Posts in Retail
ADD TO CART: E-Commerce Tips for Small Business Success

Hey Moms and Pops, did you know e-commerce accounts for almost 16% of all retail sales? That’s a lot! In the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, the battle for consumer attention is fierce. But fear not, for Pioneer is here to arm you with the mightiest weapons in the digital marketing arsenal. Let's delve into the nitty-gritty of e-commerce marketing strategies, specifically tailored for small businesses. From enchanting your audience with captivating content to outsmarting the shipping fee dilemma, we've got you covered.

In the digital age, establishing an online presence is non-negotiable. Let Pioneer help you explore how leveraging social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing can propel your small e-commerce business into the spotlight. Learn how to create a magnetic online persona, optimizing your website for search engines, and harnessing the magic of email campaigns to keep customers enchanted.

Crafting Compelling Content: We are here to help you rule your digital kingdom. Together, we’ll dive into the art of crafting compelling product descriptions, blog posts, and engaging visuals that not only captivate your audience but also boost your SEO. Discover the secrets of storytelling and how weaving narratives around your products can transform casual browsers into loyal customers.

Social Media Strategies: Unleash the power of social media to cast a spell on your target audience. Pioneer will guide you through the intricacies of platform selection, content creation, and audience engagement. From Instagram's visual allure to Twitter's conversational magic, learn how to leverage each platform's unique strengths to build a community of fervent brand enthusiasts.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): In the enchanted forest of the internet, SEO is the compass that guides your customers to your digital storefront. Discover the secrets of keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink sorcery. Pioneer will help you unveil the mysteries of Google's algorithms and help you climb the ranks, ensuring your e-commerce store is visible to those seeking the treasures you offer. Read my post all about SEO.

Email Marketing: Let us help explore the ancient art of email marketing, where every message is a potion that enchants your customers. From building a subscriber list to crafting irresistible newsletters, we'll show you how to maintain a magical connection with your audience. Uncover the secrets of personalized emails, automated workflows, and how to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers. Read my post all about email marketing.

The Shipping Fee Conundrum: Ah, the dilemma of shipping fees - a dragon every e-commerce merchant must face. Fear not, for we have the spells to minimize costs and maximize customer satisfaction. Let Pioneer help you discover the art of strategic pricing, exploring partnerships with shipping providers, and implementing free shipping strategies without losing your hard-earned gold.

Armed with these digital marketing spells, small business owners can conquer the e-commerce realm and turn their modest enterprises into digital empires. Remember, the key is to adapt and evolve with the ever-changing digital landscape. So, go forth, brave entrepreneurs, and may your online ventures be filled with success, prosperity, and a touch of magic!

Contact us today for a consultation.

I "Hearth" You

Check out my latest and greatest Holiday store window display for Half Moon Books: a fireplace made of books.

I started with a composite “inspirational” image that I made in Photoshop and went from there. The fireplace frame and hearth are all made of books. The mantle and deer head are cardboard covered in pages from The Ugly Duckling story. And then I just packed out the display with books, books and more books! I went opposite of my usual minimalism for this edition.

Happy Holidays.

Paper Dress
pioneer half moon books kingston ny paper dress.jpeg

Introducing my newest window display installation for Half Moon Books in Kingston, NY. The title is “Let Them Read Books.” Very Marie Antoinette meets Vogue.

With the coming Fall / Back to School season upon us, I wanted to do something that I hadn’t ever done before. Whenever I finish a window I feel like I’ll never have another ideas and then here we are - a paper dress extravaganza. I actually got the idea from an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race where the queens had to make garments out of one of Ru’s books. I thought yes, I have to do this, but a fashion piece is really out of my “architectural” comfort zone. But if you’re not challenging yourself, you’re not growing, correct?

So, I found these images as my inspiration. I fell in love with the paper pleating: I told myself, “I can do this!”

To make the paper gown I bought some fabric costume pieces to attach the paper too. Gotta love hot glue guns and spray mount - They’re magical. And of course I had to do a pair of pumps.

But then I had a huge predicament. I had build the dress offsite in one piece - how was I going to get it to the bookstore without damaging the design - walk her across town of course. I am a “put on a show” kinda girl after all. So, off we went.

Here’s some shots of the final installation. I added a chandelier for the full fancy vibe. I hope you love it as much as I do. Check out more of my displays at Half Moon Books here.

Max B
173999546_4164281180298121_677109547580449877_n.jpg

Speaking of Fred Flare, we also launched a more sophisticated brother brand (for 5 mins)... MaxB (Modern and eXciting Building) connecting with my architectural background. Here was my masterpiece: A plexi DIY dollhouse - think Barbie's Dream House meets Wonder Woman's jet meets a Mid-century Modern glass house. It was $300 and someone actually bought it. I hope some little boy is still loving it today.

And also my foray into lighting design… The ever adorable Starlight Lamp. I should make a few more of these and try and sell them online.

#lamp #lighting #design #interiordesign #productdevelopment #fredflare #dollhouse #diy #plexi #plastic #iplaywithdolls #barbie #barbiesdreamhouse #dolls #midcenturymodern #canalplastics

Up, Up and Away
PIONEER AGENCY KINGSTON NY SPRING 5.jpeg

For my latest store window display I wanted to give the client (and the customers) something colorful and fun after a year of craziness and stress. It was also a priority to keep costs down.

I found some pictures hot air balloon launched, sky photo murals and tissue paper ball clusters that I thought were beautiful and used them as my inspiration. The owner had paper lanterns so the only prop we had to buy were the sky photo murals.

Even with my full knee replacement only 2 months old… Check out the wonder that was created.

My ispirado…

Neighborhoodie
IMG_0586.jpeg

Check out this fun new design I did for Bop to Tottom in Kingston NY.

Kingston Neighborhoodie: Whether you’re an Uptown girl, a Downtown Dude or stuck in the Middle, chances are your fave Kingston neighborhood is represented in this new hoodie. Inspired by the NYC tee, this Bop to Tottom exclusive design showcases Uptown, The Stockade, Midtown, Broadway, Downtown and The Strand. Featuring our very own take on the West Side Story font, except in Kingston the Sharks and Jets are united. Printed in the Kingston, NY area. 100% cotton, black hoodie in unisex sizes SM-XL with front kangaroo pocket.

And you can even buy it online. But only if you live in the area as they’re only offering store pick-up at the moment.

Introducing Boptotottom.com
boptotottom.com blog copy.jpg

I first met Karen from Bop to Tottom back in 2015 to talk about an e-commerce website for her Kingston NY shop. It wasn’t the right time but when the Covid 19 pandemic hit in early 2020 Karen decided it was time to take the plunge and make her beloved Bop to Tottom boutique an online / e-commerce destination.

I chose to pitch the Shopify e-commerce platform. I love their responsive product and their customer service is excellent. I was able to foster a good deal for a year account so we forged ahead.

My goal was deliver a neat and polished site. Classy, professional and easy to navigate but also ring true to her brand. I accomplished this with a fun and engaging homepage. You can learn about the 20 yr old shop but also add items to cart right away (why wait). A clear and focused About page with lots of photos is very important to me. Also a useful and well written FAQ page and Policy and Procedure pages are a must in my book.

Give it a spin and let me know that you think. boptotottom.com

Piece by Peace
half+moon+books+kingston+ny+pioneer+chris+bick.jpg

Ever since the huge success of the Circle of Books I did a few years ago, I wanted to play with books in a shape again and Jessica is always talking about the Peace symbol (we are in the Woodstock area after all)…

There was no better time than 2020 for PEACE. ☮️📚🎄

I pretty much had my heart set on giving Jessica a Peace-Shaped bookshelf for this Holiday Season. And thanks to ABunch Fabrication, it came true.

Here’s how it all happened…

 

My Design Inspiration:

 

My Amazing Sketch: Don’t laugh too much…

 
IMG_7219.jpeg
 
 

Design Development with ABunch Fabrication:

 

The Construction Process:

 

Installation:

 

The Unveiling:

Peace Out!

Peace Out!

White Heat
127565678_10158870457483607_8889183357462547566_o.jpg

Another new Holiday Store window display complete… This one for Kingston’s very own Bop to Tottom.

The client mentioned doing a window in all white (a fresh, calm feeling for this Covid Christmas), so I ran with that motif. But as usual, I wanted to use unconventional materials and play with light. I used florescence light fixture diffusers to distort the hanging light bulbs… Like a frosty window. I also used white corrugated roofing material for a “ski slope” backdrop for the dress forms.

Now, add some snowflakes, white wrapped boxes, Christmas lights and white ribbons and you’ve got yourself a wintry scene. I also wrapped the logs from last year’s display in white paper… Created such a cool effect and a lot quicker than painting them all.

Chalk it up
IMG_6956.jpeg

Check out the new Fall window display I just completed at Bop to Tottom in Kingston’s Historic Uptown Stockade District.

My design was to create a retro-class room vibe… Since many students would be learning online and missing the IRL experience. The client wanted to save some money on this display so I figured out some inexpensive alternatives for this window update.

Inspired by the artist Cy Twombly and chalk scribbles, I created these simple chalkboard vertical banners of 1/4” lauan wood and chalkboard paint with fun chalk scribbles. Since face masks are now top sellers, I printed photos of the owner and staff at a large size and hung them on old cork boards that were in the basement of the store - added bonus for the classroom vibe. Then I used photo murals on the back and side walls for that high impact fall colors background.

Initially, I wanted to get vintage school desks and chairs as props but they were to expensive so I just used some furniture I had lying around. And voila… Instant store window display on a dime.

Say Watt?!?
book chandelier.jpeg

The new window installation for Half Moon Books is all lit up… This installation is a trio of chandeliers made of books. It was challenging, as it is with books, because of their weight, but I think it turned out fab.

Just a few drill holes and some basic elec wiring and voila… Book Chandeliers!

And a huge thank you John Cox for letting me take over his workshop.

IMG_1163.jpeg
I Don't Search I Find
pioneer marketing chris bick half moon books word search puzzle.jpg

My latest store window design installation for Kingston’s Half Moon Books is a Word Search Puzzle… There’s 5 words that are hidden in the puzzle of letters. Can you find them? See below for some spoilers.

When Jessica, the owner of Half Moon Books and I first met to discuss this window design, we wanted something fun and lite yet celebratory since this was to be her Post-Covid 19 Pandemic “reopening” Summer window. I honestly don’t recall how we landed on a giant word search puzzle, but when Jessica and I brainstorm, it’s like lightening in a bottle. Shablam!

And since it had to involve books, I thought if we opened books you could paint one letter per page. I went with a rainbow assortment of colors to make it fun, positive and happy… It’ Pride Month after all. Then I found this great website that generates Word Find Puzzles for you. The puzzle consists of 32 total books, 4 across (opened) by 8 down - essentially an 8x8 character puzzle. And voila… We had ourselves a window. I always feel like I’ll run out of window ideas but they keep coming. A reminder to believe in yourself.

The construction went so smoothly. I’m usually defying gravity, but compared to some of the other window installations, this one was pretty easy. And that’s exactly what I wanted.

Okay, can you find the following 5 words that Jessica picked: Justice (we gave you this one), Peace, Liberty, Equality and Love… There’s other ones but those are bonus!

Be safe out there. xo

SPOILER ALERTZ! Don’t go any further if you want to find the hidden words on your own.

 
ezgif-3-fbb5a69990fe.gif
pioneer marketing kingston ny window display half moon books.jpg
pioneer marketing chris bick half moon books word search puzzle i love you.jpeg
 
Chains of Love
boptotottomkingstonpioneer7.jpg

I took the day off from work to install the new Spring store windows at my fave Bop to Tottom… I guess I was in a bubble up until because this was the day when the Coronavirus Covid-19 hit home for me. I heard of toilet paper hording and social distancing for the first time ever. No sooner did I finish the window than Bop to Tottom had to close and I then I was laid off at my full time job.

Once this ends, there will be super fun and colorful store window Bop to Tottom to bring you some happy cheer. Even if you need a quick pick me up, drive by and enjoy this colorful tribute to Spring re-birth!

This too shall pass as we will get thru this… Alone together.

To see the entire window display, click here.

Bop to Tottom

DREAMS COME TRUE. I’ve always wanted to do the windows at Kingston’s signature gift shop, Bop to Tottom. The windows are incredible. They’re a vintage style, foyer wrap around on the corner of N Front St and Wall St. It’s reminded me for so long of Fred Flare. Giving me that nostalgic rumble.

When I heard that Karen, the owner, wanted me to do this year’s holiday windows… I was sooo happy… Absolutely thrilled. We had a tight schedule but it was so fun. I had a blast with Karen and her team. And here’s what I made…

The motif is “Sex and the City get an AirBNB in Pheonicia for the Holiday.”

Let’s take a tour…

The front girls… Rita, Dolores and Simone… At their front door.

The front girls… Rita, Dolores and Simone… At their front door.

THE NORTH-FACING WINDOWS: This is loosely interpreted as “inside” the girls’ AirBNB in Phoenicia. I merchandised little rooms and wanted to pack with the windows with great gift merch… So, every time you looked at the windows, you’d discover something new.

Check out the stumps as product platforms.

Check out the stumps as product platforms.

THE SOUTH-FACING WINDOWS: This is loosely interpreted as “outside” the girl’s AirBNB. I used a winter photo mural and loads of trees to give it that forest vibe.

It's Ornamental

Here’s a “how to” demo on making books as ornaments…

BOOKS AS ORNAMENTS HOW TO:

  1. I picked a bunch of books that made nice fans. The paperback “romance novel” size seemed to work the best.

  2. I drew lines on the covers where I wanted to cut them. 2 diagonal lines gave me the diamond shapes. Explore shapes!

  3. Using my friend’s woodshop, I cut the books using a bandsaw. Be careful… Safety has NO QUITTING TIME!

  4. Next, I cut 7/8” red ribbon in all different lengths and hot glue gunned the ends to the spine of the books.

  5. Finally I would fan the book and hot glue the covers to each other… Creating an awesome fan effect.

Using my friend’s woodshop, I cut the books using a band saw. Be careful… Safety has NO QUITTING TIME!

IMG-4657.JPG

Cutting the red ribbon in all different lengths and hot glue gunned the ends to the spine of the books.

IMG-4658.JPG

About to glue the covers to themselves.

IMG-4660.JPG

And voila… The finished product!

Wanna see it in real life? Be be sure to visit Half Moon Books on N Front St in Uptown Kingston this Holiday Season. Happy Holidays. xo, Chris

IMG-4664.jpg
An Interview with Jessica DuPont
Jessica DuPont of Half Moon Books

Jessica DuPont of Half Moon Books

“Reading is FUNdamental.” I remember learning this slogan when I was a child and it couldn’t have been more true then. It’s still true today. Information and knowledge are both powerful, and we get that from books. Jessica DuPont, owner of Kingston’s Half Moon Books believes that books, rare and vintage, will slow us down and save the world. And I believe her. It’s a dream-come-true to do her store window displays for the past few years so I want to share the love and share the Moon… Let’s meet Jessica!

How did Half Moon Books begin?
I was waiting for a pizza and walked by this decrepit, weird bookstore that had a sign that said “business for sale.” Six months later, I owned it. I had never worked in a bookstore or owned my own business but something told me I could do it, create a great used bookstore. Nine years later I’m still here.

How did you come up with the store’s name?
The year I bought my store was the quadricentennial of Henry Hudson’s sailing to America on the Half Moon, so it felt like an auspicious choice. Plus I knew the name would lend itself to a great logo. My sister designed it and she did not disappoint!

You make house calls to look at and possibly buy people’s book collections? Tell us about that process.
I love house calls and looking at collections! It’s an opportunity to examine a life through the books that the person chose. I am often asked to look at books after someone has passed away so my only contact with them will be through the knowledge they pursued, the well-worn copies of stories they loved, or a child's book with a name carefully inscribed in crayon. That’s the romantic version. Usually what happens is people have accrued a massive number of books and want to make sure that as many as possible will find a good home. I make that happen.

When you’re picking books for the store, what are some of your key criteria?
Well, there are no brainers, titles that I know will sell. Stuff like Harry Potter is a pretty safe bet. I also operate on instinct. I have a wide variety of interests, so mostly I gamble that the books that I find interesting, that I will want to read, will spark something in my customers. I don’t think you can have a retail shop like mine and not have confidence in your taste. I bet if someone were to make a study of my shelves they would discover some interesting aspect of my personality that I’m not even conscious of.

Why are “real books” still so important to you?
Books slow us down, encourage contemplation and a deeper dive into an area of interest. Fiction can reveal truths about human nature and give us the gift of inhabitation - full immersion into another person’s perspective. Like everybody else, I spend a lot time on screens and what I find relaxing about reading paper books is that they don’t compete against themselves, there is nothing to click on or pull you away from the words at hand.

What genre of books sell best for you?
Fiction and children’s books, cookbooks, art books, religion and philosophy are probably my best sections. I’m always surprised by how much poetry I sell too.

How has the digital age affected your business?
I think that if people are reading and talking about what they are reading then it doesn’t matter what format they use. So I don’t think that kindles have affected me as much overall as smartphones and social media have.

What have your customers been saying about your window displays?
Oh they love them! I see people taking pictures all the time. I don’t really use Instagram but I went on and plugged in #halfmoonbooks and it was this cascade of images of all the great windows you have done over the years.

Oh… Jessica is interviewing me now… Do you have a favorite?
Chris: “The circle.”
Jessica: Me too! That one was hard.
Chris: “I know. I don’t think I could do it again.”


How have you seen Kingston change over the years?
Lots of new businesses, new energy. I have enjoyed watching the O+ Festival grow because it started the same year that I did.

When you’re not selling the coolest and rarest vintage books, what do you like to do for fun?
I look at art, drive my kids all over creation, knit, the usual stuff.

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start their own business?
Get the money right. Think hard about how much money and how much time you will need. And then double those numbers.

Okay Jessica, it’s time for the SPEED ROUND:
Fave Color: Red
Fave Food: Peanut Butter
Fave Book(s): I love science fiction. Ray Bradbury called it the fiction of ideas and I am all about ideas, so that’s what I’m reading these days.
Fave Song: Ack! Music is my weak spot! I listen to a lot of jazz and funk in the store.
Fave Movie: Harold and Maude

Dive into Jessica’s shelves and score some great vintage books this holiday at Half Moon Books, 35 N. Front Street, Kingston, NY 12401

Starry Night

And without further adieu, here’s my latest window installation for Half Moon Books in Kingston, NY… STARRY NIGHT.

IMG_0427.jpg

I wanted to create something a bit different for this year’s Holiday windows. Something a bit darker and not totally “in your face” Christmas. No red or green, no Christmas Trees and no Santa. So, I came up with Starry Night.

I had to defy gravity with the books like I usually do and I had found great pictures of “floating books.” That’s when I had the idea to create the books as chimney smoke. A cozy, winter scene.

I initially wanted to use a cabin but upon my research I found this great vintage Sears Catalog house illustration. It’s the Randolph style if you’re interested! BINGO… The books serve as chimney smoke puffs for this charming Sears Catalog spec home.

The background is dark blue paper mounted to a pegboard base with twinkle xmas lights poked thru the holes… Instant starlit night sky. And then I used the half moon from the store’s actual logo and VOILA; A Starry Night was born.

I hope you enjoy! Shop small this holiday. Peace and Love for all.

starry.night.2.jpg

Oh, I almost forgot. I made a table too!