Comments on: The Non-Scary Way To Start Selling Your Work To Shops http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/ Marketing + Social Media Training for Creative Entrepreneurs Sun, 19 May 2013 12:22:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: kerry http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28883 kerry Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:46:27 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28883 I am so happy that you all found this post so helpful!!!

I love your story Judi – it is fascinating that depending on what you make or design the process of getting into shops can so different! Congrats on 23 stores!

@tatiana – Glad this post came in time for you to scout out some shops before your next craft fair!

@lesley – I know you found tons of goodies on Clare’s site and I hope everyone else takes a peek too!

]]> By: Clare http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28866 Clare Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:29:52 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28866 Hi Kerry, Tatiana, Lesley and Judi,

Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m so delighted you’re finding this post useful :)

Judi, what a great story! Getting a little squiffy (as we sometimes call it in the UK) before you approach potential stockists might not be a long-term strategy, but I think there’s an excellent take-away here. Whether you’re pitching your work in person, over the phone or via email, the more relaxed you are, the better your chance of a great result.

When you’re relaxed you’re really, truly YOU. And everything gets easier when you’re being yourself :)

Thanks again!

Clare x

]]> By: Judi Painted it http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28865 Judi Painted it Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:47:45 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28865 My first time going out in the field as a sales person representing myself I got a little tipsy…;o)

Being in the wine industry I put together my paperwork, order forms, sample glasses, business attire and such. Drove to several winery’s and gift shops doing “tastings” while I was trying to close deals. By the time I got to the last winery of the day I was so “relaxed” and that was my biggest sale!

Im now up to 23 stores who sell my wine glasses.

]]> By: Lesley http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28861 Lesley Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:43:37 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28861 Hal. le. lu. jah. Thank you!

I’m just at the point now where I’m getting up the courage to approach ye olde brick-n-mortars and while I’m not necessarily scared, per se, I’m just…confused? Overwhelmed? A little doubty-mcdoubterson?

These tips were great and I am willing to bet there is more where that came frommmm…. ::tip toes over to Clare’s site::

]]> By: Tatiana http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28859 Tatiana Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:06:54 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28859 Claire-
Thanks so much for this post! As someone who’s been taking safe, baby steps for many years, this method seems perfect for me. I have two craft fairs coming up in the fall and will definitely zero in on a few boutiques to invite to the show.

]]> By: Clare http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28857 Clare Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:48:45 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28857 Hi Claudia, Emily, Melanie – thanks so much for reading!

Melanie, the route you mention certainly is the traditional way to approach retailers about stocking your work. It’s pretty much the kind of approach I recommend over at Indie Retail Academy, in my starter kit and at my own boutique.

I’ve suggested this craft fair idea because many of the artists and designers I work with do find the idea of approaching stockists very intimidating. This idea is a way to ease into wholesale, to dip your toes in the water and see if it’s for you, without putting a lot of pressure on yourself.

It’s definitely not for everyone, but it does provide a way for some designers to start building a relationship with local shopkeepers. We’re always looking for great new items and a warm, friendly invitation to a craft fair is a lovely, helpful thing to receive.

Thanks so much for your comments!

Clare

]]> By: kerry http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28856 kerry Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:40:44 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28856 Thank you so much for this awesome post Clare! Your humor and experience is so helpful when it comes to this daunting task! I really like how you took an opportunity that people might already be doing like craft fairs and showed us how to make it even more productive!
I know we will all be looking forward to your posts each month!

]]> By: Melanie ~Curious Little Bird~ http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28855 Melanie ~Curious Little Bird~ Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:27:00 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28855 As an entrepreneur, I have first hand experience in this dept! :) If you’re really adamant about getting your products into a store, the best way to do it is to prepare a line sheet with your wholesale prices, and then pick your stores, and call them up telling them who you are, and what you have to offer. Most of the times they either want an email sent with photos/website, or an in person meeting to see the products in person. Making a cold call can be scary, so I suggest sending them a quick email with some photos, and a link to your website, and then mentioning you’ll follow up with a phone call in a few days. This way, when you call, they’ll most likely have seen your stuff and will be ready to let you know if they’re interested or not. If they give you an objection (our store is full – no thanks), don’t hang up, try to find something to say to get them to try out your product. Consignment isn’t a huge commitment for the store, and they can see whether or not your product will sell.

Either way, it’s not scary, and it’s faster than setting up a pretty table at a craft fair and waiting for business owners. Plus, doing it the phone way takes less time. Not all business owners go to craft fairs to stake out new suppliers.

I hope that helps. :)

]]> By: Emily http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28854 Emily Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:49:50 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28854 This post was just what I needed — as I am now at the point in my business of finding retailers. I have several consignees but not one wholesale. Thanks for the awesome advice and keeping the monsters at bay…

]]> By: Claudia Hepler http://handmadesuccess.com/2012/08/the-non-scary-way-to-start-selling-your-work-to-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-28853 Claudia Hepler Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:24:55 +0000 http://handmadesuccess.com/?p=6086#comment-28853 This is such great advice…sometimes (always!) we need a little reminder about easy ways to promote our businesses! Thanks.

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