This article was originally written FIVE years ago and so much of it is still true! Quit shops need our help if they are going to survive. I have changed a bit of the language in this to reflect that I no longer own a store and to update for today’s trends in social media so give it a fresh look, since there is NEVER a better time than now to give your local store a bit of love, even if it is from a socially distanced 6 feet and while wearing a mask!
“How can I help you succeed?” a sweet new customer who had fallen in love with our store asked during her first visit. It was a great question and the truth is that customers can play a HUGE roll in the success of a shop especially in these very perilous pandemic days.
Of course the top thing you can do is shop at your LQS as often as your budget allows, even if their physical doors are closed there is a good chance their website is open!
But honestly you don’t have to spend a dime to help your favorite shop shine.
7 Ways to be your quilt shop’s BFF that don’t cost a dime!
- Make it your goal to introduce a different friend to your LQS every month.
Bring them in the shop and get them on the mailing list for specials and coupons.Send them a link for a sale or share a Facebook post with them along with a link to some cool new fabric you think they will love! - If they are open and you go, wear a damn mask and bring hand sanitizer so you are not exposing them to more harm than they are already in for. And if there is any chance you have been exposed, or are not feeling well do not be a selfish ass and go and expose them.
- Respect their new polices, hours and rules, don’t be that person who makes them regret having a quilt shop.
- Make sure to have a little stash of shop business cards on hand to give out when the moment is right. (guild meetings, craft fairs etc) and share their Facebook Page as often as once a week!
- Toot their horn! When you show off a quilt or other project give the shop where you got the fabric some credit. Give them even more credit if they helped you with your color selection, quilt math or ordered in something special for you.
- Boost them on social media. Give your favorite store a regular shout-out on line with a link to their page. It is NOT too much to do this weekly!
- Click the ~ LIKE~ button on ALL posts or mentions of the shops you love. Such a small thing and yet huge in the bid for social media presence. Really.. like really.
- Share blog posts to Pinterest when appropriate.
- Share the facebook update when your LQS posts. This is called an organic-share and it is a powerful way to support your LQS in getting their message out there on Facebook and on Instagram. <—- This one is huge folks, if you do nothing else share!
And last but not least, know that the people running the store you love are making sacrifices to keep that store open for you even if they are only on line right now. They are busting their asses every day and are not going to whine about it and when you ask they are going to smile and tell you that all is good since in many ways it is but it is also scary AF right now. So if you want to be the lucky person with a local quilt shop keep shaking your pompoms for them, they need all the help they can get right now!
Pssssst.. did you know that the private membership community for BAQS is getting ready to open its doors? Only 575 invitations have been issued.. did you get one? There are a very few left and if you want one when they go live CLICK HERE to score one or get on the waiting list!
