In a world where art and culture hold a deep emotional and psychological value, antique stores are shining. From canopies, artworks, vases, figurines, and more, antiques hold a value worth more than you can put a price on. As a result, your antique store needs to be heard, seen, and loved. This is where digital marketing strategies for an antique store come into play.
Many affluent customers all over the globe are always in search of antique stores to fulfill their lavish desires. They are constantly in search of that antique store that will bless them with the antiques of a lifetime. If you are an antique dealer, you need to let these customers know about your presence.
However, in today’s world, merely a physical store isn’t enough. As much important it is to stick to basics, it is also important to learn the ways of the dynamic world.
Hence, it is not only important to have your antique store promoted in the traditional means, but also through digital means.
The digital world is continuously evolving. As a result, it may be overwhelming to understand which digital marketing strategies will work for your antique store.
However, you don’t have to worry. I am here with the 5 best digital marketing tips for your antique store. These will surely get you kickstarted and help you be heard, seen, and loved.
So, are you ready? Let’s begin, but first, let me tell you a story.
My Experience With An Antique Store
During my early years as a marketing professional, I had a client who was an antique store owner. She was based a little outside of Poughkeepsie. When I went to her store, it was nothing like you would ever see. She had some beautiful 16th-century vases, 18th-century canopies, and more.
But she was struggling with everything except for her quality antiques. No one knew of her store. Even the people who lived close by didn’t know about it. Her son told her to try out a digital marketing agency so she contacted us and I was the marketing lead.
When I went to meet her with a proposal. She told me, “I am going to be very honest with you, I am doing this for my son. I know digital marketing is the way to go and I am doing it myself and I don’t need a professional for it.”
I looked at her patiently and smiled, then I said “That’s alright ma’am, if you don’t mind can I see what you have been doing as a part of digital marketing for your antique store?”
She brought her phone showed me all the social media apps she had installed. There was Facebook and Instagram. She had a profile on it. It wasn’t a business profile but her own and she had a few pictures without captions or anything. “Digital marketing is basically posting on social media, why should I pay someone else for it when I can do it myself?” She continued.
The Takeaway
So, what did you understand from this little story of mine? Correct, there are a lot of misconceptions related to digital marketing. Especially if you are not some huge corporation and are mostly centered around your business, digital marketing can come across as a concept that you may find unnecessary.
Just like this antique store owner. However, you must understand that digital marketing goes above and beyond the notions, you have in your mind. I explained this to the antique store owner.
So, I briefed her about what all digital marketing truly is about and then made her understand how her store will be on the receiving end of a lot of traffic and customers when everyone starts to know about her store.
Then, I told her about various channels of the digital marketing arena and how they would be beneficial to her store. This way, she understood what digital marketing was actually all about. She then asked me to help her out and her antique store garnered much-needed attention and recognition.
The moral of the story is through understanding what digital marketing is and how it will help an antique store, you can help your store be heard, be seen and be loved.
Now, let me take you to the 5 amazing tips I have for you today. These will help you kick start your digital marketing and give you wings like Redbull gives its customers. So ready? Let’s begin.
5 Digital Marketing Strategies For Antique Store
Laying Down A Website Will Be Like Laying Down A Red Carpet
What do we see before the big Oscars event? We see the red carpet. What happens on the red carpet? The stars dress up and show up and tell us about their outfits, designers, their expectations of the award night, and so on.
This is exactly how your website performs. A website for an antique store will be like its very own red carpet. Here you will be able to give out all the information that your potential customers need under the same roof.
You can have a brief overview of your store, your values, products, prices, requirements, and more. A clear, creative, compatible, concise, and informative website will help drive traffic to your store, both offline and online.
Not only this, but it is also important to continuously update your website. If you have new antiques in the store, they should go to the website too. If you have a very famous antique which is the highlight of your store, that should be the highlight of your website too.
This way, your visibility will reach not just the local audience but on a much grander scale. You will attract clients from all over the world. You just need to lay out the red carpet.
Social Media Marketing Will Give You A Smooth Ride Up
Yes, indeed, digital marketing isn’t just about posting on social media. However, social media is one of the most important aspects of digital marketing strategies for your antique store.
Let’s look at this objectively. Almost everyone is on social media these days. From Facebook to Instagram and Twitter and from World’s biggest and most powerful people to college-going students, everyone is on social media.
This means that social media is a thriving ground for a lot of target customers. As an antique store, a lot of aesthetic value is important for your brand. So, where do you showcase those aesthetics in all their glory? Yes. Social media.
Post pictures of your antiques along with a brief description on the social media channels. Post informative videos about various antiques. Give plenty of information such that the people are intrigued.
Tell a story behind the artwork or an antique that you are showcasing, update about any exhibitions you are going to be a part of, and so on.
It takes a little while to gain popularity, visibility, and reach on social media if you play your cards right. A balance of aesthetics, information, and interaction on social media channels will help your antique store be heard, be seen, and be loved.
Newsletters Will Help Reach You Further
Very recently I was watching a show, it had a quote “Evil is prevalent and vehement”. However, that quote is more fitting for newsletters. Newsletters are prevalent and vehement.
For as long as I can remember, Newsletters have always been very popular amongst the audience. It has always been a way for brands to provide information to the audience about their products and services.
Over time, however, newsletters have become digitalized with brands now sending them out through emails. For marketing strategies of an antique store of-course, newsletter plays a very important role.
Through newsletters, you can give out details of important antiques to your target customers. You can tell them where it has come from, how old it is, what are its unique qualities and when will it be available for auction.
Not only this, you can keep your target audience updated about any membership opportunities. Moreover, if some customers want more information about a particular antique, you can have an option to expand the current information provided.
Not only this, Add a lot of high-quality pictures and make it like a mini e-catalog for your antique store. This way, your newsletter will not only market your antique store but also give the customers what they are looking for, detailed information about the antiques they are seeking.
Collaborate With Influencers For Some Word Of Mouth Marketing
Another one of the most popular and important aspects of digital marketing strategies for an antique store is influencer marketing. If you have seen Emily in Paris, you will know how an influencer can change the way the common audience perceives your brand.
Influencers are opinion leaders, their word of mouth has immense value to their followers. Thus, their word of mouth should have immense value for you as a brand.
Influencers don’t always have to be hot-shot big names who charge a fortune. These days, micro-influencers are rising in popularity as well. You should research and find out who will suit your antique brand the best.
Then you try to get him/her on board. This way not only will the information about your brand reach a significant audience. The interested people will be further become confident because someone they look up to will be vouching for you.
Result? A good promotion for your antique brand.
Ensure You Are Listed On Google My Business
Google my business is one of the most common ways you will be found by your customers. Since your store is set in a place, it is important to attract local customers too.
These days, even local customers will search for you online. Therefore, you need to tell them that you are near them and you are good. Google My Business will help you do that.
By listing your antique store on Google My Business, you will be visible to everyone who is looking for you. For example, let’s say you are an antique store based in Brooklyn. Now, someone from Brooklyn goes to their google search and types, “antique stores near me”.
If you are listed on Google My Business, your name will come on top with details about your contact and any other information and photos you have provided. Moreover, Google doesn’t just let anyone get listed like that.
Google will do a thorough verification. It will send a code to the address you have provided to check its credibility. Only after you add the code to the profile will your listing be activated.
Therefore, the customer will have increased confidence in you as it will trust google. Not only this, but it will also increase local traffic to your antique store as your visibility will be improved locally thanks to Google my business. Sounds like a plan right?
Take A Dive Into The World Of Digital Marketing Today
So there it is. 5 digital advertising strategies for your antique store. Of course, these aren’t exhaustive. The digital marketing world is huge and dynamic.
This means that we have to constantly keep an eye on the trends. Not only this, We have to constantly keep up with those trends. If the website calls for an upgrade, you will have to be on top of it and upgrade it.
If there is a trend going on in social media, become a part of that trend or begin a trend yourself. Moreover, apart from Google my business, you can also get yourself listed on various antique dealer portals. You can also get yourself registered on Yelp.
This way, you have to constantly keep a check on the changing marketing environment and keep up with it. Then, you will be able to make your mark not just locally but globally. Being an antique store, you need the best of both worlds.
Antique lovers are everywhere. So, make sure your digital marketing strategies are targeting both your local and global customers well. This way, you will not only be heard but also be seen and be loved.
That’s it, folks. That was all about the digital marketing strategies for antique stores. If you have some cool tips that you follow, tweet them, mention us and let’s get the conversation started.
However, if you are feeling overwhelmed with all this information. Don’t worry. We are here to help. Feel free to reach out to us anytime and we will take care of digital marketing for your antique store while you do what you are best at, Taking care of the beautiful antiques and owning the antique store.
Until then, take care, stay safe, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Laters.
Some FAQs To Wrap It Up
My Target Customer Is Different, Why Should I Opt For Digital Advertising?
The customers you are targeting are now existing in the digital world. Not only this, the kind of customers you desire is present everywhere and may not be aware of your store. This is why you need digital advertising.
What Can Digital Advertising Do For Me?
With digital advertising, your antique store will become visible to those who are seeking it. Digital advertising has a targeted approach and hence you will meet the customers who are genuinely interested in the antiques that you are offering.
How Much Should I Be Spending On Digital Advertising?
It totally depends on you. You have the liberty to set your budget, your channels, and the location and demographics you will be targeting. With digital advertising, you are in complete control so everything is according to your decision.
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