Lets talk about sales (or lack thereof)

[ButtonLady]

51 minutes ago, chrisash said:

To True, you have hit it on the head

That explains the headache...

[RockyAussie]

10 hours ago, toxo said:

I think the reason we try to sell our items is a combination of all of the above. A big one that no one has mentioned yet is we like the idea of other people liking and appreciating what we do. Of course friends and family always "like what we do" but someone liking it enough to buy it is a whole different thing.

In one way I'm fortunate enough to be retired but that's made me lazy and I haven't sold much at all thus far but lately I've had a kick up the arse via a sewing/craft shop local to me. She offered to put a few of my bits in the shop and some bags on the wall for very little rent but that's not the best bit. She runs a few small classes teaching sewing/crochet, that kind of thing and I mentioned that I wouldn't be averse to doing a basic leather craft workshop, this Saturday will be my first one. It's only 4 hrs and it's not been up long but I have 3 clients thus far which pays the rent for the day and puts about £80 in my pocket which is not a lot but it can only get better and I get to do something I like, teaching and it's giving me some enthusiasm back.

Great news and I believe that it will be more rewarding more every time.

7 hours ago, Spyros said:

I mean I never met anyone who doesn't want another belt

shoosh

[Spyros]

9 hours ago, Samalan said:

Yes you are right the world is a crazy place . You said the main factor is luck even if you don't Realize it, meaning me LOL you have know idea what I realize or don't realize. To be honest it sounds like your not so sure of yourself ,after all how many things can one control,, 4 or 5, or a war, or maybe a financial crisis, or skyrocketing fuel cost, and COVID who could know , a brain tumor, a fall down the stairs, cancer , a car accident, and the big one DIVORCE wholly shit, and what if I'm just not lucky, Wow I know I'll read my horoscope every day. Just get out and do something before it becomes a real problem for you, that's what I hear in what you wrote. but that's just me.

No sorry, when I say "you" it's just a figure of speech, I didn't mean you personally.

And to be honest I don't really care if I sound sure of myself or not, I don't sell life success seminars.  I'm just saying what I've seen, as I've seen it.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Spyros

[Klara]

I am really missing a like button here! Because I completely agree with @toxo "A big one that no one has mentioned yet is we like the idea of other people liking and appreciating what we do. Of course friends and family always "like what we do" but someone liking it enough to buy it is a whole different thing." Buying is the ultimate compliment, and that was one of the main reasons I worked for sale.

Whereas I know @ButtonLady's argument "customers really only care about products that represent a specific interest." from the other side: I am regularly trawling Etsy and Ebay for borzoi-related objects, and I buy things I don't need in any way, but I want them (fortunately, the offer is small as it's a rare breed).

 

[toxo]

11 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Great news and I believe that it will be more rewarding more every time.

shoosh

Thanks Brian. It's appreciated. (And I've just signed up #4 )  - 2nd time around. I did this once at 5am this morning. Couldn't have submitted it.

[toxo]

4 hours ago, Klara said:

 I am regularly trawling Etsy and Ebay for borzoi-related objects, and I buy things I don't need in any way, but I want them (fortunately, the offer is small as it's a rare breed).

I don't know if you saw them Klara but there was someone on here showing really stunning tooled Borzoi type dog collars. Think they were Russian or similar. (Wasn't you was it?)

Can anyone put a finger on it?

[RockyAussie]

15 hours ago, toxo said:

Thanks Brian. It's appreciated. (And I've just signed up #4 )  - 2nd time around. I did this once at 5am this morning. Couldn't have submitted it.

Don't forget to get some videos and share some here. They could assist in getting even more.

[Klara]

17 hours ago, toxo said:

I don't know if you saw them Klara but there was someone on here showing really stunning tooled Borzoi type dog collars. Think they were Russian or similar. (Wasn't you was it?)

Can anyone put a finger on it?

I think I've seen them, but I do make Rika's collars myself, though so far not tooled. But I have very specific requirements for the fastener (I'm using a combination of buckle and martingale) which I'm unlikely to find on a collar to buy. By borzoi-related objects I meant fridge magnets ("Other dogs have masters. Borzoi have staff."), porcelain figures, clothing and accessories. Stuff nobody needs, but which enthusiasts appreciate.

Getting to leather, I'd probably be willing to buy a checkbook cover with borzoi, belt buckle with borzoi (if I hadn't made them) etc. 

Now, borzois are a very narrow niche market. But there's other dog breeds... I also have a friend who buys lots of cat-themed things for another friend.

My point is that ideally a craftsperson should make things that can't be bought industrially made.

[toxo]

8 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Don't forget to get some videos and share some here. They could assist in getting even more.

Let me walk before I start running Brian. You are right though, with two doing Apple watch straps , one doing a corset type handbag and one doing cosplay type shoulder armour there might be a short video in there.

[Handstitched]

@Spyros Wasn't  sure where to put this, but as its to do with 'sales'....

...the silly things people are interested in.  A gentleman came to my stall  last month, me thinking he was interested in a belt or a knife case perhaps,  I'm usually quite good at ' reading' customers , theres heaps of freshly made stock....... but nup.....I have a tiny business card  cane basket that I have my business cards in at my stall, its old, faded , was blue, but now grey and well used...he asked me if I wanted to sell it . " Nah mate...that holds my business cards in it " I politely replied.  He asked me again at  todays stall  , " nah sorry mate... thats for my business cards"  " but if you're ever interested ....."  he said.

Me & Mum just looked at each other ...."WTF ??" 

I paid $2.00 for it  at 'red dot'.  I should have sold it to him for 20 . 

Geez I dunno   

HS