Online selling is one of the most approachable ways to make money. If you’ve got something to sell and access to the internet, you’ve got all the ingredients necessary to become the next big viral shop.
But there’s a lot of work that goes into making an online shop a success, and never can that process be rushed. Turning a profit off your online activity takes time, and even when you’re posting regularly and paying for Google Ads, there is no guarantee of custom.
And that isn’t the only thing that makes online selling difficult!
Getting Attention
You’ve got your shop set up, you’ve separated your products into categories, you’ve got a social media profile – now what? Now’s the time to focus on getting attention from the people who would be interested in buying your product.
That’s where some clever digital marketing comes in, such as SEO and PPC. Build these up over time and routinely aim to optimize the content you put out, no matter where you’re placing it.
To help with that, work with free tools that track your website’s traffic as well as what search terms brought people there. The more information you have on these elements, the more successful you’ll be in getting clicks.
Getting Paid
Ironically, despite the fact that you’re selling to buying customers and clients, getting paid can be the most difficult part of operating online. The trouble starts with the price point you set, but it doesn’t end once a product has been ordered or a service has been completed.
No – that’s when the issue of creating and issuing invoices crops up. If you’re doing this manually, there’s every chance you’re spending hours on filling out the details and ensuring everything tallies. All of this admin gets boring and tiresome, and we haven’t even touched on the matter of late invoices and missed payments yet!
For the former problem, automate the issue out and use the tech that’s available to you. The latter, however, is why you need to clearly define how you need to be paid and when, and what will happen if payment doesn’t occur according to these terms.
Staying Safe
Working online means coming up against all of the risks of the internet. People might not be who they say they are, your password might get cracked, you’ll probably be sent phishing emails, etc.
And staying safe against these things isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes an email does look genuine, or a password we come up with is a little easy to guess. But being proactive about these risks and knowing what’s likely to happen if you’re not careful can bridge the gap. Don’t take any chances with your sensitive data!
Want to create an ecommerce website? These are the difficulties to be aware of. Take your time building things up, as getting attention and getting paid is rarely an overnight thing. And remember, above all else, you should focus on keeping your online presence safe.
Thinking of taking your clothing store on the road and setting up at a big event? You’re in for a fun (but sometimes frantic) ride! There’s so much potential here: a pop-up shop at a major event can help your brand reach a whole new crowd and boost sales. But let’s be real – it can be a bit overwhelming. Between setup, inventory, and handling waves of eager shoppers, things can get chaotic. Here’s a straightforward guide to making your pop-up experience smooth, successful, and—dare we say—enjoyable.
Create a Vibe They Can’t Resist
The first rule? Make your space a magnet. You want people to walk by and think, “I need to check this out!” A good pop-up is about more than just displaying clothes; it’s about creating a vibe. Think bold signs, stylish racks, and maybe even some Instagram-worthy decor. Lighting can make all the difference, too—make sure everything looks inviting. Oh, and keep it practical: your setup should be easy to assemble, disassemble, and transport. You’re going to thank yourself later.
Make Payments Easy-Peasy with Options That Work
Imagine this: you’ve got a line of eager customers, but your payment system’s acting up. Nightmare, right? High-traffic events demand a payment solution that’s fast and reliable. So, make sure you have boutique payment processing available here that allows you to accept every kind of payment: cards, contactless, and digital wallets like Apple Pay. Giving customers flexibility is key. A smooth checkout not only makes for happy customers but also ensures you don’t miss out on sales just because of limited payment options.
Use Social Media to Build Buzz and Keep It Going
Your pop-up starts before the actual event. In the days leading up, build some excitement! Post about it on Instagram, Facebook, or whatever platform your crowd loves. Consider sneak peeks of what you’ll be offering or even a countdown to the event. During the event, keep your energy high with live posts and stories and maybe even a fun giveaway for followers who visit you. Social media is an absolute game-changer when it comes to maximizing your event presence and bringing more people through your pop-up.
Staff Who Can Bring the Charm
A memorable pop-up experience isn’t just about the clothes or decor; it’s about the people. Friendly, knowledgeable team members can make a big difference. When customers feel welcomed and informed, they’re more likely to enjoy shopping—and return for more. A smile goes a long way, but so does having staff who know the brand and can talk style with confidence. If it’s a long event, have enough hands on deck so everyone gets breaks. Happy team, happy customers!
Keep Your Inventory Organized Like a Pro
One of the trickiest parts of pop-up life? Inventory! It’s all about finding a balance—don’t bring too little and sell out in the first hour, but also avoid over-packing. Track what you have on hand and make it easy to access sizes without digging through endless bins. A smart system will keep you from losing track and ensure that you’re prepared for high-volume times without stressing over restocks.
Big events are high-energy, high-reward spaces for pop-ups. With a few smart choices, you’ll be set to create a standout shopping experience that’s not only fun but memorable.
Summer is in full swing! ☀️ While it’s a well-deserved time for relaxation and fun, it can also be a challenging season for business owners. The notorious “summer slump” can easily derail your momentum and make it tough to stay focused when the beach is calling. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back!
This is actually the perfect opportunity to step back and work on your business, not just in it. In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 proven strategies to help you not only beat the summer slump, but also ignite your growth for the rest of the year.
Strategy 1: Refresh Your Vision
Summer is the ideal time to reassess your business strategy. Take a deep dive into your current approach – are there areas that need tweaking or a complete overhaul? This slower season allows you to refine your focus and set clear, actionable goals for the rest of the year.
How to Refresh Your Strategy:
Conduct a SWOT analysis: Evaluate your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to gain a clear understanding of your current position.
Update your business plan: Revisit your original plan and make adjustments based on recent performance and future projections.
Set SMART goals: Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for the next few months. A refreshed brand identity can attract new customers and re-engage existing ones.
Strategy 2: Captivate Your Audience
Don’t let your audience drift away during the summer months! Keep them engaged and excited with summer-themed content, promotions, or events. Building a strong connection with your audience is key to long-term success.
How to Engage Your Audience:
Launch a summer-themed social media contest: This can boost engagement and attract new followers.
Offer a seasonal discount or promotion: Entice customers with special offers they can’t resist.
Share valuable content: Offer summer productivity hacks or industry-specific tips that resonate with your audience.
Strategy 3: Invest in Your Expertise
Use the summer downtime to invest in your professional development. Learning new skills and staying ahead of the curve can open up exciting new opportunities for your business.
How to Sharpen Your Skills:
Take an online course (maybe even mine!) or attend a workshop on a topic that interests you.
Dive into industry-related books and articles to gain fresh insights and perspectives.
Network with other professionals in your field through online forums or local events.
Strategy 4: Prepare for a Fall Launch
Planning to launch a new product or service in the fall? Summer is the perfect time to lay the groundwork and ensure a successful debut.
How to Plan Your Fall Launch:
Conduct thorough market research: Understand your target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points.
Develop compelling messaging: Craft a clear and persuasive message that resonates with your ideal customers.
Create a comprehensive marketing plan: Outline your promotional strategy, including social media campaigns, email marketing, and advertising.
Strategy 5: Recharge and Reconnect
Don’t forget the most important asset in your business: YOU! Use the summer to relax, recharge, and reconnect with your passion. A well-rested mind is essential for creativity, productivity, and long-term success.
How to Prioritize Self-Care:
Schedule downtime: Treat relaxation as a non-negotiable part of your schedule.
Enjoy the outdoors: Soak up some sunshine and connect with nature.
Practice mindfulness: Incorporate meditation or other relaxation techniques into your routine.
Summer doesn’t have to be a season of stagnation for your business. With these proven strategies, you can use this time to refresh, recharge, and set yourself up for explosive growth in the second half of the year.
Get Ready for More!
Get ready for a game-changing announcement next week that will revolutionize the way you approach business strategy. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Want a Sneak Peek? Join the Biz Strategy Club waitlist now and be the first to get access when we open our doors! https://bizstrategyclub.com/waitlist
In the meantime, I’d love to hear how you’re planning to make this summer a productive one for your business. Feel free to leave a comment below or contact me directly!
P.S. If you’re looking for personalized guidance to help you grow your business, I’d love to chat! Schedule a free call with me here to discuss how I can support your business goals.
If you have thought about starting a small business of your own, then you are probably seeking out advice. There are many tips and it can easily get confusing. Although it’s definitely something you need to prepare for, a lot of it is also learn-as-you-go. That been said, it important to start well.
Let’s have a look at some of the tips you should be following below:
What’s Stopping You?
There are many people who dream of starting their own business, but they never do. They tend to have excuse after excuse, usually because they are worried about failing. Ok, it can be scary thinking about being your own boss, but fears are normal. Look closely at what is stopping you, and try to find a solution to the issues.
Take Everything In
Listen to everything that others have to say including experts, family, friends, and yourself. This applies to your goals, your needs, and any information that could aid you with reaching your goals. You need to be a sponge. Write things down, and never miss an opportunity to learn.
When you tell people about your startup, read their body language. Do they like the idea? Collect a resource. From looking at the advice about business accountants at http://xperion.com.au/ to choosing a business name that stands out, if yout think it’s important, write it down.
Be The Solution
Rather than starting out by thinking about what you are going to sell, you need to think of problems and solutions. It’s much easier to gain loyal customers if you are fixing an issue. Therefore try to create a business that fills a hole in a certain niche or market. Think about why you are opening your business, if you know your motives you will be more likely to be successful.
Count The Costs
Once you start to have a plan in place, you can add up how much it is going to cost you. You need to think about things such as rent, supplies, location, and marketing. This figure needs to be as educated as possible, you should then think about at least quadrupling it. It can be extremely difficult to determine your exact costs in the set-up stages, so overestimating is far better than underestimating.
Earn While You Build
When you are starting a small business, one of the best things you can do is to earn while you are building. This way you are able to get somewhere while also giving yourself a good stable ground for your business to start growing. You should think of it as an opportunity to dip your toes in the water and get used to earning money from your business. Some people like to reduce their working hours from an employed position to start earning from their business on a part-time basis.
As you start to see your business form, you need to take it at a slow and steady pace. Don’t go too quickly, and make sure you are always in control. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments below.
