(This post is part of a continuing series focusing on home-based business startups.)
In our last post in this series, we discussed some of our successes from 2011, as well as some of the things that didn't quite go as well as planned. And so now, with our assessment done, where do we go from here? Here's a sneak peek at what working on for 2012.
1) MORE Purrfect Handbag Notions- We've had a blast getting our new notions line going and you've had some good suggestions for how we should proceed. Stay tuned for our next new notions product AND we're also working on introducing another fun, exciting and "neutral" zipper tape!
2) Twisting an Old Favorite- Our first pattern release of the new year will be a twist on an old favorite. That's the only hint I'm giving you (until we start the Purse Pattern Chronicles series in January) because I want you to be totally blown away when you see it! Bwah-ha-ha!
3) Advertising Modifications- One of our goals for 2011 was to cut our advertising budget by at least 25% in favor of a more vibrant online advertising presence. I've spent the better portion of this year whittling down my advertising contracts to just a few strategic magazines, the result being that our print advertising budget for 2012 will actually be a whopping 50% lower than it was in 2010! While we will always maintain a print marketing presence, I'm still searching for more online opportunities, such as newsletters, blogs, forums and websites.
Got any good suggestions? I've found a few, but I'm up for including a few others in our marketing plan for 2012, so I would welcome your feedback!
4) Fun with QR Codes- And finally, I'm excited about the prospect of incorporating QR codes into our promotional materials and in particular our advertising, especially when I think about how QR Codes will assist in the marketing of our upcoming new pattern, (oops... another clue).
What's a QR code?
QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). You may soon see QR Codes in magazine advertisements, on business cards or on web pages. Once it's in your cell phone, it can give you details about that business or show you a URL which you can click to see a video demonstration of a product, or it may give you a coupon which you can use while shopping. The other key feature of QR Codes is that instead of requiring a clunky hand-held scanner to read them, many modern cell phones can do this for you.
How does the cell phone read the code?
The cell phone needs a QR code reader, like this one from Beetagg.com. It takes literally 1 minute for someone with an iPhone or Android phone to install the reader and voila, you're in business.
So go ahead! Get the app then try it out on this QR code to the right to get a special discount offer from StudioKat Designs (our last and BEST discount offer of 2011).
Next year at this time, we'll once again analyze how well we met these objectives and share our findings with you here.
(And for those of you without a smartphone- just use the code QRSKD to get $5.00 off your order of $25.00 or more.)
In our last post in this series, we discussed some of our successes from 2011, as well as some of the things that didn't quite go as well as planned. And so now, with our assessment done, where do we go from here? Here's a sneak peek at what working on for 2012.
1) MORE Purrfect Handbag Notions- We've had a blast getting our new notions line going and you've had some good suggestions for how we should proceed. Stay tuned for our next new notions product AND we're also working on introducing another fun, exciting and "neutral" zipper tape!
2) Twisting an Old Favorite- Our first pattern release of the new year will be a twist on an old favorite. That's the only hint I'm giving you (until we start the Purse Pattern Chronicles series in January) because I want you to be totally blown away when you see it! Bwah-ha-ha!
3) Advertising Modifications- One of our goals for 2011 was to cut our advertising budget by at least 25% in favor of a more vibrant online advertising presence. I've spent the better portion of this year whittling down my advertising contracts to just a few strategic magazines, the result being that our print advertising budget for 2012 will actually be a whopping 50% lower than it was in 2010! While we will always maintain a print marketing presence, I'm still searching for more online opportunities, such as newsletters, blogs, forums and websites.
Got any good suggestions? I've found a few, but I'm up for including a few others in our marketing plan for 2012, so I would welcome your feedback!
4) Fun with QR Codes- And finally, I'm excited about the prospect of incorporating QR codes into our promotional materials and in particular our advertising, especially when I think about how QR Codes will assist in the marketing of our upcoming new pattern, (oops... another clue).
What's a QR code?
 |
| Scan this QR code with your smart phone to get a GREAT discount offer! |
The cell phone needs a QR code reader, like this one from Beetagg.com. It takes literally 1 minute for someone with an iPhone or Android phone to install the reader and voila, you're in business.
So go ahead! Get the app then try it out on this QR code to the right to get a special discount offer from StudioKat Designs (our last and BEST discount offer of 2011).
Next year at this time, we'll once again analyze how well we met these objectives and share our findings with you here.
(And for those of you without a smartphone- just use the code QRSKD to get $5.00 off your order of $25.00 or more.)
But in the meantime, if you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, I'd love for you to leave them in the space below!
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And per usual, if you've enjoyed this post, we invite you to pass it on to others in any way you see fit.
I don't have a "smart phone" and don't plan to get one so I'm glad you are allowing a discount to folks like me. Please don't go so overboard on tech stuff that you forget those of us who prefer to do things the "slow" way.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
WhooHoo! I just got the code via my SamSung Fascinate - downloaded Ebay's code reader and viola! Too fun! Thanks for the discount!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had fun with it. I'm excited about the possibilities of QR codes especially in print ads and product packaging! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI've tried an iPad and don't like it. I don't have a smart phone because I don't want to be attached to my phone. I also don't want to pay the extra monthly charge for the smart phone. I'm becoming angry at all the companies who are making specials and publications available only to owners of smart phones and iPads. I would buy, for example, knitting ebooks from Interweave Press or others if I could use them on my pc at home and my mini laptop when I travel. Please keep that in mind as you move forward with these new things. Can you find a way for us Luddites to access the info offered by the QR codes?
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting JBeitz, but if you'll notice, I did print the exact, same offer in regular text for you in this post. :)
ReplyDelete