Whether you run a small online jewelry shop or a local web based woodcrafts store – you’re always on the lookout for ways to market your shop. Right?

Without customers you don’t have a business – there’s no way around this one. Customers are your lifeblood. And unless you run completely on repeat customers (should you be so lucky! right?) you have to keep looking for more.

We have a few ideas for you that should help with finding new patrons for your awesome online shop. And locally.

See them below.

1. Dabble Event – have you heard of Dabble? Basically this is an event platform – for teaching and hosting events. Yes! even events that help promote your online shop. What I see people doing through Dabble is creating events that tie into their business. Lets say you sell soap online which you just happen to make as well – you’re PERFECT for Dabble. Because not only do they offer you the opportunity to create, manage and market a local event; you can also teach an event. So what you could do is come up with a fun, smart event idea that on its own will also inadvertently promote your shop. Lets keep going with the online soap store category, the type of events you could host or teach include: soap making 101, easy DIY soap at home, felted soap (this is a real class taught by a local Chicago soap lady), eco soap how to, etc. Everything is handled through the Dabble site – event creation, event management and event promo. Give it a try yourself and see how it works for you.

Links: Felted soap lady – https://dabble.co/chicago/felting-wet-and-dry/classes/soaping-101-hand-felted-soap-with-patty-heinze

2. Expo Event – this is similar to our idea mentioned above but the costs might be higher. Usually to host a booth in an expo the fees go anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. But depending on the type and size of expo event, you could potentially net a nice return on those dollars. It all depends on your goals and strategy. Another thing to keep in mind is to (browse local smaller expos) in your area that won’t be as expensive; but if picked right – could also garner you leads and or sales. At the very least, expo events are a fantastic way to collect emails for follow up marketing

3. Chamber of Commerce Event – the thing with Chamber of Commerce events is that they’re usually highly promoted by the Chamber and attended mostly by locals. A great opportunity for you to get the word out about your online shop locally. I believe there are a variety of ways you could become part of the event; such as by sponsoring the event itself or sponsoring a specific activity, hosting a booth or table, volunteering as your company (meaning be sure to wear a t-shirt and hat that has your business name or logo front and center).

4. Facebook Buy/Sell Groups – have you heard of or been to the many buy and sell groups on Facebook. You name the product and I bet there’s a group out there for it. Search for your niche group, join and become an active member. Many of these groups allow promotion only on certain days, others everyday and others not at all – but have a files or members profiles section where you can describe yourself and your online shop. Take advantage of these awesome and very active groups; as they are all FREE to join.

Hope this article has provided a few good ideas to market your online shop further and grow, grow, grow that business!!! 🙂

We ❤ online entrepreneurs and as such; are always on the lookout for tips, tricks and tools that help you. Feel free to reach out to me if you happen to know of something awesome out there for me to share.