Getting Yourself Out There!

[Former_Member]

How are you getting yourself and your business out there? In which creative ways do you market yourself and your products?

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I work full-time overnight and TOTALLY want to get involved in the Occupy Wall St. protests. I live in NYC and am not too far from where the protesters are camping out. When I get off work though, I am dead tired and ready to go to sleep. How else can I get involved I asked myself. Well, I can DONATE!!! I made some soap for the protesters as they have been sleeping outside and using the McDonald's bathrooms for the last 3 weeks! I checked their website to see which kinds of items they needed and soap was on the list, GREAT! I've been posting on my Facebook and personal website that I will be donating. I've also posted on the Occupy Wall St. Facebook page and on OccupyWallSt.org. I've been getting great feedback and also some hits to my site.

I'm getting involved in what I believe in and using my products as a way to market myself and my business as well!

Get creative! Striving for our own businesses is not just about making money, but participating in causes we believe in and helping others along the way!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing. I struggle with marketing myself and getting my name out there. I feel totally clueless. Your ideas are great!

[dorsetclothing]

Somehow I completely missed this post. That's great news, and such a good way to help a cause!

I had a really exciting moment this morning, I got a convo from the editor of a doll magazine who wants to include one of my coats as part of a feature on winter doll clothing! Fingers crossed it brings people to my store!

The good thing is they just want one of my photos, they don't need me to send it, so I guess good photos is a way to get yourself seen!

[Former_Member]

That sounds great!!!!!!! How exciting! Do you know how they found you? What other ways are you putting yourself out there?

[dorsetclothing]

She didn't say Jacque (oh hey, I like calling you by a name instead of face! XD), I'm assuming through search.

Other than that I'm just promoting myself wherever I can online that I feel is right for me - my blog, tumblr, deviantart, and some forums that I'm on. I also found a site that posts up latest news and interviews about doll creators and such, and they had a directory of sellers which they added me to at my request. I get a couple of visits a day from that.

[Former_Member]

Any one having any creative ideas for getting yourself and product out to the buying public?

Has anyone done any house parties? I am thinking of holding a Pamper Me day with friends.

[Former_Member]

I know Mon! I like to now speak to people instead of shops! LOL!

Do you do craft fairs in your area? How long did it take you to build up a steady stream of customers? I want to start building my business as I am ready to take the LEAP OF FAITH!

[dorsetclothing]

Oh sorry Jacque, I didn't notice this post!

I only do doll craft shows, so they're only 2-3 times a year (which is for the best really, cause it takes me about three months of sewing to get enough stock up for the market whilst working on my store!).
I am probably a different case because I'm quite involved in the local ball jointed doll collecting community. We have meetups once a month, and talk often online, so I'm always in contact with my customers. So leading up to the market I spend some time posting up teaser photos of things I'll be debuting at the market, to get some interest going.
So if you know people in your local community, maybe getting in touch with them via FB or something is a good way to keep a loyal customer base. Maybe hold off on a new soap or something until your next market, so that they feel special by getting to buy it first!

[Former_Member]

Really nice post and great way to support a cause and market your products!

I think, I will first add more items before moving outside the net but I live in a small university town so I think university students can be a good target for some of my items.

I am also thinking of donating part of my earnings to my town dog shelter so right now I still have to do the basic steps like having at least 50 items in store and then doing my best to promote them!

[wildwomanbeads]

I've done house parties only to people I know. I do them twice a year, Fall and Spring, when people are looking for gifts or something to uplift them. I send a private email to my 400+ email followers and friends, give them 10% off as I don't have to wrap or ship items, and make them feel at home while they shop. It's fun.

I should also say I limit it to people I know because I'm a woman living alone and don't want strangers coming into my home.

I also do a few limited/juried shows a year. I could/should be doing more but it's a hassle to load my little VW Beetle up with everything that requires. Sometimes I borrow a friend's van.

I have a mass emailing (www.constantcontact.com) for a modest amount of money per year and use that to send out mailings with photos and updates. I also use my FB page for contests, teasers, quotes, anything that will engage people and bring them back to see what's new.

Enjoy hearing what others are doing to get themselves up and running as a full-time business!

Best of luck to all!

[Former_Member]

i do local craft shows and i have some items on consignment in a local restaurant that supports crafters and artists. I am also donating an item to a fundraiser for a little boy in our area who is a victim of abuse.

and of course, i have facebook and twitter where i promote and post almost daily.

[CarolaBartz]

I like what you did to get involved AND help your store!

Marketing is still a big issue for me. Yes, I do have my Facebook business page and I try to be active there, but it doesn't really bring that much traffic to my store. I have thought of doing an Open Studio day or something like this. My blog also helps a little bit, but it is not a place to just talk about my store - I think that would people put off.

[Former_Member]

I've created a new stream of business for my products by offering mini soaps and lip balms as party favors! I'm excited to see where this takes me!

[dorsetclothing]

lol Jacque, you changed your avatar and I didn't realise it was you!

I started what will be a series of tips and tutorials for sewing doll clothes today, and I've already had someone who runs a doll blog with a reasonably large following if they could post it up there, linking back to me. :O
So another way to get yourself out there - share what you know. It's a good way to get involved with your community/niche market.

[Former_Member]

Since I'm just starting I'm using my blog and social networks. I then plan to attend some craft fairs in my area when the season starts

[Former_Member]

Lol Mon! Oh no!!! Don't worry, I'm still here!! Congrats on your series and tutorials!!!

[Former_Member]

I did it. I emailed a few people that do Anime fests to see if my art will fit in. Its not anime. but it is Japanese. I'm going to try to go where the people love Japan and see if my art does well there.

[Former_Member]

I do local shows sometimes. I also have my items in 3 different shops around the area. I also have a FB page that I try to keep as active as possible. I've also posted my items to Pinterest and Wanelo.com. Wanelo has gotten me a ton of hits in the past few days since I posted to it. I also did the free FB ads and gained some new fans that way. I've also participated in some giveaways on FB through other people's pages and that has gained me some fans and sales.

[dorsetclothing]

Mori - do you have Japanese festivals over there? Here in Melbourne we have one or two Japanese festivals in Spring/Summer where there are vendors of Japanese gifts and foods, as well as demonstrations of traditional dances, kendo, etc. Maybe if there's something like that nearby you could sell your goods there?

[Former_Member]

Mon, that is a great idea. I will look into it. They sound like fun! Even if I don’t get in I would love to go just to experience the festival! If not I might have to make a trip to Melbourne one day! :) I’ve always wanted to visit Australia!

[Former_Member]

I've done a few house parties, but I feel completely awkward. I have had sales that way, but it feels so forced. So much so that I've declined offers to do more. Perhaps I'm the only one that is having the problem. These routes that you are all making are great! It makes me reconsider my own limitations.

Thank you!!

[Former_Member]

Carla, I know what you mean! I am so shy and know its hard selling in person. But just think they asked you to do a house party. They want you to be there and want to buy your things. Don’t give up on something that has given you sales and has people asking for more! You can do it!!

[Former_Member]

I agree with Mori. I haven't done a house party yet, but plan to soon with my bath & body products. I feel if they invited you to do it at their house, or accepted an invitation to come to your house. Everyone knows what the "point" of the party is. Just make it fun, have food and drinks, maybe some music in the background as well.

[Former_Member]

Yes, and who knows it might have been just that group of people. Maybe there were some grumps in the crowed. But if you do it a few times and you find it really isn't your thing, then at less you gave it a really good try.

Jacque great suggestions, free food and drink is always a good idea. I know I love it!! :D

[Former_Member]

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