Stephanie Wilson, owner of Rouge Clothing & Gifts, checks her Facebook page for new followers.
By Courtney Clark
ATHENS, Ga.- Local boutique owners are leaving old advertising methods behind as they integrate social media to increase contact with customers.
For these businesses, the benefits of utilizing social media far outweigh the option of costly advertising campaigns.
Kristen Rachels, director of blvd. magazine, said that social media is a form of direct marketing that gets the word out to a lot of people instantly. She also added that social media sites raise brand awareness and brand engagement among consumers.
That is why when it came time for Amy Shaw of Flowery Branch, Ga., to advertise the grand opening of her store, Blue Girl Boutique, she turned to blvd. magazine.
Rachels said that using social media was a “no brainer” when they announced the opening of the boho-hippie boutique given that this is the main way blvd. magazine advertises.
During the grand opening, the publication set up a Facebook page for Blue Girl Boutique to invite guests to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Since Shaw began posting new content to the various sites, she says that she has been “happy with Facebook and Twitter because they're an effective way to spread the word.”
Shaw said that whenever she asks how people have heard about the organic clothing store located on Clayton Street in downtown Athens, they usually say word of mouth either through friends or see postings about her store on social media sites.
“Boutiques just want to see people through the doors and social media is an easy way to make that happen,” Rachels said.
Through Facebook, Shaw is able to post pictures of new merchandise, which then automatically places a link on Twitter. This method allows her to reach all members of her audiences, regardless of their social media preference.
Shaw also uses social media to encourage customers to attend local music concerts, a favorite pastime of hers. She gives a 10 percent discount for anyone who brings in a concert stub.
On the Eastside, Rouge Clothing & Gifts owner Stephanie Wilson uses these and other methods to spread the word about the store she co-owns with her mother, Sylvia Wilson.
Since her boutique is not downtown, she finds social media to be especially critical to the survival of her business because she has to make sure the store remains in people’s minds.
Wilson said that she has found Facebook to be an ideal way to advertise because it’s free and popular. She cited economic times as increasingly relevant in her decisions to rely more heavily on her social media campaigns instead of print publications.
“Anything free right now is good,” Wilson said.
Wilson did add that when she advertised her winter sale through Facebook, she received almost no response. Yet, when she announced new arrivals, she saw a greater increase in foot traffic.
In addition to Facebook, Wilson recently subscribed to SoBo- “Sell Online, Buy Online” a site that operates similar to eBay and allows stores to place pictures of their merchandise on the Web site for customers to search.
Wilson also maintains a Web site where she lists the clothing, gifts and products her store carries.
Guided by Wilson's website, Jordan Collier, a biology major from Augusta, Ga., came in after doing a quick Google search for Hollywood Fashion Tape for his girlfriend. Collier found that Wilson’s store was the only one that carried the clear apparel tape in the Athens area.
Although he had never been in, Collier said he would encourage his girlfriend to come back and shop.
To follow Blue Girl Boutique search “Blue Girl Boutique” on Facebook or @bluegirlathens on Twitter. To follow Rouge Clothing & Gifts search “Rouge Clothing & Gifts” on Facebook.
Edited by Megan Thornton
By Courtney Clark
ATHENS, Ga.- Local boutique owners are leaving old advertising methods behind as they integrate social media to increase contact with customers.
For these businesses, the benefits of utilizing social media far outweigh the option of costly advertising campaigns.
Kristen Rachels, director of blvd. magazine, said that social media is a form of direct marketing that gets the word out to a lot of people instantly. She also added that social media sites raise brand awareness and brand engagement among consumers.
That is why when it came time for Amy Shaw of Flowery Branch, Ga., to advertise the grand opening of her store, Blue Girl Boutique, she turned to blvd. magazine.
Rachels said that using social media was a “no brainer” when they announced the opening of the boho-hippie boutique given that this is the main way blvd. magazine advertises.
During the grand opening, the publication set up a Facebook page for Blue Girl Boutique to invite guests to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Since Shaw began posting new content to the various sites, she says that she has been “happy with Facebook and Twitter because they're an effective way to spread the word.”
Shaw said that whenever she asks how people have heard about the organic clothing store located on Clayton Street in downtown Athens, they usually say word of mouth either through friends or see postings about her store on social media sites.
“Boutiques just want to see people through the doors and social media is an easy way to make that happen,” Rachels said.
Through Facebook, Shaw is able to post pictures of new merchandise, which then automatically places a link on Twitter. This method allows her to reach all members of her audiences, regardless of their social media preference.
Shaw also uses social media to encourage customers to attend local music concerts, a favorite pastime of hers. She gives a 10 percent discount for anyone who brings in a concert stub.
On the Eastside, Rouge Clothing & Gifts owner Stephanie Wilson uses these and other methods to spread the word about the store she co-owns with her mother, Sylvia Wilson.
Since her boutique is not downtown, she finds social media to be especially critical to the survival of her business because she has to make sure the store remains in people’s minds.
Wilson said that she has found Facebook to be an ideal way to advertise because it’s free and popular. She cited economic times as increasingly relevant in her decisions to rely more heavily on her social media campaigns instead of print publications.
“Anything free right now is good,” Wilson said.
Wilson did add that when she advertised her winter sale through Facebook, she received almost no response. Yet, when she announced new arrivals, she saw a greater increase in foot traffic.
In addition to Facebook, Wilson recently subscribed to SoBo- “Sell Online, Buy Online” a site that operates similar to eBay and allows stores to place pictures of their merchandise on the Web site for customers to search.
Wilson also maintains a Web site where she lists the clothing, gifts and products her store carries.
Guided by Wilson's website, Jordan Collier, a biology major from Augusta, Ga., came in after doing a quick Google search for Hollywood Fashion Tape for his girlfriend. Collier found that Wilson’s store was the only one that carried the clear apparel tape in the Athens area.
Although he had never been in, Collier said he would encourage his girlfriend to come back and shop.
To follow Blue Girl Boutique search “Blue Girl Boutique” on Facebook or @bluegirlathens on Twitter. To follow Rouge Clothing & Gifts search “Rouge Clothing & Gifts” on Facebook.
Edited by Megan Thornton
Clearer, newsier top here. It's worth noting that when all the stores cease their expensive traditional advertising, there won't be any newspapers or magazines to major in.
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