jonnyR Report post Posted June 7, 2009 Hi ya' all I have a question I'd like some help with... Being fully aware of that the majorety of members here are Americans I still am in need of your opinions... Because of worksituation I am forced to soon look at trying to get in more money to the family economy - at least part time. I am a skilled woodworker and enjoy making decorative and usefull things of different types of wood, but lately I have also tried out some stuff of leather and it looks okay... I have been playing around of starting my own company for parttime sales, I am able to Import stuff but I'd rather sell my own products where I can asure for high quality. But how can I find out what will sell and how can I get a feel of wht the market wants?? I have made everything from dog harness and up to suspension cuffs for bdsm uses and to wristbands... I have been trying to write emails to petsuppliers, erotic companys and fashion companys and asking what products sells the best but without any really good replys... Maby you guys (and gals) could give me some pointers? what to sell, how to sell, what price to set, disclaimers?... All replys are very welcome! Jonny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted June 7, 2009 Jonny, the truth is that we would all like to know what sells best! Your best route is to turn the question around and go out and ask people what they want to buy. When you know what is required it is a lot easier to make things that sell... Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted June 7, 2009 +1 to Ray's advice. Another thing to try...since you'll be practicing anyway....is to make a variety of items. When items begin selling, you'll know what to make more of. When possible, make accessory items, or items that lead to another. Check out Ray's blog on "selling sideways" for more pointers. Having different types of items in a wide range of prices also helps make spontaneous sales, as often times customers have money to spend but don't know what they want to buy. Give them some choices for small "nik-naks", key fobs, coaster sets, easy to make bracelets, etc. Things that help you practice essential skills (test new color mixes on something big enough to be a key fob), but don't take a lot of materials or time to produce.....i.e. high profit items. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonnyR Report post Posted June 7, 2009 Thanks UKRay - yeah - I know that everyone wants to find out what sells the best , maby I explained myself abit poorly... but it is a good advice. I only feel like I'm baning my head against the wall when big companys selles to a small prize but in bad quality, how can I convince that my quality isn't "made in HongKong" type of style... no offence to anyone, but it just feels a bit frustrating... But I'll take your advice and start asking around! TwinOaks, thanks for your advice too, I was wondering - do you think that a type of DIY kits would sell as well? I have also been to sites as Saroftreve.com, skinnlaaven.no and jjensen.no where they sell Hardware for Leathering and skincrafts, where could I get my hands on large quantetys on such things as fastners and alike? Maby "hard-to-find" objects are a thing too? Thanks for all the advices, keep 'em comming! Jonny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted June 7, 2009 You'll probably want advice on material from your side of the pond- I'm in the deep south in USA. As for offering DIY kits, I'd stay away from it unless you intend to become a supplier. Focus your efforts on the products you make, not here's a kit, now get busy. You'd sell yourself rather short if you offered product X, for one price and the kit to make one for 1/2 of that. If your intent is to become a leather supplier, then by all means do so, these are just my idea on things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted June 8, 2009 Jonny, We are all facing the same problems but IMHO unless you have the ability, machinery, resources to make up goods on demand, the answer is to find a niche area and specialise. For example, if your interest lies in leatherwork for re-enactors take some time to put together a small range of products that would appeal to re-enactors. Then create your marketing materials in a way that would be attractive to re-enactors. This simply means that instead of marketing a single item to a huge group of people you are marketing a number of well chosen items to a carefully targeted small group - this also means your marketing costs will be less and you potential for success will be higher. If you need to save money don't bother with an e-commerce website. Just put together an eBay shop that is focussed on your target market place and keep adding new products to it. I use free Blog sites to promote my leatherwork and direct people to my eBay shop and you can easily do the same. This month I have had three good jobs already from my blog site. It really works but, like everything worthwhile, you have to put the time in before you get the results. If an e-commerce site is what you aspire to then don't miss out on the bargains to be had if you buy an existing site that is failing and re-purpose it with some new graphics and a new domain name. If you choose right you can save a lot of money - just make sure it can be moved to the new domain name before you hand over the cash! IMHO, DIY kits are a great idea as long as you have someone who wants to buy them. As a wholesaler, I sold literally hundred of small neck purse kits in the 1970s but when my retail customer stopped buying I couldn't replace them and never sold another kit. Like I said, you should only make what you are absolutely certain people want to buy. I am currently in the same position as you - feeling my way through the early days of a new business. It isn't easy and yet it is very exciting. Last week I deleted seven items from my eBay shop because they weren't attracting any buyers. I added two more items and have already sold some of each. 'Fine tuning' a business like this will make it work better so concentrate on getting rid of any dead lines and replace them with new and more attractive items. Just don't expect success to happen overnight. It can take years to get it right so the sooner you get started the better! Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonnyR Report post Posted June 9, 2009 Hi Ray and thanks for the great help. I have been asking around to see what "my targetinggroup" are looking for (in this case Bondage and Restraints) and gotten some clear awnsers so I guess I'll start off there... But as you say - it is a matter of finetuning and I hope I hit the right choises and products. Thanks for the advices and opinions - they are greately apriceated! Jonny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted June 9, 2009 BONDAGE & RESTRAINTS.......HMMMM........CAUTION YOUR BUYERS OR THEY COULD END UP IN BANCOCK LIKE....... DAVID CARADIANE. :soapbox: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted June 10, 2009 BONDAGE & RESTRAINTS.......HMMMM........CAUTION YOUR BUYERSOR THEY COULD END UP IN BANCOCK LIKE....... DAVID CARADIANE. :soapbox: Bondage and restraints ! Hobbles sounds nicer ! / old timer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$$hobby Report post Posted June 11, 2009 welcome and greetings. you can try making some items and selling them at "saturday markets". we have them here where local vendors will rent a booth and show/sell their wares. its a good way to start and see what people want and are willing to buy. the web is another place if you choose to go that route. Ive found the best is by "word of mouth" approach especially if you cant spend alot on advertising . it still limits you, but its a first step. you can also do the door knocking approach. just go to your local shops and introduce yourself and start asking questions. i would make sure i had some samples of my work on hand so they can inspect and verify the quality of your work. good luck, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GirlFromScandinavia Report post Posted July 10, 2009 hi! This reply does not concearn your question at all, but since you are located in <norway, and checking ot the leather seene there, I´d request some help. A few years ago, I bought some fish skins from a market place, form here Finland. The lady told me she was from Norway and I´ve been trying to find a person who makes theese fish skins, since there seems to be no one here in Finland who makes them. I just thought, if you find some one there, could you inform me? I make guitar straps, and have been marketing my self through the net with my pages. It brings a few customers every now and then, but the more noise I make of my self and the more I keep in touch with customers, the more orders I get. Its a long process to get a reputation and now adays it needs a lot of time on the computor. Ive had to get a real job every now and then, just to get the bills payed, and then go back to hand crafts. The problem I run in to is that a handcraft person often lacks the marketing skills and in my case, I dont like to sit in front of the screen, when I could be working on a project. But, adjustment and learning to use your time wisely, I think those work for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted July 10, 2009 hi! This reply does not concearn your question at all, but since you are located in <norway, and checking ot the leather seene there, I´d request some help. A few years ago, I bought some fish skins from a market place, form here Finland. The lady told me she was from Norway and I´ve been trying to find a person who makes theese fish skins, since there seems to be no one here in Finland who makes them. I just thought, if you find some one there, could you inform me? I make guitar straps, and have been marketing my self through the net with my pages. It brings a few customers every now and then, but the more noise I make of my self and the more I keep in touch with customers, the more orders I get. Its a long process to get a reputation and now adays it needs a lot of time on the computor. Ive had to get a real job every now and then, just to get the bills payed, and then go back to hand crafts. The problem I run in to is that a handcraft person often lacks the marketing skills and in my case, I dont like to sit in front of the screen, when I could be working on a project. But, adjustment and learning to use your time wisely, I think those work for me. Sorry Johnny for highjacking your thread.... Now girl...I know your from Finland, do ou speak/read any Swedish? I found some sites of "How too" and some that has the skinns plus it seams there's books out there in the subject. Maybe this can help you? http://www.skinnfranhavet.se/intro/intro.htm http://svenska.yle.fi/matochfritid/hobbyartikel.php?id=1969 http://www.adlibris.com/se/product.aspx?isbn=9163145235 Tina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
