If you don’t mind reading hard news comments, the comments section of news articles can be very informative. One comment in the article Why does this West Elm couch so much? states, “There should be classes about what makes good furniture.” In another Buzzfeed article, “The Way One Generation Changed How We Think About Furniture,” the comment states, “Ok, then where can I find furniture that doesn’t fall apart?” Do you mean to be used for actual purposes and not just for images?
It seems that there is a huge information gap when it comes to buying furniture. The millennial generation wants to know what makes furniture good. They are looking for furniture that will last as long as their parents. Some Millennials may not be ready to pay more for furniture than IKEA and Wayfair, as many are still in grad school and haven’t yet moved beyond an entry-level position. Others are desperate for someone to explain what makes furniture high-quality and where they can purchase it.
Interior designers and furniture retailers: This is your call to action. Information is what your audience wants. It’s now up to you to share it. You can share your knowledge on furniture blogs if you blog (or if not).
These are just five topics to get your feet started.
Fast Furniture
Fast fashion is a term that refers to low-quality fashion that eventually breaks after only a few years and is sold at a very affordable price. Producing cheap clothing saves manufacturers money. Buyers have to continue buying new clothing from them to replace worn-out pieces.
The new buzzword is fast furniture. It refers to low-priced furniture that can be bought at IKEA and Target, Walmart, and other online retailers. It’s the same business model: make the most affordable furniture that is durable and encourage the consumer to purchase from them again.
It doesn’t matter what the industry feels about fast furniture. For example, recent college graduates and students don’t have the money to buy furniture. Therefore, fast furniture is a good option. This study also shows that Millennials are more likely to relocate across states for school and work. They don’t have enough money to pay professional movers, so they won’t spend on the furniture that might be damaged or lost during a move.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, and furniture that seems durable can easily become brittle. The Awlwriter Anna Hezel wrote last February about West Elm’s Peggy sofa — a $1200 couch that started to fall apart after just a few weeks. Hezel, 28, has never bought expensive furniture before. $1,200 seemed to be a reasonable price for a quality piece of furniture. Peggy would only last for one to three more years, West Elm employees told her.
Millennials cannot spot fast furniture, particularly when the price is higher. Your blog should identify and acknowledge fast furniture. Discuss the reasons for the furniture’s low quality and inability to last. Compare the prices and quality of each item over time to show how an investment can save money.
Dos and don’ts of furniture shopping
These Dos and Don’ts lists are easy to follow and put together. These are popular among furniture blog readers because they provide specific information. A Dos and Don’ts checklist can be a good starting point for shoppers without much experience buying furniture.
Frame it in a way that you envision customers shopping for furniture. Start with “Do measure your space” and “Don’t forget to measure the doors in the room you’re buying furniture for.” As you move the article through the sales process, offer simple tips like “Do test-sit on every chair/couch before purchasing” and “Don’t be afraid asking questions.”
This will be the first time Millennial customers shop in a furniture store. You can make your customers more productive by giving them the information they need before they enter your store.
Final Furniture Blog Tips
Once you have all the great content writing, you need to make sure that you use it. Post your furniture blogs frequently to your channels to increase your readership on social media. Also, send your blog posts to your customers via email. Make sure you mention your tips for care when you sell. Also, give customers a card with your web URL on it. Refer customers to your blog when they call with questions. To help customers begin to think about furniture buying, you can send them an email with links to your blog if you offer personal appointments.
