How to compete with Cabella's

[CitizenKate]

Rob, please do share some of what you have learned!

Kate

[AKRob]

First, I recommend you read this book- Artisans & Money http://www.thingswestern.com/artisans.htm

it best quantifies what I learned- (I am not making a dime on this and only know about it because I bought my first Tippmann Boss from Joe.)

I skip the wholesalers and NEVER sell on commission to retailers; my holsters are worth paying for or they are not.

I never do shows- biggest waste of time as far a selling that I can think of.

I have watched a couple superior Leather Artisans at the shows- they are more skilled at leather work than I am, but they both work day jobs because they won't market their excellent gear.

Use Ebay to get started- eBay frustrates the heck out of me for some of their policies BUT they are a handy portal If you do a "buy it now" sale and target your customers- I advertise by specific model of gun for a given holster for instance. So far- it's working.

I make a couple specific products and after 2 years of expanding my product line and options, I am reducing the variations available to streamline production.

Don't be shy about doing a press release about a new product: most trade journals are starved to publish something new.

Focus on your target market- shot a rifle like ad campaign directly at the folks MOST INTERESTED in what you make. Don't try a shotgun approach.

In other words, if you make western holsters advertise to Western reanactors and the SASS folks. Not in a general interest gunzine like Guns and Ammo.

The exception to the above is if you can get your product mentioned by a gun writer in an article about a specific gun- THAT works well.

I certainly don't k now it all, I know I have a LOT more to learn, but I have been blessed and this eather artisan has had a modest success so far.

Rob

Edited June 16, 2007 by AKRob

[fleabitpokey]

First, I recommend you read this book- Artisans & Money http://www.thingswestern.com/artisans.htm

it best quantifies what I learned- (I am not making a dime on this and only know about it because I bought my first Tippmann Boss from Joe.)

I skip the wholesalers and NEVER sell on commission to retailers; my holsters are worth paying for or they are not.

I never do shows- biggest waste of time as far a selling that I can think of.

I have watched a couple superior Leather Artisans at the shows- they are more skilled at leather work than I am, but they both work day jobs because they won't market their excellent gear.

Use Ebay to get started- eBay frustrates the heck out of me for some of their policies BUT they are a handy portal If you do a "buy it now" sale and target your customers- I advertise by specific model of gun for a given holster for instance. So far- it's working.

I make a couple specific products and after 2 years of expanding my product line and options, I am reducing the variations available to streamline production.

Don't be shy about doing a press release about a new product: most trade journals are starved to publish something new.

Focus on your target market- shot a rifle like ad campaign directly at the folks MOST INTERESTED in what you make. Don't try a shotgun approach.

In other words, if you make western holsters advertise to Western reanactors and the SASS folks. Not in a general interest gunzine like Guns and Ammo.

The exception to the above is if you can get your product mentioned by a gun writer in an article about a specific gun- THAT works well.

I certainly don't k now it all, I know I have a LOT more to learn, but I have been blessed and this eather artisan has had a modest success so far.

Rob

Thanks for the link Rob. Just ordered my copy. Stephanie