If there’s one good thing coming out of this world event it’s how various industries are creatively leveraging technology during this period of social distancing. From Doctors diagnosing patients via video calls, to fitness studios offering live or prerecorded classes. Which got me to thinking about my retail accounts and how they, as in you, could also benefit from using technology in a new way to drive sales. Did you know that when you post in a Facebook group everyone in the group gets notified? And when you go Live all the members in your group get notified too? Having […]
Virtual Window Shopping
Remember walking around the mall just to see what was there? Checking out window after window in the shop fronts or strolling your “Main Street” and checking out what was in the shop windows? If you’ve been in business long enough you probably remember a time when customers or potential customers did just that and then wandered on in. What’s changed? Where did some of those folks go? There are a few theories floating around like they’re all shopping online or brick and mortar retail is dead. Both of those are myths. By most estimates, 90% of shopping is still […]
Shop Talk | Plum
Theresa Collier likes to say that she flies by the seat of her pants—and she may well have when she first opened her store—but her decisions to develop the store by jumping into new things were very strategic and methodical. Theresa’s boutique, Plum, is a picturesque shop on the equally picturesque island of Bainbridge Island in Washington. Although she got her first taste for running a store when the Bloedel Reserve public garden asked her to open a gift shop, she took a leap of faith and opened her own shop in 2014. “I’ve been wanting to do this for […]
Shop Talk 2019 Retrospective
When I started this blog two years ago I had no idea how it would evolve. It’s been fun, challenging, inspiring, and incredibly educational to not only hear what these shop owners and consultants are doing to create success but to also get to know them on a personal level. Whoever said business isn’t personal is dead wrong. It’s 100% personal from the desire to create and grow a business that will support your family to the people who work with you and the customers you serve. It’s all relationship with business thrown in. I’m humbled by the wisdom and […]
The Importance of Being Mobile-Friendly
With mobile phones out-selling desktop computers, it’s no wonder that more web searches are being done on phones and that Google has changed the way it ranks websites! It only makes sense that Google gives higher importance to websites that allow easier viewing and interaction. Two years ago, it announced that it would determine a website’s ranking in searches based on the quality of its mobile site rather than its desktop version because more searches were being made on mobile devices. Just this past July, they finally fully transitioned to this form of ranking. This means that Google bots that […]
Shop Talk | Revolution Boutique
Talking shop with Brad Leyden is to really understand how he, in his own words, puts the “pedal to the metal” in running his own business. His enthusiasm for retail is undeniable and he loves to share his experiences in the hopes of helping other retailers. Just four years ago, Brad found himself newly divorced and at the helm of a business he hadn’t wanted in the first place but couldn’t bear to part with. There was a pivotal moment when something clicked inside him and he realized his business not only affected his own livelihood but that of his […]
Personal Posts on Business Accounts
Should you post personal photos on your business social media accounts? I think you already know the answer to this question, right? Building relationships online is about trust and authority. Earning the trust of your audience and establishing your authority in your specialty. The persona or image you put forth ought to reinforce that trust and authority. Here are some rules of thumb to help you decide whether to post a personal photo or not. Your business account is the 24 hour news channel of your business. Curate your content as if it were on a major network. Steer clear […]
Shop Talk | Reedy Consulting
Do I have a treat for you! I know I’ve become your go-to-online-marketing-for-retail-shop-owner guru. And I also know you love all the tactical info you get from my Shop Talk interviews. But this month I’m beyond excited to bring you a different kind of article that is still very relevant to your business. You’re gonna want to highlight so many sections of this article! So grab a cup of tea, sit in a quiet place and absorb all the gems you’re about to receive. This month, I had the privilege to chat with some very seasoned retail consultants who, not […]
Customer Service Is Your Secret Weapon
Brick and mortar retail vs. online retail. We’ve all seen and heard the news stories, predictions, and studies. You know what? I don’t care what they say. From all the interviews I’ve done this year, it’s obvious that there’s room for both and the existence of online retail does not have to mean the demise of brick and mortar. In fact, I think technology helps retailers! What I DO care about—and I think you should, too—is one factor that sets brick and mortar apart from online retail: focused, real-time, in-person customer service! Sure, websites offer customer service when something goes […]
Shop Talk | Haven A Boutique
In Woodland, CA, there is a little haven for shoppers in need of a warm, friendly, and well-curated place to shop. Coincidentally, it’s called Haven A Boutique and it’s owner, Rosemarie Leonardi, is a welcoming and very open interviewee. In fact, so much so I’m going to need a separate article to address all the things we talked about! But for now, I want you to get to know Rosemarie and how her social media strategy was integral to launching her store and how she continues to grow her following and her business. Haven A Boutique is just shy of […]