Upcycled Charm Swap: Marketing

upcycled cash register charms by re-maker©

Merriam Webster defines marketing as:

Mar·ket·ing, n. \ˈmär-kə-tiŋ\

1: a : the act or process of selling or purchasing in a market
    b : the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service

2: an aggregate of functions involved in moving goods from producer to consumer

Although the goal of most blog challenges is to have fun and connect with new people, if you are an artisan business owner an added benefit can be that of exposure. By participating in challenges or swaps you 'll have the opportunity to introduce your work to a new audience.

The beauty of blog challenges, swaps and hops is synergy.

syn·er·gy, n. \ˈsi-nər-jē\

1: combined action or operation
2: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

Your work will find it's way into new hands and on to new blogs to be view by an even larger group. It's like the Faberge Shampoo commercial in the 80's...

 

What's Up Wednesday: What I Received in the Mail Today...

vintage on the ridge

Etsy Sellers... you gotta love 'em

I found two beautiful vintage victorian trade cards in
a lovely etsy shop called Vintage on the Ridge.

I received my package today and was delighted to find my cards carefully wrapped in pretty teal and brown polka dot tissue paper with a dainty matching ribbon tied up in a bow. Very nice.

What tickled me most about the package (besides the cards wrapped inside!) is the note on the matching custom sticker used to secure the tissue...

I Hope You Love It

Thanks So Much

Please leave feedback  -  It's nice to hear from you!

In such a small space this seller was able to convey to me her anticipation that I love what she's sent, her thanks, and what is probably the nicest request for feedback that I've ever received. Nicely done.

Do you have any great packaging stories to share?

Marketing Monday: Pricing Your Work

Emily of Candy Calamity sent me this link last week
How-To: Price Your Handcrafted Goods.

You might think that pricing your work is more of a business tips sort of post, but pricing your work is related to how much you might sell. Changing your prices, creating a coupon, or having a sale are all marketing techniques to increase sales. So when you price your work, you must keep all of these things in mind in addition to all of the things mentioned in the article.


Happy making and don't work for free!!!

Marketing Monday: Attributes on Etsy

Kimmy of bellavioletta shared a forum thread with me this weekend.
If you have been listing new items in your shop,
you may have noticed a new box with "attributes."
Everything from African and Art Deco to Victorian and Zen.
Here's a link to the discussion thread
Having trouble with attributes? Here's a guide!

Marketing Monday: Be Yourself

Ever find yourself to be a little shy talking about what you do?
Just be yourself!


iamthemandy

A recent post I read, Come Out on Top of Your Competition,
really made a lot of sense. If you just be yourself,
the words flow, and if you are like me, you cannot stop talking!

A few key points:
No one else has it.


reinventedvinyl

Offer your talents.


bprdesigns

Your audience will come.


MPsen

Just do what you love and be yourself.


misscourageous

Marketing Monday: Driving Traffic to Shops

zieak

I read this post over the weekend about
6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Gallery.
I just dropped off some work on consignment yesterday,
and I thought it was very relevant for that, too.
After all, I do want my work to sell!
The shop is a pop up shop - opening for only 2 months.
Any extra marketing the artists can do will really help the owners
toward their goal of making the shop a longer term retail venture.


remaker

While I do not have a mailing list (I really should),
I'll be dropping off some of the shop's postcards at other local businesses.
I'll be tweeting, posting on Facebook, and blogging.
The shop is having an opening event in a couple of weeks, so I'll be there. But don't expect to see me in any videos :)


alexkeller

Dragon's Spark is an urban boutique offering original designs
by local artisans, recycled materials, fair labor fashions from
around the world, and vintage jewelry and apparel.
Find them at 4280 North Oracle Road, Suite 130, Tucson, AZ.

How2: Market Survival Tips

The farmers market season is upon us, are you ready to sell your artwork at a local market?

This week marked my fifth year selling at my local market. I’m sharing some strategies for a successful day at the market.

• Practice your display at home first

• Have different levels on your display tables. This brings more visual interest as well as gives you more room to showcase your wares.

• Make sure your displays are sturdy, they should stand up to customers & wind.

• Have a lot of change. Then get more. The alternative is to have tax included, you will need to back out the sales tax at the end of the day to pay the state, but you won’t be burdened by a bunch of coins.

• Put your information on the customer copy of your receipt book before you start, you can use a stamp or print labels, this way, if somehow your customer doesn’t get a business card, they will still have your info.

• Make a price list with tax and total, if you're like me my math skills are completely absent early Saturday morning. I still use a calculator for figuring change, that and plenty of caffeine and I'm in business.

• Dress appropriately, layer. You never know with early spring, and if you happen to be set up in the shade it's going to be even colder. If you're in the sun, you may need some sunscreen. Prepare for both! Pack some "little hotties" hand warmers and a tube of SPF & sunglasses.

• Give yourself plenty of time to set up, if you are done early you can always go grab coffee or say hello to fellow vendors

• Some markets have a selling before the bell policy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with customers, talk to them, get their purchase ready, you just can’t take the cash until that bell rings.

• Taking credit cards… if you have a smart phone look into the square or other apps, other options available include Pro-pay & Paypal. These are good temporary solutions unless you want to commit to a contract that could last for a couple of years.

• Know where the nearest ATM is, especially if you don't take credit cards.

• Have a sign-up book for e-mail mailing list, you can let your customers know about new items, special sales, or send them coupons for their next visit.

• Make sure your prices are clearly marked.

• Have things in different price ranges. Not everyone can afford the original, have some prints too. Greeting cards & postcards are great impulse buys especially with tourists. Smaller pieces that pack well are a good idea too, as many markets can attract tourists.

• Get a banner for the front of your tent. Or make one. Create brand identity and get your name out there.

• Put some things at eye level. Have something interesting to draw people to your space. Whether it's a colorful sign, work of art, or a hanging display, it will make your booth more enticing.

• Make friends with your neighbors. You never know when you might need change for a fifty or run out of credit card slips, or simply need a quick potty break!

• Please don't just sit behind your table, greet people, welcome them, walk around and interact! (if you must sit, see if you can get a stool or bar height chair, it makes you more approachable & eye contact easier with customers)

• NEVER let a customer leave empty-handed. Give them a business card or a flier, a sample of some sort, something to remember you by. I’ve done pin back buttons, temporary tattoos, and candy with my logo on it as take-aways. Other ideas include upcycled bookmarks, mini matchbook notebooks, magnets, postcards.

• Most of all have fun! The customers at farmers markets are already in tune to sustainable options, and you’ll find they love local artists.

Images & Text © Miss Courageous

Marketing Monday: The 21 Best Resources from the 2010 Blogosphere

misscourageous

Hi - I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!
I'm back to posting links and articles about marketing on Mondays.
Today I'd like to share an Etsy blog post with loads of great information:
The 21 Best Resources from the 2010 Blogosphere
Everything from "When to Start Selling Your Work"
to tax information and social media.
{I love that part about wasting an entire day on Twitter.}

So, cheers to a New Year and pimping, I mean marketing, our wares!

Marketing Monday: Is Use the Best Form of Marketing?

PettiBear

I read this post, Is Use the Best Form of Marketing? sometime ago.
But just last week, I was out and about & talking about my jewelry....
And was not wearing a single piece of my work.


alexkeller.etsy.com

I believe the message should be repeated and
knock me over the head with it, would you please?


onewomanstudio

Wear your work:

• It's free marketing.
• It's an icebreaker.
• It's market research.
• It's product testing.

misscourageous

I liked the last paragraph, too, which addressed those that
do not make wearables.

Hang this up!

PopCultureRehab

Use this at your next party!

bprdesigns

Take this bag to the store!

fashiongreentbags

Pull this out of your handbag!

slyraccoon

And put this on your table!

EyePopArt

Put these on gifts and packages!

wearwolf

But you are already doing that, right?

dress you up

So you have a wonderful creation that you are going to sell on Etsy.

remaker.etsy.com

How do you spread the word?

tresijas.etsy.com

You need to convince all of those Etsy shoppers that your creation is the one they want.
This will involve promoting your work with packaging, advertising, and publicity.
First, let's talk about packaging.

ClaudiasCreations.etsy.com

"Good packaging arrests the eye, attracts the heart,
and perfectly suits the product being promoted." Martha Stewart
The packaging should reflect the quality of the product inside.
You've spent some time making your creation,
spend a little time packaging it up nicely, too.
Who doesn't love getting pretty package?

FeltWerker.etsy.com

Recycled packaging can be attractive -
use the same creativity to fashion your packaging that you use to make your creations.
Wrap it up in tissue, or with a ribbon (all recycled, of course!).
Use pages from an old book or magazine and pieces of fabric.

ecokaren.etsy.com

Make envelopes from paper in your recycling bin.

ecogeneration.etsy.com

Include a thank you note or card.

DropsofJupita.etsy.com

And don't forget your card.

rikrak.etsy.com

Try to be consistent with your packaging - make it part of your branding and image.
Many sellers do this by including a photo of their packing in their listing of their item.
Do you?

wearwolf.etsy.com

Next week: a bit about advertising.

Here comes Santa Claus!

Are you ready?


Gather up your cards,
tresijas.etsy.com


your tags,
wearwolf.etsy.com




your boxes
beachchicken.etsy.com


and bags.
loneweever.etsy.com


We're going on a midnight sleigh ride!
LostAndFoundObjects2.etsy.com

I'm starting a series on Marketing!
So about once a week, I'll be posting ideas, tips and advice,
from books, other blogs and some of my own experiences.
I hope you all will share your tips and advice, too!

Alex Keller