Tag: American Quilt Retailer

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Unlocking Social Media Success: Content Ideas

social media content

Last week, we delved into the process of creating a social media calendar. This week, we’re taking it a step further by providing you with exciting content ideas to fuel your social media presence. Let’s dive into the world of engaging content that will captivate your audience.

For more insights on how to create an effective social media calendar, be sure to check out our previous blog post, “Manage Social Media With a Calendar.”

The 5 E’s of Content

To bring order to the chaos, let’s begin by organizing our approach. The 5 E’s of Content offer a fantastic framework for small business owners to leverage:

  1. Education: Start by sharing valuable content that educates and informs your audience.
  2. Entertainment: Tap into the power of humor and share amusing memes and content that resonates with your audience.
  3. Engagement: Encourage interaction by using polls, calls to action, and other methods to engage your audience.
  4. Exchange: Collaborate with fellow small business owners to expand your reach and connect with a broader audience.
  5. Emotion: Craft compelling stories that evoke emotions and allow your audience to connect with you on a personal level.

Getting Started

Need some inspiration to kickstart your content creation? Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

  • Transformations: Showcase before-and-after photos of crafts or projects that highlight your brand’s unique offerings.
  • Pick-me-up: Share what inspires you to keep going and spread positivity among your followers.
  • Advice: Offer relevant tips and insights that can also be used as part of a simple campaign to engage your audience.
  • Call to action: Include a sale code or special offer in your social media posts and track its success to evaluate its effectiveness.
  • Quotes: Share impactful quotes that have made you pause and reflect, inspiring your audience in the process.
  • Share influencer content: Curate content from influencers who align with your brand’s values and aesthetics.
  • Support a cause: Advocate for a cause you believe in and encourage your followers to contribute as well.
  • Run a contest: Engage your audience with contests that may not always result in immediate sales but can help grow your follower base.
  • Host an AMA (ask me anything): Conduct Q&A sessions to share your expertise and provide insights into your industry.
  • Social media takeover: Collaborate with influential individuals or brands for exposure and cross-promotion.
  • Create short-form video clips: Experiment with engaging video formats like glitter video filters to showcase your products.
  • Share a milestone: Celebrate your achievements and share your success stories when you hit significant milestones.

We hope these content ideas energize your social media strategy and engage your audience. Happy content creation!

Inspiration for this post comes from “Take the Guesswork out of Social Media Planning” by Tracy Walker published in the April 2023 issue of Creative Retailer.

If you found this blog post helpful in managing your retail business, we invite you to subscribe to Creative Retailer for more valuable information and guidance. Already a subscriber? Join our Facebook group, where industry specialists like yourself share insights and engage in meaningful dialogue. Additionally, if you prefer a specific topic or want to explore our previous articles, you can always purchase single issues of Creative Retailer to access the content that interests you most.

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Executive Retreats

executive retreat

Running a business can be overwhelming, and getting bogged down in day-to-day details can hinder strategic thinking. Sometimes, taking a step back and creating space is essential to moving your business forward. That’s where an executive retreat comes in. In this post, we cover five ways to structure an executive retreat for your business.

  1. Define your goal: Before scheduling an executive retreat, identify what you want to accomplish. This could be anything from generating more revenue to planning a marketing event or scheduling classes for the upcoming quarter.
  2. Choose the right space: When choosing a retreat location, ensure that it is a place where you can focus without distractions. (For some, this may mean avoiding your home!) Consider all your options such as library study rooms or an Airbnb.
  3. Clear your mind: A helpful way to declutter your mind is to make a to-do list. Write down every task you can think of, and then review it. If a task only takes a few minutes, do it later. For tasks that require deep focus or multiple steps, consider adding them to your retreat agenda.
  4. Schedule the time: It can be challenging to dedicate three to four days to an executive retreat. If that’s the case, consider breaking up your retreat into 90-minute to 3-hour sessions.
  5. Get to work: It’s time to start your retreat! Don’t forget to take breaks, such as going for walks or watching some Netflix. However, during your work sessions, consider using a site blocker to eliminate any temptations.

Executive retreats are an excellent way to provide space for strategic thinking to move your business forward. By following this outline, you can ensure your first executive retreat will be a successful one.

Inspiration for this post comes from Christy Nelson’s article “Make Time for Executive Retreats,” published in the April 2023 issue of Creative Retailer. Christy Nelson is the owner of Makit Takit, a craft studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

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Color in Your Store

color palette

Color has a powerful impact on consumers. By understanding how to use color to your advantage, you can create a welcoming and engaging shopping experience for your customers.

Selecting a palette

When selecting a palette for your store, start by considering your brand. Your palette should consist of at least three colors:

  • A dominant color (the main color used in your logo)
  • An accent color
  • One or two neutral colors

Using color in your store

To effectively use color in your store, consider the following tips:

  • Use your dominant color on walls and displays that you want to draw attention to, such as the checkout counter or a specific department. This will attract customers’ eyes and encourage them to explore.
  • Use your accent color sparingly, as a way to add visual interest to your displays, shopping bags, or other areas.
  • Choose neutral colors for the rest of your store. Consider options such as cream, beige, tan, or taupe, which can create a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Warm vs. cool colors

Different colors can evoke different emotions in customers. Consider the following:

  • Warm colors like red, yellow, and orange can create a sense of energy and excitement. However, be cautious about using too much red, as it can also create a sense of urgency or even anxiety.
  • Cool colors like blue and green are generally calming and relaxing, and are often preferred by shoppers.
  • Colors like purple and orange can be more controversial, but if they align with your brand and the overall feel of your store, there’s no reason not to use them.

This post was inspired by “Color on Your Sales Floor” by Lyn M. Falk, published in the April 2023 issue of Creative Retailer. Falk is the owner and president of Retailworks Inc., a registered interior designer and a retail consultant.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

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Retailing in a Recession: Part Four

Retailing in a recession

Many retailers closed their doors during the last recession and lately, the economic outlook has been uncertain. Although we have steered clear of another recession to date, we want to give you the tools to succeed in the event there is one. In the final part of our series Retailing in a Recession, we cover how to tailor customer research and merchandise planning to your customer’s needs.

Customer Research Strategies for Retailers in a Recession

Customer research is as easy as asking your clients questions at check out. Below are four questions you should train your employees to ask.

  • Did you find what you need?
  • Did you ask for help finding it?
  • Is there somewhere else you’d expect to find the item?
  • Is there something you want that we don’t ever carry?

These questions help establish different data points including if current offerings are in stock, shows the customers you care, and improves your offerings to better meet their needs.

Merchandise Planning

Customer research can also help determine merchandise planning. In all economic climates, merchandise selling well should stay, and merchandise not selling well should go.

During a recession, retailers should take extra care to plan their merchandise offerings to align with customer needs and preferences. Can merchandise be fixed, rather than shrunk, if productivity is low but headroom is high? And what about merchandise that has high productivity but low headroom? Should it remain?

In summary, some retailers will turn an economic downturn to their advantage. Consider starting with a customer survey using a mix of open- and closed-ended questions to gather both qualitative and quantitative data on preferences.

Inspiration for this post comes from the Harvard Business Review’s Five Rules for Retailing in a Recession. Check out Rule 5: Retool Core Processes for more information on customer research.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

The post Retailing in a Recession: Part Four appeared first on American Quilt Retailer.

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Retailing in a Recession: Part Three

good vs. bad costs

Although we are not currently experiencing a recession, it’s important for retailers to have the tools to succeed in the event of one. In part three of our series, we will discuss what to do if you are faced with the choice of cutting costs or embracing declining margins. Most retailers will naturally look to cut costs, but it’s crucial to determine which ones to go after.

Good vs. Bad Costs

To begin, it’s important to differentiate between good and bad costs. Good costs are those that provide value to your customers, while bad costs add nothing to their experience. However, it’s important to keep in mind that costs are not always clear-cut; cutting costs, such as services, may help in the short term but hurt in the long run if customers choose to shop elsewhere where those services are provided.

Determining bad costs can be difficult, as customer needs are constantly changing, and looking at line items doesn’t necessarily link to what customers want and appreciate about your store. For example, while a clean store is a given for all retailers, one store found that its customers wanted better customer service. In response, the retailer cut its cleaning expenses by 20% and invested that money into customer service training. The result was an increase in customer visits and return on capital.

To summarize, gaining insight is key for retailers looking to manage their expenses. Keep this in mind when faced with the decision of cutting costs. For more information on good vs. bad costs, check out rule number three in the Harvard Business Review’s Five Rules for Retailing in a Recession. Stay tuned for part four of our Retailing in a Recession series next week.

Virtual Fabric Show

Join Benartex designers for the Virtual Fabric Show Spring 2023 on Wednesday, April 26th at 10 a.m. EST. At the event you’ll get a sneak preview of Benartex’s upcoming fabric collections and hear directly from the designers. Register here.

Can’t attend live? Sign up to receive a recording of the event in your inbox.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

The post Retailing in a Recession: Part Three appeared first on American Quilt Retailer.

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Retailing in a Recession

retailing in a recession

Fortunately for now we are not in a recession. But as we heed the warning signs of an economic slowdown, we thought it worthwhile to visit how to retail in one.

Identify Headroom

The first rule of retailing in a recession is to protect your most loyal customers. However, if your loyal customers cut their spending, that means they’ll also spend less in your store. Enter, headroom.

Headroom is defined as “market share you don’t have minus market share you won’t get,” or in other words, switchers. Switchers are customers who aren’t loyal to your store, but aren’t loyal to your competitors either.

There is no single way to measure headroom. The best place to start is to identify switchers. For example, a camera store categorized customers based off their knowledge, level of service required, and product sophistication. By determining what your switchers like about your competitors, you can make the necessary adjustments in your store to fulfill their needs, thus increasing your market share.

For more information, check out the Harvard Business Review’s Five Rules for Retailing in a Recession. And stay tuned next week for more on Retailing in a Recession.

h+h Americas

In other news, join Creative Retailer as we exhibit at the premier tradeshow, h+h Americas, hosted in Chicago, IL June 21-23!

At the event, you’ll have the opportunity to join the booth hop, network with new and familiar faces (Thursday, June 22nd at noon), and watch Heidi Kaisand give a session on the main stage Friday, June 23rd at 1:30 p.m. CST.

Use this link for a free ticket ($55 value) and stay tuned for more details.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

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Proactive HR: Part Three

Proactive human resources

In the final part of our three-part series, Proactive HR, we cover what employee records to keep on file, as well as employee performance reviews.

Proactive reviews

You likely provide regular feedback to your employees. You’re mistaken if you think that feedback is enough. It’s important to schedule a quarterly or annual performance review with your employee, and hear them out. Listen to what they’re happy about and what changes will make them happier. This is also a great time to ensure your employee’s compensation remains competitive.

Employee records

Last but not least, it’s important to keep track of your employees. Below are the files we recommend maintaining:

  • I-9 Folder
    • All employees’ I-9 forms
  • Personnel
    • Job application
    • Resume
    • Background check
    • Offer letter
    • W-4 and state withholding form
    • Employee performance reviews
    • Training records
    • Confidentiality/noncompete agreement
    • Signed handbook acknowledgement
    • Drug testing consent/acknowledgement
  • HIPPA-Protected Folder
    • Health, life & dental benefit forms
    • Drug testing results
    • Personal or family medical leave information
    • Doctor’s notes
    • Benefits enrollment forms
    • Worker’s compensation information

Inspiration for this post comes from “HR Keys to Business Success” by Melisa Morrison published in the December 2022 issue of Creative Retailer. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and is a former quilt shop owner. Stay tuned next week for the final part of the series.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

If you still can’t get enough, register for the Creative Retailer LIVE Spring 2023 event May 2-4 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for opportunities to learn from peers as well as network with industry professionals.

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Proactive HR: Part Two

HR: employee training and company handbook

Welcome back to part two of our three part series, Proactive HR, where we walk through six common human resource mistakes and how to avoid them. Read on for more information on employee training and the company handbook.

Employee Training

Fact: 40 percent of new employees leave a job within a year if they’ve received poor training. You may think you don’t have time to train new employees, but to stay ahead of the curve in a competitive marketplace, you’ll need all employees performing at their peak.

The training process should consist of two parts: in-depth onboarding and ongoing development. Onboarding should cover processes and expectations. Consider assigning a “mentor” during this process as well. For ongoing development, keep a consistent training program that ensures your staff are learning new skills on an ongoing basis.

Company Handbook

Not having company policies in writing is asking for trouble. You can face a gamut of problems including legal repercussions if an employee claims they weren’t made aware of company policies, or constant questions from a confused employee. Thankfully, we have an employe handbook template to use as guidance.

In summary, the employee handbook is your business’s guide to policies, procedures, and legal obligations. It should be a general and fluid document revised every two years. Employees should be notified of any updates. It’s also a good idea to have employees sign an acknowledgement they will abide by company policies.

Inspiration for this post comes from “HR Keys to Business Success” by Melisa Morrison published in the December 2022 issue of Creative Retailer. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and is a former quilt shop owner. Stay tuned next week for the final part of the series.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

If you still can’t get enough, register for the Creative Retailer LIVE Spring 2023 event May 2-4 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for opportunities to learn from peers as well as network with industry professionals.

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Proactive HR

HR mistakes: hasty hiring

Small business owners juggle many tasks. Drop the ball and it can turn into a disaster—especially when dealing with HR. Over the next three weeks, we’ll break down the six most common human resource mistakes and how to avoid them. (Pro tip: most are preventable!)

Hiring

Hiring the wrong person is expensive and affects employee morale. If you’ve ever hired the wrong person, you’re not alone. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 75 percent of employers said they’ve made the same mistake.

Avoid turnover by sticking to a clear, consistent process. This means posting an accurate job description (including qualifications, job duties, etc) and involving the team in the hiring process. It’s important you hire a qualified candidate who fits your company culture.

HR Misclassifications

The IRS is strict with how businesses classify employees, and the mistake can cost thousands in penalties.

To determine an employee’s classification, look at their job duties. Below are some bullet points that can be a good place to start. Visit dol.gov/whd for further assistance.

  • Independent Contractors
    • No tax withholding
    • Typically also work for other entities
    • Provide their own equipment
    • Set their own hours
    • Not directed on a daily basis by the company
    • Numerous other factors
  • Overtime-Exempt Employees:
    • Tax withholding
    • Must meet specific overtime exemption requirements
    • Salary wage
    • No overtime pay required
    • Pay can be reduced only under certain circumstances
  • Nonexempt Employees
    • Tax withholding
    • Hourly wage
    • Overtime pay
    • Paid for actual time worked
    • Hours must be accurately tracked

Inspiration for this post comes from “HR Keys to Business Success” by Melisa Morrison published in the December 2022 issue of Creative Retailer. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and is a former quilt shop owner. Stay tuned next week for more on employee training and the company handbook.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

If you still can’t get enough, register for the Creative Retailer LIVE Spring 2023 event May 2-4 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for opportunities to learn from peers as well as network with industry professionals.

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Small Business Collaboration

collaboration

When you own a small business, supporting other small businesses becomes your M.O. Read on for an example of how one quilt shop put on an event with other small business.

Event Collaboration

Last December, owners Ann Van Thomme and Jenny Gruenwald of Off the Rails Quilting in Bondurant, Iowa organized a holiday sip and shop at a local brewery, Reclaimed Rails Brewing Co. The collaboration didn’t end there as Home Slice Hand Made Pies also offered miniature pies for sale.

They’re not new to collaborating with other small businesses however, promoting events with Red Dragon Herbs and Tea, carrying Molly & You gourmet baking mixes, and selling T-shirts and novelty items in the shop sourced from local suppliers.

Ann and Jenny offer some of their best collaboation tips:

  • Make it easy for businesses to work with you
  • Cross-promote different business types to expand everyone’s customer base
  • Think outside the box on ways to collaborate
  • Happy customers spend more money, and collaboration is just one way to increase everyone’s turn out

Inspiration for this post comes from “Neighborhood Swatch” by Managing Editor Millie Kehrli published in the February 2023 issue of Creative Retailer.

Free Workshop March 28

Tune in Tuesday, March 28th from 3 – 4 p.m. CST via Zoom for a workshop on The Value of Video: Education, Community, Profit.

The event hosted by Lyric Montgomery Kinard, cofounder of The Global Quilt Connection and founder of The Academy for Virtual Teaching, will answer a variety of questions including:

  • What is virtual education?
  • Where does your customer find it?
  • How does it bring customers to you?
  • How can it increase your sales?
  • How does it create a community loyal to your brand?
  • What equipment do you really need?

The event is free for all Creative Retailer subscribers. Keep an eye in your inbox for a link to the event, or email info@creativeretailer.com to be added to the list.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative 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.

If you still can’t get enough, register for the Creative Retailer LIVE Spring 2023 event May 2-4 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for opportunities to learn from peers as well as network with industry professionals.