Tag: video

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Livestreaming: Part Three

Livestreaming

In the final part of our livestreaming triology, we cover the housekeeping pieces: best practices, promoting, and all of your livestreaming options.

Best Practices and Promotion

For best practices we’ll keep it short and sweet:

  1. Prep your materials and setup before you go live.
  2. Include a promo code during your livestream to further entice viewers to shop your product.
  3. Include links to the products highlighted to the archived version of your livestream.

As for promotion, think about the build up prior to the event. Include “sneak peaks” in your story, and ask your followers to vote on options they want to see.

Livestreaming options

Many platforms offer livestreaming capabilities, so we included a list and description for each to help you determine which is the best for you.

  • Zoom: Two years into the pandemic people are very comfortable using Zoom. This could be a great option to start practicing livestreams.
  • Instagram: You’re likely pretty familiar with Instagram live videos. Know you can split screens with other accounts, simplifying the livestream work load.
  • Facebook: Livestreaming on Facebook shows up as videos in follower’s timelines. You can also archive the livestream to your page as a recorded video.
  • Twitch: Although this platform originally began for gamers, Twitch is a livestream-only service. As the platform grows so does the types of content so this might be a good place to grow your audience.
  • Amazon Live Creator: Only look into this option if Amazon is a major source of sales for your shop.

Inspiration for this post came from “Connect Through Livestreaming” by Sommer Leigh published in the December 2021 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

AQR Academy Live!

One last thing before we go—AQR Academy is going LIVE for three days! The event runs April 19 through the 22nd just outside Des Moines, Iowa. Registration is $250 and you can find all of the details including a full schedule, meals, and lodging at the event link here.

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.

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Livestreaming: Part Two

Livestreaming

To continue our series on livestreaming, this week we’ll cover how to structure your livestream as well as ideas on what to livestream about.

How to Structure

Livestreaming is much like organizing a dinner party; the atmosphere changes depending how many people show up!

If one person shows up, the livestream will feel more like a meeting. If many attend it can turn into a classroom. Or, if it’s your most devoted followers, it will feel more like an intimate gathering.

Plan for one hour to get the best engagement, and be sure to plan accordingly. For instance, if you have a 30 minute interview scheduled, include 15 minutes of talking points prepared before and after the interview.

When you go lives, use the first few minutes to chat with your viewers so you can get used to the speed of comments coming in. If there aren’t any comments, run through an outline of what the livestream will entail. You don’t want to jump into things too quickly as you’ll likely have to repeat yourself as more attendees join.

Ways to Use Livestreaming

When it comes to livestreaming, there are many ideas! Check out this list for ideas and tips:

  • Launch a new product: This is a great option for shoppers interested in a first look of your product.
  • Q&A: Be prepared for down time in this one! Have stories or talking points on hand for when questions are slow coming in.
  • Interview: This is a great option if you’re uncomfortable being on camera the entire time. Plus you’ll get a variety of styles and personality types.
  • Teach a new skill: Publisher Heidi Kaisand’s quilt shop, Hens and Chicks Studio, goes live every Tuesday afternoon to show a new project or technique.
  • Chat and craft: Tik Tok-ers do this best. Set up your camera to focus on what you’re making. If you like to talk while you craft, then this is the best option for you.
  • Go behind the scenes: This is the best for promoting events. Show people how the sausage is made when decorating your shop or making treats.

Next week we’ll cover best practices, promotion, and livestreaming options. Inspiration for this post came from “Connect Through Livestreaming” by Sommer Leigh published in the December 2021 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

Even though it’s two months away, it’s not too early to register for AQR Academy: The Buzz – Spring Fling held virtually on April 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Door prizes are available and the day will be packed with product videos! Don’t worry if you can’t make it, but still be sure to register to get access to the recording after the event.

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.

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Livestreaming: Part One

livestreaming

In this next series, we’ll cover everything you need to know about livestreaming. In Part One specifically, we’ll go over what livestreaming is and tips to increase engagement.

What is Livestreaming?

According to Wikipedia, livestreaming is media that is simultaneously recorded and broadcast in real time over the internet. Additionally, 80% of livestream viewers prefer to watch a livestream than read a social media or blog post.

So, why should you do it? Essentially, livestreaming is a great option to connect retailers to shoppers. Multiple social platforms have livestreaming capabilities and the popularity continues to grow. Since livestreams are shown in real time, you can get information out quickly, and the preparation doesn’t take much more than recording a normal video.

Tips to Increase Engagement

Check out these tips to help you increase engagement on your first livestream:

  • Offer a live Q&A: This incentivizes your viewers to come with questions ready and interact throughout the stream.
  • Promote: Promote early to get your followers excited and ready to tune in.
  • Look professional: Investing in a camera mount or tripod will go a long way!
  • Share the replay: Post the livestream on your social for anyone who missed out.
  • Ask for feedback: This is another option for two-sided engagement. Ask if your followers if they can hear you or if they want more information.
  • Send reminders: Create more excitement by posting frequent reminders the day of.
  • Offer a next step: Have a goal for the livestream. This can be to get more followers to your social platforms (or to your store too of course).

And speaking of real time engagement, don’t forget to register for our AQR Academy All Access Membership. By registering before next Tuesday, you can save $120 and have access to an entire year’s worth of networking and educational opportunities.

Inspiration for this post came from “Connect Through Livestreaming” by Sommer Leigh published in the December 2021 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.

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Video Statistics Update

Video stats

Curious to how video trends have changed in the past year? Check out these statistics to aid in your content management plan.

General stats

In 2020, 60 percent of videos were user generated or recorded, a 135% jump from 2019. And yes, a big reason for this was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three-fourths of smaller businesses (as defined as 200 employees or less) make their own videos. This compares to companies with over 600 employees, of which less than half of their videos are user-generated. And if you think more companies tried their hand at video this past year, you would be correct in that assumption.

Length of video

If you’re wondering how long your videos should be, check out some of these statistics:

  • 45% of people watch videos all the way through, down from 52% in 2019.
  • The average length of videos in this report was 6 minutes.
  • If the video is 60 seconds or less, 58% of people will watch all the way through.
  • If your video is over 20 minutes, only 24% will watch until completion.

What else to know

If you’re wondering what type of videos businesses posted, the most common were how-tos, product demos, explainers, and webinars. The highest room for growth on video topics include how-tos, but especially one-to-one videos.

And obviously, companies who tracked analytics and catered their content based off their audience saw the highest video engagement.

Want to learn more? Check out Vidyard’s 2021 Video in Business Benchmark Report where you can learn about the above content and dig into it more.

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.

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Ringing in the New Year

New Year

Everybody is ready to wish 2020 goodbye, but unfortunately some of last year’s problems are still with us. Check out these ideas for your business as we kick off the New Year.

Safety Matters

Continue to let shoppers know what you’re doing to ensure safety. Consider addressing the topic under your “FAQ” section on your website, and make sure to keep (or create) signage in and around your store. Include a snippet on each of your email blasts, and post reminders on social media as well.

Go back to the basics with good phone etiquette. Thankfully our phones do much more these days and some retailers have offered personal shopping via video. Not all of your customers are going to be tech savvy though so make sure you know product specifics (such as dimensions) and remain helpful throughout the conversation.

Another way to ensure safety is to take the product outside. Don’t bring out random merchandise, but plan your outdoor goods like you would an indoor display.

Other Ideas for the New Year

Fallen out of habit of offering a bag stuffer? Make one and train your floor clerks to say a 15 second pitch as they place one in a customer’s bag. If you don’t know what to put on the bag stuffer, brag about your store. Put every brand, item, service, or offering your business provides. Customers want to know what’s available so don’t take this as the time to be humble.

Hopefully by now you’ve gotten rid of most of your 2020 inventory and are ready to bring in new stock for the New Year. Show off this new merchandise by going Live with an unboxing video that you can later post on your social media platforms.

Inspiration for this post came from “Ring in the Season” by Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender published in the October 2020 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.

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YouTube and Your Store

YouTube and Your Store

Do you ever worry about the future of the quilting industry? Thanks to the power of social media and the internet, there is concrete evidence that the craft of quilting isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Take Laura Coia’s YouTube channel Sewveryeasy for example. Laura’s channel has over 325,000 subscribers and over 31,000,000 views. If video editing isn’t your forte, here’s how your quilt shop can utilize Laura’s work.

How you can use YouTube videos

The best part about YouTube is that it’s free and accessible for everyone to use. In addition to that, Laura’s videos provide bite-sized pieces of education that make it easy for any quilter to consume.

Laura comes out with two videos each week. If you want to add videos to your social media feed, consider linking to Laura’s videos in your posts or newsletter.

To help legitimize certain products in your store, consider adding a sign that says “as seen on YouTube – SewVeryEasy” next to products featured in Laura’s videos.

Remote classes can be even easier too; use and pause Laura’s videos during a Facebook live event to complete a project alongside your customer base.

The best part about Sewveryeasy is that Laura’s videos provide a third-party opinion with no skin in the game. Referring to Laura’s videos can help reaffirm transparency with your customer so you can avoid making them feel like just another sale.

Stay tuned next week to find out more about the Power of Video, an article by Sommer Leigh featured in the August 2020 edition of American Quilt Retailer.

Inspiration for this post came from Ivo Coia. Visit their YouTube channel or Facebook page for more information.

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.

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Keeping Up with the Competition

competition

Keeping up with the competition can be hard when you’re going against big-box stores and online quilt shops. We’ve got four tips to set yourself apart so you stay in front of customers minds.

Approaching the customer

Keep the pressure off the customer by greeting them as they enter the store. Instead of asking “May I help you?” say “Nice to see you!” instead. The goal is to make them feel welcome, not to put them on the spot, and a greeting is the same as letting the customer know you’re there and available.

Hosting events

Think about it this way; there are two restaurants that serve essentially the same menu right across the street from each other. One restaurant has people inside and around it, and the other is empty. Which restaurant are you going to eat at?

It’s a proven sales tactic that if you make your retail store look like the place to be, more business will follow. Hosting events is a great way to ensure your store stays full—and just because we’re in a pandemic doesn’t mean that fun has to stop. Host virtual events, and personally invite customers to those events. You may want to keep some small (so they feel more exclusive) and others larger to continue to build community with your client base.

Encourage self learning

People like to help themselves. Many companies have guides that answer frequently-asked customer questions. What size needle do I need? What do different thread weights mean? Post these guides on social media (and don’t forget to tag the companies!) as well as by the product on your sales floor.

Optimizing your online presence

Encourage your customers to show off how they use your products on social media through store-specific hashtags. Make sure your website includes photos of employees, the facade of your brick-and-mortar store, and a video of the sales floor. Following these tips will help to set your store apart from the rest of the competition.

Inspiration for this post came from “Become the Go-To Quilt Shop,” by Kate Colleran, Joanne Hillestad, and Kris Poor, published in the June 2020 version 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.

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Social Media Video Guide

Video Guide

We get it, video marketing is intimidating. But with 81% of businesses using video marketing in 2018, it’s time for your company to join the trend. Check out this guide on tips and tricks for two of the biggest video platforms out there.

Instagram Video

Even though you can shoot videos from the Instagram app, it’s better to have your video prepared rather than shot in the moment. But, the days of having fancy equipment to shoot a high quality video are over! There are plenty of video-editing apps available that make your phone the only needed piece of equipment.

Videos can be anywhere from 3 to 60 seconds, and figuring out the length that’s best for your audience will come after some trial and error. Be sure to pick a compelling cover photo, and remember that sound is optional on Instagram video. That means your video should make sense even if there isn’t any sound. The options of what you can shoot are limitless—time lapses of projects, tutorials, and clips from events are all good options for this platform.

YouTube

Best practices for YouTube are more traditional. Audio is important on this platform, so make sure the microphone is close to your subject and they speak slowly and clearly. Cue cards can help, too.

Quality is important also. While you still don’t need fancy equipment for YouTube, the video should be stable and tastefully filmed. That means subjects shouldn’t be straight on and the video has a purpose.

There are so many technical aspects about video that make filming just the beginning. What apps does your business like to use? What websites helped you dip your toes into video?

Video has some of the best engagement rates for social media; the trick is finding out what your audience wants to see. Remember, practice makes perfect and the best way to get good at video is simply by doing it.

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.

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All About Video

Continuing with our theme of online stores, this week we’re going to highlight content for video.

For many of you video can be a scary word, but we’ll show you just how easy it can be.

With the close of the 2018 fall Quilt Market in Houston, we came back inspired by all of the businesses and products the industry has to offer.

  1. Check out this video from Brooklyn Haberdashery. This first-time market attendee highlighted this year’s hottest products.
  2. This next video promotes a new tool with a little bit of flare. Pay attention to the detail she’s able to describe that really helps viewers get to know the product. The tutorial is a plus too.
  3. This last video may be short and sweet, but it highlights one product that was the star of the show.

*All of these videos can also be viewed in our digital version of the Fall 2018 Quilt Market Recap Issue

The one thing all of these videos had in common were they knew what products they wanted to highlight. Think about the tools that excite you, then make a video about why your customers should purchase one.

Also note the video quality wasn’t top notch, but all of the videos were interesting. The background noise doesn’t have to be completely silent, and it’s okay to stumble on some words along the way.

Of course, practice makes perfect, so feel free to practice a few times before taping. As long as the display looks great and you have everything you need prepared if you’re doing a demonstration, think about the video as if you were talking to a customer.

The more you try the more comfortable you will become. Take advantage of the holidays to tackle two birds with one stone; promote your products and dip your toes into promoting them through video.

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.