Marketing Tips

*~* Don't expect your life to change if you won't. *~*
I happened to read this one-liner in a sales piece selling motivational material. This one idea conjured up a million thoughts in my mind. But most of all it made me think of the hundreds of calls I take from artisans who want to know some alternative way to market their work.

I usually ask them how they sell now and then suggest several other methods they are not presently using. In about 9 out of 10 times I will get the response like "I don't think I could do that".

Well, if you don't think you can... of course you can't.
*~* Don't expect your life to change if you won't. *~*
Building a business is a one-step-at-a-time process. Embrace new ideas or alternative selling methods, always be on the lookout for opportunity. Be as creative with your marketing as you are at developing your products. One new idea or marketing method could make the difference!

Leave your "Comfort Zone". We rarely make gains in life if we aren't willing to take a few risks. Rather than fear failure, realize failure is simply one way of finding out what works and what doesn't. Failure is no more than a mistake and mistakes are a normal part of everyday life. Abraham Lincoln said "A man who can't make a mistake, can't make anything". Failure is the main research method used in scientific, medical and industrial research. View any failure or mistake as merely an attempt at success. You will grow and learn by each attempt. You will gain valuable experience which decreases your chances of future mistakes.

Here is a list of some of the ways to market or sell your creative talents:

Selling at Art & Craft Fairs and Shows
Private Studios and Workshops
Open House Sales
Holiday Boutiques
Seasonal Boutiques
Home Craft Parties
Craft Consignment Shops
Form a Craft Co-Op
Art Galleries
Craft Malls & Rent-a-Space Shops
Local Outlets for Arts & Crafts:
a. Medical Offices & Hospitals
b. Schools
c. Retirement Centers
c. Small retail shops and service providers
d. Special interest cubs, groups or organizations
Moving into Wholesaling:
a. Doing Trade Shows
b. Selling through Sales Reps
c. Selling through Gift Marts
d. Selling Direct to Shops and Galleries
e, Be a Sales rep for your line & other Compatible Lines
Developing and Selling Patterns by Mail
Wholesaling a Pattern Line
Developing and Selling Kits
Designing for Manufacturers
Licensing Designs to Manufacturers
Entering Contests
Write what you know about:
a. Writing Magazine Articles on your Area of Expertise
b. Publishing How-To Art or Craft Booklets
c. Publishing a Book on Specific Techniques
d. Publish a Newsletter for your Niche Market
e. Selling How-To Articles to Magazines
f. Writing Craft and Needlework Design Books
Teaching How-To Techniques
Speaking About Your Art or Craft
Local Radio or TV Personality as an Expert in Your Field
Magazine or Newspaper Advertising
Selling Your Art or Craft Talent as a Service
Offering Special Business Services
Business to Business & Social Networking
Cause, Charity and/or Community Involvement
Get Listed in all relative Directories or Guides
Get connected-Join Trade Associations, Guilds or Professional Groups in Your Field
Mailings to your Customer List
Press Releases or Announcements About Your Company and/or Products
Catalogs, Sales Sheets, Brochures or a Video
Mail Order Sales
Using Email and/or Direct Mail
Internet Web Page

You Can Change Your Life, and Expand your Business only if you are willing to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for you. Successful marketing is usually not one “big idea,” but a combination of marketing ideas working together to build your business.

*~* Don't expect your life to change if you won't. *~*
Pick one of these ideas, move out of your comfort zone and give it a try today. If you don’t know what some of these marketing methods are or how to use them,
visit http://www.craftassoc.com
where you will find informational articles covering most of these topics.
(C) 1998 NCA.

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