Notes

- Use purpose-driven marketing, not 'hope marketing'.
- Consumer psychology can predict whether you succeed or fail at a business.
- Traffic does not ensure success.
- Make sure our branding is clear, unique, and consistent.
- Thinking that 'nobody likes my business' can be detrimental. Believe in yourself!
- Most people first search generally to find a product that they like, then search a second time with a more narrow target to further find what they like.
- Use as many descriptive words as you can in your product description that people would search for.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Have one kind of specialty at a time.
- Focus on one business strategy and plan, don't mix everything together at once.
- Offer customization rather than going custom from scratch.
- You can increase purchases by showing your face and eyes more.
- Don't expect social media sharing and word of mouth to build you business. Social media shouldn't be the heart of your marketing campaign.
- Stop competing on price, and start competing on value.
- Make your packaging beautiful, and add some goodies to your packaging.
- Everything in your business needs a strategy (AKA do not 'hope', but plan out a proven strategy).
- Every product line should be introduced, marketed for growth, until it reaches its maturity and once the sale declines, pull it from the market, and introduce a new one.
- 10 products released at once is called a 'product line launch'. Your shop should contain product lines and collections.

Create your first base product line. You should always have it available, and it should be the most known product of your business.

- Introduce your first base product line as soon as you start creating it.
- Market the product line you just introduced. Focus on your specific product line and each product itself. Market it for at least a month.
- Watch for the decline of your first product line, and once it decreases, start preparing for your seasonal product line.
- As your seasonal product line matures and declines, pull about 1 or 2 of your best sellers to your main product line. If it's not meant to be permanent, like a holiday one, then save it for next year along with your new seasonal line.

Expandable Business Product Line Formula (proven strategy by Renae Christine)

Out of 10 products for Colors, Patterns, and/or Shapes:

- 5 of your products should have neutral colours/designs
- 3 of your products should be in colours/designs that are trending (Pantone.com is the authority in colour trends, and Stationary Trends is one of the best sources for trending colours and styles)
- Create 2 'out there' and standout products. It should mainly be for eye candy and getting people to go into your shop. People probably won't buy from it. If they do, then awesome!

Out of 10 products for Pricing:

- 4 of your products should be on the lower end of the price range.
- 4 of your products should be on the higher end of the price range.
- 2 products should be even higher than the higher end of the price range.

For Expansion:

- Your products should have an accessory or accessories to go with it.
- Your products should have a gift set, or a bundle gift option.
- Find suppliers and wholesalers for your supplies and gift sets (when needed).

- Steps towards finding a genuine wholesaler: google 'gift trade shows', look for a list of exhibitors, and start your search for private wholesalers.