Marketing Advice

[Former_Member]

I'm looking for advice on what I can do to make my small business more known to the public through marketing. I have my own set of business cards and am planning to participate in a craft show in June. But until that month comes, I'm wondering what I can do to get out there more. Would handing out business cards at a mall work? Any suggestions, ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Plektra]

Personally, I would ask before I leave business cards anywhere. You might have them thrown out which is a shame and waste of your money. Using someone else's premises to advertise your business will not look good.

Those who do craft fairs might be able to advise, but you will get lots of information about them in this Team: https://www.etsy.com/uk/teams/8070/craft-fairs-its-a-living

My advice for CFs is: see them as an opportunity to be there, give out business cards, let people see who you are and talk to them about your work. Don't go with high expectations like, I'm going to make lots of money today. It is possible to sell 0 items. CFs need a lot of preparation too.

Some people like social media to advertise. Does the show you are going to have a SM page? Maybe you can participate there?

Whatever you do with promotion / advertising....avoid spamming. So annoying.

[LeedsRadio]

You're willing to spend money and time on business cards, but from the one review you have on Etsy it seems you weren't interested in spending money on making your customer happy.

Making customers happy is the first tier of marketing. When people are happy they tell other people, either through reviews or word of mouth and that IS marketing.

When I receive ads or promotions from businesses that have made me happy I read them and when they are from those I was dissatisfied with they go straight into the garbage.

I've traveled a lot and stayed in a lot of hotels. Once in a Hyatt in Chicago, I got a room I really didn't like so I went down to the front desk to talk to the manager. With no fuss, no drama, no argument she gave me a suite that was so big that it went from the north side of the building to the south for the same price. I now stay at a Hyatt whenever possible and told this story to dozens of people. Now you've heard it too.

I agree with Minerva on using business cards at a mall; It's anti-promotion.

[Former_Member]

Minerva- I really appreciate your advice and it will definitely help a lot! Thank you. This will be my very first craft show and I'm excited, but I only know a little bit of what it'll be like and consist of, so this team will definitely help me. And you are right when it comes to the business cards, I won't be spamming or pushing my business onto someone.

Richard- The review I have on Etsy is out of my control as I have reached out to my customer multiple times (before and after the review) and have had no response. If you have advice on this, I'm definitely listening. It's hard to make customers happy when virtually I have none. But I definitely do understand what you are saying and agree that positive feedback and positive customer service is golden and gets around quickly with word of mouth. Vice versa with negative feedback.