So I'm trying to really get my business to take off as I've mentioned before... but I need a little help and advice as to how to reach out to local area boutiques. I've been designing a large postcard to take around to local shops with me, and I will also be improving my portfolio with my most recent work. Where I'm struggling is with how to 'Sell Myself'... I'm not one of those pushy people who is loud and straight forward so I'm a little nervous about approaching shop owners. What items do you think I should take with me? Maybe one of each thing so they can see the quality and design? What else would you suggest I take with me? I've got business cards as well. Also, I've been trying to think of some good promotions to host on my blog, my business blog and Facebook fan page... any thoughts or ideas? Here are my prices for all my products, what do you think good deals would be? What would you be willing to buy/spend?
TuTu Outfits: $35.00
TuTu: $20.00
Applique Shirt/Onesie: $15.00
Pillowcase Dress: $20.00
Burp Cloths (NEW Item): 3/$15.00
Bows: $4.00-$8.00
Onesie Dress: (still working on this but I need a price suggestion?)
Crochet Hat w/ Flower clip or Single layer bow: $10.00
SO... since I want to pick all of your brains, IF you submit a comment with an idea for me, you will be entered to win a $10.00 gift certificate to my shop!!! I'll keep this open all of today, and maybe some of tomorrow, so comment away!!
Thanks in advance every one! I can't wait to hear all your creative ideas! Also, I'm always up for new ideas to put in my shop, so if you have anything you would like to see that I don't sell, fire away :)
One more thing... I'm also in the market for a new website. My husband would like me to keep it as inexpensive as possible, so if any of you know any web designers that are inexpensive, or any free web design sites, feel free to pass those my way as well. I LOVE my blog, and the design, thanks again Jamie, I just need to find something that's easier to navigate for my customers.
16 comments:
I think your prices are great! It is very appealing to not have to spend a ton of money on super cute clothes :) I was wondering if you can make pants with ruffle butts for toddlers? I usually only see them for babies. I would pay up to $10 for a pair of pants. Hope this helps!! Thanks Melissa Ohmie
Hi Molly! It's Chelsea. I would love to give you a website that i used for my photography sight. go to www.wix.com and the layouts are mostly free.
As for going to shops, I will talk to my manager about possibly putting a tutu and a bow/hat or something up at our photo studio. We take pictures of a TON of kids and a lot of little girls! :) What types of shops are you thinking about going to?
Hope this helps! :)
Have you thought of doing festivals, like cinder days, apple festival stuff like that?
I know you tried etsy, did it just not work for you? It is great for me (i hated ebay).
Have you tried Blue Dandelion in Lawrence, or Dickersons. Maybe even the Toy Store, would do it.
Mommy and Me?
no clue about a website.
Good Luck.
Hey girly,
I think to market yourself to local businesses get a cute basket and fill it with cute samples of your stuff like maybe a pillowcase dress, a tie shirt for a boy, a letter shirt for a girl, a tutu set, some bows to clip on the basket and of course your business card and oh a cute price list you can make up on your computer folded all cute with a hole punch and ribbon attached to the basket! I think that would be a cute idea!
Also to market yourself on facebook, blog etc, I have seen alot of people do a giveaway....and then offer like 10%off the price of some items if they search your store....Like say you giveaway a shirt and a bow they have to follow your business blog and if they decided they wanna purchase something you will give a discount for a limited time ya know....
Oh blog design I know several peeps who do this....I got mine done from Sweet Cheeky designs and she is just fab....click the link on the bottom of my side bar to get to her! She is pretty reasonable....
Also my friend Bailey at Addicted to Addison is awesome and real reasonable too....she is on my right hand side bar under fav blogs....
hope this helps
xoxo
Summer :0)
I think your prices are great! Very reasonable and that will help sell them.
I would take one of each item to the boutique so they can see the variety.
Maybe some stores will just want to display your business cards so I would bring a lot with you.
I really don't know much else but wanted to give you my thought since you asked! :)
Good luck with everything! Blessings
LeAnne Myhill
Hey Moll-It's Tracy. I think have a few ideas, most you have probably heard from me before ;)
I love the idea of having a large postcard to promote yourself. These would be great for some of your BFF's to bring to their works and post on the community boards. I know that there are a lot of people here in the ER that would take advantage of your ideas and prices! Which answers your next question that yes-your prices are great! Price suggestion for me would be about 15.00-just like the shirts!:)
I love how you do random sales and post them on FB (for those of us who don't blog a lot!). I think I good idea for sales would be like 10% or 15% off your entire order...it might make people buy more than just 1 thing at a time.
I also agree with the earlier post about getting involved in cider days and I think you will really take off with the Farmers Market!
Again I think you are amazing girl!! Keep it up so we can have our days off together :)
love ya! T
I wish I had some creative advice to give you, but you already kinda mentioned everything I would think of on my own haha! BUT...I love your stuff! Super cute...it'll sell itself!
I think drawing up a goodie basket with a sample of everything you are selling would be a good idea. I am not too sure on what else you could do besides what you have mentioned. I love your work and wish you the best!
hey girl! i know you have heard most of my ideas, but i thought i would comment anyway.
i love/agree with summer's idea on creating a basket of all your wonderul items to take with you as you visit local businesses. this way they can see/feel the quality of all your products. with this, you should take with you tons of business cards, the large postcards you have created, and a portfolio of all the work you have done. i would be willing to leave the basket if asked. it could be a mini display of what your business offers.
i would start with the list of businesses i provided. i would do walk-ins, that way you are already there and you can sell yourself to them on the spot. if the appropriate person is not there to talk to, at least your stuff has been seen.....leave your contact info for them to contact you. in your portfolio, i would include comments you have received from your past customers........all positive of course:) you just need to have confidence and sell it. look how far you have come! i'm so proud of you! your business will grow even more once the farmers market starts.
as far as a webpage design. jenn's brother-in-law, wells, knows all the it stuff you need to know. i will give her all your info and she will forward it onto him. he should be able to help you get started. jenni and i both can help you with the creative part of it.
when it comes to pricing, i think you are dead on. great prices for great quality items. i think $15 for the onesie dress is reasonable.
keep doing what you are doing with fb......it's working!
once your business expodes, i can then quit my job and we can open a boutique:)
love ya,
melisa
I have loved to look at all your stuff!! It is so cute and reasonable in price. I would say the biggest thing is for the people who do not search the web. Making some kind of business cards or even like a goodie basket and having that out in businesses would help greatly.
We've been emailing all day with my ideas!!
You definitely are in the right direction with this business!! Keep at it girl!! :)
Maybe start up a referral program for your existing customers- to branch out and have more customers! Also- what about having a big party in May...invite people you know...even put pictures online for those that don't live near you...and just have a huge blow-out or kick-off sale!
Your prices are very reasonable compared to most shops.
I think a way to get more people is a give-away, I know that puts you out of SOME money .. but, it draws people. You could giveaway a hairbow or something small & then offer a 10%-20% off code to use on you merchandise for a certain amount of time.
I think for the price of the tutu dress; $35. I think that's a pretty low price, but I don't know how much $$$ you have to put in it.
I would take 1 of everything; just so they can see the quality of everything you make :)
hope this wa helpful & GOOD LUCK!!!
Your prices are very reasonable compared to most shops.
I think a way to get more people is a give-away, I know that puts you out of SOME money .. but, it draws people. You could giveaway a hairbow or something small & then offer a 10%-20% off code to use on you merchandise for a certain amount of time.
I think for the price of the tutu dress; $35. I think that's a pretty low price, but I don't know how much $$$ you have to put in it.
I would take 1 of everything; just so they can see the quality of everything you make :)
hope this wa helpful & GOOD LUCK!!!
I think your prices are great. My mom has two embroider machines and she designs and sells towels and bags on Ebay. I keep telling her to move to Etsy, but she's a little resistent to change. She's finally making a profit after paying off her machines, etc. Since they live in Abilene, she doesn't have much choice as to dropping samples off at boutiques like you do... I'm sure she would just say to KEEP AT IT! :-)
I agree with the above girls... a cute giftbasket with some of your best work would be really appealing and sweet to drop off at boutiques. When you stop by, maybe you could leave a portfolio with photos of all of the items you sell so that the owner can see it all instantly rather than to get on the internet. Of course have your business cards, your bio, contact info, etc. I think it would be great to have testimonial quotes from past customers as well.
My business cards are from designhergals.com I love that website :-)
Keep us posted with your changes and good luck. I just love your bows. SOO fun! :-D
Wow can I just tell you that I wrote my blog post to you when I was at work and checking in patients..therefore I do have better typing skills then those exhibited in the prior post!! ::EMBARRASSED!!:: haha
I have something for you on my blog!!
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