[2 Sep 2010 | 8 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
What to Expect When Selling to a Department Store

Do you ever find yourself dreaming about your product being sold in a Department Store and just know you’ll feel like you’ve really made it when you are being sold in one?
I used to feel that way too.  But as I grew my handbag line, I came to realize that a product line built on the strength of boutiques is much better off in the end.  The bottom line is that Boutique buyers are much more loyal at the end of day.  That said……Dept stores do have their allure and high power appeal.
So what to expect if one comes calling?

These days you can expect to be asked to do consignment to start.
You can expect them to ask for a discount.
You can expect a smaller PO than anticipated.
You can expect them ask if they can return whatever is …

Read the full story »
[2 Sep 2010 | 8 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
What to Expect When Selling to a Department Store

Do you ever find yourself dreaming about your product being sold in a Department Store and just know you’ll feel like you’ve really made it when you are being sold in one?
I used to feel that way too.  But as I grew my handbag line, I came to realize that a product line built on the strength of boutiques is much better off in the end.  The bottom line is that Boutique buyers are much more loyal at the end of day.  That said……Dept stores do have their allure and …

Business, Manufacturing, Marketing, Nuts & Bolts, Sales, Wholesale »

[31 Aug 2010 | 6 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
How to Approach a Magazine Editor

Why do we often feel like a magazine editor holds our future in their hands?
Will we ever feel comfortable pitching ourselves?
Believe me, I am right there with ya!  Pitching ourselves is just about the hardest thing for most people – no matter what your business is.
I think the biggest tips I can give are to pitch on target, keep it short and concise, and really know who you are pitching to.  Be sure to take the time do the research and really be sure that editor is the right one …

Ask The Entreprenette, Business, Facebook, Marketing, Public Relations, Sales, Social Media, Websites »

[26 Aug 2010 | 3 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
Customs fit for a Queen

So many people are afraid to manufacture overseas because they are afraid of one thing…….customs!  Transporting your goods to the USA and passing customs can be a scary idea if you don’t know anything about it.  Most manufacturers (meaning you) use a freight forwarder to take care of the travel plans for their products. The Freight Forwarder will book room in a container for your merchandise, hire a customs broker to accompany it through US customs once it lands and  then deliver it to your place of business…….without you having …

Ask The Entreprenette, Importing, Manufacturing, Nuts & Bolts »

[24 Aug 2010 | 4 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
Kudos for Customer Service

We all want our customer service to be considered excellent right?   I know when I shop on line, I notice the ease (or not) of the checkout process and appreciate the email with the order confirmation. Just as when shopping in a real store, I notice the interaction with the sales staff -  whether a boutique or the grocery store. A smile or a kind hello can make the difference in my experience……agree?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How can you make your Customer Service stand out from the crowd?

Be sure your on-line shopping cart sends …

Business, Facebook, Nuts & Bolts, Sales, Startup, Twitter, Virtual Assistants, Websites, Wholesale »

[19 Aug 2010 | No Comment | ]By Sarah Shaw
Copywriting Secrets to Help You Stand Out

Matthew Goldfarb has the gift of gab and a mind that literally SEES what you want to say, and knows how to translate that into killer copy.  A good copywriter can help you create a sales page, a web page, or a whatever page, that evokes a visual of your product, and strikes an emotional cord with the reader to draw them into your world.
Matthew gives some great advice in this interview and has generously offered to give you each a free a copy of his “5 Secrets to help …

Branding, Business, Copy Writing, Marketing, Nuts & Bolts, Public Relations, Sales, Websites »

[17 Aug 2010 | 6 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
Create a user-friendly wholesale website

I have been rebuilding my Simply Sarah website and giving it a major overhaul along with an updated 2010 look.   Woo Hoo!
While working on some back end yucky stuff with my web designers, I realized all of the things you’ll need to have in order to create a friendly and easy to use Wholesale section that will make purchasing fast for buyers.  I hadn’t thought about it in a long time so it was a good refresher course for me, and now I can pass my list on to you!
I …

Nuts & Bolts, Sales, Websites, Wholesale »

[12 Aug 2010 | 9 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
How to reach your target market

Narrowing your target market is so essential to your success.  The question often is……how do I find them?
I’d like to invite  you to do an exercise that I have my clients do to really get clear about who your target market is. This should help you figure out where they are, once you really know who they are.
Close your eyes and imagine who your ideal client is.  Really take the time to sit with it and get a real image. I find it really helpful to have someone with you …

Business, Marketing, Sales »

[10 Aug 2010 | 12 Comments | ]By Sarah Shaw
What to do when a celebrity purchases from your website

Ok, so are you doing the dance of joy?    This can be a really controversial topic as some people feel you shouldn’t promote this as it’s a breach of privacy – but my take is that if they bought it, and didn’t have an assistant do it under a different name, they are willing for you to use their name.  I see this as a great opportunity to get the word out and get your self some press! If you feel uncertain about this, you can always contact them directly …

Business, Celebrities, Entreprenette, Facebook, Public Relations, Sales, Social Media, Twitter, Websites, Wholesale »