Now’s the time for new challenges and to get started on things you might have been putting off!
We decided to launch a social media experiment – the #PrintfulChallenge. It’s a 30-day ecommerce challenge designed to give your store a lift.
Challenges range from sharing fun social media content to practical things you can do for your ecommerce store that’ll be helpful in the long run. The goal is to get motivated and getting things done in small, manageable steps.
If your store has fallen by the wayside or you’re looking for a motivational boost, then take part! Post a photo of each challenge to Facebook or Instagram (or both!) and use #PrintfulChallenge. We’ve outlined each challenge in more detail – read more!
Day 1: Share a behind-the-scenes photo
Share a photo of your workspace, the coffee shop where you take your breaks, your favorite energy-boosting snack, or the place you go when you need inspiration.
It’s up to you – show us a behind-the-scenes photo of what an average work day looks like for you!
#outfitoftheday, #saturdayswag, #photooftheday, #stylegram… Take your pick and post!
Day 3: Update a product description
Product descriptions are a key point of sale for an online store. Your customers can’t touch or try on your products online like they can at a brick-and-mortar store. So it’s your job to write a stellar product description that calms any doubts and makes your customer say, “Yes, I need this NOW!”.
So pick a product and write up a new description from scratch. Maybe pick one that hasn’t been selling well – an improved description can help turn that around! Or maybe there’s an older product that could use some love. Â
If you need more advice on what to write, then you’ll find it in this blog post.
Day 4: Post a flat-lay photo
These are super trendy right now, and fairly easy to create!
Day 5: Run a Facebook ad campaign
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a return on Facebook ads.
Try running a $5 campaign with the goal to get people to subscribe to your email list. A small investment from you now can lead to bigger profits later. Use the emails you get from your ad to send promotional deals and updates about your products (see the challenge for Sept 24th!).
Day 8: Experiment with posting times on social media
The time you post on social media matters. It’s one of the factors that dictates how much engagement your post gets. If you share a post when no one in your audience is online, you probably won’t get much traction.
So experiment with different days and times to post. You might be surprised by what you find. Here are some blogs you can read about it:
Tip: Add a call to action in your packing slips asking your customers to share their photos on social media and tag you.
Day 10: Reach out to an influencer in your niche
Send a free sample, comment on their Instagram posts, or tag them in one of your posts! Try to build a relationship and make yourself known. A mention from an influencer can go a long way.
Day 11: Take a new product photo
Product photos go hand-in-hand with the description in nabbing sales. It’s the closest your customers get to actually touching and feeling your products.
It’s a great idea to post photos with someone actually wearing them. Post in different angles at a high resolution so customers can zoom in. If there’s anything specific you want to draw attention to (like a detail in stitching or in your design), then post a zoomed-in photo of that.
Basically, be your customer’s eyes – show them every angle of your products and how it looks in real life. So pick one product and create new photos.
Tip: Use a site like Placeit (affiliate link, read more here) to get lifestyle mockups and videos you can use!
Who doesn’t love paying less for something they want, amirite?
Offer your customers a 10% (or more!) deal. Create a pop-up and offer a discount in exchange for their email address. Your customer walks away with a discounted product, and you grow your email list. Win-win!
Tip: We suggest MaxTraffic (affiliate link, read more here) or Nosto to get this done
Day 13: Create a Boomerang
Another Instagram trend that’s popping up everywhere! Create your own in a matter of seconds.
Day 14: Update your About Us page
Today’s consumers aren’t interested in buying stuff that’s bulk manufactured at big box stores. They want to buy products with meaning from independent businesses with a story.
And if you’re a relatively unknown brand that’s just starting out, you need to show customers that you’re a legit company. There’s a person behind your brand, and you should convince customers why they want to buy from you.
Take a look at your About Us page and give it an update (or create one if you don’t have one already!). Be personable. Tell your customers who you are, why you’re doing what you’re doing, and why they should be loyal to your brand.
Day 15: Write an abandoned cart email
Shoppers abandon their carts all the time. Whether the shipping price surprised them, they got distracted, or just got cold feet, there’s plenty of reasons why it happens. But one thing’s for sure: it’s extremely frustrating for online store owners.
That’s why it’s important to send emails reminding these customers of their purchase. They were so close to buying, so maybe all they need is a little nudge to get back to it.
Tweak your messaging to motivate them to buy:
Offer a discount or free shipping as extra incentive
Appeal to their emotions
Create a sense of urgency (almost sold out, get it before the holidays)
You can take a look at your platform’s app store for tools you can use for this! Again, we recommend Nosto.
Day 16: Share your fave blog post
Sharing is caring, so post your favorite blog post that relates to your niche.
Day 17: Join a Facebook Group or online forum
Use the networking power of the world wide web to your advantage. Check out relevant ecommerce or t-shirt printing forums and groups. It can be a great place to post your questions, network, and help other entrepreneurs.
Tip: Printful has a group for other Printful-ers! Check us out.
Day 18: Do a flash sale
Run a sale or promotion for a limited time only. Creating a sense of urgency is a huge incentive for people to buy. And if they know they’ll have lower prices for a limited time, they’ll be more motivated to act.
Take a look at your margins and figure out how much you can offer. For example, you could do 25% off for 24 hours, or offer free shipping for a limited time.
Day 19: Do one thing you’ve been procrastinating
As Mark Twain said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s better to eat the biggest one first.”
Well sometimes, no matter how much you should, you just don’t want to do that one task. You know that eating the frog and getting it over with is good for you in the long run, but ugh.
This challenge is for that one task you’ve been putting off for a while. Today you suck it up and get it done!
Day 20: Take a selfie wearing one of your products
Take a selfie with one of your products. Post it and show your audience how your awesome products look in real life!
Day 21: Listen to a podcast
Podcasts are all the rage right now and there are so many that are useful for business owners. Listen to a new one and if you like it, subscribe and listen every week!
Day 24: Send a promo email of your best-selling product
Email is still one of the most effective ways to get your message in front of your customers.
Send your email list a promo with some of your bestselling products. Now that fall is here, you could promote hoodies, hats, mugs, and other seasonal apparel.
Take a look at these blog posts for tips on email marketing and growing your list:
Aside from being pretty to look at, mood boards are also an inspirational source for new ideas. Collect images of ideas you can try in the future, aesthetics you want to emulate, or just stuff that makes you happy.
Then the next time you’re lost, stuck, or have a rainy day, take a look at your mood board for some inspiration.
Day 26: Write a new message on your packing slip
With Printful, you can add a custom message to your packing slips for your customers to read (Go to Stores -> Edit -> Packing Slip). It’s free, and you have 300 characters to write directly to the person opening your order.
Update your message or write one if you don’t already! Here are some ideas:
Offer a discount code for their next purchase (repeat customers are key!)
Encourage them to share photos on social media
Ask them to review your products
Thank them for their purchase
Remember that a little personalization can go a long way!
Day 27: Upsell your products
All online store owners should master the art of the upsell. That is, showing your customers related or cheaper products to get them to come back for more.
Use apps like Nosto to show related and recommended products. Or try offering free shipping above a certain price threshold, then upsell with a cheaper product so they qualify.
Day 28: Brainstorm new design ideas
Bust out your sketchbook and get coloring! Brainstorm new design ideas you can try for a rainy day. You never know when your next big hit will pop in your head.
Day 29: Browse support emails for feedback
Testimonials are huge in boosting conversions. They’re social proof – potential customers can see that other people have already bought your product. It builds trust and legitimacy for you as a business.
Comb through your support emails and reviews. If you find a customer had a pleasant experience or left a good review somewhere, reach out to them and ask if they’d be willing to write you a testimonial for your store.
Tip: Adding the person’s name and photo adds legitimacy to the testimonial.
Day 30: Plan the rest of your year
Take note of upcoming holiday seasons and spending events so you’re prepared! You don’t want to be caught off-guard, stay on top of your game.Â
Hopefully, this challenge got your gears moving, gave you new ideas to try out, and got you motivated.
Nora has been part of the Printful team since 2015. She has spent the last several years writing content, coordinating communications projects, and helping customers learn about ecommerce. Now as Printful's Brand Manager, she gets to use her experience and knowledge in new and challenging ways.
Nora has been part of the Printful team since 2015. She has spent the last several years writing content, coordinating communications projects, and helping customers learn about ecommerce. Now as Printful's Brand Manager, she gets to use her experience and knowledge in new and challenging ways.
