Do you ever wonder how stores get their name out, or what it took for them to get their “success ball” rolling? Getting your name out there is often seen as daunting and difficult, but great PR isn’t as hard to obtain as you think. I spoke to two successful creative entrepreneurs who shared with me their PR tips.
Both of these great sellers actually donated some of their items for giveaways that I have hosted on my personal blog, City of Dionne. Submitting samples of your product to blogs is a great way to get some positive publicity. Many blogs write about stores and products that they like, and giveaway posts always attract a lot of attention. So having a feature on a blog is a great way to drum up more attention for the products you have to offer.
Romina Bacci is the owner of the lovely photography store Miles of Light. She photographs gorgeous still life collections for you to artfully display in your home. Her first piece of advice is that great PR begins with having a great product and service. Romina includes little extras with orders that she sends out, like postcards or even dried flowers. She explains that it’s important to create “a great relationship with your buyers and customers because it makes them want to come back, and love not only your product but also the service you provide them.” It’s little gestures like this that leave a great first impression on customers to want to spread the word about her business. Word of mouth is always great PR.
Another successful entrepreneur is Bonnie from Hot Pink Chick accessories. Her store is full of fun, feminine accessories and jewelry. She recommends that creative entrepreneurs take advantage of social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. She says that not only does it expand your online presence and chances for people to find you, but it gives existing and potential customers a personal connection to your store, and will help them learn more about the person behind the storefront.
Newsletters are another great way to keep your store name in front of people. Just like magazines in a grocery store that people stop to read while they’re waiting in line at the checkout, you can send out newsletters giving people updates about new products and specials. Make sure to include magazine submissions in your mailing list, you never know if you’ll catch them on a day they’re looking to fill a slot in their features section.
So the things to remember are:
- Submit your work to blogs
- Give away little extras
- Keep up with social media
- Send out newsletters including magazine submissions in your mailings
Hopefully these will give you a great headstart into getting your store name out there!
Sign up today for your own FREE storefront to begin sharing and selling your products!
Dionne Christiansen is a graphic designer based in Houston, TX. She blogs at City of Dionne.
Main image courtesy of Visualogist
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29 Comments
Great advice. So many people give up before properly promoting themselves. I agree Twitter & facebook are great tools for small creative businesses to use to promote themselves and blog giveaways are another fantastic way of building your customer base.
Very good advice, thanks. Especially about the giveaways.
This is great advice! How do I find blogs that I can submit stuff to though?
Thank you for reminding me to be mindful of these things!!!
I hadn't thought of newsletters before! Thanks!
Regarding the newsletters, does it violate anti-spam laws to send a newsletter to them if they haven't actually opted in?
Thanks.
great ideas, how do I find blogs that I can submit items to. I usually donate items to charity events. Thanks
love your advice...thanks for a great article
Great read thanks for the advice and is there anyway my store could do a giveaway on your blog? id love to host one for you, or if you know any I could host a giveaway let me know :) xoxo
I invite artisan's to my article page where I will feature them in an interview or promote sales they have in their shops.
I normally don't ask anything more than that they promote their article to family and friends, use their social medias such as Twitter, facebook, putting a link on their shop or web page and blogs as well as any other media venue they have access to and that they ask everyone who visits to leave a comment . I spend a lot of time on helping folks promote their craft. A lot of times only to be forgotten once their interview or special is published, but I keep on trucking in hopes that some day I will be rewarded for the good I try to do (:
♥ Bettie
Wow that is a great tips. Actually did this in my handmade cards last year and even when i make some beaded jewelries. One of the one who received it said she cannot use the card because she do not have for herself. Thanks for the share...I love giveaways i sponsored so many already and just this year sponsored some.
http://gencards.etsy.com
Thanks for the post.. I am going to incorporate the newsletter idea into my PR plan.
I hear the social networking advice often, but how does one go about it? I have a facebook account, but other than introducing myself and uploading new work, I'm really not sure how to use it. As for blogging, I would love to do this, but I don't know what to say. I think that after I explain what I do, how I do it, and why - I don't have much else. Any advice?
Thank you for your wonderful advice!! I've done a few give aways in blogs that asked me to participate, however, I never thought about the newsletters! Thank you!
Thank you for the advice. There are a lot of articles out there on how to boost and market your business - but this article puts it in a simple, straight-forward manner. Very helpful!
I just recently set up my etsy shop - haven't even had the first sale yet. Even if you send items to give away, are blogs interested in promoting businesses that are so green on the web? If it were my blog, I'd be concerned I would be promoting someone who wouldn't be around next month and taking away some of my credability.
Thanks for this great advice!
I'm just starting out and this is great advice - thanks!
Thanks for the tips! I especially like the idea of including magazine submissions on a newsletter mailing list.
Angela @ farragio
I work at a print shop where we manage some advertising accounts. One of the most cost efficient ways to advertise is to get (free) editorial coverage through news releases, sort of like your 4th suggestion. Submit a 300 ppi 5" photo of your new product along with a few paragraphs.
Thank you for this great article!
Oh wow, I've been on vacation, so sorry it's taken until now to see all your comments! I am glad you food the article helpful! Here are my responses to your questions:
Amanda/Maggie: I would approach blogs that have a similar theme/audience as what your products aim to. Just shoot the blog owner an email introducing yourself and your product. The great thing about the blogosphere is that there are so many great blogs out there. You're bound to find some that will be more than happy to feature a giveaway on their blog.
Lee: Great question! I would recommend asking your customer once you make the sale if they'd be interested in joining your mailing list. Let them know the benefits they'd get being on the list (heads-up on special promotions, product updates, etc.).
Channon: shoot me an email at cityofdionne@gmail.com. I'm a little behind on emails because of the holidays, but I should be caught up by mid-week.
Hope: the key to social media is using it as a social tool. Posting pics and updates is just the first step, it's the interaction between you and your customers that make it work. If they comment on your posts, thank them and ask questions like "what do you like about it in particular?", or ask them other engaging questions that will spur on further discussion and perhaps build relationships with them. And as for blogging - blog about whatever you feel. The thing I love most about blogging is that you have the freedom to be yourself, and then people who have a kindred spirit with you will likely read it and that can open up to some great online friendships and building a loyal customer base.
Virginia: a lot of blogs love to promote new shops. I personally like the idea of introducing a new shop to my readers that they most likely have never seen before. Like my first answer here, just approach some bloggers and see what they think. It never hurts to ask.
Great advice for starting the new year and trying to make this one even better than the last one! The twitter and facebook reminder was good. Sometimes it is easy to forget how important that aspect really is. Thanks--Abigail's Clothing
Thanks, great tips
I'm so discouraged. I feel like a tiny fish in a huge ocean. I need to fill my shop but I am so busy trying to figure out this SEO stuff and the marketing I get too mentally exhausted to create. I wish there was a step by step process for gimps like me.
Hi 1strangepuppy!
You should take a look at Meylah's eBook "A Roadmap to Success: How To Sell Online Effectively" as it provides a wonderful path for all the things you need to do to sell online.
See here: http://meylah.com/ebooks/volume_3
This year I'm definitely working on some PR kits to magazines. I'm a magazine addict, so why not, right?
Thanks for all of the helpful tips and suggestions. There are a lot I am going to try. I find it hard to promote myself with my handmade items and this hasgiven me a dose of courage to try!
All great reading and very informative. Useful ideas simple enough that anyone should be able to implement.