Fashion

Fashion Frenzy: Retail Marketing Tips for New Boutique Owners

Did you know that the fashion industry gets $20 billion in revenue annually? This revenue comes from online shopping and retail shopping in boutiques and malls.

As of 2020, there are 74,007 clothing boutique businesses in the United States. Keep reading, and we will guide you through retail marketing tips to help grow your business.

Independent Fashion Boutiques

People say that online shopping’s success is the “death of retail,” but this is not correct. Independent retailers are on the rise, and boutiques have been building multimillion-dollar companies.

They are building such successful empires by using online shopping and e-commerce. They are also having less than three physical locations across the country. The digital media community helps develop these businesses.

There are a few takeaways for boutiques to help set them apart from major retail corporations.

1. Embrace the Experience: Create an online and offline experience through your brand. Think about how the product is delivered, and how it makes you feel, make this experience more personalized. Help inspire people with the latest styles and fashion trends.
2. Business with People: Customers don’t want to do business with large corporations with a chatbot to answer questions; they want to talk to a person. Create this customer experience that allows for their experience to be more personalized.

There are other ways you can make your business soar. Now we will dig into the marketing strategies that can help make your boutique successful.

Retail Marketing Techniques

You can create a community or follow through social media and other marketing techniques. We will walk you through a few tips that can help you develop your strategy.

1. Identify Your Target Audience

Find the target audience for your marketing campaign. Think about the characteristics they might have, including: are they male or female, what is the age range of your customers, what is their income bracket, and if you’re targeting specific geographical locations.

2. Branding

You need to develop your boutique’s brand and messaging before you start a marketing campaign. You need to create a logo, color scheme, and more. You want to make sure you’re consistent. From social media to emails to direct mail to your website, everything should work together. You can also enhance your brand by developing a loyalty program for your best customers, so they get deals and learn about sales first.

3. Physical Displays

Window displays are essential marketing tools for the boutique because if they catch someone’s eye, you can attract new and loyal customers. You can promote a sale or upcoming event with a countertop sign holder.

4. Social Media

You can use social media to build a community for your boutique. Use it as a forum for people to get involved. Post giveaways and sales and engage with your followers. Make a part of the giveaway for them to post about your boutique.

Start Working On Your Marketing Strategy

Get started on your retail marketing. You can establish your target audience and brand and then build from there.

There are plenty of paid and free marketing strategies, from social media to email to direct mail, and you should use multiple channels to reach as much as your target audience as you can.

ArticleCity can help you work on your inbound marketing. Read more about their services on their website today.

New Fashion Trends for 2019: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Dying to learn about the new fashion trends this year?

Did you know that the US fashion industry made over $44.5 billion last year? And those numbers are expected to grow by 3.5% to 4.5% in 2019. But what does that mean for you?

A couple of things. First, fashion is big business. You’ll find hundreds of thousands of new dresses, shoes, and sunglasses on the market each year. With so many choices, it’s easy to pick up a fabulous dress just to have your friends tell you it’s grossly outdated.

Or worse. You show up at a party only to realize someone else is wearing the same outfit. We’ve all been there before, right?

The only way to prevent these fashion faux pas is to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest and greatest trends. Then you’ll know what’s in, what’s out, and what’s a poor imitation. Read on.

New Fashion Trends from Instagram

Social media is one of the easiest ways to keep your eye on fashion. With a few quick taps, you can wrap your eyes around locals in New York City and Paris alike. If you want runway fashion, you’ve got it. If you prefer to peep the locals, you’ve got that too.

And nowhere is it easier than on Instagram. Well, one of the newest trends you’ll find there is the California Cool look. Think LA beaches in the 60s, and you’ll get the gist.

For men, we’re talking about multi-spectrum Hawaiian shirts. The kind with so many bright colors, you lose track. Tropical prints, tie-dyes, and beat up sneakers. If your man would feel comfortable hanging at the beach in it, then consider it trending.

For you ladies, dark denim and rolled up cuffs. We’re not talking wrists. Keep the cuff rolls on your overlong pants or shorts.

If you need something warmer, consider an ensemble with dark jeans, and a long sleeve leopard print top. Don’t forget to round out the outfit with the black boots of your choice like you’ll find at this designer site.

Needles are In

If you’re getting into the fashion biz, you know that new trends are just old trends coming around again. If you’re smart, you’ll take every opportunity to get to rummage through your grandmother’s old trunk. You never know what kind of groovy gear may be hidden in there.

For instance, this year, crochet is back in. So, if you can’t find it in grandma’s trunk, maybe she’ll make you an outfit from scratch. Think shoes, tops, and even dresses.

Unlike past years, avoid white crochet and lace. Think in terms of muted greys with soft caramels and oranges. Also, don’t be afraid to add a splash of boldness. Just shoot for understated rather than brazen.

As for the footwear, sandals with crocheted tops are the way to go. Once again, stick with muted colors. Greys or tans or even blacks with a splash of color.

Toss Your Leather Purses

Successful fashion blogging is all about spotting trends on the rise. Well, hold on to your Louis Vuitton. Things are about to get interesting.

Leather Handbags are out. So are cloth handbags.

So, what’s in? Well, they’re woven. They’re rustic. And they’ve been women’s most useful tool throughout history. They’re wicker bags.

They’re often made entirely of the course, fibrous material. Though, you should be wary. If the clutch isn’t accented by another material, it would never make the Paris runways.

A natural wicker color is preferred. If you want to change things up, choose a dark tan or brown bag. The fibers don’t hold bright colors well. They come out dull or faded.

So, keep your eyes out for the words “picnic handbags” or “picnic clutches” the next time you’re on the town. You just might find your newest wicker friend.

Headwear Goes Big

Jacky-O glasses? Check. Jumbo clutch? Check. Supersized hat? Check, check, and check. That’s right, oversized hats are in. And they’re taking the world by storm.

If you haven’t seen this type of headwear before, it’s bold, it’s bright, and it’s floppy. The rule of thumb seems to be the bigger the better.

If you’ve seen woven, large-brimmed hats for gardening, you’re headed in the right direction. The difference is this year trending gear comes sans the reeds. It’s all about the fabric. As long as you have room to see, you’re hitting the mark.

Some material choices include light, gauze fabric in whites and sky blues. Others include densely woven fabrics with dark polka dots. Some runways are more adventurous, choosing non-organic materials. So long as it’s a light color or transparent, it’s in.

Don’t Forget the Feathers

As any woman knows, a good feather boa can make any outfit. Well, this year, it’s not only the boas that are in. It’s the feathers.

You’ll find them on the straps or hems of all your favorite designers. Soft, thick feather accents. Bouncy, long accents. You’ll find they come in all varieties.

The key with picking up your next feather accented dress lies in the weave. The dresses that’ll make an impact will look like a downy chick. All the rest will look like half-plucked geese.

The feathers should be springy to pressure and soft to the touch. Again, you want them to accent your dress, not overcome it. If you find one that’s covered, avoid it at all costs. We want you looking fashion forward, not fashion unforgivable.

Also, look for solid colors. Say yes to your little black dress. Say no to your bejeweled Carnival dress. Feathers can contrast the color of the dress, so long as the feathers come in a single solid color.

And if you feel like spicing things up, remember, you can never go wrong with a boa.

What’s Next?

Well, now that you’ve discovered the new fashion trends for early 2019, it is time to go shopping. Ping the girls and tell them it’s time to raid your favorite stores. Just remember California Cool, and everything woven, big, and feathery.

Be sure to take five minutes to browse through our other ridiculously addictive articles. So long and good luck!

Instagram Influencer Training: How to Make Money with Your Fashion Blog on Instagram

Do you dream of a career that gives you the freedom that you desire and the income you need to support your lifestyle?

The earning power of someone with 100,000 followers can be upwards of $5,000 per post.

That considered, it can be difficult to build your way up to that many followers, especially in the competitive fashion blogger space.

However, it is still possible to create a successful fashion platform on Instagram for budding influencers with the right mindset and strategy.

It is important to note that becoming a popular Instagram influencer will take time and commitment, but over time you should be able to get generate enough income to consider doing it full-time.

Moreover, creating content and posts for Instagram doesn’t have to be draining or overly time-consuming with modern internet tools available.

Read on to learn how to begin building your Instagram platform and fashion blog, and make money while living your best life.

How to Become an Instagram Influencer in Fashion

It is a common misconception that influencers don’t have to work hard at their job.

But, in reality, they do work hard, only in a different way than most other careers.

A key difference in the type of work that influencers do is that the majority of people will not understand what goes into it. They also have more freedom in what, when, and how they work if it is their full-time gig.

Here are a few tips to consider as you start a fashion blog and Instagram page for your lifestyle.

Find the Right Niche

Even within the fashion niche, it is important to get as narrow as you can at first. This is because you need to different than what is already out there if you want to get followers.

Try to think about other passions and interests you may have, and how these could be used to narrow down your area of expertise.

The most dedicated audience tends to be one that relates to you in more way than just one.

So, if you love fashion and sustainability, try to focus on both on your platform. If you love talking about new trends and brands, post about recent changes in fashion, like men’s clothing directions beginning after February 2019.

Do the Research

Never skimp on research when it comes down to what you should be posting, how often, and the tools you can use.

The world of blogging, on Instagram and otherwise, is constantly changing and becoming more competitive, so it is important to keep up.

Treat it Like a Business

A platform on social media that is generating part or all of your income is a business. Show it the discipline, work, and dedication you would with any other business you could start.

Curate Instagram Content

It is vital that you hand select content based on your audience. No matter how much you love an item or product, try to think about the end user above all else, in addition to the general ascetic on your page.

Consider Using Influencer Marketing Platforms

If you struggle to find partnership at first, think about joining online platforms dedicated to helping influencers connect with brands, especially when you just starting out.

Use Instagram to Advertise Blog Content

A website with written content is the perfect pair for an Instagram page full of visually pleasing content.

The best way to utilize both is to post relevant content to both and to use social media to generate more traffic to your website, where you could monetize from affiliate marketing, ads, and products.

Become Insta-Famous in Fashion

Joining the ranks as an Instagram influencer doesn’t have to be a grueling experience.

If you are passionate about what you are posting and writing about, and you maintain an authentic approach, the people will come.

It is also a great idea to always do the research, work hard, and use tools to your benefit as you continue the blogging journey.

For more information about becoming a fashion blogger, check out our recent article on how to succeed as a blogger in this niche.

How To Succeed In Fashion Blogging

Do you want to become a menswear fashion blogger?

If you keep up with the latest fashion trends and enjoy helping others dress for success, starting a blog may be the best option for you.

Once you start a fashion blog, you realize running it is not very easy. Starting a fashion blog requires you to dedicate time to it.

Make sure that it is something that you really love and you’re not just doing it because everyone is doing it.

Fashion blogging is fun but there is a lot of work that goes into it. This includes posting, scheduling, writing, and editing, just to mention a few.

Here are a few tips on how to start a fashion blog and succeed at it.

Register a Domain Name

The first thing you need to do is choose your domain name, which is the dot-com that you will be using.

If you want to grow your blog into a business and turn it into a place where many people are going to visit, you’re going to need a domain name.

They are very cheap because you can get them for as low as ten dollars a year.

You need to choose what you want your blog to be named and it may take you some time to come up with the name.

You can use something catchy, your own personal name, or what you’re going to be blogging about, which is men’s fashion.

Once you come up with the name, check to see if it’s available and purchase that domain and get hosting.

Design a Unique Site

The next step is to get your site designed.

Your blogging experience will be so much better if you have a well-designed site because you are going to want to post on it more and it is going to appeal to more people.

Ensure you make your site aesthetically pleasing and in your own style to make your fashion blogging boom.

Choose A Suitable Platform

Choosing your platform would be the first option in your design process.

One of the most important things is select the platform that you want to make your blog on. Have a clear set idea of what you want to do.

There are many blogging platforms that you can use like Tumblr, Blogspot, and WordPress.

You may start off your fashion blog on Blogspot because it is completely free, is powered by Google, is very reputable, and anyone can use it.

WordPress is a standalone company and is more for the advanced bloggers or somebody who wants to grow their blog larger and have more functionality on their blog.

If you’re starting out, Blogspot may be your best option as it’s generic and simple to use.

Like Tumblr, they have a lot of blog templates you can choose from and customize your blog to make it a lot better and cleaner. This is much cheaper than customizing a WordPress blog.

Later on, you can to transfer your Blogspot account to your WordPress account.

See which blogging platform suits the style of your blog and use it.

Get Started

Many people think they need a high-tech camera, editing software, and all the writing software, but you really don’t.

Get yourself an affordable and quality camera for your photography sessions.

Many bloggers these days use their iPhones or just point and shoot cameras and their photos are amazing.

With the advanced technology nowadays, you can get great photos from just your phone. You can use your phone’s editing apps to edit the photos for your blog.

All you have to do is put your camera card into your computer, or if you have them on your phone, edit them from there and then email them back to yourself so that you can upload them from your computer.

Stay Authentic

As you learn about how to be a fashion blogger, one important aspect is to remain true to yourself.

You may see many fashion bloggers posting about a trend that you particularly don’t like and that’s okay.

Remaining true to yourself is why your followers or viewers are viewing your blog. They want inspiration from you because they like your style, the way you dress, and what you choose.

A lot of bloggers fail or go down in viewers or ratings because they just start posting irrelevant things.

If you wouldn’t tell a person about an experience or a certain outfit or anything else you’re posting about, then don’t post it on your blog. To get some clothing items to begin blogging about, you can buy here.

Network

One of the best ways to get your blog out there these days is through social media.

Make sure you network your blogs on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest.

Using social media to promote your business is important in this era because it enables you to connect with so many people online.

You need to network and share with everybody what you’re doing, what you’re wearing, and any other form of inspiration.

Another form of promotion or clicks over to your blog would be to post on style sites such as Lookbook.

Lookbook is a platform online for all different fashion influencers where they can post an outfit and people view them.

As it gets higher on the page list, more people start following and clicking over to your blog if you put a description with your link to your blog.

It is a great way to start gaining a viewership and followers.

Consistency

Being consistent is the key to blogging success.

If you’re consistent, people are going to find your blog interesting and the fact that you update regularly is going to mean a lot to them.

If you want to start a blog, then you should make a rough schedule of when or how often you will be posting.

You need to set realistic and achievable goals then slowly work up from that.

It may be difficult at first but you have to put work in if you enjoy it and you want it to grow.

Wondering How To Start A Fashion Blog?

Discussed above are great tips would on how to start a fashion blog.

Define your content, invest in good photography, get connected and be confident in all you do then you will succeed at fashion blogging and make money while at it.

As a blogger, you can provide something that no one else in this world could provide. Embrace your individuality and you will have quality blogs.

For more information, contact us.

Find Out What Is Fashion Marketing So You Can Cut Out The Competition

The fashion industry is massive, bringing in $1 trillion in gross revenue per year.

Yeah, that’s “trillion” with a “t.”

So what is fashion marketing? It’s the outreach you’ll need to separate your product from the competition and succeed in the most cutthroat retail industry in the world.

Here are a few tips to help you get started and get an edge on the competition.

Have a Great Product and Know Your Niche

It all starts here, right?

A lot of people sell underwear, so if you’re selling underwear, it had better have something that sets it apart from the competition.

Better materials. A great story. An amazing fit.

Whatever the product is, you need to understand exactly what you’re selling and how it stacks up to the competition – so do your research before you develop your marketing plans.

It doesn’t matter if you’re asking folks to “Click Here” to buy grillz or selling winter parkas. All successful fashion marketing starts with knowledge of the product and research on the marketplace.

That’s the first job of your newly minted marketing team (even if it’s just you!).

Social Media Is Your Friend

When looking for sterling examples of just what is fashion marketing, look no further than social media.

Facebook. Instagram. Pinterest. Even Snapchat.

The fashion industry leads pretty much all industries when it comes to experimenting with social media.

After all, social media has become increasingly visual and fashion is nothing if not aan image-first industry. Studies have shown that fully one in three consumers have purchased an item of clothing after seeing it on Instagram.

If you hate social media, sorry – it’s critical you learn to love it or hire someone who does.

Find Great Influencers in Your Niche

Speaking of people who take to social media like proverbial fish to water, influencer marketing has become a huge part of what is fashion marketing in 2017.

What is it?

Put simply, influencer marketing is when a company or brand contracts with someone who has a huge, established social media presence in their target niche to promote a product.

It’s basically a celebrity endorsement for the 21st century.

Just how important is it? More than six in 10 fashion companies made influencers part of their marketing strategy in 2016, with another 21 percent planning on incorporating it in 2017.

Don’t Forget Your Ground Game

Social media is good to talk about because it’s accessible anywhere, but the soul of fashion marketing is still on the ground.

So go to trade shows, fashion shows, and make connections.

Showcase your collection. Do a trunk show. Co-sponsor an event.

The key is to have your digital marketing game set up so that when you do face the public with the product, the conversation can continue in the digital space with website, email, social media, and so forth.

The ground game is an opportunity for people who find you through the digital space to get a tactile experience–see the product, touch the product–and also an opportunity for those who have seen the product engage in an ongoing dialogue with the brand before they buy.

What Is Fashion Marketing? That’s up to You

With this much competition, the most important thing is to stand out. Take risks.

Some brands do their marketing through e-mail only. Some do massive stunts.

Others simply stand by their terrific product, tour the country doing shows, and rely on word of mouth.

No matter what, though, you need a good photograph.

A great picture, after all, says a thousand words. And that translates to dollars.

Men’s Winter Coats: How to Improve Your Winter Fashion

Winter have you wearing the same pair of sweatpants or boring jackets over and over again? Unsure how to look good while staying warm?

The good news is you can look great in even the chilliest of seasons, and bundling up in sub-freezing temperatures doesn’t have to be complicated.

We’ve created this guide of men’s winter coats to keep you looking stylish and hot, even when the weather is not.

Whether you’re shopping for you or looking for a gift for the man in your life, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get into it!

Guidelines to Men’s Winter Coats

Know Your Budget

Men spend, on average, $85 dollars each month on clothing. That’s about $1,020 annually.

Before investing in your coat, it’s important to have a general ballpark regarding how much you are willing to spend.

This will help you narrow down stores, types of materials, and brands. After all, if you’re only looking to spend about $150, it wouldn’t make sense to visit stores with prices hovering over $800, would it?

We commend that before making any clothing decisions, make your budget!

Find Your Fit

This isn’t your father’s wardrobe. Men’s winter coats have come a long way in terms of style and sizing.

Determine what kind of coat you’re looking for. Something slim-fitting? Something for the office? For formal events? For travels and adventure? (and yes, a coat for the Dominican Republic has different purpose than a coat for the Rockies)

Narrowing down your intended use will help you narrow down the appropriate styles and fits for the occasion.

Consider Fur

If you think fur is only for rich people, think again. We’re convinced this is the hottest trend of 2017.

This article shows that a proper fur coat is one of the most stylish ways to stay warm and look good doing it.

With different lengths, patterns, and options (yes, faux fur is trendy!), this is one of our favorite kinds of men’s winter coats

Don’t Forget the Accessories

Men’s winter coats are just part of the attire. If it’s really cold out, you will likely need proper shoes, scarf, and head protection (such as a beanie) for additional protection.

Maybe you already have some of these pieces. Maybe it is important for you to coordinate matching styles or colors.

Either way, these should be taken into consideration when planning out your budget and style.

Rock the Boots

Want a surefire way to look stylish?

Ditch the sneakers and pair your men’s winter coats with well-fitted boots. Not only do they define your style and create a sense of professionalism, they are also comfortable and warm!

If you’re looking for outdoor protection (and style), consider checking out the endless designs and styles guaranteed to keep you happily active.

Final Thoughts

No matter what the season (or how hot or cold it is), you should never have to compromise looking and feeling good.

If your wardrobe is in need of an update, men’s winter coats are a great way to show off your style and personality while keeping you warm. Win-win, right?