Catalog University Debuts!

Catalog University is the brain child of former a NEMOA Executive Director and founder of Catalog Design Studio. Drawing from a multiplicity of industry veterans, this online learning center offers up an affordable alternative to expensive seminars and trade shows. It opened today at 9:00 AM and will be free until 8:00 PM EDT, just click on the banner, above, and sign in to test the waters..

According to their initial press release, “The classes on Cat U cover a wide range of topics in all areas of Cataloging: Creative, E-commerce, Leadership & Finance, Marketing, Merchandising and Operations & Fulfillment. We are adding classes every day so visit Cat-U often.

Catalog University is your opportunity to be part of a collaborative community where we hope to stir ideas and help build skill sets vital to your Direct Marketing success. At just $24.95/month for 24/7 access to everything Catalog University has to offer I think it is something that can help all of us raise the bar for the catalog industry.”

Online Tax will impact the catalog industry

Pitting brick and mortar retailers against small but national internet-only catalogers and retailers without a store front, “Congress is heeding retailers’ calls to level the sales tax playing field between online and brick-and-mortar retailers with the introduction of two bipartisan sales tax fairness bills, the Marketplace Equity Act and the Marketplace Fairness Act. NRF will continue its industry-leading calls to protect Main Street jobs and businesses and shutdown the $24 billion tax loophole.” -NRF.

Read the entire blog post [here]

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) believes there is bipartisan support for his bill to make online retailers collect sales tax.

The Chronicler will be following this debate and it’s impact on smaller catalogers well into 2012. If you are a smaller cataloger, what impact do you think passage of this legislation have on your business prospects? Please share your comments here.

Keeping the Maine thing the main thing

This year the iconic L.L.Bean company turns 100. Nothing less than truly remarkable, yet their longevity is testimony to the power of personality, enthusiasts, and keeping the Maine thing the main thing. Everyone in the catalog business should visit their website and see how integration purpose across media platforms, e-tailing, and universal branding is done.

Here’s how the brand story begin:
“An outdoorsman first and businessman second, L.L. Bean had returned from too many hunting trips with cold, wet, chafed feet. He wanted a comfortable boot that would stand up to the elements. As he would find out, he wasn’t alone. When the bolt of inspiration struck L.L., very little in his background suggested he might someday lead a multimillion-dollar company. In fact, L.L.’s history should hearten late bloomers everywhere. The year was 1911…(read more)

Million Moment Mission is brilliant!

L.L. Bean will donate $1.00 for every eligible action taken between 12:01 a.m. ET on 1/18/12 and 11:59 p.m. ET on 12/31/12 to the National Park Foundation, with a total donation not to exceed $1,000,000.

Creating Compelling Product Videos

Despite the rise in popularity and conversions, merchants are still struggling to determine how to best use video on their product pages. Do you use vendor-supplied video, or do you do it yourself? And if you’re going to create your own videos, what should they include?

Multichannel Merchant has compiled some good examples that work. Take the time to watch and read the accompanying article.

Do you have experience with product videos? Share your comments here.

Video SEO

Many multi-channel retailers understand the need for SEO for their websites. Many have created video to enhance the online catalog customer experience. But few have taken video, applied unique Video SEO techniques to the degree shown here. Watch and learn!
Video SEO Techniques