how to get shop owners to take advantage of TQS

[View My TQS Profile sewcrazeee]

Hello, Ladies,

This is the first time in over a year that I've had a chance to stop in to see what's happening here at TQS. By way of introduction, I'd like to tell you my name is Ramona Moreland, and I own a quilt shop, Chester County Quilting. I was among the first dozen owners to post my shop here on the TQS three yers ago when I first opened. I'm tech-savvy, and recommended this website to many of my customers when it first when live. Now, since my business has grown, I don't have the time to spend cruising online forums like I used to, but I would love to share my experiences as a shop owner who has done exactly what each of you has mentioned in this thread:

1. Very few of my quilting customers have even heard of TQS, let alone been here. You would be very surprised at how advertising-resistant many people are.

2. The few customers who have visited TQS have not returned because having full access to this website costs money that they'd rather spend on fabric and notions. I know each of you (and Ricky and Alex, too) think that the subscription price is worth every penny, but not everyone is in agreement. This is even more true in today's tight economy.

3. Others who did pay at first have let their subscriptions drop, myself included. Now I've discovered that I can't search the shop listing to make sure I'm still listed. That's not cool! So, what use is the search function if you have to pay first? There are plenty of free sites out there.

4. I have NEVER had a customer - in three years! - come into my shop and tell me that they found me through TQS. Not once! And trust me, I ask all the time how people have found out about my shop. I've added my shop name and info to literally dozens of websites all over the internet - for free! I target the local guilds directly. I pay to advertise (successfully) in Quilter's Newsletter and direct mail via my own shop newletter. However, word of mouth is by far and away the most vaulable advertising anyone could hope for, trust me! Even my local newspaper was a bust.

Now, knowing what you know from my shop owners' perspective, how much more time and money would you continue to devote to the TQS advertising angle, or any other avenue that obviously isn't working?

I hope I don't sound negative. I'm hoping you would like to hear a shop owners' side to the comments made in this thread. The bottom line - when you realize something isn't working for you, you eventually need to move on. Ladies, have a great day. I'm off to cut 160 kits... Did I mention I love owning a quilt shop????

[View My TQS Profile kfstitcher]

Hi Ramona, I checked and you are still listed. Looks like a cute shop too. Maybe the more important feature than searching for shops as far as business, would be all the ideas to start new projects we get from the shows. Quilters who watch them would come to you looking for fabric, books and new products. Karen

[View My TQS Profile PDQuilt]

Unfortunately, many fabric shop owners are not known for their marketing savvy. They "don't like Ricky". REALLY. Too bad for them, since Ricky is not only one of the most talented quilters of our day, but a marketing genious. Alex too!!! Am I the only one so impressed with TQS and how it's not only survived, but evolved -into the most important on-line quilting site on the web? I'm sure I am not! And I doubt a quilt shop can survive with only their chicken and bunny quilts, or whatever they feature. Sheesh!

[View My TQS Profile snowplow3840]

I travel at least six months out of every year and wherever we go, I check the TQS search for quilt shops in the area and frequent them whenever I can. I always tell the owner or the staff if I have found them through TQS. And whenever I want to go to a shop that is not listed, I make a point to mention the benefits of joining and being listed. Some listen and some don't. I have been a member since the beginning of TQS and I have gained so much from my membership. I would not trade my membership for anything. I have learned a lot, met new people and made new friends. I will be at IQF in Houston with people from England, Norway and many US states. Where else could you gain this much for these few dollars? I am sorry if you have not gotten the benefit for your shop but if I were a shop owner, I would not give up. Maybe we do not travel your way but you never know, I could be there soon. And I spend a lot!!!!! Ann, the traveling TQS member

[View My TQS Profile GloriaH]

TQS has always encouraged utilization of the local quilt shop. I shop in the shoppe for things I see and like in the shows but pop down the block on a Saturday in my sweats to pick up a yard or seven of something I need right NOW. I loved quilting from the time I started doing it but I would never have grown the way I have if not for TQS. My local quilt shop has certainly benefited from this growth. My 2 cents. Gloria

[View My TQS Profile liiddz]

Hello Ramona, Does your shop host a guild? how about posting any local events in the events tab? Are you mushroom country? My Sister lives in Chester County and I visit her regularly.

[View My TQS Profile florence]

My wish: that there would be a search that would "map out" quilt & fabric shops along a particular route... at least along the interstates (within maybe 30 miles or so). I'd love to be able to plan detours to quilt shops, and have done so, but it's difficult & time-consuming to search each state we're traveling thru, figure out where in the state the shops are, etc.
Our LQS is probably less than 2 miles from I95, and would be a perfect stop for anyone who's just traveled around DC!

Also, I've found fabric stores that won't list themselves on quilt shop searches, b/c they don't consider themselves a quilt store-- they sell more than cotton, and maybe they don't do quilting classes, etc. It'd be great if there were a way to include these as well. When I'm traveling I'm not signing up for a class!
Oh well, that's all in my dream world...

So, I think Chester, PA is near Philly? I'll be driving up 81 to Scranton at the end of the month....

Florence

[View My TQS Profile liiddz]

Florence, Chester County is near Philly..I81 is a ways away but where there's a will....