Posted on
January 24, 2010 09:34
I've been back from the Atlanta and Dallas gift markets for about one week. It is always so good to go. I enjoy seeing buyers, to learn of customers needs, to observe trends, and to come back and implement what I have learned. For many retailers the past year has been challenging and a real learning experience. Classic Legacy is here to serve retailers needs. These are some of my thoughts on what will be coming for 2010.
1. Retailers and Wholesalers will depend more on Social Media.......if you do not have a Facebook account, LinkedIn, Twitter, or a Blog consider using at least ONE of these.
2. All Retail is LOCAL......that may be an overstatement but I really think it is true. Customers in Louisanna do well with Fleur de Lis, Alabama loves houndstooth, and even if you don't have an obvious theme for your area some category is best for you.......make a niche for yourself......I've found that it works well for many!
3. Retailers that develop a theme often do well with custom gifts. Our most loyal customers are ones that began with Classic Legacy custom gifts. We have developed custom gifts for small towns, large upscale resorts, special events, Military organizations, churches, and museums. Custom gifts are ordered again and again!
4. Customers appreciate good business practices.......tell your story, create great displays, offer to do special and custom products for your customers, and deliver!
These are my thoughts. I came back with many Classic Legacy orders, new customers, and a resolve to continue to learn and connect with our customers.
Posted on
January 1, 2010 07:00
The New Year, 2010, is here and I'm thinking about how much I enjoy being creative. The best business advice I have heard is to follow your Passion, Do what you Love, and to Crush IT from the new book by Gary Vaynerchuk. Classic Legacy has provided me with the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. I really enjoy working with clients and helping them by providing unique and custom themed gifts. Our customers tell us that it is this service that helps to set them apart from their competition.
Creativity and Social Media have merged for me this year. That is a good thing! I like to think about it with these thoughts:
1. Creativity is fun.
2. Creativity is pleasing.
3. Creativity sparks converstion.
4. Creativity is interesting.
5. Creativity is meaningful.......it helps to get your message out.
6. Social Media has enabled creativity to be noticed.
7. Social Media has enabled interaction.
8. Social Media enables connectivity.
9. Social Media enables growth.
10. Social Media requires us to think in new ways.
We look foward to a new year! Below is a Christmas ornament that Classic Legacy did this year when the Jones Farmstead was included in the National Register of Historic Places. Keep on asking us to meet your needs. Let us know your ideas and we will work together to be creative to develop custom gifts for YOU!
Posted on
December 30, 2009 18:53
I've been learning about social media for most of 2009. I'm convinced that it is going to help Classic Legacy connect with customers in a better way in 2010. I recently have become a big fan of Jeff Bulla. I was introduced to him in a class I took this fall, Social Media for Business, with Amy Howell of Amy Howell Marketing and Jamie Hutto with Valeo Marketing. A year ago I did not know why anyone would want to spend time on Facebook, had never heard of Twitter, and had trouble imagining that I might blog! That has changed!! Jeff Bulla recently posted a blog about the 5 do's and don'ts of social media. It has spurred me on to "get out there and just do it"! Classic Legacy is now connecting with top tier retailers, wineries, hotels, and resorts as well as small boutiques. Social Media has brought us together with such ease. I'm learning what my customers need, what they like, and how Classic Legacy can best meet those needs. Our team enjoys learning! One of our current orders is for Berkshire Hathaway. We did custom bottle stoppers with Warren Buffet's image last year and they were such a hit that we were commissioned by Borsheims to do the 2010 Berkshire Hataway gifts. The theme is a "Walk in the Park". Let us know you theme. We would love to create a custom gift for you in 2010! Happy New Year!
