How To Engage A Younger Audience

Getting a younger audience engaged in your business is a key to success.

If you are a small business owner then you understand the foundation of your revenue comes from repeat business. A stable of regular-repeat business customers is at the epicenter of most small businesses. While it is imperative to focus on these customers, it is also vital for the growth, and longevity of your small business that you engage a younger audience that potentially will become the future of your business.

In specific regards to quilt shops, fabric stores, or any type of craft related shop, the importance of a solid group of regular clientele is an absolute necessity for the stores success. This is due to the specificity of your field. If you own a small grocery store, or salon, you will be able to draw from a bigger population pool simple because people need food, or their hair cut. However, not everyone quilts, nor has the need to visit a quilt or fabric store.

Therefore, investing in the people who visit your shop is imperative, and gaining new customers is the best way to invest in the future of your business. There are a few basic business practices you can do to engage a younger audience.

Convenience

Convenience is a key component in engaging a younger audience. As time progresses life becomes more convenient, and is less time consuming. This is especially true with the rapid advancement of technology. Today things are literally at our fingertips. This needs to be addressed because it relates to a younger generation in terms of quilt making, or pattern design. This is of course, a generality, as there are some members of the younger audience who this does not apply to.

One way of making things more convenient is by offering projects that can be done relatively quickly. This can be achieved by making sure you have a diverse selection of patterns that require less piecing and therefore, less time.

Good organization is key in any project, and being well organized often makes things more convenient. One way to achieve this is by having a thorough selection of tools and notions that make projects more convenient. Some examples of this include a pincushion that fastens to your wrist, like a Pin ‘n Stow or a rotary cutter cradle that creates a convenient place to keep all your cutters organized.

Any expert quilt shop should have a variety of templates that are exceptionally convenient. Notions as templates are incredibly time saving and convenient. These come in a variety of forms, but something to think about in regards to engaging a younger audience is what they are quilting, or crafting for. For example, there are templates such as the Trace ‘n Create E-Tablet Keeper that are exceptionally beneficial in engaging in a younger audiences for they are both convenient to create, and hold modern devices such as IPad’s or Kindle Fire’s that many younger people have.

Diversity Of Products

Having a diverse selection of patterns and fabrics in your shop will help you engage a younger audience. Today, there are more patterns than ever, and traditional patterns typically do not excite the younger generation. Having bright colors, and bold prints is a great way to peak the interest of 30 something’s and hook them into the fun of quilting or pattern making, which will in turn may make them a life-long customer.

A diverse collection of patterns and fabrics will also engage a younger audience because it will give them options. A younger person interested in quilting will obviously not have the skill level or expertise that a person who has been quilting for years will have. With that said it is important to have patterns that are perfect for small projects. Something small like a tote bag is a good way for a younger person to get started in the world of quilt and design work. Also, duvet covers are very popular with younger people because they both require less work.

An Educated Staff

An educated staff will create an identity for your business as an expert, which will help engage a younger audience that may need some guidance.

Any business owner knows that your business is only as good as the people you hire. This is especially true in regards to quilt shops because of the specific nature of the field and the sophistication of the art form. Having the right staff is crucial in engaging a younger audience for many reasons.

For many young people, or anyone who is just starting their quilt-making journey, they may encounter many intimidating factors. Quilting is an art form that can be intimidating process until the skills needed are learned. There are many terms, techniques, and tolls associated with quilting, which might all prove to be intimidating factors in a beginner’s journey.

One way of counteracting these intimidating factors is by having a staff filled with warm individuals who are passionate about what they do. You need to have skilled artists as your staff, not clerks. Your staff has a much bigger purpose than simply answering the phones, or ringing people up. They need to have a firm background in everything you are selling. If a customer has a question about a new quilting technique, or a fabric line, they need to have the answer.

Having a staff of friendly, knowledgeable representatives will make people choose your quilt shop, or fabric store, over the competition. A great staff member will peak the interests of clients with product knowledge and suggestive selling that will both promote their return visit, and also increase sales. Your staff is a direct reflection on which you are as a business owner, and your business itself. Therefore, your staff needs to exude the same passion, and high level for your business as you have.

By following these steps to engage in a younger audience you will help to secure the future of your business.