What's Community Got To Do With It?

If your serious about writing, then you join a writer's group. If your even more series about getting published, you attend a writers' conference. And, if you're an artist or crafter, you join a group of talented people who share the same interest. There are all types of groups, workshops, and gatherings available to those who are in the pursuit of their craft.

But how does one go in the pursuit of customers? Do you meet customers at conferences? at workshops?

The answer to those questions is probably not. If your going to a writer conference and selling books, then yes you'll sell to other authors, because let's face it. If they like to write, they like to read. Just like you. However, if your and artist selling paintings, chances are you're not going to sell as many paintings to another artist as you are to an art collector in a gallery.  See the difference?

So if you're getting out there to enhance your craft, that's great. Keep up the good work. Now, it's just time for you to step out into the community with a different gait.

What I mean is, you've chased down the best conferences, best workshops, and best places to talk shop. Now, you need to do the same thing with the community. It's more than attending a local PTO meeting at your child's school or volunteering to be the Den Mom for your son's cub scout troop. Yes, you will meet people, but are you meeting the right kinds of people?

These are the people who will be your customers. They are people most likely to pay you for the craft your selling. Who are they? Well, that's for you to figure out, and I'll help you in another post.

Today though, take a look at what is happening in your community and surrounding areas. Is there anything that inspires you to help, volunteer, or donate your time and craft? Is there any event that you just want to become a part of as an attendee where you can mingle with others and build relationships with potential customers?

As an author, I attend workshops, writer groups, and conference each year in the pursuit of getting published, but more so that I can be a better writer. Along the way, after many years, I've developed a network and support group. Some of those in my network are fellow writers, some are potential customers waiting for a new book to hit the shelf. You'll find me browsing the shelves of a book store alot, or sitting with a cup of tea and my laptop at a local coffee shop. Sometimes, I squeeze in a book club around my kiddo's hetic activity schedules.

As a crafter, I attend parties and gatherings that let me get to know my customers and maintain a relationship with them and introduce myself to new customers. I do this online through social networking and in person. I sell guest books through MRsCHADT, so where do you think I go in the community to get to know others?

That's right, bridal shows (yes, even though I'm already happily married), craft fairs, card parties, local craft shops on weekend demonstrations, and sometimes I drop off little sample product and gifts at hospitals to be included in new mom packages.

What ways  can you think of that will help you become apart of the community more and begin your own customer network?

Sometimes, its more than just selling your craft, it's showing others who you are beyond the studio.

I'll see you all on Monday, as I'm taking off tomorrow for a long weekend with my kiddo's before they head back to school for another grueling year of homework.

Eaten Any Good Words Lately?

When I was a kid, I would hear the expression, "Eat your words". Usually, I'd hear this when someone said something about someone that the person didn't like.

As a grown up, I've found a words slipping out, that later I wish I had eaten. Haven't you?

Words have a profound effect on our society. Whether the words are spoken out loud, or put into writing, they carry a lot of weight. Sometimes, they can be sweet. Sometimes, they're down right bitter.

How do you want the words about you tasting on someone else's tongue?

That my friends, leads us into today's discussion.

The best kind of promotion you can achieve for your shop or yourself is word of mouth. Yep, we've all heard about it. We've all done it.

I just bought this really cool pink blouse and I can't wait to tell my friends about it. Been there. Done that. Haven't you?

So have your customers. They too, will be spreading the word about what cool findings they saw in your shop or what great service they received from you. You're latest masterpiece might have brought them to tears. They'll tell someone. Anyone.

And you want those words from their mouths to be the sweetest words anyone has ever heard and tasted when they repeat them to someone else. The last thing any small business owner wants is their brand or product becoming bitter in someone's mouth.

We all have to face it. Many of us have been taught not to gossip, but when you come across something really great, you've just got to share it with a friend.

Will the words spread amongst friends about your handmade talent and items flow sweetly onto the next customer in line, or will the foul smell of a bitter customer plague you with it bad review?

Sometimes, it is not necessarily words that stir the flavor of review amongst others when it comes to promoting ourselves and our craft. It is, almost always, our actions that come across loudest that attract others to share good and bad experiences with their friends.

In the words of Lance Morrow:

"As they marched, the crowds lining the route broke into applause, a sweet and deeply felt spontaneous pattering that was a sort of communal embrace. Welcome home."

5 Ways To Tell Others About Your Shop

Let's give your shop a "shout out" and let people know you exist. No, I don't mean standing out in the middle of the street and shouting. Not only could that be dangerous, but someone might think you're a little off your rocker today.

But don't let me discourage you if that's really what you want to do. There are, however, other ways you can tell others about your great shop of handmade goodies.

1. Tell your friends you've opened up a shop. Not strangers, your friends. Those people you see most often and on a regular bases.

2. Make an announcement to interested parties. For example: Writers often announce when new books are coming out. Why? Because over time they develop a readership who are interested in reading their books, or a certain type of book. When you announce you have a new product, certain type of product, it generates excitement through interested parties.

3. Create memorable advertising flare. Leave business cards or little samples after you've gone to a restaurant, at conferences on freebie tables, and other tactful places where some might pick up your shop name and hold on to it.

4. Become and accessory to a charitable event. There are many charitable organizations and other types of fund raisers that are looking for small businesses to donate to help raise month for their cause. This is where you give your best work, not that painting that just didn't come out right or the half bent book cover copy that isn't of any value to you. Here is your chance to shine, and do something good for other. It will come back to reflect brightly upon you if completed in a professional and resonating way. Customers like to see that shops they buy from are involved outside their studios and craft tools.

5. Throw a party. I think I may have mentioned this back in January. But hey, throw a party anyway. Invite friends to invite there friends. Share your new space (studio or store front), have an online gathering with hash tags from twitter or a facebook fan page commodore. You get the picture. And don't forget the candy!
You need to feed your attendees. If you're having a physical party, throw out the party platters and open the buffets of snacks and punch.

If your party is virtual, then you need to give them some eye candy to go with all that reading and waiting in front to the computer. Free samples, games that lead to a chance to receive discount coupons or free goodies from your shop.

Now that's the kind of party I like!

How will you tell others about your shop?

How To Promote Your Shop Online

I realized back in February I promised we would talk about promotions online and offline for your shops. So today, I'd like to pick up where we left off.

It has been a long time hasn't it?

First let's talk about all the ways we can promote our shops and then we'll break it down the following days.

1. We can promote our shops by telling others. (Dah! right? Be patient. We're getting there.)
2. We can promote our shops by having others tell their friends about us.
3. We can promote our shops by putting ourselves out there for the public to see.

Seems simple enough, yet those three things are kind of broad when trying to figure out exactly how they are supposed to work. So tomorrow, we'll break them down one by one and get down to the details.

What's selling in your shop today?

Do You Have a License to Sell?

Retail stores need licenses to sell, but today's question I hear everyone asking themselves as they get started in their chosen profession is: Do I need a license to sell my craft?

But really, you should first ask yourself -- Is my craft taxable?

If you are selling a handmade product vs charging for your talents, then most likely your answer is going to be YES.

You'll more than likely  need a Sales Tax License. You can obtain a sales tax license through your state department.  A lot of craft shows and vendor establishments will require you to have this licenses before allowing you into their facility.

If you don't make a lot of sales in a year, don't sweat it. Most states give you the option of filing your sales tax monthly, quarterly, semi annually, or annually. And now adays, you can fill out the form online or enlist the help of an accounting professional to assist you.

It's a cake walk, believe me, if I can do it, so can you. If you need help, just give me a shout and I'll be happy to assist you with it.

Now, let's go back to talking about retail. What is it? Retail is basically setting up shop in a physical place where your customers come to you. In this case, you will need to check with your local chamber of commerce in the town where your retail shop is located for their policy and regulations of licenses and requirements for retail locations.

And lastly, let's not forget those online shops like Etsy, Artfire, and eBay. Do you need a license to sell your craft online? Absolutely. You might think because you're floating in cyberspace that you're not covered by any state license laws, but it just ain't so.  You will still need to collect sales tax on all applicable items sold online for the state in which you live.

So for example. I have two shops - one at Etsy and one at Artfire. I live in Pennsylvania. So, I only collect sales tax from customers who purchase that live in the same state as I do.

See how that works?

Imagine how overwhelming it could become if you had to collect sales tax in all 50 states!! And let's not even think about the hassles of international orders!

So for today, we'll stick with were we are. Do you have a license to sell?

Tomorrow we'll move onto another aspect of selling your craft.