When in Doubt... Shout it out.

So as you read from the last post,  I had opened the store and now I had to figure out how to get customers in the door.

I did have somewhat of a marketing list compiled from my online sales at home. But, how was I going to get out to the local buyers? I did not have a huge marketing budget. It was then I knew that in order to get this business going, I had to think out of the box.

Social media is a great way to promote your business. Often people are too

Promote through all social media platforms.

afraid to promote their brand within their own network. Often I see people apologizing on Facebook and saying "I am sorry to do this, but I am promoting my (fill in the blank here)." I ask myself, "why are they apologizing?" If anything, your network is the best thing to promote to. If the people on your social network call you their "friend" then they don't mind supporting you, or at the very least be not offended and that you are trying to make a go at making a living and following your dreams. Our store still has a long way until it has the masses that are following us to make it a success. But, it has been social media that many times has brought us business that keeps us growing on a weekly basis.

Those who are irritated by you promoting your brand, would probably be irritated at anything you promote anyways. The great thing about social media is that they can always choose to stop listening aka "unfollow". You can't win everyone over and not everyone is going to love you, so don't be afraid to go out there and shout it out.

Be effective and study what your competitors are doing and then do things that are completely the opposite. Think out of the box. Try to come  up with the least expensive and most effective ways to promote your brand.

Fashion show on Division Street

An old friend of mine, had approached me to put my items in her fashion show line up. At first I was a little hesitant to do this. What consignment store in Chicago has a fashion show? But then I saw it as an angle that would effectively reach out to the neighborhood in a unique way and create attention for the store. Who could argue that a completely gorgeous model wearing your product in the best, stylized way possible would not be effective with promoting your store? As you can guess, it worked. I sold most of the items from my first show within the following week.

Also, try to get out there and be a part of your community. Find a charity that you feel

Working with One Hope United in Chicago

passionate about and ask how you can help. Working with a charity, you will not only help others around you, but you will also meet some really great people. Try to get to know your neighbors and go around and introduce yourself. Show your community you are there for the long haul and they will be more committed to supporting your business. After all, when you decide to open your doors as a business, you are part of a community that will sink or swim together. What you do creates small ripples that effect everyone around you. Why not make it a positive effect?