Archives for September 2011

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who is your ideal dream customer?


Hey there!
Who is your ideal customer? If you don’t know yet, it is time to craft your ideal store customer profile. At the end of the day, you are not going to get very far trying to please everyone or be in every single store across America. In fact, you will end up pleasing no one. By figuring out who your ideal customer is you can cater more to their needs and only approach the ones with win win-win potential. It is not about the quantity of stores but about the quality of stores that fits your brand. Only then will you be in a reorder business, and not have a one-time wonder order.

Here is a fun assignment to craft your ideal store partner:

1. Think of 3-5 ideal dream stores that you would like to be in. What do these stores have in common and call that store a name? Speak to that store (figuratively of course ;)
2. What kind of merchandise and brands do they carry?
3. How do they select their merchandise?
4. Do they feature a theme, such as eco-friendly, handmade or local products?
5. How will your product help solve a problem that the store faces each day?

Step into the mindset of a store owner or buyer. Really dig deep down and figure out how your product will enhance and complement what they already carry, not duplicate it.

This exercise may be easy for some but hard for others. It’s okay! Once you become clear on your ideal customer, you can start putting together a retail distribution strategy that makes sense and sell with ease. I can’t wait to hear some of your findings. Please post your comments here! :)

xoxo,

Grace Kang
Your Retail Product Mentor

p.s. A BIG, warm welcome to all of the new readers who joined our community! You are going to love the resources you will find here to help you make your product retail-ready… Enjoy!

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are you ready to meet?

Hey there!

So now that you’ve made your beautiful, user-friendly website and have surely grabbed the attention of your dream retailer, what’s next? Most likely, the buyer will ask to see some samples in person. The crucial part of this is step is to WOW them with your gorgeous branding, packaging and product selection!

If you are meeting them in person, it’s important to bring the following pertinent pieces of information with you. These include:
–       linesheet
–       catalog
–       samples
–       your most winning smile :)

The buyer will most likely have a list questions so you should be prepared to discuss your:
–       turnaround delivery
–       terms
–       best sellers
–       press
–       other stockists
–       any specials
–       exclusivity

An important thing to remember is that they are already interested; they wouldn’t be wasting their time just to humor you. Your products, packaging and website have already made an impression, but now is the time to let your confidence stand out and seal the deal! Don’t get nervous. At the end of the day they want to get to know YOU! Just be yourself and let your passion and personality shine!

Good luck!

And the winner is…..
Last week, I wrote about the #1 thing you should do before pitching to retail stores. Thanks for all your comments and tweets. The winner is Dana from patternedpeacock.com. Please email hello@retailrecipes.com to schedule your free website critique with me!
winner

Here’s to taking next steps!

xoxo,

Grace Kang
Your Retail Product Mentor

p.s. A BIG, warm welcome to all of the new readers who joined our community! You are going to love the resources you will find here to help you make your product retail-ready… Enjoy!

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#1 thing you should do before pitching to retail stores…

retail recipes
Hey there!
Did you know that over 2 billion people around the world are using the internet and spend approximately 32.7 hours per week online? They are connecting with people, browsing for information and going shopping. Do you want to be part of this phenomenon?If you are launching a new business or have a product to sell, the first thing you need to do is create a website.If you don’t have a website yet, you need to go and create one now. It will become your most powerful tool for reaching customers, stores and build community.Unlike other forms of publicity, which can be good or bad, you have complete control over the tone and look of your website. You control what content gets added, how often it gets added and how that content is displayed. You can share your story get your name out to people all over the world. It’s also a great way for potential buyers and media to check you out! As a retail buyer, the first thing I do when I get pitched or see a new brand is go check out their website. It usually takes about 10 seconds to grab my attention. If it impresses me, I will dig further and proceed to next steps. More on this in next week’s post :)Here are three examples of businesses who are rockin’ their brand and have utilized their website to their advantage… and surely got my attention!

rifleblablaban.do

Five key elements that make these websites really SHINE:

1. Know your customer well – If an artist or designer knows their ideal customer well, they can create a website that really resonates with them on a personal level.

2. Take gorgeous photographs – Make sure you have absolutely gorgeous photographs of your brand. Invest in hiring a good photographer to not only take beautiful shots of your products, but also of lifestyle shots as well. You want to create a great first impression, while maintaining that quality throughout the site. Since a customer or buyer isn’t with you in person, your photographs have to just as impressive.

3. Be consistent with your branding – Your branding should be consistent throughout not only your website, but also your packaging and any promotional materials. Your logo, color, voice, everything should speak to all that your brand represents. If you stay consistent, customers and potential retailers will begin to recognize your brand no matter where they look for it.

4. Be user-friendly – Your website must be user-friendly. I understand that many people are very tech-savvy today. While it is fun and impressive to have a lot going on, it can also alienate those who don’t know how to navigate your website.  Simplicity will go a long way and will also better show off your branding and products. Make all of the product information clear and easily accessible.

5. Be easy on the eye – The last and possibly most important is that your website must be easy on the eyes.  You want people to want to keep clicking, and stay on your website for more than just a few seconds. You want them to want to keep coming back for more. A simply beautiful website will be your most powerful tool in striving for success.

Are you ready to create your website or have one for your business? Please comment here and tell me about your brand. Next Wednesday, I will announce one lucky winner who will receive a FREE website critique session with me.

9/21/11 – And the winner is…..
Last week, I wrote about the #1 thing you should do before pitching to retail stores. Thanks for all your comments and tweets. The winner is Dana from patternedpeacock.com. Please email hello@retailrecipes.comto schedule your free website critique with me!

winner

xo,

Grace Kang
Your Retail Product Mentor
p.s. A BIG, warm welcome to all of the new readers who joined our community! You are going to love the resources you will find here to help you make your product retail-ready… Enjoy!
* internet usage date as of March 30, 2011 by Nielsen Online and podcastingnews.com

photo image by: Design Garden

 

omhg

Let’s Rock Your Brand with OMHG!

Have you ever noticed that the people in your life who are the most inspiring are also truly genuine in what they do?  Not only do they spout words that inspire, but they actually LIVE like that too! As the saying goes, “Actions (and visuals) speak louder than words.” But living it is another story. The same goes for branding.

You are your own brand. Your brand needs to be seamlessly woven into both your personal and professional life. Don’t try and pretend to be something you’re not, and don’t try and hide who you really are. There is only one of you and showcasing your unique ability is crucial in building your brand.

Join me and the gals over at OMHG! for another twitter chat on Thursday, September 15th at 1-2pm EST to discuss how we can rock your brand! Stop by, join the conversation and speak your mind! :) I look forward to “meeting” you online!

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it’s good to get critiqued!

critique

Hey there ,

Are you a perfectionist? Being a perfectionist myself, I was not always so great at receiving criticism. I used to hold myself up to impossibly high standards and would get very upset if I didn’t feel that I had achieved them. I used to take criticism and advice personally, as though the person was telling me I was a screw-up, no matter how constructive the criticism may have been. Maybe you can relate? :)

Today I thrive off of feedback. I am constantly asking those around me how I might improve my craft and think outside the box. After all, life is all about learning something new each day. When you are in the mindset of of appreciation, you start to view critiques as an opportunity to achieve higher levels of success. It shows that you are open to new ideas and new way of handling all that life throws as you. I began to see that taking on feedback with open arms allowed me to create a better version of myself.  People give advice because they can see ways of doing things that may never have occurred to you. Someone who I admire once said, “You can’t see the picture if you’re the frame.”

If you receive a critique from someone, first think about where it’s coming from. Is it someone you respect or admire? Is it someone who knows the field that you’re in? Is their advice in line with your vision? Your creations are uniquely yours because they are exactly that, yours. As uncomfortable as it can be to be told you can improve what you love, it’s important to pull yourself out of the mix in order to grow your brand. It only takes that one great idea or advice to propel your business forward. What have you got to lose?

Are you ready for a get your line critiqued? Take action now. If you are one of the first 10 people to sign up for a critique session, you will receive 2 months of vip membership as a gift from me. :)

Here’s to giving & getting!

xoxo,

Grace Kang
Your Retail Product Mentor

p.s. A BIG, warm welcome to all of the new readers who joined our community! You are going to love the resources you will find here to help you make your product retail-ready… Enjoy!