Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Posted in reply to original thread, but got no response, so I copied and am pasting in new thread.  It`s raining AGAIN in Katy, TX and I am about to go bat sh-- crazy!  Please, if anyone out there has some SuNshine to send, I`d be forever grateful!!

--original reply--

Hi there!  I just recently joined SuN and am looking forward to getting my online business underway.  My husband has been creating some really awesome metalwork and I`ve setup a website to sell it, but haven`t done much else.  I`ve got TONS of ideas but can`t seem to implement any of them.

I am really looking forward to getting to know some other "homepreneurs" and hopefully get the kick in the butt I need to move it along already!

Debbie

I like the site. I do think your copywriting could use a little sharpening, and that your site loads a little slow though.

First of all, you are looking for help with your marketing plan? I would review the 10 Steps to Opening a Business here on SUN. In that, you will find information about creating a strategy, creating a marketing plan, and so on.

As for some tactics that might work for your line of business:

Have you tried to start your business by selling locally, at craft shows, farmer`s markets, etc? This kind of artisan work seems perfect for it. This would allow you to get some happy customers that can spread news about your work. At the very least, you can show off your pieces and hand out cards!

Can you get a local gallery, salon, cafe, etc to display your work for sale with a little card display? I was at a cafe in Eugene, Oregon recently and they had about 20 great paintings on display on the walls. They also had numbers on each one, so you could figure out who the artist was and/or make a purchase at the register.

Wow! You have some great stuff there! I really love that "Flowers in Vase".

First, as Nikole suggested, start working on that copywriting and I would also encourage you to move some of your pieces straight to the homepage because if there was ever a time when a picture is worth a thousand words --- it`s here...with your product line I think they should see at least some of the pieces immediately --- after I saw that flowers in vase piece, I was all over the place after that -- how many of those do u have in stock anyway?

I didn`t read thru the content, but I assume you only have a limited quantity on hand right?

The first thing that came to mind for me was "mail order catalog" as a way to sell these. Create your own catalog and direct mail them to a list of people who are most likely to purchase --- this can get a little expensive, and it would also depend on quantity issues of your product. So I don`t know if this would be a viable option for you.

Also, consider advertising on other peoples web sites who most likely have the type of customers that are most likely to buy from you:

These folks will allow you to add your link to their site for free I think:

http://www.craftsfaironline.com/Metal.html

They also have a section where you can sponsor a page:

http://www.craftsfaironline.com/Sponsorship.html

It looks like the following site will allow you to become a "artist" and submit your product to their store/catalog...give them a call and see:

http://www.porterhousecrafts.com/

Also, look into this resource, they`re `HUGE`

http://www.etsy.com/

Don`t write off Craigslist --- it could potentially be a great piece and it`s FREE.

Cartess

 

 

 

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Website Startup Coach: Step-by-Step Coaching to Help You Build a Profitable Business Online!

(Katy`s Web site)
http://www.katyjunktique.com/store/Default.asp

I think that for anyone selling art, the photography is as important as in, say, jewelry. I`d suggest (particularly since it`s probably going to be raining for the next year) that you use the time to delve into the mysteries of Paint Shop Pro (PSP), or Photoshop (PS). :-) They`re hard, yes; but a whole heck of a lot of fun when you`ve learned one of them!!

Here`s just a fast idea of how an image can be changed. "Your Front Image."

The advantage of knowing how to use an image editor (this was in PSP) is that you can spend hours playing with them, and the end result almost always is something you can use, that`ll make you more money, and that`s selling your product.

PSP is way cheaper than Photoshop, and can use all plug-ins and add-ons downloadable from anywhere, that are designed for Photoshop.

Meanwhile, your page title on the index is "Unique Finds...." and so forth. These aren`t "finds." They`re original art, and you should say so.

Right now your copy is selling "junk." Don`t you intend, rather, to sell Art? :-)

Craig - from her title, I`m going to guess that her name isn`t Katy .... but that she`s in Katy, Texas. 

Alright, so this Web site was developed by the entire town of Katy. I can handle that. I don`t mind speaking to crowds. :-)

Hey there!  Thank you all so much for taking the time to look at my site and posting some great ideas and comments.  I have a lot of work to do.

The "plan" is for this website to become sort of a "general store" for the Katy area.  I have ideas for local products that I still need to develop.  There will be community information and events..etc., etc.  I have a few other artistsand crafters lined up to sell their stuff and will be showcasing them along with my husband`s artwork in an art/craft section on the site.  BTW, all of his metal art is one-of-a-kind!

As for the "unique finds" part, I have collectibles and other junk that I will be putting on the site.  Sometimes I find things at garage sales or thrift stores and re-do them into something else.  Sometimes they are perfect just the way they are - Salvage Chic by KatyJunktique!

So, thanks again for the encouragement.  I will keep you updated as to the changes and additions and you can let my know what you think! 

Debbie

Wow! How fun! The metal flower arrangements are just so futuristic!

I noticed your prices are very affordable. Does your husband exhibit in any galleries or shows? Craft shows?  I like the down to earth artist approach but if you want "Big Leagues" a hike in price would make your ART worth more to the customer. This thought is coming from a graduate that studied art and gallery volunteer.

Is this a god given gift or did he learn it at school? Passions are so cool!

themerrybird - thanks so much for posting!  My husband is so NOT the artistic type...it has taken everything I have to get him to let his stuff out of the garage!  He has a god-given talent although he did take art in high school but was told he wasn`t that good. 

We have done a craft show or two, but it is difficult because we have 4 boys and are usually at a field on Saturdays in the spring.  We also don`t have an abundance of inventory.  I guess I could take all the stuff he`s made for me over the years.  I did tell him when I started designing the website to let me handle the pricing and to not even think about telling me I was charging too much.  Thanks for confirming that his art is worth even more still.....

Debbie