Thursday 31 December 2009
Happy New Year
I'd just like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I shall be back with more useful hints and tips in 2010!
Friday 18 December 2009
Selling in retail outlets
Okay, so some people want to sell there items in a shop rather than online - or even as well as! but they don't want the outlay/ time investment of opening their own shop.
Why not try selling your wares in a local retail outlet?
Firstly, do your research. Find the perfect shop in regard to where your product will sell best. There's no hard fast rule however, some places you wouldnt think, sell handmade items on the side - for a cut of the profit of course.
Most gallery like shops charge around 40% commission, however, you can build this into your costs- hopefully without setting unrealistic prices (think what you would pay or ask family/ friends what they would pay) or perhaps consider negotiating a commission fee- they can only say no.
You find the perfect shop what next? Go in and ask! take an example or photos of your work (examples are best) and see what they say. Don't be disheartened if they say no, either suggest a trial run, find out why they say no and see if you can work around it or move on to the next place.
Have confidence in your work as you wont be able to sell it if you dont believe in it!
Once it's in the shop, think about packaging. You may want to make/supply your own packaging to the outlet. This will help it look more professional and is free marketing - you want them to remember your business name as well as the shops name. If you decide to do this can you cover the nominal costs or do you need to add it into the price?
Keep rotating your stock with the shop to keep it looking fresh and/or to replenish sold items (fingers crossed)-I dont mean take new stuff in daily but certainly bi-weekly for a high turn over shop or monthly for a smaller establishment.
Don't forget to keep tabs on both your stock and your fees from the outlet. Cross check whats going in with whats coming back, keep records of the prices they're selling at and a tally of what you're owed.
Some outlets what exclusivity so you may not be able to sell in other nearby shops but you can in another town! If you have the stock, sell in as many outlets as you can.
Lastly but not least, this is not the easy option. You still have to put some effort in - paperwork/keeping records, keeping good relations with the shop, making and replenishing stock, perhaps a little self marketing.....but other than than, let the pennies roll in.........(hopefully)
Why not try selling your wares in a local retail outlet?
Firstly, do your research. Find the perfect shop in regard to where your product will sell best. There's no hard fast rule however, some places you wouldnt think, sell handmade items on the side - for a cut of the profit of course.
Most gallery like shops charge around 40% commission, however, you can build this into your costs- hopefully without setting unrealistic prices (think what you would pay or ask family/ friends what they would pay) or perhaps consider negotiating a commission fee- they can only say no.
You find the perfect shop what next? Go in and ask! take an example or photos of your work (examples are best) and see what they say. Don't be disheartened if they say no, either suggest a trial run, find out why they say no and see if you can work around it or move on to the next place.
Have confidence in your work as you wont be able to sell it if you dont believe in it!
Once it's in the shop, think about packaging. You may want to make/supply your own packaging to the outlet. This will help it look more professional and is free marketing - you want them to remember your business name as well as the shops name. If you decide to do this can you cover the nominal costs or do you need to add it into the price?
Keep rotating your stock with the shop to keep it looking fresh and/or to replenish sold items (fingers crossed)-I dont mean take new stuff in daily but certainly bi-weekly for a high turn over shop or monthly for a smaller establishment.
Don't forget to keep tabs on both your stock and your fees from the outlet. Cross check whats going in with whats coming back, keep records of the prices they're selling at and a tally of what you're owed.
Some outlets what exclusivity so you may not be able to sell in other nearby shops but you can in another town! If you have the stock, sell in as many outlets as you can.
Lastly but not least, this is not the easy option. You still have to put some effort in - paperwork/keeping records, keeping good relations with the shop, making and replenishing stock, perhaps a little self marketing.....but other than than, let the pennies roll in.........(hopefully)
Sunday 13 December 2009
networking
Not been on here for a while having been caught up with the usual festive cheer and what not.
Anyway, whilst networking the other day I was told about this service http://www.mmucfe.co.uk/
It's a service to help young entrepreneurs start up. The lady I was talking to about it had been a part of the course/ scolarship where they help you learn about business, what you'll need etc and also provide funding at the end. I will certainly be looking into it when I'm ready to make that leap.
In the interim, why not check it out yourself if you're an entrprising entrepreneur!
Networking is a great way to get tips and advice from people who've done what you're trying to do. You dont have to give away all your trade secrets but I find it's just nice to talk to someone who knows about what you're trying to achieve - as they've done it or are doing it themselves.
They will tell you about places to go for help and funding, can recommend suppliers or even become your supplier! Once those relationships are made it might be that you can help each other in the future. Dont think that just because they're in a similar field that they are competition.
Networking can be as simple as joining an online forum or joining a business link near you. They regularly hold networking events. Or it could just be a day out introducing yourself to local businesses in your trading area.
There's an interesting article about networking here:
Anyway, whilst networking the other day I was told about this service http://www.mmucfe.co.uk/
It's a service to help young entrepreneurs start up. The lady I was talking to about it had been a part of the course/ scolarship where they help you learn about business, what you'll need etc and also provide funding at the end. I will certainly be looking into it when I'm ready to make that leap.
In the interim, why not check it out yourself if you're an entrprising entrepreneur!
Networking is a great way to get tips and advice from people who've done what you're trying to do. You dont have to give away all your trade secrets but I find it's just nice to talk to someone who knows about what you're trying to achieve - as they've done it or are doing it themselves.
They will tell you about places to go for help and funding, can recommend suppliers or even become your supplier! Once those relationships are made it might be that you can help each other in the future. Dont think that just because they're in a similar field that they are competition.
Networking can be as simple as joining an online forum or joining a business link near you. They regularly hold networking events. Or it could just be a day out introducing yourself to local businesses in your trading area.
There's an interesting article about networking here:
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