In 2009, one of my resolutions is to provide you with as many ideas and inspirations to grow your business as possible. In addition to my own thoughts, I would  also like  to invite others to participate and share their wisdom as well.

Here is contribution from Deborah Sexton, my first guest blogger for 2009. Deborah started out as an assistant editor for IMPRESSIONS magazine in 1981 and was editor in chief of IMPRESSIONS from 1994 to 2001. Since 2001, she has been running her own freelance business writing press releases, newsletters and Web copy. She also writes for many industry trade publications such as IMPRESSIONS, Printwear and others. Here are some of her thoughts on developing strategies for boosting sales in 2009. I'm sure we'll hear from her again.

Develop A Strategy For Boosting Sales

By Deborah Sexton

Very few people are lucky enough to have their sales automatically increase every year. If you weren’t satisfied with 2008 year-end revenues, now’s the time to take action and implement a plan that will make sure that by this time next year, you’ll be happier with your total.

The first step when creating a sales plan is to have one or more goals. Here’s an example:

My sales volume was $75,000 in 2008. My goal is to have sales increase by 20% for a total gross revenue of $90,000 in 2009. The monthly goal is $7,500. The most important thing to remember when choosing a sales goal is you want to choose one that will be a stretch, but not unattainable.

Next comes the hard part. How are you going to increase your sales to this new higher level? Fortunately there are volumes of information on sales and marketing available in industry trade magazines, Web sites, and books. If you don’t have a clue what marketing is or how to get started, tap into these resources until you can create a list of ideas of strategies you want to try.

Then put down on paper your action list of things you’re going to do. An example would be:

1. Create a new sign to post near the road to attract more drive-by traffic.

2. Create a customer database with e-mail addresses. Send out a monthly broadcast e-mail offering a special for those who order during that month.

3. Design a referral reward system for current customers. Any customer who refers another client who orders, gets a 10% discount off their next order.

4. Create a special giveaway like an embroidered cap or some inexpensive promotional product to include with completed orders along with a personalized thank-you note.

These are just a few examples of the kinds of things that any shop can do. Then it’s important to keep good records. Document what you did, when you did it, and carefully track if sales went up or down. As you experiment with different strategies, over time, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.

The Looking Glass

The world (life and business) is a looking glass and gives back every person

the reflection of their own face. Frown at it and it in turn will frown at you.

Laugh at it, and with it, and it will be a jolly, kind companion.

And so it goes with people.

Respect them and they will respect you.

Listen first and you will be listened to.

Talking first, without sincerely listening,

or raising one’s voice, means you don’t

respect others’ opinions, ideas or initiatives

and more importantly, them.

FREE set of garment platens with the purchase of any qualifying Hotronix® Heat Press during the month of December. Take advantage of this amazing offer worth $268.00!

Platen sizes: 6" x 10", 8" x 10", and 7" Round

Platens fit the following qualified Hotronix® models: Swinger, Draw, Air Swinger, and Auto Clam 16" x 16" and 16" x 20"

With the new year looming in the distance, many are already beginning to wonder what 2009 has in store for us. On the bright side, we are in the middle of a digital revolution that is totally transforming the way graphics are created and applied to garments and other products--things are getting faster and easier to create, with higher profit margins and less labor. On the other hand, we are operating in a tough economic climate, with competition for the graphics customer’s dollar more intense than ever. Smart business owners know they can’t take a business-as-usual approach if they hope to continue to prosper in 2009. 

What kinds of specific changes will be required to operate a  successful personalization store in the future?  I have written, spoken and made predictions about "The Store of the Future" for many years now. I've collaborated on drawings of store layouts and contributed to industry publications that have reported on the topic. More importantly, GroupeSTAHL companies have invested heavily in developing new digital technologies, media and online software to help you create the full color digital graphics you need for any type of garment, including performance wear, nylon and all kinds of stretchable fabrics that are hard to decorate with traditional methods. We are positioned to help our customers create the store of the future, capable of offering a full range of decorating options. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing some more of my thoughts on where the industry is headed and what you can do to learn more about alternative decorating options that can save you time and money. I will also look up some of my old articles and documents that have talked about the store of the future. And then we can see if my predictions are coming true, which I believe they are, and if 2009 will be the year where going digital becomes a possibility for more people than ever.   

Before you say Ted, the Roland GX-24 doesn't print, read on. I just wrote that to get your attention and to fill you in on a little known decorating process that some very "cutting edge" decorators, who will do anything to get a job done (does that sound like you?) have used with success. If you own an inkjet printer and a GX-24 or other optic-eye enhanced cutter, you can do the same thing. This process has been used by several Cadworxlive.com users, they are the ones that shared the tip with me. I am constantly impressed and amazed at the creativity people show when they need to print a specific design on a t-shirt. Maybe you can try it the next time you need to print a full color image on a shirt and don't want to have the entire piece of inkjet transfer paper appear on the shirt. Here's what they did:

The GX-24 Print/ Cut process
Users create full color designs by selecting a piece of clipart or importing a full color image into the Cadworxlive.com designer. They can then add text and apply any effects they like. The user then exports the file into a raster image format such as .jpg or .png. The user can then import the image file into Cut Studio and create a cut contour line. They can then print onto Inktra transfer paper and cut around the design using the optic eye feature on the GX-24.

After you're done, just used your heat press to apply the design.

The Cadworxlive twill appliqué production process proved itself out the other day at GroupeSTAHL West. A customer needed to create a jersey front with the following specification: Two Color, Script/W Tail, Split Front, Twill Applique. Cadworxlive delivered hands down. The customer was amazed at how easy it was to create the split front on the Cadworxlive website. Here's how it was done:

The Cadworx Twill Applique Production Process

• Create vector art using Cadworx Designer or Easy Teams Designer

• Export each color layer as a separate .plt file

• Import .plt file into the Ioline 301 Software

• Cut from either VectorCut or the 301 software

• Generate Sew file

• Apply onto Garment

So if you want to save time and create great looking designs, register to start using Cadworxlive.com today. And let me know what you created.