|
|
| HERE ARE SOME TOPICS OF INTEREST about how to make more profit:
[Profit = Number Sold x ( Price Per Unit - Supplies Cost & Time Cost Per Unit ) minus Business Expenses
4 indirect methods exist to maximize this equation:
Sell More Units
Sell Same Units for a Higher Price
Produce Units at a Lower Cost
Reduce incidental costs and Sell more without increasing them ]
Create a Customer Base - then repeatedly market and sell to it.
Start a Mailing List - collect names at shows and elsewhere and market to it!
Home Gift Parties - Customers throw home parties where you show your wares to their friends and the host gets a discount on your items based on total orders placed at the party.
Booth Presence, Salesmanship
Create a Distribution Chain!
Crafter / Artist Representatives - Craft malls, crafter collectives, galleries
Approach stores, gift shops, etc. and ask them to carry your local, hand-made product.
Trade table space with other Artists
Sales Force - Get helpers so you can do more shows or target more stores. If your time is best spent creating, you should pawn off some sales activities to those that are experts in sales.
Seek out wholesale opportunities by placing a flyer about such in every sale bag. Actively contact and visit any possible gift shops, boutiques
Wholesale Shows, Cash & Carry Markets
Wholesale Buyers - if you can produce many identical pieces quickly and cheaply
Web Store - create one today! 24/7 sales opportunities.
Seek Out Unique Selling Opportunities that Others are Passing Up!
Fund Raisers - Send letters to local organizations offering your goods for use in their fund raiser.
Local Business Professionals - as gifts to clients
Corporate Vendor Shows
Coupons! - It's hard to pass up a discount! Give a coupon to each purchaser
| | 1/8/2008 12:52:11 PM | Reply | Quote | Spam | | A very comprehensive list. Quite a collecton of sound business ideas. Thank you for sharing!!
Since you are from Brooklyn, is it safe for me to assume you're familiar with Etsy?
I'd like to add one little idea, if I may...
Business Cards- These days they are fairly inexpensive to have professionally made. I don't sell an item w/o making sure a business card is included. I always have a small handful in my purse to hand out (you never know when you may run into a potential customer) and cards are always laid out on my tables at craft show & fairs.
| | 1/9/2008 1:25:16 AM | Reply | Quote | Spam |  |
| | Your Link Here | | Thank you for posting, Robin. The list is just a base for starting the discussion. Yes, I am familiar with Etsy and I would like to talk about your experiences there. It seems that some people are happy with Etsy, some are not. Do you have anything to share about it? | | 1/9/2008 8:30:03 AM | Reply | Quote | Spam | | thanks for the information. i've just started making my own jewelry ( always wanted to but never the time) and a lot of my coworkers and customers like what i make. I eventually want to turn it into a profitable business so I'm open to all the ideas you can send my way. I would have never thought of the business cards!!! | | 1/11/2008 4:04:03 PM | Reply | Quote | Spam | | I had a graphic designer make my banner, avatar and the design for my business cards (all for around $30) I let them know I would be using Vista Print ( an online printing co) and they made the design to Vista Prints specs. I ordered 1,000 cards and had them delivered all for less than $30.
The set-up for my shop at Etsy and business cards essentially cost me slightly less than $60 and the investment was so worth it.
I know Vista Print offers a free 250 card offer from time to time (you pay shipping) but they have their logo on the back of the cards. It's a good deal if you don't have the cash to invest right off the bat.
Rita, I'd love to see some of your items, please post a few! | | 1/12/2008 11:18:55 AM | Reply | Quote | Spam |
Reply
|
|
