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Monday, October 30, 2017

Holiday Selling Tips for Your Online Shop

I hope you’re working hard and steady on your marketing strategy for the busy holiday season. Here are a few tips to get your shop ready for the holiday selling season. I feel like I've been working on Christmas and holiday designs for awhile already.  I’m sure you know that the stores in the shopping malls have already got holiday items on their shelves. Seasonal and promotional items, holiday and Christmas displays are popping up everywhere. It seems before one holiday or event is over the next one is in full swing. 

Big box stores have decorated Christmas trees and many holiday themed items on display. When people see these items it starts the ball rolling and many people start purchasing their gifts earlier and earlier every year. Personally I feel it is a little too early for me to see Christmas items in the stores in October but as an online small business owner I understand that one has to get on board and be prepared well in advance to have our online stores and websites prepared for those early shoppers. 

Marketing research and trends show that more and more people are shopping online and this surely will only increase with the convenience of shopping from the comfort of one’s home! 

So how do you get your online store ready. Well, first off you must have a plan, this is so important. Take a look at your inventory and decide what you need or want to showcase in your store. What are the trends and items that will attract customers to buy in your shop. What will be your big holiday sellers this year? Is there something particular that you want to feature? Do a review of what items sold well for you last year and what items didn’t move at all. With millions of online businesses the competition is fierce and just thinking that the customers will come and buy from you without you putting in some serious marketing efforts is pretty silly.

Use all available social media platforms that you are active in. Just do it subtly, nobody wants to just see a big push of your items, add something of value when you can. Perhaps offer a sale coupon or a contest.

When marketing add appropriate hash tags, like #holidayspecials, #holidaydeals, #blackfriday, etc. This will help when people are searching for shopping deals.  Don’t leave it too late or you seriously might miss your window of opportunity. The shopper’s will buy elsewhere and you don’t want to miss out on the sales!

Here are some of the latest products I've been designing for Designs by Shell. 






Keep working toward your goals! 



Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Get Better Results From Your Online Business

You are probably well aware that there are many entrepreneurs sharing and promoting the same kind of business and products as you. While promoting your company you have likely seen many of your own networking colleagues tweeting out similar items or content to yours. Most are offering the same services, similar designs, blogging about their shops, offering tips and so forth. Building an online business is hard work, I know that first hand. Keeping up and realizing all of the changes that seem to come faster than lightning is a tough reality. 

You've probably heard this before, I know it's nothing new but there are still many perks and freedom that come from running your own online business. I mean seriously, being able to work from anywhere in the world is a huge deal. If you're traveling you can work while your away.  A new setting or funky cafe that you find yourself in can do wonders to inspire and give you fresh ideas to work with. Making money passively while you sleep and travel is pretty awesome. 

Be authentic, those that come to buy from you want to know the real you. Customers buy from someone they like or feel they can trust. Let your own style and personality come through, people are  drawn to authenticity.

Get as specific as you can with your target audience. This will make your marketing a lot easier. Create a clear and concise brand and market it to the best of your ability. 

Websites can get cluttered and jumbled pretty quickly when you start adding widgets and plugins. This can be confusing for many people and can make them leave your site without giving it fair game. Create a solid foundation and build your site so customers can navigate through it with ease. 

Entrepreneurs know that there is never an end in sight as far as building and marketing your business. Every day is a new day, a fresh start to keep working hard as you promote your business in a professional way. Always keep working your goals. Perseverance is necessary in the online world. Everything takes patience and as you build your business you will need an abundance of it. Don't give up, keep learning, educating yourself and stay focused. Good things will come.