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How to Go From Zero Sales Online to a Profitable Business with Erika Neumayer

Picture this…

You’re working in your parents’ living room trying to make a go at this fashion business thing. You have no website, no sales, and almost no money. And you probably feel like you have no clue what to do about it. And your product is dirndls. You know, the outfit St. Pauli Girl wears?

Meet Erika. This is her story.

You can download this episode as a Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

 

Here’s what we cover…

  • Why Erika’s first 2 websites didn’t get sales and what she finally did to make money online
  • How she sold $24,000 in dresses during a 4 day email campaign
  • Her marketing strategy – Facebook ads, email, and blogging  – what’s working and what’s not
  • How she hated the idea of marketing her product at first and what she did to overcome it
  • Advice for companies selling online who aren’t getting the sales they want
  • How to fit it all in – making time for marketing and not just focusing on product creation

Show notes

Whadayathink?

Did you like this interview? LMK what you think in the comments below.

Want to be like Erika and sell a crap-ton of products online?

If you’re an established brand, start with this program and guess what?? Erika’s a mentor in the program. 🙂

If you’re a startup, this mini-course will help you build a following BEFORE you even have a product to sell. 

Thanks for watching, 

Jane

P.S. Are you going to do the “assignment” Erika gave you at the end of the video?

 

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34 Responses

  1. This was really great. I am just starting out with an idea that I’ve had for years. I know there is a market for it but I just don’t know how to do it. This video was very encouraging and informative.

  2. One of your best interviews. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy them all but this one really pertained to me. I need to be reminded to stop doing things that aren’t making money. I’d write more but I really have to get some of these things done which I am now motivated to do aka you’ve
    mentioned prior but it just became
    clear on who and what to target on my blog I have yet to start. Love

  3. Hi Jane & Erika,

    Thoroughly enjoyed your podcast! Thank you both, and kudos to you Erika! I liked how you talked about very specific actions you took to get where you are today.

  4. Hi Jane and Erika!

    Thanks for a great Podcast! It was very informative and practical!

    Like Erika I tried the expensive-designer website to sell my plus size women’s swimsuits! And like Erica learned that I became dependent on the web developer to make changes because I didn’t know any code! The similarity didn’t stop there! Somehow (a miracle) I found Shopify! And yes! It works! Now people can actually use credit cards on http://www.caribbean-paradise-swimwear.com and not just Paypal! Amazing!

    Like Erika said, you pay monthly for the service but as Jane shared – you make money too!

    I didn’t know the importance of blogging! So I thank you for the homework challenge! Because I’m going to do as you suggest and write 2-3 paragraphs about what my customers want to hear!

    Once again – a big thumbs UP!

    Shelley

    1. Thanks, Shelley. I’m all for spending money on things I KNOW will return. Shopify isn’t the cheapest, but if you’re serious about selling online, it’s the best right now.

  5. Great podcast on REAL things that work and DONT work! I work with lots of emerging designers and Erika’s story is so rewarding to hear. At the end of the day, you must sell your products and taking her advice seems the most effective way!

    Kudos Erica & Jane, Brian PHXFW

  6. Loved it, thank you. Kudos to Erika!

    I almost know what to do, but I got frustrated recently. I have Shopify and 2 Facebook ads running right now. Over 300 people visited our store today and yesterday, but there are no orders. I don’t really understand whether I couldn’t target a specific audience or if this is a normal rate.

  7. Erica & Jane
    I love it’s.. Perfect timing!!!! Time to up my game and it’s a REDO for me, was great information and for sure motivated
    ok up for it start with the blog writing something !!!!
    THANK YOU SO MUCH

  8. Thank you so much for this podcast! It was really great. Started blogging again after watching this. Watch out for ILMBwear.com making great moves.

    Thanks again ladies!

  9. Thanks so much for the video! I love hearing about another designer’s journey. It really helps to hear that it didn’t all start overnight. Jane, I hope you post more videos like this. You are very inspirational!

  10. This is perfect timing for me. I have been on Etsy since 2009 as well as Etsy wholesale with relative success. I have my Etsy page linked to my Vibe website, but is limiting and not doing what I need it to do. I am now looking at Shopify, so this is just comforting my decision to go that route. I hadn’t thought of doing a blog, but will add that component as well. As the new year starts I am ready to refocus and take my business to a new level.

  11. Very good, very specific, love it and I want MORE! 🙂

    Here is my question:
    Jane, can you invite Erika for part 2 giving us more insides like how she is managing her time now, how her production goes, who is doing the dresses and accessories, who is designing, who is working on the website and sales, etc. I am very interested to hear how Erika manages her time as owner/manager/designer and who knows what else at Rare Dirndls.

    I am finally making a real progress now started with my FB page https://www.facebook.com/vontrexler (I got 200 likes for less than 48 hours) and with http://www.vontrexler.com (I used WIX and not Shopify, hope will work fine) and my mom and I are doing the products and I do work on the website, we are preparing for Wedding Expo in 2 weeks, supplying materials and you name it and I just can’t handle it all, so please invite this gorgeous girl again to help us with more secrets from her “kitchen”.

  12. Dear Jane,

    I recently found your podcast and I had just finished all your episodes. I couldn’t stop listening! I love it! It is very inspiring. I’m a graphic designer who wants to get into fashion, particularly I want to have an active wear line but I’m at level zero. I know it’s a whole different world from what I do, haha, but I see everything connected. And like you said, you don’t need to have a fashion degree to be a (fashion) designer.

    This episode reminded me that it is important to blog. I have tried blogging to build my audience and never really worked for me because I know I’m not a writer. It’s really hard for me to write. But like Erika says, keep it short. As I think about it now, telling myself that I’m not a writer I think is just me making an excuse to not do it. I don’t know. Haha. Whatever it is, I will try again. Also I will also focus on knowing my audience really well like you said.

    Thank you sooooo much! The podcast has been a great help to pull my inner entrepreneur out and start making moves. Looking forward for more!

    Take care always!

    Sincerely,
    Oya

    PS: Your sister’s paintings.. Omg, breathtaking. Regards to her.

    1. Wonderful, Oya! I’m so glad you feel inspired. I agree that telling yourself you’re not a writer makes you NOT a writer. Either way, you don’t have to write. Do a podcast, make a video, keep it short like Erika said, or even just do a I’m so glad you feel inspired. I agree that telling yourself you’re not a rider makes you not a writer. So maybe don’t be a writer. Do a podcast, make a video, keep it short like Erika said, or even just do a series of pictures or photos with captions.

      I’ll pass that compliment on to my sister, she will love it!

      Thanks for commenting and I’m wishing you all the best. -Jane

  13. Loved this podcast. Lots of great information. Motivated me to pick myself up
    and get going on my project. Thanks Jane and Erika

  14. I need to hire you for the 1/2 to full day in Chicago for what I’m going to do with my designs and stuff that I imagine in my head for fashion.

    I liked the video. I need to plan and then take action but the Shopify seems really good because there are so many websites that don’t sell well. I will pick your brain for more of them.

    Got a quote for a logo from a major company in my home city for $5000. I will now go to Upwork and find someone.

  15. ??. I really love your video. I learnt one or two things I’ll implement to boost my clothing line business. But for the blogging, I don’t really know how I would be able to accomplish that. Isn’t there any other way one can use aside blogging

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