New fashion entrepreneurs, here’s another one for you! If you’ve already launched your brand and you’re looking for a push, read on to find my top three tips for scaling your fashion business in 2021.
Numbers are sexy!
Yes, you read that right. Numbers & data ~you have to learn how to love them if you want to be an informed entrepreneur. I know it sounds dull and okay, maybe not so “fashionable”. But knowing and understanding your numbers will make a world of difference.
Here’s the good news, to get you motivated. Almost all the data you need is readily available and free. You just need to dig a little, sift through and take the time to read and analyse. When you do, you will find that these numbers are very telling ~ and the stories they tell can make or break your business!
Data will tell you which products or styles are fast-moving and which ones are taking their time on your shelves. Data will also tell you which promotions gave your brand the most traction and which ones didn’t. Data will also show you if your email marketing messages are getting your customers to click on that subscribe/buy button. Data will tell you the engagement rate of your social media community. Sometimes, data will also explain something that you do not quite understand. For instance, there might be a style that you absolutely love but is not selling. Or a marketing channel that you're convinced is the right choice, but your customers are simply not engaging with you there.
In a nutshell, data will tell you what is working and what is not, and that is critical for any business. Understanding your numbers points you in the right direction. As an entrepreneur, that knowledge will help you make more intelligent choices in terms of where to take your brand next - instead of simply "winging it " based on your gut feel.
Do NOT neglect your website
Great product, check. Curated visual content, check. Engaging social media strategy, check. All good, but hey, don’t stop there. Do not make the mistake of underestimating the power of your website. I see a lot of entrepreneurs who fail to remember that the most important purpose of a website is to sell. With that in mind, the question is: how to convert your website visitors to actual buyers?
First, design your site for selling. Your products should be front and center, the photographs should be crisp and clear and all the information should be readily available. Other colorways, a sizing chart, maybe even recommended pairings? The key is to put yourself in a buyers’ shoes and think about the kind of information that you would want to see.
Second, make the buyer’s experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Make sure your call to action buttons are visible and functional. Payment gateways should be simple, with no complicated forms to fill up. And be transparent about shipping costs. You know how frustrating it is when there are surprises or hidden costs right after you check out.
Remember that a beautiful website is nice, but a buyer-friendly website will make the visitors click on buy.
Automate it
As a business owner, I know firsthand that managing time and juggling multiple tasks are an everyday thing. Automation helps in streamlining my schedule and organising my tasks effectively. Most importantly, it gives me space to focus on the more strategic and critical responsibilities of a leader.
You can do it too. If it seems too complicated, take small steps until you build a whole automated system. For example, instead of creating and posting social media content daily that takes up maybe an hour of your time, why not dedicate 2-3 hours a month to planning and developing your social feed for the next week? Then take another 2-3 hours creating your email marketing messages too. After that, automate everything and move on to your next tasks ~ maybe do a factory visit, meet a new supplier, or a potential collaborator.
Another thing that I appreciate the most with automation is it delivers my brand message on time, when I want it to (when I schedule it, to be specific). That is critical for me or any global brand, for that matter. With automation, you can work around the time differences and make your clients feel that you are present and responsive, no matter where they are in the world. And that kind of message is always good for your brand, don't you agree?
Liked what you’ve read and want more? Let’s get together and talk about taking your business further, click here to get in touch and find out about how we can work together.
Pickleball outfit inspiration……