China plates are a time-honored collectible, whether to decorate a home, pass down as an heirloom, or give as a gift. For over a century, china manufacturers have rolled out collectible plates to commemorate holidays, celebrities, royal weddings, and historic events. These plates are often reproduced from a signed work of art from artists such as Norman Rockwell, or are sponsored by a noteworthy institution. When plates are created as a limited edition, are discontinued, or are retired from production, they may become more desirable to collectors, who scour flea markets, specialty shows and antique malls to find cherished pieces in the secondary collector plate market. If you're a seller, you can extend your reach by marketing online.
Create a Website
If wrapping and transporting your valuables to various venues is too treacherous or time consuming, create a website to showcase your wares. You must first register a memorable domain name, then find a place to host your website. The Internet service provider you work with must be able to support e-commerce shopping carts and process credit cards in a secure gateway. Photography and documentation of your plates is important -- hire a professional photographer who knows how to light delicately painted and highly reflective surfaces. Trademarks, registration numbers and other markings are vital to collectors, so provide as much detail as possible for each plate. After your items are organized and photographed, work with a web designer to create a professional website. Optimize your website by providing keyword-rich pages that your customers can find when performing online searches for collectible china and commemorative plates. Once customers are at your website, ask them to provide an email address to which you can send informative promotional blasts in the future.
Social Media Integration
A website is useless if no one knows about it. Enlist the aid of social media websites and online groups where collectors gather. Use each website to engage collectors with useful tips, such as how how to identify certain china plates, or to provide historical information that collectors might find interesting. Give your information freely and people will visit your online store. Don't use a heavy-handed sales spiel online; this approach is akin to having a sales rep follow you around the store as you shop.
Create a Blog
Collectors love stories about finding the holy grail of china collectibles. Write about your own experiences in hunting for and finding your collectible plates. Treasure hunters go to great lengths themselves and are very passionate about their objects of desire. They appreciate hearing about the challenges other collectors face, such as getting up before dawn to search for treasures with a flashlight at a local flea market. Create interesting articles about pricing, displaying or caring for your plates; provide tips on how to spot fakes or pieces that have hidden repairs. As you continue to blog more about your customers' passions, your own personal brand will develop and followers will trust you as the sales rep of choice.
Email Newsletters
An email blast or newsletter sent to your subscriber list is an effective way to expand your reach. Use email marketing software or a service that provides attractive HTML template-based layouts with interchangeable fonts and colors. Insert pictures of your collectible plates or other stories of interest to the subscriber base. Always provide links back to your website or social media profiles to integrate your marketing strategies. Many people don't like to receive this type of mailing and may block or trash future editions, but you can increase your open rate by providing high-quality newsletters with information your customers appreciate.
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