Planning a launch campaign for the first time

Some of the new products we are launching this Spring

As some of you may already know, we are launching some new designs and products later this month, as we head towards one of our favourite seasons of the year, Spring. Not only will we debut 'The Charlie', 'The Rosie' and the eponymously-named 'The Spring', but we will also introduce the ability to personalise our medium and large deep box picture frames, as well as our signature notice boards. We will also be introducing matching table lamps (in our signature colourways) which will be made-to-order and available to buy exclusively through our website.

It has been a valuable learning exercise to follow the 6 week launch strategy favoured by successful entrepreneur, Ellie Tyler (of Tyler Aromatherapy and TylerTalksBusiness fame).

It has been great to have a mapped-out, proven set of processes to follow (and adapt to our own needs) when dealing with posting social media content, taking product photos, planning reels and stories, working with ChatGPT, using new applications, discovering new concepts in marketing that we had no idea about previously.

Large Ailsa (with 'Studio' personalisation), with (left to right), Small Alice, Isla and Ailsa in the foreground

The discipline required to follow the launch strategy and get 'real world' practice and experience using so many new techniques and media will really stand us in good stead for the future, as well as having a direct impact on our relationship with you all right here and now. Whilst we have known for some time now that Reels and video content are particularly good for building a rapport with our followers, we have been genuinely suprised to see the impact that recent videos (such as the making of a noticeboard, or the redecoration of the kitchen) have had on our social media and has definitely given us the appetite to do a lot more video content. So much so, in fact that we now have a YouTube account (www.youtube.com/@prettyasapictureboard) where we can collate our videos (and maybe even do some different things there, who knows - this is only the beginning). So if you watch any of our videos there, we hope you like them and find them engaging and we are looking forward to playing with the things that the platform allows us to do there which might not fit elsewhere.

Market table at Artisan Market St Andrews

Saturday was market day again in St Andrews. Whilst we didn't have a great day in terms of sales, we did however meet so many nice people, from fellow traders with great ideas and suggestions for us to try - which is so appreciated by us as we learn what works and what doesn't (and which markets to apply for) - and lovely customers, many of whom commented on how beautiful and clever our pieces are and who very astutely recognised them as art pieces in their own right, which is exactly how they had been imagined in the first place.

We were able to brainstorm some ideas for our next market in 10 days time and we have invested in some new display racks and wire stands which will allow us to have far more of

our product on full display (and not obscured behind something) plus will bring an added level of professionalism to our display. Having practiced with these already, it is safe to say we are very excited to be making our debut at Craft & Flea on Sunday 16th March. Visit our new link.tree for all the details.

The Night Market @ Cottiers Glasgow (image courtesy of The Night Market UK)

We were thrilled to learn last week that we have been accepted to trade at The Night Market UK's upcoming Night Market at Cottiers, in Glasgow, in June. We are attending the next editions in Edinburgh & Glasgow to do some live research and experience the atmosphere so that should be good fun. We urge you to check them out and attend an event near you, who knows maybe we will see you in June! For more details and to keep a look out for when tickets go on sale check out all the details here

Thanks for reading as always, if you want to learn more about our forthcoming new collection I would urge you to subscribe to our mailing list here or join our waitlist here - we will be sharing lots of content and details across Instagram over the next couple of weeks, and if you join the waitlist, not only will you enjoy a 20% discount on your order, but you will also have 24 hour priority access to the collection before it goes on sale to anyone else!