Looking for Marketing Ideas: 2019 Year of the Pig
One of the things that I love the most about WA is the ability to get to know and interact with people that live all over the world. We've got some amazing members. It is interesting to see that despite our differences, we all face many of the same challenges as we work towards building profitable online businesses. For those of you that are celebrating the Chinese New Year, Happy New Year!!!!
I am hoping that maybe some of you can help me out with some idea of how to incorporate the year of the pig into my marketing. For those of you in the US, if you have any thoughts about the farm house home decor trend, that would be nice.
As some of you may know, as I learned about e-commerce and affiliate marketing here at WA, I was inspired to open a brick and mortar used bookstore last fall. Originally, the idea was that I would be selling books online also. Since I had limited cash funds, I decorated the store with many of my personal items. I also bought a few items to fill in the blank spots, thinking that I could sell those items if someone wanted to purchase them.
Fast forward to today. My shop quickly evolved from a bookstore to an art and home decor store that celebrates the Colorado country lifestyle. The books and magazines that are selling are those that pertain to the niche. The funny thing is that my shop is selling more pig items than any other category of animal. Granted chickens and horse follow not too far behind. Never my wildest dreams would I have come up with a business plan that involved me being able to pay my rent because I was selling pictures of pigs and towels with pigs on them.
At the moment, I do not have enough merchandise in stock to be able to handle online sales and my walk in traffic. Yet, that is eventually the goal. Thus, the WA courses about E commerce and local SEO are very useful things to be able to learn about.
Here in the United States, farm house decor is a huge trend. Thus, my shop has benefited from that. I am blessed to live in an area that is near some places that tourists from all over the world like to visit. So, I would like to figure out how properly incorporate the Year of the Pig theme into my shop's marketing also. Can you help?
- Are there keywords or phrases that I should use?
- Are there words that I should avoid?
- Are pictures of live pigs ever used or would that be bad?
- Do people get offended by the suggestion of cooking or eating pork during the Year of the Pig? Or, do people end up eating more pork during this year?
For those of you that live in the US, do you like the farm house trend? If so, how much longer do you think it will last?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Sondra
Recent Comments
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SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY WITH PIGGY.
NO MORE FAT PIGGY's Got THAT.
These two phrases came to mind, number 10. lol
Sondra, you're doing great.
All the best
Maxine
Hi Maxine!
What cute phrases! I'm thinking the phrases might also work great if I had them put on some towels or pot holders. I
I hope you have a great day.
On a set of tea towels-
Monday-"This little Piggy went to market"
Tuesday- "This little Piggy..........
etc.
That way you are encouraging the purchase of the set, as opposed to just one item.
I'm not far down the road from you, if I am ever in your area, I would love to see your shop. I used to own a shop where I sold finished craft items, it was a lot of fun.
That is a GREAT idea. I love it. Thanks.
I hope we get to meet you in person. So far I have not met any of the WA members that I adore so much in real life yet.
Just a thought but I think if it were my shop, I would not mix "the year of the pig" with farmhouse.
Just my personal opinion.
My decor is farmhouse mixed with french country.
Your decor sounds great.
When I say "Year of the Pig" are you worried about the Chinese style mixing in or the pigs themselves?
I've already got a bunch of pig items since they have been my best selling items. Followed by chicken stuff then horses.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Not the pigs. I think the mixing in Chinese with farmhouse would not be appropriate. But that is just one opinion. I think of decorating a shop in the same way as decorating my home and I wouldn't mix those two in my home.
Thanks for the clarification. That helps.
Overall, the shop is about 1,000 sq ft an eclectic mix of old and new. Farm and ranch. That is what makes it fun.
To pull it together, I frequently group color themes or textures. I add brightly colored things in areas where I want to pull people's attention. Some farm themed places are too white or grey. Some ranch places have too much brown and leather. Mine is a fun combo. lol
At the same time, I am also very picky in the items that I "curate"
Thanks for your post, it sounds like your pigs are bringing home the bacon for you at the moment. Whilst I don't have any ideas for you, I hope it continues thoughtout 2019.
Actually, you gave me a great idea of finding the little pig related sayings like "pigs are bringing home the bacon."
Thank you. I hope you have a great 2019 also.
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Thanks for the follow I returned the favor but not because you did because you are so down to earth and real, at least thats what I gather from your posts.
I know I am late in reading this post , but I think that with farm houses being traditionally red, maroon the year ol the pig would compliment that color and you could use oranges, yellows or whatever really.
I myself didn't realize that interior decorating and wood work could be so fascinating and good for ones soul til about 3 years ago. Up til that point I would have never mixed any kind of theme with another, how dare I ??!!! Now I do, and if you didn't know any better you would think that it was ment to be that way.
I've come to the conclusion that if mixed correctly you could make any theme color or texture accommodate the other and what most wouldn't do, would have them turning their head for a triple take at the after math of your creativity by meshing them together.
I tend to let out frustration on wood objects mainly things that others didn't want or my finds at thrift stores and what not then turn them into treasures all want and adore.
I think that it would be kinda cool to see both trends mesh together, kinda like pilgrimage meets tribal designs, ms.piggy meets talladega nights shakin bacon could be the next thing.... I personally love what others don't though so that is just my opinion
Virginia,
Thank you for the kind compliments. I can assure you that I followed you because I saw a comment of yours that caught my attention. I liked the way that you thought.
Although I have not done any woodworking myself, I can relate to much of what you say. My favorite things to find at the thrift shop are the little pig figurines that are missing "something." Without fail, every one that I found and drew a little smile on it's face a black marker sold quickly. Well, it has happened twice. (I pout when some things sell.)
Your doing the woodworking requires a lot more vision and talent. Way to go....
Your thoughts have inspired me. Thanks!!!
I hope you have a great week.
Awww you are as awesome as you seem!!
thank you for the compliments and me being a newbie I soak up as much as I possibly can.
I look forward to many more talks .
Have an amazing week and ttys
Be Encourage
Virginia, I hope you have an awesome week also. Your compliments make me feel good. Thank you.
Thank you,
I am glad I can make some one feel good!!!
You know this platform takes me out of my reality and centers me more than I knew possible.
its been more of a blessing than I can begin to express, for now that is, LOL.
The few people I do engage with in this community have been a God send!! Being surrounded by so much negativity and being the only sense of light can be a little troubling at times, so having found this platform of the many I have attempted WA is by far the best thing on so many different levels.
There are still good people, and sometimes it helps knowing that and for me is what i needed.
This platform has literally change my entire take on life, so with that you are most welcome and it was my pleasure!!!
Until next time,
Be Encouraged!!
Virginia
Virginia, I'm sorry that there is so much negativity in your life.
Yet, I think you are also truly blessed to realize that you needed a way to put yourself among people with positive mindsets that are determined to make their lives better.
Stay positive and stay focused on following the dreams that have been placed in your heart.