Transcript:

Kippy: hi ang, britta, everyone!

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Hi Everyone!

AngelaCP: Happy spring to everyone, though it's not feeling like spring in the bay area. It's cold!

cyi: It's snowing here!

Carl: happy spring!

BrittaCP: Hi everyone, today is a Shopkeeper Discussion about Spring Sales and what you can do to boost your sales this spring.

BrittaCP: Since this is a discussion, unlike our workshops, we want to hear your ideas about fun, interesting, and profitable things you can do.

BrittaCP: This will hopefully inspire some of you, and give you some good food for thought when return to working on your shop.

Dooni Designs: FYI, I was featured on a CafePress email yesterday and sold 4 of BrittaCP: Congrats

BrittaCP: So whats happening in spring that you can take a part of in your shop. Let's start with spring cleaning

matisse: ugh!  working on that now!

AngelaCP: Like spring cleaning your house... its work now, but pay off later

BrittaCP: I assume most of you have fully cleaned up from your holiday party? Or cleaned up your shops since the winter?

PhotoGirl: or Valentine's Day

AngelaCP: Yes, or St Patrick's day

AngelaCP: We've seen shops with their V-day or St Patricks stuff right up front

Kippy: I think that's a year-round chore!

AngelaCP: Definitely; if you're updating frequently, you probably don't need us to tell you about spring cleaning

AngelaCP: Though, there are a few things you can do that most seasoned SKs know all about.

Carl: I just finished a major shop redesign for spring - brighter colors, put short-sleeved apparel near the top, etc.  I don't know if it'll help sales, but it sure made ME feel better. :)

BrittaCP: Carl... that's totally the right direction to be in

AngelaCP: Definitely Carl.  If you have your long sleeved shirts on top, move them down

AngelaCP: Just use the rearrange tool to do that.

BrittaCP: In addition to this... now is the time to think about running a "sale" on those winter items

The Shadow: I keep wanting a shop redesign but my lack of time is limited... until I reach self employment is a few months

Cartwright: Oh man, I never thought about product placement (for seasonal purposes) inside each section...that's a chore!

BrittaCP: It may be worth it... as the days start warming up... folk will be looking more for t-shirts and tanks

AngelaCP: Yes, we don't have SK coupons yet... but you can still mark them down and advertise on your shop as a winter blow out or spring sale.

BrittaCP: Has anyone here tried to do a sale in their shop, before?

Cartwright: I never did an in-store sale...most people never see my storefront it seems.

PhotoGirl: Yes, but, I did not generate extra sales.

Ne@1512BLVD: I had a sale just for other shopkeepers for one month

BrittaCP: Ne: would you like to share how you did... for those who may be curious?

Kippy: I remember seeing that on the forum, Ne.  How did that go?

Dooni Designs: same here cart most of my visitors go right to product pages from google/froogle

FSG: I have tried sales and it really doesn't seem to make a difference, however people just like to see that there is some kind of coupon or sale even if they don't use it.

Ne@1512BLVD: Yeah, you can make a special basic or section in a Premium and then mark it up just a little bit. I promoted it on the forums.

AngelaCP: Sales is really more about generating interest to those that are price sensitive

Ne@1512BLVD: I sold one item, but the person came back and spent $100 on a commissioned graphic

BrittaCP: Nice... so with your sale you created some exposure

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Wow!!  Sounds like a return customer for the future too!

Ne@1512BLVD: yes

deb: New to this - has anyone had any luck with their items for sale?

Carl: I offer sales constantly.  My value Tees are sorted under the "discount" heading... along with the bulk products.  CPshops makes it simple off-site.  On-site at my CafePress shop, it can be a chore to go through and rearrange every section - but if you go into your browser advanced settings and disable the loading of images it goes MUCH faster.

Cartwright: Nice Carl...do you freelance as personal CP advisor?

BrittaCP: Carl can be found live on the community forums ;)

Ne@1512BLVD: I plan on offering sales to customers once I get a good newsletter system going

Cartwright: I need an offsite store

AngelaCP: Using value tees as your "discount" section is a great idea; t-shirts for spring

PhotoGirl: I have a special for newsletter readers only and chose 1 design to change price from Premium to the lowest price.  In 7 months of doing that not one sale was made.  Of course I only have 10 subscribers to newsletter.

deb: how would a new person get people to come to their basic site?

Ne@1512BLVD: Deb, create a blog and then link to all your basic stores

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Deb, you could also send an email to your family & friends letting them know, and asking them to help spread the word

AngelaCP: So other than sales, what have you guys done?

Ne@1512BLVD: This will be my first Spring where I actually have products and stuff. I started last year in March.

cyi: Highlight outdoor hobbies & other relevant things like graduation, mother's day, etc.

BrittaCP: Yes... so there are lots of interesting things that are happening in the spring

matisse: gardening!

Sag: For starters, create designs for the beach, camping, fishing, summer sports etc and put them front and center.

AngelaCP: Great idea Sag

BrittaCP: Right... in a blink of an eye it will be summer

Sag: Then blog the heck out of them and get them into the social media sites.

Sag: Then periodically run discounts on a themed set of designs that works well in the summer.

Sag: :-D Then invite people to submit stories about their favorite summer vacation and display associated designed t-shirts in the same blog, or social media site.

Sag: Then run a Sizzling Summer Sale with rock bottom pricing for people who also sign up for your newsletter - which you can really use in the 4th quarter to your advantage.

NiftyGaloot: Gardening, Flowers blooming, trees getting leaves, green grass

AngelaCP: Themes associated with spring, and when you spring clean, you're also preparing for summer

Ne@1512BLVD: This has been said in the past, but.... don't forget to take you Christmas decorations out of your shop...... When I started last March, I remember seeing a shop that was very heavily Christmas! lol

Kippy: I sell xmas stuff all year ;)

Ne@1512BLVD: Kippy, I meant promoting Christmas like Christmas colors, Christmas background... it was still up in that shop in March.

AngelaCP: Correct, your shop should be festive for spring and summer, not past holidays

matisse: If you move those sections, don't you break the links?

Ne@1512BLVD: not if you move them....

AngelaCP: Moving sections... you retain the same URL

BrittaCP: If you're thinking about doing some spring cleaning in your shop... one thing you might want to look at is products that just don't sell as well and have been getting dusty and the products that don't fit... meaning square images on round items... or adult humor on baby clothes

NiftyGaloot: I don't recommend taking xmas stuff out of a shop... Just shove them off to a back corner somewhere.

Ne@1512BLVD: Yeah, I keep my Christmas items up, but this shop had the website design still Christmas is what I am trying to say!

PhotoGirl: What if you hide the section?  Does it keep the url?

AngelaCP: It does, but your stuff will not show up in the MP

Cartwright: matisse, I heard it was a bad idea to delete products

matisse: uh oh! too late!

Kippy: Just giving you a hard time, Ne :)

HG: Consider me a mental newbie, but if I have an UNhidden section within a HIDDEN section, will the products in the UNhidden section still show up in the MP?

Cartwright: I heard that affiliates get angry

Dooni Designs: deleting can be bad... especially if there are affiliates... leave it to me though to accidentally delete a whole store with over 1000 designs.

matisse: I don't get much affiliate sales.

Cartwright: maybe that's why!  Haha

Cartwright: I think I'll trust Shadow when he says deleting = bad

AngelaCP: Deleting products aren't as bad with Affiliates . Some may link directly to your product, but most will link to your shop or sections...

AngelaCP: That said, there's a balance between marketing for affiliates or for your shop. Two different needs, two different requirements.

AngelaCP: You may have to do things that's good for your shop that may not be so good for affiliates and vice versa, as long as you keep that in mind.

Sag: Heck, don't delete old worn out designs. Redesign them and refresh the SEO.

AngelaCP: There you go Sag.

AngelaCP: It's definitely a learning process

Ne@1512BLVD: Sag, yeah, a lot of people do not think to just replace the image so to retain the link

AngelaCP: That's definitely possible.

AngelaCP: I was just suggesting to not hamper doing stuff for your shop because of how it may affect affiliates.  I think some SKs are scolding for doing things that may affect affiliating... but its right for them.  It's okay.

AngelaCP: Clean up is definitely necessary; at the very least, hide sections until you can figure it out.

matisse: Sag - that's exactly what I am doing - taking out old stuff and redoing new ones to replace.

Sag: Never lose ground, just re-capture it!:-D

Ne@1512BLVD: I had someone PM me for help and they told me they periodically deleted entire sections just to rearrange it! yikes

NiftyGaloot: But... If replacing and image, don't replace a G rated kids image with an R rated adult image!

mousecrafter: I will delete products for "Candidate Name 2008" if that candidate has withdrawn from the race

Ne@1512BLVD: I still sell candidate who is withdrawn

Cartwright: why, some people might want those products as collectables

Dooni Designs: HIDING is better than deleting

mousecrafter: I did sell something last year relating to the 2000 election controversy in my political shop

AngelaCP: Election is hot for 2008... plain and simple.  :)

The Shadow: any page you have that has page rank ultimately gives your main page some rank.... every little bit helps.  And if those pages are in the main Google index, you are better to keep them, since the size of the main Google index seems to be forcing more pages supplemental

AngelaCP: Yes, SEO

Cartwright: there is no upside in deleting, plain and simple

Ne@1512BLVD: I know that a lot of people get things mixed up, like the difference between importing and moving or hiding and deleting

AngelaCP: Once we get CafePedia up and running, I'd love for you all to contribute with these tips.  As you've mentioned, these tips were learned by the community.

AngelaCP: Why not start now? http://www.cafepedia.com/

BrittaCP: So... let's talk about spring events, leading up tot summer... the occasions and event that are happening, that may inspire a design or two... we've already had mention of Earth Day and Mother's day

BrittaCP: Earth Day: April 22

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Memorial Day, Graduations, Weddings

BrittaCP: yes... spring is definitely wedding season

Kate @ LittleLizzy: There seem to be a lot of baby showers happening now too

PhotoGirl: I sold a custom name wedding design last month.

matisse: I don't see as much news coverage for Earth day as I saw last year.  More coverage on the elections.

The Shadow: There is a lot of traffic for earth day

AngelaCP: I think politics just took over this year; I have read a lot about being green. Green is the new black isn't it? ;)

AngelaCP: Feature your tote bags

BrittaCP: Organic tees

AngelaCP: It doesn't have to have any green sayings, or earth day designs

AngelaCP: Just using tote bags in place of plastic is green.

Ne@1512BLVD: I started an Earth Day section, but I am having a hard time being creative on that topic.

Cartwright: I have a ton of green/earth day/tree hugger stuff but I have not seen a spike in sales

Dooni Designs: i threw up some quick go green animal designs in my goofkins.com shop and sold one the next day

Sag: There's also the unobvious events like class reunions, rodeo, racing, etc.

Dooni Designs: graduations

BrittaCP: Yes... and with single greeting cards... you can get some good designs on them for the occasion

mousecrafter: The Chinese Olympic controversy has been in the news too, but I know you have to watch for trademarks on the "Olympic" name

AngelaCP: Remember, Olympic is a trade mark so be careful if you choose to design around this issue.

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Never too early for July 4th stuff too, especially during the Election Season.

BrittaCP: And with 4th of July there's also Memorial Day in May... not as big (at least I don't think) but an easy way to recycle designs

Ne@1512BLVD: This is year round, but don't forget things like birthdays, spring birthdays, holiday birthdays

Cassiopeia: weight loss is a big spring issue!

Sag: If you think ahead, it is also time to start thinking about back to school clothing/designs and get positioned to address it.

mousecrafter: It is also the season for Christian/Catholic First Communions and Confirmations

BrittaCP: There's is also Cinco de Mayo: May 5... for anyone whose shop may fit it

Kate @ LittleLizzy: And BIG birthdays!  I'm designing one just my own birthday, and then I'm going to wear the heck out of it!

The Shadow: I think my to do list just got longer...lol

AngelaCP: So we have 15 minutes left... we got most of the main topics out about spring sales

AngelaCP: Anything anyone want to toss out we forgot about? You guys have great ideas!

BrittaCP: Oh... of course don't forget mom on May 11th

NiftyGaloot: Fishing opener!

Ne@1512BLVD: I know there is a place in the MP where you can see all the holidays in one spot with links... forget how to get to it though, but I use it to give me ideas for the holidays to add

AngelaCP: This page? http://www.cafepress.com/buy/holidays

The Shadow: 4 holidays down....83 to go

AngelaCP: Sounds like we have a group of SKs that already know what they need to do for spring

AngelaCP: Yay! great ideas.

BrittaCP: Oooh... one thing I was thinking about... although it's already passed

BrittaCP: Spring Break

BrittaCP: This would be fun for next year... especially if you have an adult themed shop

Cartwright: nobody wears shirts on spring break. ha

BrittaCP: but they wear boxers and thongs!

Ne@1512BLVD: now, we need the time, or at least I do.

AngelaCP: Should the next product be "time"?  I mean, we already have dating as a new product... ;)

Kate @ LittleLizzy: Now it's just a matter of doing everything!!

The Shadow: hey I will buy all the time you have in stock!!!

Carl: if it's an adult shop... I suggest a mattress-spring break theme.

matisse: not where I went for Spring Break!

AngelaCP: Next year, spring break themes.  What a great idea.

AngelaCP: Definitely college/adult humor stuff.

BrittaCP: There's also tax day next week... again something to think about for next year

BrittaCP: And speaking of tax day.... if you haven't seen it, there's a new area in the community Forums.... Slideshows

BrittaCP: Show us what you think of tax day

Kippy: oh, the "sideshows" forum

AngelaCP: Yes, you simply add photos/images in the slideshow

BrittaCP: http://forums.cafepress.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/603105422

AngelaCP: It's topic based

BrittaCP: Get creative

AngelaCP: We wanted to get to know you more

AngelaCP: Britta's example cracked me up

BrittaCP: We'll be tossing out different themes every couple of weeks

AngelaCP: We'll toss a topic out and you simply post a photo or a design

AngelaCP: It's just for fun

BrittaCP: You don't have to have designs

BrittaCP: Mine is my calendar in my office... reminding me to not be lazy and just do it. Of course... I haven't done it yet

The Shadow: I don't think what I think for tax day would be suitable for that...lol

AngelaCP: LOL, i have an idea....

Ne@1512BLVD: So we can post something that is not a design

BrittaCP: well the challenge is to somehow use a product

AngelaCP: We'll see how it works out. It should be fun; but we'll use it for the MG photos and such

BrittaCP: yup.... that's the idea... it's new... we hope you guys have fun with it

AngelaCP: Okay, looks like the hour is up, you guys were doing a great job collaborating on spring ideas...

AngelaCP: You guys can continue doing that in the Lobby

AngelaCP: If you guys have ideas for chat topics, continue to send it to communityteam

AngelaCP: We'd love to hear your ideas.

The Shadow: as always, thanks Angela & Britta!