Upscale Outdoor Furniture
As we continue to spend more time outdoors, upscale outdoor furniture has become a must-have for many homeowners. Able to travel once again, outdoor spaces have taken on a more resort-like aesthetic, complete with cabanas and global-inspired patterns and materials. Rattan, mesh accents, and woven seating lends a vintage look and feel. Cutouts and perforated surfaces create a surprising texture and silhouette too. Creating a multipurpose living space, outdoor areas also incorporate gas fire pits, creating a more luxurious and welcoming area.
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Natural Elements
Plants and greenery will always have their place in a home. But in 2022, the greenery will be elevated by other natural elements and materials such as travertine, marbles, terracotta, and stoneware. Earthenware mugs and palace settings have made a huge comeback, as have limestone textures across backsplashes and architectural details like columns.
 
Even the plants themselves are being swapped out. The popular fiddle leaf fig is being replaced by calathea and deep pink and wine-colored house plants like begonias and variegated species like monstera and curvy-edged greenery like the alocasia.

Sustainable and Eco-friendly Decor
Sustainable elements and eco-friendly decor are still one of the biggest trends in 2022 and we don’t see this going away any time soon. Bamboo, cork, recycled glass, aluminum and other eco-friendly materials are just a few of the sustainable materials you will find popping up online and in stores.
 
Rugs made of renewable resources such as wool, sisal and jute, offer a natural decor element to a room, while also helping to create a healthier indoor air quality. Smart home technology falls into this trend as well, with its energy-saving capabilities.

Browns and Earthy Hues
Balancing out Pantone’s 2022 Very Peri color of the year, a purply-blue hue, is shades of browns and earthy hues. These warm tones offer a lovely complementing color to this soft shade. Not to mention, browns such as neutral tans and deep rich chocolates offer a bit more character than your once popular grays.

Of course, you can lean into the earth-toned spectrum with red and green undertones. Think rusts, terra cottas, caramels and even a lighter pastel peach-brown hue.
 
Tan and chocolate colors have also made a comeback due to the next 2022 home decor trend on our list – the retro-inspired 70s throwback. While we’re not suggesting pairing it with an avocado green or mustard yellow, there are many lovely brown shades that offer a rich, inviting look and feel.

Retro-inspired Decor and Motifs
Aside from the brown color palettes that push vintage vibes are other retro decor, motifs and patterns. Sporadic touches of secondhand decor items and vintage-inspired decor offer a nice throwback to the 70s era and can brighten the space with a pop of color.
 
Plus, retro-inspired decor and repurposed vintage items do double duty, offering a sustainable approach to homes and spaces.

Bold Sculptural Furniture
Tuxedo-style sofas and square, boxy edges of the furniture are on their way out. Instead, this look is being replaced by softer curves, sweeping lines and other contoured elements. A contoured sofa invites you in, embracing you with welcoming armrests. Curved tempered glass tops on coffee tables and arched bookshelf cabinets also lend softer curves.
 
Curvaceous lines like these also offer a more eye-catching sculptural look and feel to a space and portray the shapes more commonly found in nature.

Maximalist Style
It appears we might be seeing the last days of the minimalist trend. While some prefer a neat and tidy home, the maximalist style is having its moment in the sun. In lieu of zen-like interiors with clean aesthetics, there are ornate furniture and decor paired with richly layered patterns, colors and textures. Think plush fabrics like velvets, mohair and fringed sofas and chairs.
 
Canopy beds are a perfect example of maximalist style, making a bedroom a tad more ‘extra’ with its classically carved headboard, posts and finials. Explore more ways to pull off the maximalist style.

Multifunctional Spaces
Due to the pandemic creating a need for privacy and seclusion, open floor plans are thought to be mostly extinct. However, that doesn’t mean that homeowners have not made the most of each individual space. When we used to use one large communal space to gather, in 2022, we have transformed each segmented area into a multifunctional space. Instead of a designated single-use room, we are finding clever ways to integrate several activities into one space. For example, a guest room and home gym. Another example might be a dining room with a wall-to-wall shelving unit that presents a home library collection. 

The Pros and Cons of Using a BNPL Program

It’s easy to see why this convenient option works for so many, especially in times of financial difficulty. BNPL apps and programs allow consumers to purchase a product upfront, making it a more affordable option as they pay in monthly installments instead. But before you go using just any BNPL option, take a closer look at their advantages and what each has to offer. 
​Online installment payment plans have a few pros and cons to consider. Here are some things to think about.

BNPL Pros
Easy Interest-Free Installment Plans
Most BNPL services offer an installment plan (four payments, typically) that can be paid off without interest – so long as you pay on time! This makes it a great option when you need to spread out your finances.
 
Links to Debit and Credit Cards
Many BNPL apps link to your already-existing debit and credit cards. With a soft credit check, a BNPL loan doesn’t affect a credit score. Instead, it simply offers consumers like students and those still building their credit to learn how to budget and better manage their personal finances.
 
Increases Orders and Purchases
When consumers feel confident with an easy-to-use loan without interest, they’re more tempted to make larger purchases and to spend more in a shop. That means that having a BNPL option on your online shop is a major advantage to your business. Furthermore, it also keeps consumers coming back time and time again.

BNPL Cons
Minimum Spending Requirements
Installment payments have a purpose – to help stretch out payments for more significant purchases. In other words, many BNPL options have a minimum spending requirement. For example, Klarna is $35.
 
Late Payment Fees
Interest-free installment plans are great – if you remember to pay them! But if you don't, many BNPL programs charge late payment fees. Of course, at the end of the day,, you’ll be paying more for the product purchased.
 
Many Do Not Help Build Credit
While there are BNPL apps that do help build credit with a hard credit score, many simply do not. Take a closer look at the app details and whether they are required to report to the credit bureaus and you will have your answer. For example, Splitit and Sezzle have no impact – good or bad – on your credit score.
#5 Consumer Favorite Options for Installment PaymentsLet’s break down some popular BNPL installment payment options.
 
#1 Affirm
Affirm allows customers and buyers to make a purchase and skip the late fees. However, Affirm does charge interest, which it breaks down up front. Still, an underpayment or no payment at all can harm credit scores. All in all, this loan system makes Affirm a fantastic option for larger purchases, allowing up to a 12-month payment plan. Interest rates on loans range anywhere from 0 - 30% and are dependent on several variables like if you have prior payment history, the standing of your current Affirm account and more.
 
#2 Afterpay
Afterpay offers payments split into four installments over six weeks. With a 0% interest rate, it’s a great BNPL option for those who are diligent and pay on time. Afterpay also allows late payments with a 10-day grace period. Beyond this time, a late fee is charged, based on the amount of the original purchase but never more than 25%.
 
#3 Klarna
Klarna’s terms, rates and fees tend to vary by merchant. However, customers can expect something like 4 installment plans spanning 6 weeks with no fees. Plus, Klarna allows users to pay 30 days after the purchase. Besides these limits, Klarna can charge up to a $35 late fee each month, but it’s relative to the item purchased, and $10 per month is the norm.
 
#4 PayPal ‘Pay in 4’
Many people use PayPal for online purchases, so they recently launched a new ‘Pay in 4’ program to meet the demand. The PayPal ‘Pay in 4’ allows consumers to make purchases without being charged interest, which is wonderful. However, they do charge a late payment fee. It’s also important to know that they run a soft credit check, which essentially means it doesn’t affect credit scores.
 
#5 Sezzle
Once approved with a soft credit check, Sezzle requests 25% upfront and allows you to pay (with a linked debit or credit card) over four installments in six weeks without interest. Late payments are $10, but it can be waived easily if you catch it within 48 hours. Sezzle also offers long-term loan financing through Ally. However, this method does require a hard credit check. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m over the minimalist trend. While it’s easy to appreciate a neat and tidy home, something about the aesthetic leaves a lot to be desired. Where’s the excitement? Where’s the personality? And where, oh where, are the colors?
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Enter maximalism, a daring and dramatic design trend that’s anything but boring. Blending rich colors, bold patterns, sumptuous textures, and layers upon layers of decorative accents, the maximalist aesthetic is a stunning symphony of sensory delight. Whether you find yourself feeling limited by conventional décor schemes, or you simply want your space to reflect the many facets of your personality, this exciting trend offers endless inspiration to design the home of your dreams.

But how do you pull off such an over-the-top aesthetic without making your space look cluttered? There is a big difference between maximalism and mess, but there’s also a method to the max-ness. Here are a few ideas you can incorporate to strike just the right balance and make maximalism work for you.

1.Consider a triadic color scheme. One of the hallmarks of maximalist décor is its dramatic use of color - the brighter, the better! A triadic color scheme is a great strategy for choosing a variety of bold, bright hues that complement rather than clash.

In color theory, a triadic color scheme combines three different colors that are evenly spaced apart on the color wheel. To keep things simple, bear in mind that the basic color wheel contains four potential combinations:

• Red, blue, and yellow
• Violet, green, and orange
• Yellow-green, red-orange, and blue-violet
• Blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange (my personal favorite!)

And of course, don’t forget about the blacks, whites, and neutrals that can really make those colors pop!

2.Display, display, display. Perhaps your collection of seashells or souvenirs is collecting dust in a drawer. Or maybe you’re tired of pulling out a photo album to relive your favorite memories. Whatever the case may be, maximalist décor leaves plenty of room to experiment with decorative display. Ideally, every wall and surface should be adorned with things you love to look at!

You might consider dedicating a wall to a floor-to-ceiling arrangement of framed photos and art. Decorative accents like plants, mirrors, art sculptures and tapestries are great for adding visual appeal. And definitely don’t shy away from accent tables and shelves. Not only do these pieces add dimension to décor - they also create the perfect home for curios, collectibles, heirlooms, and more.

3.Bring on the boldness. Who says you can’t have more than one statement piece? If you’re struggling to choose between a commanding Chesterfield sofa and a modern accent chair wrapped in bright, patterned fabric, a maximalist décor scheme gives you the freedom to incorporate both styles - and more!

Maximalist décor is, above all else, bold, and it will never have just one focal point. Think funky, statement-making furniture, dramatic area rugs, sparkly chandeliers, and lots of colorful art. And don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from a variety of different design aesthetics. Much like the eclectic décor trend, the maximalist home includes a little bit of everything.

4.Play with patterns. Mixing patterns is not for the meek. (Neither is maximalism, for that matter!) Even if most of us wouldn’t want to include multiple patterns in one outfit, there’s a way to make it work when it comes to home decor. You could consider a mix of paisleys, plaids, and polka dots that are all the same color. You could also choose a variety of pieces from the same family of patterns – think animal prints, geometrics, or different sized stripes. Although it may take some experimenting to create the look you like, bold patterns are an essential element of maximalist design.

5.Remember that it’s not about “stuff.” If you want to create a maximalist home that doesn’t look cluttered, remember that it’s not just about filling up space. Maximalism isn’t about cramming a room full of random items. It’s about creating a bold blend of colors, patterns, and textures that capture the senses like candy to the eye. It’s about decorating your space with items you love and that reflect your unique personality.
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No matter which décor scheme you choose for your home, there’s one rule of thumb to keep in mind. Whether it’s fashion, functionality, or just plain fun, every item in your home should serve a purpose. This guideline is true for any decor scheme – even maximalism! Maximalism’s heavy focus on fashion and fun sets this showstopping design trend apart from the rest. 

The Advantages of Using Social MediaSocial media outreach is an essential component of a marketing strategy for many brands. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and many others offer an accessible way for brands to reach their audience. What are some of the advantages of using social media? Let’s explore!
 
It’s a Direct Connection to a Wider Audience
Popular social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have many Monthly Active Users (MAUs). Facebook alone has 2.9 billion MAUs, so it is usually the first social platform brands turn to. This can work to a brand’s advantage, getting as many eyes on your products and services as possible. Furthermore, it offers a direct connection that serves an audience’s curiosity and makes them more familiar with products and services.
 
Influencer Marketing and Paid Ads Are More Affordable
Influencer marketing and paid advertising offer brands a more economical approach to reaching said audience. You don’t need a big celebrity; a micro-influencer with a large following of your target audience will do the trick. It’s a great way for newer brands to make their name known. Not sure where to find an influencer relevant to your brand? Check out some of the top influencer marketing platforms like Upfluence, Grin and CreatorIQ and filter for your niche. Paid ads can also be tailored to slide into the social feeds and generate loyal followers who may eventually hit that “buy” button.
 
Social Media Points Increases Shop Page and Website Visitors
With a community of followers, a brand can alert them of promotions, sales and other offerings that lead them to a website and more importantly, a shop page! Whether the brand sells home decor or fine jewelry, a captivating image of the latest products can entice followers to pay a visit to a site, driving traffic and generating sales.
 
Pitfalls to AvoidWith all the advantages that social media has to offer to grow a brand, it’s still a good idea to know what kind of pitfalls to avoid. Here are a few snags and snafus that can trip up a well-meaning social media marketing plan.
 
Not Researching Your Target Audience
Yes, one major advantage of social media is that a brand can reach a wider audience with multiple accounts. Still, you have to start somewhere. If you ignore data-driven details and metrics that help define your target audience, all your social media posts will fail to capture the attention of those that matter – your customers and clients! So, learn how to make your brand appeal to your audience from the get-go.
 
Being on Every Social Media Platform
New social media platforms are popping up practically every year: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and the latest Snapchat and TikTok, among a few. If it seems overwhelming, you’re not wrong. But there’s an easy solution. Instead of trying to blanket them all and stretching the marketing department too thin, focus on the social media platforms that your target audience uses most. For example, Pinterest offers interior designers and homeowners a way to pin furniture and decor. Also, remember to align the style and tone of voice to the platform. For example, LinkedIn readers will appreciate a more professional angle.
 
Becoming Over-Reliant on Automation
Once your brand markets itself to its target audience, don’t forget to connect with followers on a more personal level. Automation offers a modern convenience of posting consistently, but real engagement begins when a brand replies to comments and answers questions, even under an influencer’s social media post. So hop into the brand accounts – on a weekly basis at least – to get involved with your followers and build that trust factor.

Discover the Best Social Platform for Your Brand TodayTake advantage of everything social media has to offer. Join a social media platform – or two or three – and begin promoting your brand today. Research your target audience or simply learn more details on who that audience truly is. Just remember to avoid some of the common pitfalls mentioned above and align your message and tone to fit your brand. 

Conventional wisdom says it’s often harder to settle on décor for a newborn’s nursery than a main living space, and given the heightened anticipation of a brand new life, it’s not surprising. That there are millions of configurations, styles, genres, and colors makes it that much more confusing. Welcome to parenting, where making choices is an endless obligation.

Design gurus at HGTV caution against bold, bright colors for infants, if that helps. They tap into psychology to explain that basic primary tones such as black, white, and gray are instantly absorbed by wee ones. Okay, we’ll bite. Let’s explore a gray base – topped off with a bit of soft color.

Gender-neutral is a trend we can go for, so here’s a compilation we like.
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Let’s start with the most noticeable feature of a nursery or any room: wall coverings. Paint is fine, but why not create a narrative with a decorative swan theme? This gender-neutral, pale green wallpaper offers a soothing arrangement of regal swans, adding the inspiration of nature and wildlife.

Heeding the tone advice from HGTV, we’ll settle on gray for basic furnishings. This crib is not only crisp and stylish, but it’s convertible. It grows with your baby’s development and becomes a toddler bed, which is a definite plus. It’s also versatile and attractive, and available in a soft shade of gray. Paired with a gray changing table, and you’re well on your way.

Those 2 a.m. wakeup calls benefit from a comfy rocking chair, and this one caught our eye. Its classic stripe pattern incorporates gray with a soft cream to coordinate with your wallpaper in a totally trendy way.
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You’ll need illumination to avoid bumping into nursery staples, and this elegant light – though not technically a swan element – weaves in a similar species with its gooseneck design, as well as saves surface space with its wall mount.

Got wood floors? Kick around the idea of a cheerful rug that ties in the palette we’ve assembled so far. The spotted and striped pattern of this festive hand-made nursery rug sparks an extra level of uplifting attitude.
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Accessories count! The simple artistry of this theme-building swan mobile delivers a subtle yet charming look. 

​Finally, a storage basket is a must-have for nurseries, and we found one perfect for the occasion. This natural rattan basket continues the legendary swan theme as it infuses casual charm perfect for the ensemble we’ve created. 

​It’s an exciting time in the ecommerce world - and it’s only getting better.
 
In just two short years – between 2019 and 2021 - online spending skyrocketed by 50.5%. Ecommerce sales now account for over 13 percent of total retail sales in the U.S., and this number is projected to grow to an impressive 22% by 2025.
 
As online sales continue to surge, opportunities for ecommerce business owners are at an all-time high. But as more and more consumers turn to their laptops and smart phones to make purchases, more and more businesses are responding to the trend by taking their offerings online – which means more competition for you.
 
In a crowded digital marketplace, traditional sales strategies like paid advertising and social media are no longer enough. These days, it’s all about creating value for customers with original content that educates, informs, or entertains. 

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1. Focus on helping, not selling. The best content provides useful information that helps people improve their lives. Knowing your audience is just the first step - you also need to understand exactly how your brand fits into their lives. Think about the problems your business solves and the needs your products fulfill, then use those solutions and needs as inspiration to develop valuable content. Infographics, tutorials, and how-to guides are a great place to start!

 

1. Keep SEO in mind. Content marketing is the perfect way to use SEO to your advantage. Using the right keywords not only drives traffic to your website – it also creates a golden opportunity to connect with customers through content. Consider the questions your audience is asking when they do an online search, then create detailed content – such as blog posts and articles - that give them the answers they seek. Be sure to use plenty of SEO-friendly keywords to make your content easy for your audience to find.

 

1. Make it shareable. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth! While it’s certainly important to promote your own content, it’s even more effective when others promote it for you. Focus on the trending topics your audience is talking about to make fresh, relevant content that will inspire them to share. And don’t forget to include social media sharing buttons so your content can be easily shared across platforms.

 
Developing an ecommerce content marketing strategy may take time, but taking the time to get it right is well worth the effort. If you keep these ideas in mind as you create and promote your content, you’ll be on your way to building a loyal customer base and a powerful brand presence.

​You’ve built your email list to a point where it’s time to automate. But how do you do it?

The nuts and bolts of process and procedure are great, but you need to start with a strategy. Simply sending the same message to every customer, or potential customer, on your list isn’t enough.

As nice as one-size-fits-all is in theory, in practicality, it’s not very effective. 

So what does work?

Define and Segment Your Audience
If you want to tailor your approach, you’re going to start by thinking about what separates those on your list. A customer that made a purchase last week is different than a customer that made a purchase last year is different from a potential customer who hasn’t made a purchase at all.
Once you’ve created a few segments, you can begin to tailor your outreach approach and to set up automated triggers for email outreach. For instance, if your segment is those who’ve made a purchase between 10 and 90 days ago, you might consider sending an offer for free shipping or a discount code.

Collect Data During Sign Up
They got on your list somehow. Presumably most had to fil out a form and give you their email address. But that’s not the only thing you can ask for. Here are other pieces of information that you might find useful:

• City
• Country
• Gender
• Age/Birthday
• Phone number for SMS outreach

Birthday is a particularly effective bit of info as targeting birthday emails generally have a much higher ROI. Omnisend estimates birthday emails generate a 34% open rate, 24% click-through rate, and a 10.5% conversion rate. Granted, you still have to compose a compelling birthday email series, but that’s a topic for another day.

A/B Testing and Analytics Are Your Friend
Dive into all that data that’s right at your fingertips and begin by texting different email strategies to see which get you the best open, click-thorough, and purchase stats. Don’t hesitate to test in parallel, either. Got a message going out? Create two versions to determine things like the best subject lines, whether emojis help or hurt, or whether it makes a difference if the email comes from a generic or personal email address. Once you’ve sent those parallel messages, take a look at the stats and use that to build and refine your strategy.
In a world that’s ever-changing, more and more quickly, this isn’t a one and done prospect. Revisit your assumptions and test again. Continually be building your strategy and pushing back against what you think you know. What worked in 2019 probably isn’t the same as what will work in 2022.

Create Automated Message Flows
Once you’ve got a good handle on what works on whom, it’s time to actually devise your email strategy. You can start by creating workflows – series of emails that push a customer to your desired outcome. What might that look like? For a new customer who’s just joined you list, it’s a welcome series of 2-3 emails that establish your brand/ mission and invite them along on your journey. For someone who’s abandoned a cart, it’s a series of email tempting them to return to finish their purchase.

Other ideas include a birthday series, an order and shipping series, purchase follow-up, and reactivation for customers who’ve gone quiet. And, of course, you should be tailoring these workflows to your specific business and audiences, and you should be testing various messages and strategies within your emails.
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The result? Better ROI. Higher conversion rates mean more business and really, that’s the whole goal.

From committing to a labor-intensive ecommerce biz, to choosing a product niche, to putting your ducks in a row and making sure you’re set to offer quality merchandise in a consistent fashion, there’s a big consideration that often stumps even the most prepared online sellers – and you must have it settled before day one of formal operations.

What is your name?
The art and science of choosing a business name can be an arduous process. And it’s deceptively, well, not easy. This is arguably the most important decision you’ll make as an ecommerce merchant. The considerations seem endless: first, once you pick one, you’re stuck with it. Second, it embodies your entire business, becoming a brand identity.

If you’re fortunate enough, you could fall into an obvious win. The footwear retailer Shoebacca hit the jackpot with a moniker that’s clever, relevant, and just plain fun. Sales psychology is clear on the relationship between commerce and branding, so think carefully before you self-identify.
Want some help? Asking friends and potential customers is always a plus. But so is consulting with experts – though that can be mind-numblingly expensive. There’s another option out there, and it’s a cool way to get started. Sites like Businessnamemaker will auto-generate suggestions based on keywords entered into their search window. There’s no telling whether it will come up with something fabulous, but it’s worth a try. NameSnack offers the same service, and surely there are several others. It features not only a search bar, but a list of possibilities.
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This cheeky site suggests a naming contest, possibly a great idea if you have access to a sufficient pool of participants who bridge the gap between niche obsession and creativity. Worthstart has already compiled a list of not-too-shabby business names, offering a headstart. Even if none pops out as a clear choice, merely reading the list may spark an idea of your own.

It goes without saying that there are factors to consider when self-branding, and not the least of which is near-replication. If you inch too close to an existing business name, you risk a loss of sales due to confusion at best. At worst, you may receive a cease-and-desist letter from the entity with a similar name. Having to start from scratch carries a litany of problems.

Other considerations for selecting the perfect name include:

• Avoiding those that are far removed from your product niche and are too obscure.
• Striving for easily remembered names that will convert to future purchases and/or searches.
• Choosing a name that engenders positive feelings and a psychological boost based on the mix of cleverness and familiarity.
• Names that are such a hit that they will turn into frequent referrals between existing customers and their friends and family.

 
Nothing replaces quality merchandise and excellent service. Make that a priority. But your brand name, if it’s fitting and fun, will help you retain creative juices as you expand with marketing materials and tailored graphic imaging.
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Choose wisely, and you just might become a household name.

Celebrity sells, and even with your best efforts at focusing on conventional strong points for growing an e-commerce business, it may be time to cash in on the notoriety of big names.
That’s the reality for a lot of merchants, but not all. Your store might realize a so-so benefit from investing in this trend. Let’s look at the pluses and the minuses.

Influencer marketing typically harnesses the high-profile status of well-known (and sometimes surprisingly not so well-known) “influencers,” meaning people with immense followings on social media. Endorsements, product mentions, personal stories – they all attract interest. Whether it’s a big name like Kardashian, or a Johnny-Come-Lately who has grown a big audience and mass presence through clever marketing, leveraging this type of sales strategy can be lucrative.

Influencer marketing is also a form of branded content; not a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s hard to deny the effect of social media on virtually all consumer demographics, making sites like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and various and sundry platforms a critical asset to market products you sell.

Experts estimate that U.S. marketers will engage in some form of influencer marketing to the tune of nearly 73 percent in 2022. Want more stats? An estimated 14 percent of 18-to-24 year olds and 11 percent of millennials made a purchase within the last six months, strictly driven by influencer marketing. The concept is anything but new, and dates back to celebrity TV ad endorsements from decades earlier.
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In 2022, influencers might be successful bloggers who have grown a following over the years. Parenting blogs, fitness blogs, foodie blogs, and fashion blogs are common examples. Non-famous individuals have built large audiences with sheer creativity and relevance. And even better, people trust them.

How do you absorb the cost of influencer marketing? Particularly in light of an imperfect method to measure metrics for return-on-investment, it’s an important question. What once was “paid partnerships” has morphed into “sponsored posts.” And for the privilege of hopping on board, the unspoken industry standard is $100 per 10,000 followers. Deciding between quality and quantity is another consideration: are you seeking a broad reach, or does your product line(s) call for a more tailored approach?

As Instagram is considered the gold standard for influencer marketing, start there. Influencers usually offer a press kit with the details you need to make a decision. A typical Instagram sponsored photo post caption might set you back under $2,000 for an influencer with fewer than 100,000 followers. To get started, you should start slow and build up.
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Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re pitching on Instagram:

• Live-action videos grab attention more often than still photography.
• Sponsored posts that emulate advertisements might be overlooked.
• Strive for casual, humanistic content/video material that relates to buyers.
• A CTA (Call to Action) narrative is compelling and interesting, and adding tags that encourage continued reading is even better.
  
  

However you choose to move forward with influencer marketing, take care in crafting an effective strategy from out of the gate. Choose the right influencer for your inventory. Make your content attractive, concise, and enticing. You may be pleasantly surprised as you watch your sales grow.

It hit home just how ignored the master bedroom was when we moved last fall. Suddenly, I had a blank slate and the opportunity to start from scratch. But let’s be real: I’m a girl on a budget, so a full-on bedroom redesign isn’t in the cards. We decided we had three goals for this new bedroom:

1. Get rid of the clutter!
2. Add bedside lighting that matches and works for both of us.
3. Brighten it up.

So, clutter. The biggest thing there is to stop tossing stuff into the master that doesn’t belong there. The next thing is clearing surfaces. Added a few shelves and bins in the closet (bigger in this house, yay!) and that made clearing dresser and chest tops easy. Rearranged to get phone and tablet charging off of our nightstands, which helped SO MUCH in terms of keeping the room looking clean and streamlined.

Bedside lighting – this is where it got fun. My husband likes bright light at the bedside, my eyes are super-sensitive and exposed bulbs or weak shades/diffusers are a big no-go for me. In service of cutting clutter, we decided plug-in wall sconces were going to be our solution here. We just had to agree on a style. He wanted simple and functional, I wanted stylish and eye-catching. His suggestion was something like this classic swing arm wall lamp. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s nothing I’m getting excited about. I countered with this cool floating orb style, but he hated it. Cue my sad tears. But I get it, he’s a simple guy and these would definitely stand out every time he walked into the bedroom.
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A few long conversations later, he really wanted something adjustable for reading in bed. I really wanted a contemporary look and soft illumination. What’d we end up with? A pair of these: ​

He gets adjustable, I get a great diffuser (and added a dimmer!) and we both get the coordinated and composed look we were going for.

Our final task -- brightening up the bedroom -- took a little creativity because of the things we decided NOT to change. Namely the dark gray blackout curtains and medium gray quilt paired with black finish furniture. His suggestion was to add some white pillows to the bed. Sure, that’d help, but it’s boring. I ended up just coming home with throw pillows similar to these bright yellow, geometric beauties and trusting he wasn’t too invested in the pillows he tosses on the floor before crawling in bed at night. (Spoiler alert: He isn’t.)

The last major thing was a little more time consuming, but still fun. We created our own art with four fun frames, each with a different shade of yellow to create an ombre effect. We painted the frame and a panel to go inside in each of the four shades, and then hung them side by side to span the width of the bed. Simple, clean, modern, and definitely brightens up the bedroom!

​Final verdict? Easy changes that didn’t require too much cash and I LOVE the results.