i really like yelp.  in fact, i always look up restaurants, shops, and even dentists and doctors before visiting.  yelp helped me find people to work with for my wedding.  yelp always helps me choose a hotel when i travel.  yelp is great at tracking down an outdoor restaurant/good for groups/kids welcome/within 5 miles.  or whatever else you’re looking for (plus they tell you you’re looking sharp and i like that too).

so make sure that your business is on yelp!  if it’s not – just add it (it’s free!) and you can write your own first comment (go ahead – tell em’ it’s you).  then monitor your listing regularly.  when someone writes a glowing review – thank them.  when someone sheds your business in a not so flattering light – write them and apologize.  let them know you want your clients to have a positive experience and you’d like to invite them back when (X has changed – whatever that is)**.   

**this actually happened to me – i felt horrible after someone said they had a bad experience with a “not so nice” owner (ME?  not nice?).  so i wrote her and told her how sorry i was and that i must have been in a horrible mood or something.  she then wrote back apologizing to me and said it was she that had been in a really bad mood.  and then she changed her review. 

the point is:  yelp is a pretty big deal for a lot of people.  and there are ways you can take advantage of an opportunity to talk to your clients in a new medium.  it’s all free too!!  of course, you can also pay for an ad – which i did and felt was money well spent (although i don’t know what the current rates are!).   but seriously, if you’re not on yelp – check it out.  there’s great info for business owners – and you may find it personally useful as well!

do you like your colors bright and your patterns wild?  i do.  and that goes double for babies.  they’re such cute patoots – i like to see them dressed in bold attire that matches the attention they already get.  it’s their first opportunity (and certainly not the last) to be a baby star.

which is why i love baby star.  darling line of baby clothes, blankets, bedding, accessories, totes, etc.  and they’re free of all sorts of grody harmful chemicals and such to ensure baby not only looks good, but feels good too.  and they’re designed here in Portland!  yay!

so i wanted to pass on some scrumptious specials they are offering when you place an order for $500 or more (and lord knows you can get a lot of baby booty for $500).  Place your order soon though – it expires September 30, 2009.

• free rock the tote!  (retails for $88 – sell it or keep it for yourself!)
• rick rack dresses for only $12 (merchandise them over long sleeves tees for Fall)
• buy 3 get 1 free (diamond blanket/poodle minis/diaper burbs, quick change, small burps)

contact karen@babystarfor more details, linesheets, order forms and the like.  everything is very design-savvy, modern and fun!

by now, i think it’s safe to say that every store has a website (if you don’t – contact Bella Cosa Design pronto!!).  many of you also have facebook, twitter, enews or blog accounts to communiate with your clients.  and hopefully in most of these instances, you include photos of your merchandise.  it’s crucial for people to be able see visuals when you are aiming to taunt the virtues of your wonderful items.

but alas!  where do you get photos?  if you’re lucky, from the designer/creator.  they are generally professionally photographed and look appropriately amazing.  otherwise, break out the camera and hope for the best.

though i have a love for photography, it’s something i have yet to dive deep into (yet – that’s on the list).  so my photos of “new arrivals” and “kate’s affection” items at my former boutique were always a little lackluster.  especially the jewelry.  so hard to make it sparkle!!  the lighting was never right.  it just didn’t do anything justice.

before & after my tabletop studio

that is – until i bought my tabletop photo studio!!  these are really awesome.  they come with a little box to provide that seamless white (or other color) backdrop, lights, tripods, and a few props.  learn a few tips on how to properly use your camera and you’re in business!  you can go low -budget  (like me) or if you really want to ramp up – you can easily spend $500+ on a really nice studio.  they have all different sizes depending on your primary use as well.

now – what about apparel?  well – unless you’re selling merch on your website and need to do the whole shebang with models, etc, i suggest that you use a good quality dress form or friends/clients to take photos of clothes.  get the best lighting possible and keep the background solid & simple.

any great photo tips out there from people who know more than me??  please comment and share your tips!

now these are HOT.  i mean really HOT.  i spotted these on Etsy quite a while ago and was eager to post about them – but they were not selling wholesale at the time.  now they are!!  i think the gals shopping at any shoe or apparel store would go GA GA over these. 

for example, when it comes to style, i am very non-committal.  i really enjoy mixing it up and having a wardrobe of choices.  variety is my spice of life.  which is why i’d never get a tattoo – they’re pretty permanent (plus i’m a scared-y kat).  but i would LOVE to wear these tattoo socks.  they provide that sexy, mysterious, coolness of a tattoo without the needles and such.

how amazing would these look with a simple black dress and pumps?  it would really take it to the next level for under $25.  now that sounds like any easy sale.

 they come in knee-high, thigh-high and full length styles.  minimum order is 50 pairs and the prices range from $8 – $13 (unless you’re placing a ginormous order).  you have 9 styles to choose from in 5 lovely shades.

contact Gabby at postdesigner at yahoo dot com for order forms and line sheets.  she’s a designer and will be shipping these from Tel Aviv (!) – so they should be a pretty original find for you USA shop ladies!

 ooh lala, indeed.

ps:  if you are a portland store – let me know if you’re ordering them!  i’m DYING for a pair!!  i’d love to add mine to your 50 min!!

yay!  it’s time for a monthly installment from my favorite merchandising master, Carlo!  This months topic is Relate to Educate – tips on how to group items to tell a particular story.

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RELATE TO EDUCATE:

 In presenting any display, one of the basic approaches you can take is to set the scene for the merchandise or the concept to be sold. The overall display must be balanced and easy to look at. There has to be a movement from grouping to grouping or item to item. Each group or item should be able to be viewed as a separate entity, somehow set apart from the others.

 “The main goal is not to complicate the already difficult life of the consumer”– Raymond Loewy, industrial designer

 Relate your merchandise to your customersby showing them how it is use, make it simple-to-see and easy-to-relate. This also includes the use of relatable props to make the display more realistic.

 A realistic setting requires careful blending of colors, textures, shapes and the proper lighting. It must still be attractive enough to catch your customer’s attention.

 Line-of-goods such as these glass vases are displayed by using a simple background and the use of flowers shows the function of items.

These bowl, tea stirrers, and whisks shows that items are meant to be used together.

Sometimes you may find yourself displaying an assortment of items that that may not be related – yet shows a story. Below is a book that is also a good companion for a kid’s toy.