Are you a blossoming textile artist looking for some quick tips to sell your merchandise? First off–congratulations on taking the leap of faith to create and sell your own products. Second–you’ve arrived at the right place. Every type of art requires its own specific way of being sold in order to have it flying off your shelves (both electronic or brick and mortar). In this article, we’ll help you do just that.
Know Your Product, Inside and Out
This is a no-brainer, no matter what product you’re selling. Know everything there is to know about your product. In the case of blankets, know where they’re made, the process by which they’re made, the material and thread count, literally everything. Why? Because knowledge truly is power! The more you know about the process and background of your product, the technique and science, and so on, the more you have to base your marketing campaigns off of, the more buzzwords you can incorporate into your sales copy, and the more confident you’ll appear when interacting with customers. And besides, it’s just good in general to be knowledgeable about what you’re selling!
Get Creative
Creativity is at the heart of all good advertisements and marketing campaigns. Think about some of the commercials you remember best. What pattern did they break? What jingle made you laugh? Those are the essence of good marketing.
In the context of blankets, people tend to think of them as limited only to the blankets on the bed. This is your chance to push the envelope! Give your blankets unique uses in your marketing. Show your furry friends using your fluffy blankets, or show off their durability as they’re being used as picnic blankets or doubling as outdoor tablecloths in a pinch. Why not show off your blanket as being tough and attractive enough to go from sofa to the local football game and to the washer, all in one day?
Bundle ‘em Up
Everyone loves a bundle. Isn’t bundling up the point of a blanket, anyway? While blankets can be pretty versatile as noted above, many people will be displaying them on their bed or living room furniture; they have to look the part as well as be functional. That’s why it’s an added bonus if the blanket matches the other furniture or design language. So, why not kill two birds with one stone, and net a bigger sale? You can do this by offering bundles. Add in some pillows or sheets to go along with the blankets and save your customer a trip to another store (and add to your business, too). This is a great way to also build brand loyalty as well, and show off your talent at producing other trendy textile product designs.
Giveaways
Who doesn’t love a good giveaway? They’re fun and suspenseful, and a great way to get people interested in your newest product. It’s a great way to drop your newest design or seasonal promotion, too. Having giveaways is also a great way to boost your subscribers and mailing list, as the tantalizing thrill of receiving one of your blankets for free is tempting enough to get most people to sign up. Self-promote and offer free blankets to the next two followers, or every tenth person who makes a purchase on your website. People love free stuff, and it’s another way to gain exposure and make future sales. Make sure to be honest and actually follow through on your giveaways!
Make Them Customizable
This one is more applicable if you’re looking to get into the business to business (B2B) space, and have printed designs. Many companies, schools, sports teams, and so on will jump at the chance to have a large order of blankets filled for them. After all, a blanket is one of those more premium company gifts–hands-down better than the usual coffee mug or T-shirt. If you can tailor the blankets to the customer, it’s an even more surefire way to net their business: offer to change up the colors to match their brand, or add their logo onto the design. And of course, make it as premium a fabric as you can offer! While it might cost a little extra to accommodate the client’s needs, you’ll more than make up for it with the bulk sale you’ll score.
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