Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: Challenge Excuses Are Lame
On July 29, I posted about the second iteration of The Jaftex Facebook Live Shop Tour Video Challenge. I know that I am going to hear lots of excuses as to why people won’t be submitting a video, so I am going to debunk those excuses right here and now and recycle a post that I wrote for last year’s contest. I hope I can convince you to change your mind before August 30th, 2019 when the contest ends.
I keep asking myself, “Why wouldn’t a shop owner want to create a video and be a part of the challenge and the fun?” And in my brain there are reasons and excuses that I could conjure up if I were a timid shop owner, but all they really are is excuses. To be honest, excuses are lame to me. Here are a few with my retorts to those excuses:
- “I never taped a Facebook live.” Ok, either did I, until I did. I too was very afraid. And, I didn’t know anything about it at first either. My first video was poor at best, but I did it and have gained more confidence with each video that followed (and I hope they have improved too). Also, know that you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help or advice. Talk to family members, friends or customers who might be able to help you put together a video that you can be proud about. Or just go on to google and put in how to create a Facebook live and you will be amazed at how much help is out there. The people at Facebook are very smart and they have made this super easy for all of us. Dive right in, but don’t put your head in the sand and think this is going away because social media is here to stay and I am going to keep nagging you too. The sooner that you embrace it, the sooner you will reap the rewards.
- “I don’t have time for that.” It’s August and things are a little quieter in many shops. You mean to tell me that you can’t open up an hour in your schedule to do a video? Don’t sell yourself short. This is an investment like most of the other investments you make in your business. Why would you want to make it that the only way for people to see your shop is by having to drive to you? Welcome to this amazing new technological world that we live in. Think about the possibilities of showing your shop to the entire world of quilters….millions. Transport them to your beautiful store and welcome them with open arms and beautiful Jaftex Fabrics.
- “No one wants to see me on video.” As I have said before, this isn’t about the acting or anything like that. We know you aren’t a famous actor or actress. We know you didn’t take theater in High School. We accept you for who you are and we love that you have a quilt shop to share with us. The people want to see the content and learn what makes your shop special. It’s about your CONTENT. Show us all your pretties, pretty please.
- “This video stuff is silly.” I would bet that the majority, if not all who participated in the contest last year, have had some sort of positive feedback from entering the challenge and don’t think this contest is silly. I would also be willing to bet that some have had even more meaningful and very positive experiences. Do any shop owners who submitted videos for the contest last year have info to share? Please share. Thank you!
- “My shop isn’t worth showing.” To that, I say, let the world be the judge of that. Stop selling yourself short. Moreover, if you think your shop isn’t worth showing, maybe this is the nudge (I was going to say kick in the a–!) you needed to change things up and make it worth showing. Your shop should be a source of pride every single day when you walk into it. If it isn’t, you need to deal with that right away.
- “It’s too late to win the contest as others got a head start on me.” This isn’t about winning the contest. As I have said all along, this is a win, win, win for the entire industry….consumers, designers, shop owners, fabric companies, etc. This is exposure to entice people into sewing and quilting, buying from you and learning about what you have to offer. The prize is just a token of my appreciation for promoting Jaftex fabrics and a way to get people’s competitive juices flowing. I need to get yours flowing too….so don’t make it only about the prize, make it about the abundance of rewards you will reap from today on.
I am sure there are loads of other excuses going through the non-participants mind’s at this time, but I beg of you all to take a leap of faith with me and all those supportive consumers…..just make the video. I promise that you will feel really good that you stepped out of your comfort zone to do the right thing for your business and your livelihood.
Stop the delaying and just do it as there are still plenty of days left. I don’t want you to be kicking yourself in September about not having participated.
To all non-shop owners, thank you so much for your great support of the challengers and the entire challenge. Thank you also for your continued support in spreading the word about the contest and sharing with all your friends. Please don’t give up until the month is over as the show must go on and we must keep spreading the fabric love.
Have a great week everyone and thank you for your continued support of the quilt shops, the industry, me and all the Jaftex Companies.
Scott The Host Of The Jaftex Facebook Live Video Tour Challenge #2
@jaftexpresident
15 Comments
Catherine
I don’t get it… I mean I really, really, really don’t understand why a store would not participate in this challenge? I’m not a store owner, so maybe there is an obvious reason that I am overlooking… but as a beginner quilter this makes no sense to me at all! Isn’t passing on this opportunity the equivalent of saying, “hey world, don’t worry about me, I’m not interested in any additional sales…no free advertising needed here”?
I live in Nova Scotia where quilt shops are pretty much non-existent. We have one great store, Quilts by The Bay, which is 150 miles away, in a little town with a population of about 3000. I would not have discovered that store without Facebook. That little store is up to 53.6k views!! I would think it would be amazing what this kind of exposure could do for shops. Maybe they don’t do online sales, and they think they have already covered the market in their area…. but what about all the folks who travel?! They really don’t care if we know about them? I’ve somehow talked my husband into a road trip to Missouri Star in October…. and based on the videos I’ve seen in this challenge, I guarantee we won’t be taking a direct route! I’m sure there are 20 stores on my list that I didn’t know existed before this. I know I’m not the only quilter who plans a route based on stores they want to see!
Sorry for the long comment! What I really wanted to say was Thank You for this great challenge! The challenge may not be for the consumer, but we certainly benefit from all the videos, so it’s a big win for us too!
Scott Fortunoff
Thanks for the comment Catherine. In my mind, there are lots of reasons for people not to participate including fear of being in front of the camera or fear of using technology. Those are two easy ones, but I am sure there are more.
At the end you mention that the challenge isn’t for you, which it isn’t, but I would be sure to check out the blog I posted today and learn about the latest contest I have going on for consumers.
scott
Barbara Esposito, TheQuiltedB
Hi Scott – I love the way you stir up the industry and although I am not a shop owner, I think that anyone who would not take advantage of this wonderful idea is, well, crazy! Keep on stirrin’ the pot, Scott!
Scott Fortunoff
I am trying barb. Thanks!
xxoo
scott
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Alicia,
That might get a little out of hand, but thanks for the suggestion.
Glad you are enjoying the videos.
have a great week.
Scott
Dean Mast
This has been a fantastic opportunity, and after finding out how easy this was, we will definitely be producing more videos in the future. We have a staff person who heard us talking about Scott’s Facebook video challenge and offered to do it. We had no idea that she had the wherewith all to make a video. If she wasn’t sure how to do something, she just Googled it, and found YouTube videos that gave her the instructions on how to proceed. We’re hoping to embed a video on our website in the future.
We have added more than 300 new followers to our Facebook page in the past week alone, and feel that that this sudden increase directly relates to the Challenge. I think we can probably track some new Kaffe Fassett fabric online traffic and sales to it, too! Just icing on the cake!
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Dean,
Thank you for confirming that the challenge has paid off for your. I appreciate that very much and I sure how shop owners take your word for it and follow suit. We shall see. You have a great week my new friend.
Regards,
Scott
Maritza Farr
Owners can contact local high schools about technology clubs that may want to help with the video and posting. Students will sometimes get credit for the work. Just a thought.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Maritza,
This is a great idea. Thanks.
Scott
Terri
I am a consumer, and I love to see shops around the country. The only quilt magazines that I buy are the shop hop editions because I love seeing other shops, especially the quilts hanging on the wall. I would think doing a FB video would only be beneficial.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Terri,
Glad you are enjoying and thank you for the encouragement. Let’s hope that I get a mad rush over the next week and a half. Have a great day.
Regards,
Scott
Nancy Hooper
As an online shop owner, I’m not eligible to participate, even though I’d love to! To you brick-and-mortar shop owners, I urge you to get your videos in! Think of those of us who traval–for whatever reason. What’s the second thing we look for after lodging or a campsite? QUILT SHOPS IN THE AREA! Help us know where you are and reel us in!
Scott Fortunoff
Good Morning Nancy,
Actually, as an online retailer you are entitled to participate as long as you have something meaningful to show. Thanks for your support in any case.
Have a great week.
Scott
Michelle Tothill
Nancy, I was the camera operator for Troll Brothers Quilt Designs. She has an online shop she operates out of her home. The video (August 9th) is definitely homemade, but has given her lots of exposure she would not otherwise had.
Yes, you can participate and for those of us who shop online it brings your shop to our attention.
The thing about online shops is that you do not exist unless people know about you. It is not like a bricks and sticks shop that people drive by, or can stop into on their way to another destination. Online shops are where we shop in our PJ’s often after the business of the day is over. We have more time to browse and our cc may have been loosened by a glass of wine. You may have the yard of fabric that I need to finish our project, but if I do not know about you, I will never find it.
I have gone to the websites of most the shops that have been featured on the videos. I have liked them on FB and followed some on Instagram. I am pinning them on a Google Map for future trips. I may never get to the shops in Florida (unless I go on a cruise), but ones in Washington State or Oregon and Ca, yup I will probably visit them in the next couple years. The ones between where I live on the West Coast of Canada and Hamilton Missouri will definitely be visited on next years road trip.
Back to your online shop, please participate, you may just have the fabric, notion, pattern or thread I need for a current or future project. Or the one another quilter is looking for.
Michelle
Kara Benavides
Hear! Hear! What Michelle Tothill said! I didn’t even realize that Troll Brothers was an online store. But I have liked them, bookmarked them, trolled through their goods, and been enticed by them. I also have plans to buy from them (I am one of those consumers). I also have plans to buy from a shop in NY, NY, several in WI, one in Canada and several in TN. They have sold me with their videos. Now, I am only waiting until post-op a foot surgery so I can buy intelligently. And I have told others. And I am excited to have found you all!!!!!!