I haven't posted in a while!
I'm still self employed, I've paid my first NI bill - how exciting! However, it's times like this month, I'm glad I had a bit of savings behind me before I started as this month has been a little slow.
Although to be honest, I havent done any marketing what so ever. I'm not sure why - guess I'm not really sure of the way to go with it so I'm waiting for an appointment with the marketing wizard provided by my business advisor. Things have gone a bit quiet that end until the results of the grant 'competition' are in. I do hope I win of course, but it wont stop me if I don't. I will just have to do things on a very very tight budget and it will take me longer to get to where I want to be.
Onwards and upwards!!
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 September 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)
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