I have been pretty busy working on YarnAndThreadRetailers.com… fingers crossed, it will go live this next week!

This question was asked on the Quilt Designer’s List I belong to:

*quote*

I need some advice. I guess it is a little late to think about this but I am stuck as far as a marketing plan. I have met with good results when offering my pattern to shops in person but not sure where else to go from here. I am trying to get a web page up but it isn’t ready yet. What am I forgetting?

*end quote*

Here is my reply:

Marketing for independent Quilt Designers is getting more and more important AND more complicated, as the market becomes saturated, the economy tightens up, and the chain store situations become more tenuous.

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All websites have them, or should have… the *About Me* page…

They serve several purposes:

1) They reassure potential customers who are leery about doing business online

2) They provide a nice opportunity to add Search Engine friendly content

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I grabbed a copy of the new magazine from McCall’s called:

*Quilter’s Home- For the new generation of quilters*

I found it a very interesting read and I am looking forward to seeing how it evolves. Right now I think that they have a good concept (if you believe their sub-title) but the execution and application of that strategy is lacking.

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My issue of

American Quilt Retailer

arrived yesterday. I had a busy day and I am still working my way through it but I wanted to make two important points here…

ONE:

I firmly believe that American Quilt Retailer is a *MUST HAVE* subcription for ALL Independent Needlework Retailers and Quilt Retailers. An annual subscription is only $40. If you can’t afford it, I would doubt that you can afford to be in business anyway (sorry to be blunt, but we are facing challenging times here and need to take off the gloves!)

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