Nov 04 2008
You’re going to be famous
I’m going to predict the future. One of you is likely to come up with a whale of an idea for my business. but don’t worry- you’ll get all the glory.
The plain and simple truth is, I, as a budding business owner, need your creative ideas.
So, here’s the scoop:
1. Post any ideas that you can think of for fun, (and hopefully) profitable ideas for Christa-Taylor. And no, giving away free clothes for an entire week- does not count as profitable. Promotions, sales, events, activities - you get the idea.
I know you gals have got the brain juices, and you like to shop- so let’s hear your “heavy revies”!
I would encourage you to expand to include younger girls clothing. Look at the tweens, and teens - they need to feel feminine and beautiful also and the pressure is hard there for them to fit in like the Hannah Montanas and Taylor Swifts of the world. I know my daughter, almost 10 years old, struggles with wanting to fit it and not looking “ugly”.
You can also have a contest for new designers, let some of these ladies create new modest hip looks for you to consider.
that’s my two cents…
think more and i’ll be back!!!
~Corey
I just read this post, so will try to come up with more ideas, but for starters, maybe do a BOGO 1/2 off of equal or lesser value. Another idea might be to offer to ssend 5% of their purchase of $100.00 and up to their choice of charity. Naturally it should a national charity for legitimacy purposes, not to mention make it easier on you. Make custom designed T-Shirts that state “I’m and ET” on the front and “Empowered Traditionalist” on the back (I’m thinking rhinestone studs). Offer it free to the first 10 customers that spend a certain amount. Then offer some to sell, I’m not a huge T-Shirt fan, but I’d buy one and wear it.
Could you define BOGO for my poor ignorant self?
Thanks Kimberly!
These ideas are all good!
BOGO is Buy One Get One. So when Kimberly said BOGO 1/2 off. It means buy one get one half off.
I like that free clothes for a week idea! : ) But I guess you’re right, that isn’t very profitable. Hehe! I like Kimberly’s ET t-shirt idea too, but I would suggest making some without rhinestones also, for those of us less sparkly girls!
~Miss S.
I’m sorry, I was in management for Tommy Hilfiger for so many years, I still use retail lingo. Thank you Miss S. for clarifying. And you,Christa, are FAR ignorant. I’m almost 38 and you and your younger sisters make me look dumb, but you have inspired me to delve deeper into the Word! Miss S., you are right, some not so sparkly would be good also…at my age I should not want to “sparkle” so much, but…
I agree with the BOGO idea. In my network marketing business, I frequently offer free gifts if you buy such-and-such.
Perhaps you could offer a free (or deeply discounted) accessory shown with the big purchase? For example, I LOVE your hats and belts, so if I was to buy a blouse of yours that was shown with a belt, I could get the belt at a discount.
Well, I don’t have any ideas right now. But if I do think of one, I’ll be sure to tell you.
A while back, you had asked how many calories a TLC had. I kept forgetting to write and tell you. So here it is: The serving size is two bars (2 bars per pack, 6 packs per box), 180 calories per serving.
Hope that helps! 
Oh, and I am having an apron giveaway at my blog.
Blessings,
Miss Emily Rose
I tend to buy things online when the companies e-mail me about promotions they are having. One of my favorites is free shipping. Lands End is frequently doing free shipping deals, and when we receive e-mails about them we always check out their site and see if anything catches our fancy. Honestly, shipping expenses are the biggest reason I decide not to buy something online.
Also, I would suggest changing things on your website often. Fresh looks, pictures, items, so that people will check back often and, therefore, be more inclined to purchase something. I like it when companies change what’s on clearance pretty often and then send out e-mails alerting people to the changes. If your site doesn’t change often, I don’t look often.
So, those certainly aren’t any groundbreaking tips, but I hope they are a little helpful! I’ll comment again if I come up with anything more original.
P.S. I love your “Look book” on the website and think that you should add more pictures to it, perhaps making it more seasonal.
you gals are raking in some killer ideas! Thank you!
How about clothing styled from the ww2 period? With a modern twist so that it is completely wearable in everyday activities? I would love some more skirts that are just below the knee, paticularly A- line and the tierd broomstick look.
Also, for something really different, I would love to see messenger/computer bags that have E.T. lines on them. Hope that doesn’t all sound too silly. I guess none of these ideas are exactly activites or any special but, were some ideas I had in my head.
Thanks,
Beth
I agree with Alison’s idea! Free shipping is a great way to bring in the customers
I would totally put a Christa Taylor bumper sticker on my car!!!
Would be awesome to have a seminar on starting your own biz. in the fashion world. Or learning design and styling tips. How to create our own modest/modern clothing. Discuss what it takes to become an E.T. etc.
:o)
I would love to see casual clothing for ladies between the young look and the elderly look! I also benefit from seeing different outfit styles put together on one page with an option to purchase the items to get the look.
I would love to see long, simple trouser skirts…(long like in 39″-40″ long). If I found a company that sold those for a reasonable price, and had classics (like denim and khaki) as well as cute/pretty fabrics, I’d buy every style/color they had!
I also like the idea of free shipping that other posters have suggested.
I think the main thing is getting your name out there. I have never heard of you. In fact, I am not even sure how I got to your blog (I know it was a link on another blog that I liked, but I am not sure why I clicked on the link).
You could run a contest to Get Known! Maybe a discount or something like a $25 to $50 GC for the person who brings the most hits to your site.
IN FACT, I came to your blog, did not know what the C-T.com web site you were talking about was (c-t.com is NOT a web site by the way), and spent about 3 minutes searching on your blog trying to figure out what the web site you were talking about was, so I would know what you were selling, so I could give you an idea.
So first thing would be to put a link to your store in this post! LOL!! And put the whole name (not just C-T.com) for those who are coming to your blog for the first time.
I would also contact other blog owners (like Biblicalwomanhood by Crystal http://biblicalwomanhoodblog.blogspot.com/) who can add you to their link of modest clothing links. You can google “modest clothing links” and possibly find other blogs which have such lists.
IN FACT Crystal, if you send her a free sample or two, will run a contest for you on HER blog (which gets TONS of hits). She talks about the product, encourages people to go to your BUSINESS web site (not the blog, although she might mention you have a blog too), then the person comments on her post about which outfit THEY would want to buy (which means they are looking through your clothes to pick one). The winner can win a GC to your store (whatever amount you choose).
You can also consider selling patterns (with the personal use ONLY, not for selling products made using the pattern). I know that in this economy, we are making more and more of our own clothes rather than buying pre-made.
HTH! Good luck!!
Paula does have a point. If it weren’t for a link to your site years ago on the Rebelution that I think your sister, Kelly, posted, I wouldn’t have a clue you existed. What about some kind of sidebar add that could be posted on blogs of people who support what your company stands for? The blog sphere of Christian, modest, young ladies is so huge that surely that would help get the word out.
1. Modest formals are SO hard to find. I’ve had to be creative and alter immodest ones.
2. Casual yet feminine and pretty, long, warm skirts. That is what I need most in the winter, and is the hardest thing for me to find.
3. I ditto Beth on the swing inspired style clothing.
What about plus-sized clothes? You are leaving out the bigger girls and women.
I was coming down here to suggest offering plus size clothes too. But I see Mary, who commented above me already suggested that!
Your clothes are really cute and I like to wear skirts…but don’t much…because I can never find nice, sweet, appropriate, modest ones in my size!
:o)
Katy
You gals are all so kind to proffer your advice- I will be taking it all seriously.
Question for you Katy/Mary what qualifies as plus size? 1X, 2X, 3X?
Women’s sizes are usually 14W-24W or 1X, 2X or 3X
A 14W is like a 16 in misses, or like a rounder size 14!
It is hard for me to find pants as my waist is large and to fit it the pants are huge in the legs. Tailoring is expensive. And I hate elastic waists!
All great ideas!….
I would love to see some new clothes with a slightly retro twist. I love the styles of the turn of the century, the World Wars, the 20s and the 50s, and have often wished that they were replicated a little in clothing now.
Spicing up your website and sending out emails are great ideas, even if they are extra work…
Having a design contest would be really, really fun!
Wow! It’s a lot of fun reading through these comments. Some people have all the creativity…
I just wanted to reiterate what someone said about updating the Lookbook. I love the photos there–they’re really classy–but maybe if there were more pictures showing different outfit combinations. For instance, sometimes in womens magazines they show how to dress up and dress down a certain shirt. (i.e. Convert a blouse from work to casual to dressy). That’d be really helpful, I think and keep C-T customers back to check the site consistently.
Another thing–I think people who buy from C-T would *love* to spread the word about it. I’d definitely want to buy a T-shirt–so long as it has an interesting design. I wouldn’t really care for the rhinestones though.
Ditto the t-shirts(without rhinestones, probably).
How about contacting places like Focus on the Family and those radio programs. They need to hear about you and your wonderful clothes. They are always bemoaning that girls and women don’t have ways to look like girls and women. You have such wonderful items! Maybe even try your local tv station. They will think you are a ‘novelty’ and you might even get picked up by the national stations.
I echo the statements about the lookbook - I love seeing pictures of beautiful modest outfits for inspiration!
I would love to see a full-length denim skirt . . . when designed elegantly, they are so classy, but so often I can only find frumpy-looking ones.
I’d also personally appreciate a line of less expensive clothing - I know that’s difficult for a smaller company like yours is, but I often find myself seeing something I like on your site and trying to find a cheaper version somewhere else! I’m not sure if that is at all practical, though
You are doing amazing things, Christa, and as a mini-fashionista myself, I so appreciate your beams of light in a corrupt and confused industry.
Dear Christa! I absolutely love your ambition and all the faith you have exercised in starting up your fashion business. Totally wonderful!!!
Have you ever considered going into some, currently, “trendy” notions in your industry, specifically “green” notions. I know that there are a lot of people looking for beautiful clothes that are made of natural fibers and/or “organic” cotton, etc.
Also, what about having girls set up shop around the country, instead of having an online-only business. I know that for myself, I mostly buy from clothing boutiques around my area where I can try on stuff, return it easily….and I just like the old fashioned “walk-around” shopping, it’s more personal. And locally owned “modest-fashion” stores would bring more like-minded women together, making us a stronger “shopping/selling force”? Anyway, hope these things are interesting ideas!
Check out these “greenish” sites:
http://www.myrebe.com and http://www.passengerpigeon.ca
With love! Emily
P.S. Do you hire?
Ditto on the full length denim skirts! You’ve offered some cute ones in the past, I’d like to see them continued. I need denim skirts like most folks need jeans.
I LOVE the shop idea that Emily brought up.
Do you have an affiliate program?
Yay for denim skirts! I just confirmed our newest designs in the denim skirt department- they will be released December-January.
We launch our affiliate program next week
It would be nice to see some longer skirts.. maybe midcalf-ankle in length. Here is another suggestion.. how about something more fancy, that would be good for something like going to a fancy dinner party or something…
Just wanted to say that I love all the ideas and that I would be interested in a tshirt as well
Also, like several people have mentioned, I just stumbled across your site by accident one day, so getting your name out there would be a good idea.
So you think I should run with the t-shirt idea?
I’ll draw up some ideas and you guys can vote on the one you like the best.
I’m all for spreading the ET message, as I’m sure we all are.
love the t-shirt idea!!!!!! we need to get you promoted more!!!!
also, agree with the larger sizes…. I know I’m more likely to buy it if I think it might fit me in the right places =)
~Corey
Oooh! What if customers received a free C-T t-shirt with a purchase of at least $___(insert appropriate amount)?
How about a design contest? You could have various ladies submit ideas and offer a grand prize and some runners up. It would work especially well if you were wanting to kick off a new line (i.e. formals or plus size). Maybe you could even include some kind of a writing element like: Why is modest clothing important to you? What makes this outfit you’ve designed special? etc.
You could get some great new ideas and maybe even find a new design assistant!
Hope those ideas help! I love you blog and you clothes.
When I ordered from your site and found a return envelope enclosed for returns, I was pleased as I hadn’t realized that you would pay for shipping returns. This could be a great marketing tool- I know zappos.com advertises their free return shipping. just an idea!
I third the idea of WWII inspired clothing (with more of an English flair to it, rather than American…) !! I am so in love with that era. =)
Another idea, Christa… would you ever consider designing jeans/pants? Have you at all? It takes me such a while to find my ‘perfect’ jeans. You know, the ones that fit right everywhere!! I find that things will fit fine everywhere except around the rear and the front. I hate when I see girls with ledges (myself included!)… you know when it makes that lovely ‘ledge’ around your tush… lol. Yuck!!! I still have yet to find my ideal jeans.
I really appreciate all your work on such GOOD clothing!! I love having resources that inspire me in my fashion (which I absolutely love) and still retain my self-respect. =) I’ll keep thinking!!
Blessings!
I think you should go with the T-shirt idea. I know they tend to be more casual, but everyone owns a least a few (and one of them should be an ET shirt :)). I don’t wear a lot of pants, but will sometimes pair a T-Shirt with a denim skirt. When you wear T-Shirts and there is writing on them, people are going to read them. I know I always do, but then I was in the retail industry for years. Your clothing line is very classy and tailored and timeless and I did not suggest T-Shirts “bring down” your quality, but it is an inexpensive marketing tool that can put your name out quickly. I can see a vintage type silhouette of a woman (with your clothing design of course) with “I’m an ET…” (on front) and “Empowered Traditionalist” on the back. Have the silhouette’s only color be red shoes. :). The first time I visited your site via your sister’s site, I saw the description you had for an ET, I was immediately hooked. Anyway, when you send out a package, maybe include that statement in with it.
Man, If I knew you guys had so many good ideas I would have asked a lot sooner.
We are developing the Et-shirt idea and will bring a couple designs for you gals to critique. But I have a few other things to work on first…so bear with me.
Hey Christa,
First off, all your clothes are awesome. I haven’t found a modest clothing website in….let’s just say a long time. I know I’m young, but how about a t-shirt that says “Love your neighbor as yourself.”? And then on the back you can have the scripture Mark 12:31. The reason I suggested it, is because I find a lot of people find it hard to love their neighbor ans there selves. It’s a suggestion. If I think of any more I let you know.
Serving Him,
Alexis
I “4th” or whatever the swing-era/WWII clothing idea! I love that era, too! I’m so glad so many of you gals do, too. I had no idea! One of my favorite parts of the new Narnia movies was getting to see what outfits the girls and women were wearing.
I think the T-shirt idea is a wonderful idea and I would so wear one. Would you consider spelling out “Empowered Traditionalist,” though, rather than just E.T.? I wouldn’t want people to think I was promoting extraterrestrials.
Oh–I forgot. I agree, that more lookbook pictures would be wonderful, too. I think suggestions on different ways to put your clothing/accessories together make people more likely to buy when they see how versatile your products are.
How about a design contest? You could offer some sort of a prize and recieve multiple new ideas. It would be especially great for kicking off a new line like formals or plus-size.
We’ve thought about the design contest in the past and really want to move forward with it, but we want to really be sure of our manufacturing process before venturing something that complicated.
But you’re right, I can see that generating a lot of publicity (especially with you girls who share my love for vintage fashions)