5 Top Tips For Launching A Collection...
When I first started out I always had aspirations to launch collections of products. I knew it made better sense and was the best ‘business’ thing to do but I always seemed to end up with new bits launching here and there, as and when I had them ready, no matter how hard I tried.
Over the years it seems I’ve managed to get my shit together a little and have launched two new collections in the past few months with another one on it’s way so I thought I’d reflect a little on how I got here and share my 5 top tips if you’re struggling to get there too.
1. Plan ahead - definitely not the best or the most organised with this but I am learning to plan and try to work at least 3 months in advance, earlier if possible, for key events and holidays and am getting a little better every year. I’ve not yet quite met the July deadline for Christmas media coverage but I’m getting closer each year!
2. Brainstorm themes - having some idea of the direction you want to go in really helps you get to the end goal, who knew?! I have an ongoing sketchbook now where I jot ideas down for potential products, themes for collections and general inspiration when it strikes. A notebook or sketchbook is great but keeping some notes on your phone works just as well, just don’t let those ideas slip away! I definitely find it easier to design products and collections when they are based on passions of mine, so tuning into what really makes you tick helps too.
3. Develop existing products - although primarily inspired by my love of all things initialled, the new Alphabet collection was also created to add to the mini initial banners already in the shop. If you haven’t managed to get organised enough to release a whole collection yet, maybe you have products already that you could expand on and add to.
4. Book a photography shoot - there’s nothing like a deadline from someone else to make me get my bum in gear! Outsourcing my photography is hands down one of the best business decisions I have made so far, for many reasons but one is that once that shoot is in the calendar I just have to have that product ready. On that note, if you’re looking for someone to shoot your beautiful things I cannot recommend the wonderful Holly from Holly Booth Studio highly enough!
5. Set a date to launch - I’m not the best at sticking to my own deadlines but setting a date to launch a collection and writing it in my diary I find helps to give me a visual reminder of what I should be working on and by when! I also then try to break down the tasks that need to be completed so I can tick off smaller jobs that feel more manageable on route to launch date. Sharing the date on social media also helps to keep me accountable and also starts a little pre launch anticipation!
So there we have it, my 5 top tips for launching a collection. Writing it down I’m aware that a lot of it is common sense but hopefully it might have been helpful to some of you! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and if not I’ll catch up with you soon!
