If you want conventional results, think conventionally and you’ll get them. However, if you want exceptional results, you’re going to have to explore nonconformity. In other words, if you’re trying to stand out in the world of ecommerce home furnishings, thinking outside the box to market your online furniture store will get you there. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Zag When Everyone Else Zigs
Of course all of the players in your space have websites, but how many of them have a branded app to automate some aspect of the home décor process? Better still, how many of them are thinking of logically alternative places in which to advertise the existence of said application? Sure, they all advertise on decorating websites and home lifestyle websites. But when you think about it, people buying homes and moving into new apartments are the ones most likely to need new or additional furnishings.
Advertise your app as a home decorating tool on real estate sites and apartment rental sites. Partner with real estate agents and leasing agents to offer new homeowners and tenants an exclusive discount when they use your application. In other words, look for logical places to be, where your competition isn’t going. When everyone else zigs — zag. This moves you beyond the cluttered spaces in which everyone in your business is trying to garner attention.
Put Your Own Twist on a Successful Concept
Rather than sticking with the tried and true methods endemic to the furniture business, look around at what marketers in other industries are doing to see what you might be able to apply to yours. For example, Marshalls looked at the boards of its Pinterest followers, then had YouTube and social influencers deliver items from their lists to their homes. The company captured the reactions of the recipients, posted them to social media and it became the marketing campaign known as Marshalls Pinpals. Think of ways your business can tweak and apply this type of idea.
Seek New Solutions to Traditional Problems
As you’re considering how to start a furniture store, finding new solutions to the drawbacks of selling furniture online and basing your marketing around them will set you apart from your competitors. An outstanding example of this in the furniture business is the “mattress in a box” concept. One of the most difficult pieces of furniture to ship, the sheer size of a mattress makes it real burden. Companies now offer compression machines capable of drawing all of the air out of a mattress, which reduces the size and makes it less costly to ship. The air seeps back when the mattress is removed from the box, returning it to its original size. This will also work for comforters, pillows and other bulky air-filled items. Ideas like this one will give you a unique selling position to exploit.
Think Outer Space
Treat every idea like a good idea when you’re thinking outside the box to market your online furniture store. Write every thought down and give each one serious consideration. What might at first seem to be the most ridiculous notion could well turn out to be the best idea you’ve ever had. Go beyond the norm when brainstorming—think in “outer space.” After all, if you aim for the cosmos and fall short you could land on a cloud of your very own. If your dreams are “grounded” in reality, you’ll always be on the ground—with everybody else.
