Thank You

Always remember to say Thank You. This may sound like a childish thing but even if you do not get an order, smile and say thank you. The customer will remember that next time they see you.

Delivery Options

Offer to deliver your customers order a little earlier or a little later than your regular schedule. It may throw you off track temporarily but a customer in a pinch will remember you for going out of your way for them.

Finding New Customers

Ask your current customers for new customers. Offer them another product or extra lesson if they know of someone that may be interested in your products or lessons. Also offer the current customer a discount on their next order if they find you a new customer that buys from you. You could offer a small gift insted of a discount.

Buyers Club

Offer your customers a Buyers Club. For instance if they buy 10 of one item from you over a period of time, give them 1 free. Make up index cards for them and for you to keep track of their sales.

Photos of your work

If you can´t photograph your work indoors and want to take heed of the fact that white can be too glaring a background for your piece, try different coloured fabrics.

Advertising

Invest in a mail out every quarter rather than expensive magazine and
newspaper ads as your base of names and addresses grows. After 18 months
mine has grown from about 20 to 220. In this small area that is a lot. Don´t
forget this 220 have friends and family too.

Photographing your work

I get a chair and put it up on a table and the a cream or white cloth or sheet and drape it over the table. I prop the pieces against the chair legs. I photograph indoors with either the SLR or digital camera set on the tripod. both can be set to take photos without the flash. I put the cameras on a tripod to hold them steady and then us a button extension to take the shot...you know the funny bit of a lead that use see professionals use. This way I don´t move the camera when I snap.

Advertising

Advertise in school newsletters...make painting sound like just the thing for mums with a few hours up their sleeve a week - cheap presents, rewarding experiences etc

Ask Everyone

Ask everyone you know to buy from you. Don´t leave anyone out. The one person you don´t ask may be your best customer.

Demonstrations

Run a couple of free demo´s during the year. Use shows, community gatherings or just do them in the shop. Don´t demonstrate anything fancy - work on the simple things that would show anyone could do this!

Toletrader.com

Here is an easy-to-use targeted way of selling your old books, your painted items, your patterns, your UFO´s! Go to toletrader.com and post your ads for free! Give it a try!

Toletrader.com

Helpers

Employ helpers if your business gets too much for you to handle. Find people that do not want to be "in sales" Themselves but ones that are willing to help you. Offer them a small discount off of their own order each time they get you orders, or offer them lesson time. I have a helper who stocktakes, demonstrates and does housework! It works for us!

Paperwork

Do your own paperwork as soon as you get it! You will not only be more organized but you may even be more informed about your business.

Believe

If possible, always wear or use your products yourself. Customers won´t buy something that they think you are ashamed of using yourself. Try wearing a handpainted apron, jumper or shirt. Paint your business logo on it! I have a handpainted bag and purse. It gets attention!

Be Different

Highlight what you have that other places don´t have - small classes, specialist services and supplies.

Phone Orders

Always keep a current book, paper, and a pen by the phone for those called in or last minute orders.

Cross Category Selling

If you have a customer that is buying something from one category and you have a great offer in another totally different category, make sure you mention it to them. They may not even realize that you have other products. Lets say they want a book...do they have the right brushes?

Payment Plan

Offer your customers a payment plan if it is feasible. They will often spend more if they can break up the payments. Your initial profit may suffer but it will pay off in the long run. Your customers will love it and you!

Mailing Lists

Get out to the local shool fairs and fetes and have a demo stand and day.
Stick your mailing list right out the front there.

Organize

Organize your route so that you do not backtrack. Not only does it waste gasoline but it wastes an enoumous amount of time.