Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

I know I've been a naughty blogger... reading my jewelry buddy Ashley's beautifully designed and maintained blog has made me feel quite guilty about slacking.

Recently I've had anywhere from one to five house guests crashing with the boyfriend and myself; up to seven people for the past week and a half. A) This is the best birth control ever, cleaning up after everyone daily B) I have not gotten any work done. Those reading this - do not feel bad - I had a WONDERFUL time... but it's kick-the-rear-in-gear. I need to get back into the swing of RockLove. I figure since today is Monday, it's time to turn over a new leaf!

Step 1 - I need a better camera (or at least a macro lens). Brighter more colorful photos in addition to group shots for printed marketing materials. Anyone have a recommendation? I can use both digital and manual SLR...

Step 2 - I need to work on finalizing wholesale catalogues and press/media kits. Prepare to send to exclusively chosen new stores.

Step 3 - I need to update the RockLove website, stylize it a bit more, improve some of the photos and GIFs... generally make it more welcoming.

All of this on a shoestring budget and quickly since there are a million other balls I am currently juggling, none of which are a well filled bank account.

Not to mention this blog - which I keep letting fall to the wayside! I have exciting things happen all the time but typically by the time my 12-16 hour work day is over, I'm too exhausted to write about it.

So back to work for me... I'm thinking about a contest to both revive my energy and help strengthen the branding of RockLove. I'll need your help!

Unfortunately, she beat me to the punch... I meant to write this blog two weeks ago! Instead she featured me first - check out the wonderful things she said about me today!

Introducing Ashley Nizolek, the talented artist of A.N. Original Jewelry - and my best business buddy. Online friends, we've never met, which is astounding considering how long and frequently we've been brainstorming on bettering our businesses. Very few creators in the industry share their deep dark secrets, though since the budding of both our companies, we've helped each other make graphics, websites, line sheets, press releases, and more. Stressed over the phone with the announcements of the Economic Crisis, celebrated over AIM as we get new press, and traded jewelry in thanks for the others assistance.

Very different in technique, Ashley creates whimsical silhouettes and floral beauties hand pierced in sterling silver. Each piece is from scratch, rather than molded and cast, and her lines and finish are immaculate. With a distinctive touch, I am honored to watch her release new collections (haha I even get previews before they go public) and see her grow a signature recognizable style. One of the best representations - she was Etsy's featured seller in October 2008, rocking the scene with her funky yet classy Halloween series! Dominating all the front pages, read the interview!

Not only is Ashley a devoted jeweler and friend, she is also one of the best photographers I've seen! A few weeks ago, I helped her code her new blog, and already it is filled with stunning snapshots brimming with outdoor joie de vive. I definitely recommend not only checking out her Main Website and Etsy Store, but to follow the AN Original Blog for a daily dosage of nostalgia and smiles.

7. CUSTOMER SERVICE (thanks to SassySashadoxie and PUREnaturalMinerals who posted similar)
One, make sure you are having fun at this. If it is not fun, then your customer service, attitude, and art will reflect that. Two, treat the customer like how you would want to be treated times 10 or so. Always, go the extra mile. They will appreciate it in more ways than you can know at the time. Three, hand written notes or thank you cards. Four, Communication, communication, communication. Tell them you got their order, when it was shipped, when it is expected to arrive, and thank them for their order as soon as you receive it. This is really important for those first time customers or first time Etsy shoppers. Five, don't stress when you don't have sales. They come when they do. Often, they come in spurts. Enjoy the down time with a little promoting, team building, and working on your art.

8. BALANCE YOUR VENUES (thanks to CharlieandSarah)
Don't count on one source of revenue. Keep your baskets balanced between: Selling Online, Weekly Markets, Large Indie Craft Fairs, Street Fairs, Wholesale, Consignment, Online Drop-shipping Sites, etc.

9. KILL WITH KINDNESS
Every once in a while I get a jerk... "why didn't I get my package, it's been 36 hours since I placed my order" - Or recently a meany on Flickr saying he was going to report me for posting only pictures of my product. What?! So always kill with kindness... be so super polite and helpful that the crappy customer can't help but be satisfied, no matter how much you want to tell them to sod off.

10. ONLINE PROMOTION (thanks to DRyan327)
Ning.com, Twitter.com - Do a 3 day ad on Facebook or Myspace. They are $5.00 a day, and just remember not to let it run too long or you will get nailed for an outrageous sum of money. A lot of the popular blogs have inexpensive ads, some more than others, but here are a few... http://www.craftcult.com or http://www.craftopolis.com. I have a folder on my computer that I keep adding to that has all the good "promotion" type things I have found.

11. THANK YOU GIFT (thanks to Bluebell - I actually do this too)
For some (but not all) of my buyers I will add a small free gift with their purchase. On every order I take one of my mini business cards and punch a hole in it and tie a piece of ribbon on it. On smaller orders I wrap in pretty tissue paper and tie with ribbon.

12. SMILE (thanks to NoneSuchGarden)
If you do shows, SMILE. No matter how tired, hot, cranky, or sore your feet are, act happy to be there and enthusiastic about your craft! So flash you best smile and work it!

13. CONFIDENCE
When approaching a store to display your paintings, plan an opening party, or maybe sell your jewelry wholesale, exude confidence and experience whether you feel it or not. Walk into that salon with a portfolio of beautiful pictures, head held high shoulders back like you've got your work on the walls of Parliament, much less a little boutique. Confidence makes a WORLD of difference and also makes that store owner more confident to work with YOU since they now see how capable and businesslike you are.

Yesterday, on Etsy.com, I started a forum thread entitled "Your Big Dirty Secret" encouraging my fellow crafters to join me in sharing business secrets to our success. Big fish in the industry never want to tell; never help out us little guys... so why not compile amongst ourselves what little nuggets of wisdom our diligence has gleened.

1. PITCH
Don't be afraid to ask a magazine or newspaper to feature your work. Your work in a new boutique, art openings, street faires - if it is local, be sure to tie the story into the community to interest readers. Pitch them the story (don't wait for them to come to you with the idea), never underestimate the power of a free giveaway (something expensive) and have pictures and some sort of reader tie in at the ready. Once you get a connection, keep it and gently hound... these editors are very busy and need a few reminders of your existence. And if it's not print worthy, ask if it could be on their website instead.

2. START A MAILING LIST (thanks to TheTinyFig)
Start a mailing list. It's an easy way to get people to remember you, announce things, and bring in repeat customers.

3. LIBRARY BOOKS (thanks to SparrowSalvage)
Leave your card in your library books - especially if they relate to what you sell. If you sell jewelery, leave them in jewelery/fashion books. If you sell pet products, leave them in books about that animal. If you sell furniture, leave them in home decor books. Fiction works too, if you sell ornate stuff leave a card in a fantasy fiction, if you sell crisp modern stuff leave them in crime thrillers...make vintage stuff? Leave them in travel books. Some libraries go through returns for bookmarks etc and might throw them out, but judging by the amount of post-its, receipts, library slips etc I find in books, mine don't!

4. CAREFUL PRICING - NOT TOO LOW (thanks to PassePurse)
People like high prices. Sure some people are looking for something really cheap but look at Louis Vuitton and Chanel and Tiffany & Co. They have an almost cultist following and their prices are through the sky. I would prefer to associate my shop with very high quality, high priced merchandise. I see some people on Etsy selling their stuff for so cheap it's painful - I don't know that customers automatically think highly of those products. Low prices are not necessarily a great marketing tool.

5. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A CONTACT (thanks to BeyondtheRockz)
Network and get ready for suprises - never underestimate any contact you have, remain open to all possibilities, and go ahead: put yourself out there and ask!

6. WEAR IT ALL (thanks to RockMyWorldInc)
Always wear all your jewelry. I mean all! Load it on! I wear 3 bracelets, earrings, 2 necklaces, and a ring or 2 on every finger. I only wear my own jewelry... even if I am just going to the grocery. I might forget my makeup and to comb my hair, but I never forget my jewelry. Always have a business card ready... don't try to search for an old used one in your purse - have new fresh ones always!

Stay tuned for Part II...