you phrase your headings, subheadings and keyword tags.

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Fact # 1 – Not Many People Use Apostrophes Correctly When Searching

Maybe because we are all in such a hurry these days, but it appears that people very rarely use apostrophes when searching.

For example, they don’t search “men’s shoes” they search “mens shoes“. The exact phrase “men’s shoes” pulled up data of 58 searches a month compared to 60,500 for the exact phrase “mens shoes“, without the apostrophe. That’s quite a difference and it was consistent with other terms as well.

The exact phrase “kids clothes” showed 45,000 searches per month, where the exact phrase “kid’s clothes” showed nil. Now the phrase “kids’ clothes” (where the apostrophe is at the end) also pulled up 40,500, which showed me that Google ignores the apostrophe when it is at the end of a word, but not when it is in amongst the letters.

So if grammatically incorrect can pull in higher searches, do you wrestle with the dilemma of writing your product copy according to keywords or opting for the correct grammar?

Fact # 2 – Plural versus Singular Can Make a Difference

People also vary in their searches as to whether or not it is more common to add the plural. For example, the exact phrase “throw pillows” pulled up 18,100 searches per month, whereas the singular “throw pillow” was dramatically lower at 2,400. However, it was the opposite for necklaces. The exact phrase “gold necklaces” pulled up 2,900 searches monthly compared to 12,900 for the singular “gold necklace“.

As adding the plural seems to vary by product, it means you really have to research both singular and plural with your product keywords to see which is more commonly searched. Tedious, but it could make a big difference.

Fact # 3 – Gender Isn’t Always Implied

Another thing I noticed is that when you are looking for an item by gender, it appears there are more searches specific to “mens” then there are to “womens”. For example, “mens jewelry” showed 5,400 monthly searches compared to only 1,600 for “womens jewelry“. “Mens shoes” showed 60,500 searches compared to 49,500 for “womens shoes“. Now, I would think more women are searching for shoes online than men, so is it that women just type “shoes” or “black shoes” or “high heels” and just naturally assume the search will know they mean women’s? If that is the case, it may not be worth your while to include women’s in your description or keywords, and instead focus on other adjectives such as color, style or material.

Remember, these facts are not really specific to Google, these are specific to human behavior. That is why you really  have to test all variations of your keywords to see how your target market mostly commonly uses them for search.

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Jewelry

I have many more search tips and advice in my PDFs (because I save my best tips for there!), Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work, available here.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST on social media using the share button below, and subscribe to my feed to get notification of all new posts. Thanks!

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on January 10, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Google Tips, Home
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 10, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/10/the-subtleties-of-keyword-searches/

Examples of Product Copy That Sells – ApartmentTherapy.com

by G.B. Oliver

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

I am sure you have heard of the popular blog, Apartment Therapy. One of my favorite sections there is Maxwell’s Daily Finds, for many reasons. But as a marketer, one of the reasons I like this section is because Maxwell writes product copy really well. Let me explain.

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If you think people want to read a ton of copy of all the virtues of your product, they don’t. Not at first anyway. When they are ready to make a purchase they may want more details, but to initially hook them you have to keep it short and sweet. You have about 100 words or less to emphasize the main value of the product (what problem does it solve), convince a person why they need it and have a closing line that gets them to buy.

Here is an example of product copy on Maxwell’s Daily Finds today & I explain after why it works:

Provendi Rotating Soap Fixture

• $38
• Anthropologie

“I love these so much we used to sell them through our little online Apartment Therapy store years ago. They were hard to find, but leave it to Anthro to solve that problem. Designed for public schools in France, the ‘sweetly scented, softly foaming vegetable-based soap’ rotates and slowly wears down. New soap replacements just get screwed onto the ‘spike.’ It’s a great solution for kitchen sinks, bathrooms without a lot of counter space OR beside bathtubs or outdoor showers. Oh, and it’s a conversation starter as well.”

So in less than 100 words, Maxwell made this product very appealing.

Here is what I got out of the copy:

  • Solves a problem (when there is no space for a soap dish)
  • It has an European chic appeal – “designed for schools in France”
  • It has eco-appeal – “vegetable-based soap”
  • It will last a long time – “slowly wears down”
  • It can go in multiple rooms “kitchen sinks, small bathrooms, outdoor showers”, so encourages buying more than one
  • It is  a cool product – “conversation starter”

Here’s another example, particularly of interest to those of you who sell art online:

Original Antonioni BLOW UP Movie Poster

• $3000
• Posteritati Movie Posters

“I love original European movie posters to wake up a room and make a statement. This is one of the best, and I originally saw it used in a Ralph Lauren showroom in NC. Huge (55×79), vintage from 1967, perfect in its raw style and brilliantly red, it’s aspirational in price, but worth it.”

Here’s what I got out of it:

  • Solves a problem – “wakes up a room and makes a statement”
  • It has vintage appeal – “vintage from 1967″
  • It has European chic appeal – “original European movie posters”
  • It has cache – “used in a Ralph Lauren showroom in NC”
  • Yes, it’s expensive but it’s “an original”,  ”huge (55 x 79)” and “one of the best movie posters”

It takes some skill, but you can write your own effective product copy. Solve a problem, give multiple reasons to buy it, and leave with a closer that addresses any doubts a buyer may have.

If you need more advice and examples of effective product copy (because I save the best stuff for my ebooks!) I walk you through it step-by-step in my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work, and I have editions specifically for selling Home, Wedding, Kids & Baby products and Jewelry & Fashion Accessories, available here.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A TOP SELLER, please don’t take just any advice that could send you down the wrong path. Getting professional marketing advice will make the difference between selling a few products a month and being a top seller.

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 January 8, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 8, 2013

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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. 

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on January 3, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 3, 2013

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

Valentine’s Day Sales Tips – You’re Selling to the Opposite Sex Now

by G.B. Oliver

A great selling opportunity coming up for online shops is Valentine’s Day. All the blogs, newspapers and online magazines will be running Valentine’s Gift Guides, mostly aimed at the male who is assumed to have no idea what to buy the woman in his life.

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For those of you selling products normally targeted at a female audience, such as jewelry and fashion accessories, you now have to shift your message to appeal to the male gift buyer.

So I consulted a few males and females and got some interesting, although generalized, feedback about their gift buying habits.

Tips for Selling to Men who are Buying a Gift for a Woman:

1. Men buy more impulsively. They don’t shop around, they don’t compare prices. If they have clicked on your item, you are 95% there, all you have to do is close the sale. i.e. “I guarantee she’ll love it. Buy now and get 10% off using the coupon code VD2013.”

2. Men buy at the last minute. Most men are not going to think about buying a Valentine’s gift in January. They are thinking about it a few days before. Therefore, you have to be sure to let them know that you can get it to them in time for February 14th, and already gift wrapped if needed.

3. Men love “free” gifts. They like feeling as if they paid one price but got something “extra” for their girlfriend/wife, even if they don’t realize the price of the “free” gift was worked into the product price. If you have anything extra you can throw in, it will probably help seal the deal.

4. Men like to share and make the lives of other men easier, so encourage them to tell all their male friends about your shop for the women in their lives.

Now, if you normally sell products to men, you have to change your message for women who are thinking about buying your product as a gift for the man in their life.

Tips for Selling to Women who are Buying a Gift for a Man:

1. Women think they know what men want, but they really don’t. Therefore, you need testimonials and recommendations from male customers that this is a popular item that all men will love.

2. Women don’t buy quickly. They shop around so let them know this is the best price point, the best features, that they won’t find a better option anywhere else. In fact, encourage conversation as women like to feel the personal connection when buying.

3. Women want to add that sentimental message so make sure you offer personalization to your products if you can.

4. Women do shop early, so start targeting them NOW, before everyone else is.

5. Women also buy Valentine’s gifts for mothers and children, so be sure to let them know if you have products that suit these markets as well, for a one stop shopping experience.

Try your own survey. Ask the men and women in your  life what influences their gift purchases and make sure to incorporate these factors into your Valentine’s Day sales pitch.

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Jewelry

★ BE SURE TO READ my PDFs, Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work!, which will tell you everything you need to do to be a top seller online in 2013.

There are ebooks specifically for shops selling Jewelry & Fashion Accessories, Wedding Products, Home Products and Baby & Kids Products. Click here for more information.

PLEASE SHARE this post on Facebook, Twitter, StumpleUpon, etc., using the share button below. Thanks!

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on January 2, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on January 2, 2013

http://attention-getting.com/2013/01/02/valentines-day-youre-selling-to-the-opposite-sex-now/

Remember, Everyone is Potentially a Customer

by G.B. Oliver

One of the biggest mistakes I see small businesses make is forgetting the fact that everyone is potentially a customer. 

The other day I was in one of the Etsy forums where online sellers post their concerns and complaints. One seller was shocked that another seller got upset with them for adding them to their circle (which is just a way for sellers to follow each other on Etsy, look at their favorite products, etc.) and blasted them with a not so nice email basically saying how dare they. I was pretty shocked by this person’s reaction for a variety of reasons.

CLIPART_OF_16510_SM_61CC7E20

Having someone add you to their circle means you are now exposed to all the people following them. Since when is more exposure a bad thing? But to take a look at this from a purely business point of view, this seller just made a horrible impression on someone who is not just another seller, but is potentially a customer. Always remember that – everyone is potentially a customer.

Treat Everyone Like A Customer

Would you speak to a customer like that? Obviously not. So good business practice is to treat everyone who corresponds with you – whether they are another seller, a supplier, someone trying to sell you their services – as if they are a potential customer. Otherwise, it will come back to bite you.

Avoid Leaving Negative Comments

Same thing if you are leaving comments in a forum that are nasty, mean spirited or overly critical. Again, you are representing your business and everyone reading your comments is a potential customer and you have just given a very negative impression of yourself. If you think I am going to run over to your shop and start buying from you, guess again.

Always Show Respect

In my own business, I have always made a point of treating everyone who approaches me with respect, even if I know this is someone who will never require my services. That is how you build a solid business reputation and create good word of mouth. So when people contact me merely to try and sell me something, I get that. I am trying to sell stuff too. I answer respectfully because down the road they may know someone who requires marketing services and they will remember me in a good way.

Don’t Respond Negatively to Negative Feedback

Same situation when someone responds to a comment I made on a forum or blog in a negative or derogatory way, I don’t get in the mud with them. I am still representing my business and my reputation, so I rise above it.

You are always marketing your business, so watch your communications, especially your public communications with people. Once a potential customer has a negative impression of your business, all the marketing in the world is not going to help you.

BE SURE TO READ all my marketing secrets that will bring your shop success online in 2013 in my new series of ebooks, available here.

PLEASE SHARE this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon et al, using the share button below. 

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on December 18, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on December 18, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/12/18/remember-everyone-is-potentially-a-customer/

LilyShop Adds a New Twist to the Online Marketplace

by G.B. Oliver

I have written about a few online marketplaces lately such as Etsy, Fab.com and One Kings Lane. I came across another one that I thought had an interesting approach. It is called Lilyshop. This is a very pretty site so when I clicked on it I thought that it was an Etsy just for women. It is and it isn’t. While I think it does cater to a female clientele, it does sell the same category of items you would find on the other online marketplaces.

logo

But here is what I really like about Lilyshop:

1. Their blog is really well done. I could have stayed here all day. Informative articles, great photos, and a variety of topics from recipes to health and wellness. If I could suggest a change it would be to call the Home & Garden and Crafts sections DIY instead, because that is more what it is and the DIY projects are top notch, and a Fashion category would also make sense.

2. They do not charge any kind of fees, rather they just take 5% of the sale (before shipping). They only make money when you make money.

3. They promote products more so than shops. So, what this means is you can buy from many vendors in a single checkout. Much more convenient.

4. They aim to be a female shopping experience, which I think is smart because with so many online marketplaces popping up, you will have to specialize to be successful.

5. They have a section entitled “Shop Yard Sale”, where you can find items at 50% off, 30% off, 25% off. Great for vendors trying to get rid of inventory and shoppers looking for deals.

Now, given the economy, I would include a category called Cheap Find of the Day with products under $20. Everyone wants a bargain and my advice always when the economy is down is that there is not a lot of people with a lot of money to spend, but there is always a lot of people with a little money to spend.

One more thing about online marketplaces. Why don’t any of them allow for the creation of wish lists? Yes, I know some will let you mark as favorites but a wish list you can actually send to your husband or bridal shower guests. People don’t always buy right away and bookmarks get forgotten about. Let people make a wish list and then remind them, via email, the same way online retailers remind you when you have left items in your shopping cart. Don’t let buyers forget about you.

✯ If you sell online, whether independently or through one of these marketplaces, you need to promote yourself beyond what these sites can do for you. There are just too many players so you have to get your own attention. To get my latest marketing ideas (as always I keep my best stuff in my ebooks) that will help you do just that, please check out my online ebook shop.

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by Attention Getting Marketing on December 6, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on December 6, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/12/06/lilyshop-adds-a-new-twist-to-the-online-marketplace/

Is Price the Reason You’re Not Selling?

by G.B. Oliver

When people come to your site and don’t buy, what is the first thing you assume is wrong? I bet you think it’s your price. Maybe. The truth is you have to think about what makes people buy, and price is not always a factor.

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Email Promotion from Delias.com

There are many reasons people don’t buy from you. Some include:

1. They don’t need your product.

2. They don’t need your product right now.

3. They don’t see the value in your product.

4. They are unsure that you will deliver what you are promising.

5. Your price was too high compared to similar competitive offerings.

So if you really feel price is your problem, then here is a way to test it.

Don’t lower your price permanently but instead offer a one-day only special with a coupon code for 50% (or pick a percentage in which you will still earn a profit – don’t take a loss).  Make sure customers know it is TODAY ONLY. If even at 50% off they are still not buying, then you know it’s not your price.

Do you know that too low a price can hurt you as well? If someone really loves or wants an item, and you have created that must-have feeling in the customer, price usually isn’t an object (unless it is obvious that you are completely overcharging). Sometimes too low a price makes the customer feel the product is cheap and of poor quality. So trying to undercut everyone will not always work in your favor either.

Do you know what makes people walk away from an online sale more than price? Shipping charges. Especially if you live in one country and you are buying from another. There have been cases where the shipping ends up equaling the price of the product. So sometimes it is better to offer FREE SHIPPING and buffer the cost into your product price. When a customer commits to your price and then gets to the checkout and sees it has doubled due to shipping, this is not the same exchange anymore and they WILL change their mind.

So, offer a fair price based on what it costs you to make your product and allowing for a profit, compare it to your competitors’ prices, test it with your market, and then make sure your customers understand the value that comes with this price.

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.

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

 

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by Attention Getting Marketing on December 3, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on December 3, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/12/03/is-price-the-reason-youre-not-selling/

Is Fab the New Model for Online Marketplaces?

by G.B. Oliver

Have you checked out Fab.com yet? Fab is the latest entry in the online marketplace selling designers’ and artisans’ work. They have been incredibly successful and in the past year have grown from 1.5 million members to now over 7.5 million (members = buyers) and they do things a little differently, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

Fab sells products that are hand selected by their staff via submissions (anyone can submit). They offer up to 70% off retail prices on a variety of products including furniture, gadgets, home accessories, art, jewelry and so forth.

So, what does Fab bring to the table that the other marketplaces don’t?

1. Fab is more more hands-on. As mentioned, they have a team that hand selects the items that make it onto the site, so there is quality control.

2. They write the clever and witty copy that accompanies each product because vendors don’t always know how to market their products in the best light (hence the need for ebooks like mine), and it maintains a consistency across the vendors.

3. While the designer/shop is mentioned by name, there is no link to the seller’s shop (you stay on Fab). Also, there is no actual permanent shop on the site for a vendor, but they will group their items together in a “storefront” window for as long as their sale lasts.

So it is kind of like a One Kings Lane meets Etsy.

4. Fab’s “Feed” is interesting as well. This is how you search. A random search of products is displayed, but you can search by popularity, price, category and color. You can also add comments to products that show up right on the search page, similar to how you see Pinterest comments.

5. Fab integrates social media really well.  If you “Like”, “Tweet” “Pin” or “Tumble” their products you earn Fab points to be used towards future purchases. Great incentive for people to do so. They also have a mobile app so you can get their daily inspirations on the go (30% of their orders are via mobile).

6. Fab also sends lots of emails, typically four a day in your mailbox, as each day there are new sales starting at 11 am EST. So they really work hard to promote ALL the products on the site.

7. What is really refreshing about Fab is their sense of personality. They are quirky and fun and you can tell they look for products that are not only in this vein, but are also original, functional and well-designed. While other online marketplaces have worked to create community among their sellers, Fab uses this sense of personality to create community between itself, its sellers AND the customers, which I think is its strongest asset.

This is not your typical shopping experience. And that’s what makes it Fab!

Marketing_Ideas_Etsy_Jewelry

★  If you have an online shop, be sure to check out my new series of PDFs, entitled Small Business Marketing Ideas That Work! where I give you all my best and latest marketing secrets that will make your shop a top seller in 2013! Editions for Jewelry & Fashion Accessories, Home Products, Kids & Baby Products and Wedding Products. Get your copy by email today!

PLEASE SHARE this post on social media use the share button please. Thanks!

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

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by Attention Getting Marketing on November 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Home, Online Selling Sites
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Posted by Attention Getting Marketing on November 27, 2012

http://attention-getting.com/2012/11/27/is-fab-the-new-model-for-online-marketplaces/

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