how to get shop owners to take advantage of TQS

[kfstitcher]

Hi Ramona, I checked and you are still listed. Looks like a cute shop too. Maybe the more important feature than searching for shops as far as business, would be all the ideas to start new projects we get from the shows. Quilters who watch them would come to you looking for fabric, books and new products. Karen

[PDQuilt]

Unfortunately, many fabric shop owners are not known for their marketing savvy. They "don't like Ricky". REALLY. Too bad for them, since Ricky is not only one of the most talented quilters of our day, but a marketing genious. Alex too!!! Am I the only one so impressed with TQS and how it's not only survived, but evolved -into the most important on-line quilting site on the web? I'm sure I am not! And I doubt a quilt shop can survive with only their chicken and bunny quilts, or whatever they feature. Sheesh! :shock:

[snowplow3840]

I travel at least six months out of every year and wherever we go, I check the TQS search for quilt shops in the area and frequent them whenever I can. I always tell the owner or the staff if I have found them through TQS. And whenever I want to go to a shop that is not listed, I make a point to mention the benefits of joining and being listed. Some listen and some don't. I have been a member since the beginning of TQS and I have gained so much from my membership. I would not trade my membership for anything. I have learned a lot, met new people and made new friends. I will be at IQF in Houston with people from England, Norway and many US states. Where else could you gain this much for these few dollars? I am sorry if you have not gotten the benefit for your shop but if I were a shop owner, I would not give up. Maybe we do not travel your way but you never know, I could be there soon. And I spend a lot!!!!! Ann, the traveling TQS member

[GloriaH]

TQS has always encouraged utilization of the local quilt shop. I shop in the shoppe for things I see and like in the shows but pop down the block on a Saturday in my sweats to pick up a yard or seven of something I need right NOW. I loved quilting from the time I started doing it but I would never have grown the way I have if not for TQS. My local quilt shop has certainly benefited from this growth. My 2 cents. Gloria

[GloriaH]

Hello Ramona, Does your shop host a guild? how about posting any local events in the events tab? Are you mushroom country? My Sister lives in Chester County and I visit her regularly.

[GloriaH]

My wish: that there would be a search that would "map out" quilt & fabric shops along a particular route... at least along the interstates (within maybe 30 miles or so). I'd love to be able to plan detours to quilt shops, and have done so, but it's difficult & time-consuming to search each state we're traveling thru, figure out where in the state the shops are, etc.
Our LQS is probably less than 2 miles from I95, and would be a perfect stop for anyone who's just traveled around DC!

Also, I've found fabric stores that won't list themselves on quilt shop searches, b/c they don't consider themselves a quilt store-- they sell more than cotton, and maybe they don't do quilting classes, etc. It'd be great if there were a way to include these as well. When I'm traveling I'm not signing up for a class!
Oh well, that's all in my dream world...

So, I think Chester, PA is near Philly? I'll be driving up 81 to Scranton at the end of the month....

Florence

[GloriaH]

Florence, Chester County is near Philly..I81 is a ways away but where there's a will....