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Tuesday
April 2, 2013

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2013 - Emerald

Filed under: Wearables

Pantone Color of the Year 2013 - EmeraldI love the color green, and all the shades in between, especially the warmer ones like turquoise and teal. That’s why I was so happy to see that Pantone selected a shade of green — Emerald — as the Pantone Color of the Year for 2013.

How exactly does this affect the promotional products industry? If you deal in apparel, then you know that ASI has its finger on the pulse of fashion trends and our Wearables magazine devotes ink each issue to the hottest hues and how you can use them.

Want to see some cool examples of emerald in action and how to pair it with other hues? Then you don’t want to miss this issue of Wearables Fashion Sense.

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Wednesday
January 16, 2013

3 Tips for Blogging Success

Filed under: Tip of the Day, Wearables

Tips for Blogging SuccessAnyone can start a blog these days, but how can you turn yours into a successful one?

Well, a great start would be to know who your audience is and to deliver useful content to them. Or else, what’s the sense, right?

In a recent Wearables “Business Toolkit” article, well-known industry bloggers like Bobby Lehew (Robyn Promotions) and Mark Graham (Rightsleeve, Inc.) weigh in on how to increase customer loyalty and attract new customers simply by creating and maintaining a valuable blog. Eager to learn more? Then click here! And in the meantime, here are 3 tips for success from prolific blogger Brad White (Boundless Network):

  1. Commit: Writing a blog is not a one-time experience; it is a continuing process. If you don’t have proper time to work on it, don’t do it.
  2. Read blogs: There are some really great blogs out there that can provide good examples.  Don’t copy what they do, but get a feel for how other bloggers approach the craft.
  3. Publicize: Use your existing social media channels to promote the blog, e-mail it to people who would find your content valuable and ask people to share it.
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Tuesday
December 11, 2012

5 Team-Building Tips

Filed under: Tip of the Day, Wearables

Team Building TipsAs a New York sports fan, I know that my teams will never fail because the owners aren’t dishing out tons of dough to high-profile players. The way they perform *as a team* on the fields, rinks and courts determines the success of the team, not the individuals’ performances, which brings me to the subject of today’s blog: Building success through teamwork.

You can have the best people in place, but they have to work well with others in order for success to be achieved. A recent article in Wearables magazine maps out how a communal mentality and team-building exercises can really help achieve your goals as a business, and how to deal with those who don’t play well in the sandbox. Check out this article, “There’s No ‘I’ In Team,” now for more, and in the meantime here are 5 team-building tips.

  1. Clearly communicate the collective goal and the role each employee should play to help the team meet that objective.
  2. Make sure you are engaged and set a positive tone. 
  3. Involve all team members in the decision-making process. This creates more commitment to solutions/plans-of-action from each individual.
  4. Engage in team-building activities and participate together in social events.
  5. Celebrate as a team when goals are achieved and recognize individuals for the roles they played in making the team a success.
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Monday
December 10, 2012

5 Proven Lead Generators

Filed under: Tip of the Day

Cold CallingDid you know: It takes about 100 calls to yield 30 decicion-makers, who after two to four appointments will then yield a new client or deal?

Phew, that seems like a lot and it is, but you’ve got to put in the time if you’re gonna “always be closing” right? But thankfully it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. The current issue of Wearables magazine has some excellent advice on proven lead generators, identifying the perfect client, handling buyer objections and more. Check out this “Sales Buzz” article now, and in the meantime here are 5 proven lead generators to whet your whistle:

  • Cold calling. Knock on doors or pick up the phone. You may start with a gatekeeper but can likely get a name of a decision-maker when you inquire politely.
  • Referrals. Ask for leads from your current clients.
  • Business networking. Join a minimum of two networking groups such as an association in your area of market expertise or your local chamber of commerce.
  • Social networking. People want to work with people with whom they have something in common. Therefore, joining clubs related to your hobbies or getting involved with your child’s PTA can ultimately yield sales leads. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter also serve as socially-driven lead-generation tools.
  • Internet research. Use the Internet to mine for leads in a specific region or industry or for a particular size of business.
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Monday
December 3, 2012

6 Hot Apparel Trends for 2013

Filed under: Tip of the Day

Dress ShirtsJust a few short weeks ago I wrote about the top 12 fashion apparel trends for 2013, as predicted by Wearables magazine. Not to be outdone, Advantages magazine has gone with a similar story in its Apparel Issue for December. Titled “6 Hot Trends For 2013,” this article showcases the 6 apparel pieces that are likely to be big sellers in 2013 and how to sell them. Want to get a head start on 2013? Don’t miss this article. And here are the 6 apparel trends:

  • Hoodies
  • Men’s Dress Shirts
  • Straight Skirts
  • Bold Colors
  • Collared Shirts
  • Golf Gear

BONUS: Here are 5 FREE Fashion Apps to help you succeed

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Wednesday
November 7, 2012

Top 12 Apparel Trends for 2013

Filed under: Wearables

Retro ShadesIn this month’s Wearables’ magazine feature story titled “Top Trends for 2013“, there’s a neat little lead-in that goes something like this: “When the future’s coolest trends echo styles of the past, it means there’s no time like the present to sell them.”

Being a lover of old-fashion style and all things retro — I’m currently trying to bring back love for the ’stache by growing one — I enjoyed reading this article and learning about how what’s old is new again. Want to know what wearables are going to be hot in ‘13? Check out this article now!

And in the meantime, here’s a list of the top 12, including the year they were first popular:

  • Peter Pan Collars (first popular: 1905)
  • Retro Colored Frames (first popular: 1950s)
  • Puff Sleeves (first popular: 1980s)
  • Grunge (first popular: 1991)
  • Double Breasted (first popular: 1860s)
  • Statement Hats (first popular: Newsboy, late 19th C; Mesh, 1960s)
  • Long Coats (first popular: 18th C)
  • Portfolios (first popular: The Renaissance)
  • Turtle-Necks (first popular: 15th C)
  • Crew-Neck Sweaters (first popular: 17th C)
  • Oversize Tops (first popular: 1970s)
  • Brown-Strap Watches (first popular: WWI)
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Wednesday
October 3, 2012

5 Tips for Starting Your Own Business

Filed under: Tip of the Day, Wearables

Start Your Own BusinessThinking about going into business for yourself? It’s certainly not an easy endeavor, but when done correctly can be very rewarding. Just ask Michael Neal Kaufman of Wear It’s At (asi/356021). He made the jump in 1983 and hasn’t looked back.

In this month’s “Business of Wearables” feature, Michael offers five tips on how to succeed with your own business. Click here to get all the detail, and in the meantime here are the 5 basic tips.

  • Start where you’re strongest
  • Know when you need help … and when you don’t
  • Form strong partnerships
  • Hone your system
  • Ride the ups and downs
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Friday
September 14, 2012

5 Highlights of Hoodie History

Filed under: Fun, Tip of the Day

HoodiesThere’s no denying the power of the hoodie. From the classroom to the boardroom, the popular apparel seems to be everywhere. Even my grandmother has one … with bling no less!

This month’s Wearables feature “Hoodie Nation” by Christopher Ruvo drops the knowledge on how you can tap into the sheer awesomeness of this wearable and strike sales gold. Read on for details, and in the meantime enjoy these 5 hoodie pop culture highlights:

  • Yo, Adrian!: When Rocky Balboa donned a hooded sweatshirt and ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the 1976 movie Rocky, he helped catapult the hoodie into the realm of everyday sportswear. 
  • Manifesto Destiny: Ted Kaczynski, was an unshaven, disheveled recluse. But as pictured in an FBI sketch with hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, he was something else: mysterious and dangerous. In 2011, federal authorities auctioned Kaczynski’s hoodie and sunglasses, for $20,025 to raise money to compensate his victims. 
  • Coach Vader: Once upon a time, football coaches wore suits on the sideline. Today, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick sports a hoodie and a terse expression, earning him comparisons to Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.
  • “Like” This: It’s tough to picture Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg without his trademark hoodie. The billionaire mogul is synonymous with the new generation of mega-successful entrepreneurs: dressed-down, techy, and very, very rich. 
  • In The Crosshairs: Controversy surged after Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American male, was shot to death in Florida. George Zimmerman, the multi-racial neighborhood watchman who shot Martin, described the teen as being “real suspicious,” in part because he was wearing a dark hoodie.
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Thursday
August 9, 2012

The 10 Families of T-Shirts

Filed under: Tip of the Day, Wearables

T-ShirtsThink a T-shirt is just a T-shirt? Not these days, as the folks over at Wearables magazine can attest. This month’s cover story, “For Variety’s Sake,” breaks down the dozens of styles into 10 families of tees. If you’re in the promotional apparel business, this is one article you won’t want to miss. PLUS: 3 tips on how to find the right shirt. Read on, and enjoy! And here are the 10 families of T-shirts:

  • Plain
  • Poly
  • Fashion
  • Pattern
  • Neckline
  • Eco
  • Color Blocking
  • Long-Sleeve
  • Tank Top
  • Pocket
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Wednesday
August 1, 2012

Tip of the Day - Recruit Quality Interns

Filed under: Tip of the Day, Wearables

InternsIt should come as no surprise the value interns can bring to a company. Not only can they be a cheap and valuable resource, but they can also serve as key connections to new clients. This month’s “Business Toolkit” in Wearables magazine delves a little deeper into the employee-intern relationship and how distributors can really benefit from the right person. Check out the article now, and in the meantime here are 3 tips on how to find quality interns:

  1. Connect With Colleges: Talk to career services personnel at colleges about possibilities you have for students to intern. Participate in career fairs at local colleges and universities where you can talk to students directly about opportunities.
  2. Network Internally: Ask employees if they know about students looking for an internship. You can also inquire with people you know through your community and social connections.
  3. Online Postings: Post internship opportunities to online job/internship sites that universities often host specifically for their students. You could also consider posting on a service like www.internships.com, which connects employers, educators and students.

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