Posted on Leave a comment

Personalizing your Package

package

We’ve all opened a beautifully wrapped package. The extra warmth that attention to detail and a note of sincerity provides is worth shopping with the business again. Read on for package stuffers that do this as well as further your brand and your client relationships.

Package Marketing

To determine what sort of package stuffer to design, first determine your end goal. What do you want the client to do next? Then work backwards to decide what goes in the package.

Next, ask yourself why you want to include the item. The “why” should align with your purpose of including it also. Keep in mind your audience, not everybody will want the same type of marketing.

Stuffer Ideas

When it comes to the number of stuffers you can include, the possibilities are endless. See below for top items.

  • Invitation to purchase again: Provide a discount on an item they can purchase online. Include a QR code with a link to your site or the promotion.
  • Engagement: Looking to add more readers to your newsletter? Encourage shoppers to sign up for 20% off their next purchase.
  • Free item: The options are limitless but some items can be digital. Perhaps a free online pattern?
  • Something unique to you: Have leftover samples? Include them in your package as an add-on.
  • Something unique to them: This is perfect for customers you know well. Creating something you know is just for them.
  • Promotion: This is best for a monthly subscription. Promotions are always going on—let your customer know what’s next.
  • Save the Date: Send a save the date to drive engagement to your next event.
  • Branded invoice: Make numbers less boring by adding a simple thank you note at the bottom of your colorful and personalized receipt.
  • A handwritten note: Need I say more? A handwritten note goes a long way.
  • Next step: This all-encompassing option makes it simple to wrap multiple of these options into one card.

Inspiration for this post came from “Hand It Off” by Amber Griffiths published in the August 2022 issue of American Quilt Retailer.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

Posted on Leave a comment

Online Advertising with Digital Agencies

digital agency

Here at AQR we believe in providing you with all of your options. If you’re looking for help with digital advertising consider looking into a digital agency. Read on for what digital agencies are and how they can help you.

What is a digital agency?

Digital agencies help you advertise digitally. There are three primary ways to advertise online:

  1. Social Media: Social platforms allow paid advertising to help you get your message in front of new audiences, generate new leads, gain page likes, or increase website traffic. This is the easiest option of the three.
  2. Search: Search engines (like Google or Bing) allow advertisers to pay to show ads above or below organic search results. Bids are placed on keywords so when searched, you show up on the results page. Advertisers are only charged if the user clicks the ad.
  3. Website Remarketing: Website remarketing is a great trick to reengage past website visitors. This tactic places ads in front of a targeted audience and is a great cost-effective tool for small businesses.

Why do I need one?

In a sentence, digital agencies outsource online marketing for you. This means you can continuously advertise, even when you’re on vacation.

Additionally, the process can be time consuming. Setting advertising goals can be outside of your scope of knowledge. Search advertisements use detailed data and analytics. A digital agency will do all of this for you as well as use the data to optimize campaign results and keep track of status updates.

In conclusion, if this sounds like something you can benefit from, make an appointment with a trusted digital agency to receive advice on what would be best for your business.

Inspiration for this post came from “Get Vacation Ready” by Lillie Huhndorf in the June 2022 issue of American Quilt Retailer.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

Posted on Leave a comment

Online Marketing Tips (Just in Time for the Holidays)

Online Marketing

With the Holidays in full swing, it’s important to cater to your customer more than ever. Check out these online marketing tips to increase your online sales.

Marketing Ads

When creating ads online make sure to know what buzz or keywords your audience searches for. Then tailor your messaging around those words. This audience-specific messaging is more likely to cross their path.

If you’re trying to get your products featured on a Google search, head over Google Merchant Center’s Promotions feature for help with that. If potential customers are searching for a product you sell online, you can get it in front of them (bonus tip; offering a discount or free shipping helps also).

Other ideas

Other ideas include putting a pop-up ad on your website with a discount option when the customer signs up for your newsletter.

Another way to help is through creating gift guides. This way you can promote the products you love, while helping with gift ideas for mom, dad, or a distant cousin.

Speaking of gift guides, there’s nothing easier than a gift card option. Be sure to make them available both in-store and online.

Lastly, don’t forget to offer curbside pickup. That’s one COVID trend that’s definitely not going away.

Speaking of online marketing, we want to let you know The Buzz is still available for just $12.95. You’ll receive 15 30-minute informative videos on the latest products, techniques, and information to launch you into 2022 (as well as how to display those products in your store). Plus, you’ll also receive an awesome swag “bag” box while supplies last.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

Posted on Leave a comment

Partner with an Influencer

Influencer

Partnering with an influencer is a great idea if you’re looking to expand your audience. Read on to find out what a partnership could look like.

Where to Begin

When you hear the word influencer, social media is likely the first thing that comes to mind. And you wouldn’t be wrong! The term influencer stems from marketers who utilize people with a strong social media influence. (Did you know there are now companies that act as agents on behalf of these influencers? Crazy times we live in!)

Just how influential these influencers are doesn’t really matter (and hasn’t really been defined). This is good news. This means you can reach out to anybody in your area with a large following to get your brand to a larger audience. Plus, the same works for them as well!

Influencer Campaigns

Before you reach out to an influencer, make sure you have a campaign in mind. This means your campaign will be different based on who you’re reaching out to. Also be open to their ideas and/or changes.

Starting with a charity event is a great place to start (or any other event without profit involved). This way you get a good idea of how you work together without getting into the weeds. If things go well, you can consider more frequent and larger campaigns.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.