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Story by
katydiddy
Published on January 10, 2008 in How-To |
Photo by |
Etsy seller and business maven katydiddy generously volunteered her entrepreneurial skills (and MBA!) with some helpful tips for online sellers to market themselves in the "offline" world. Enjoy!
As online sellers, most of us are experts at online networking. The Etsy Forums, Flickr, and Indiepublic are just a few of the online networking resources we spend our marketing time on.
These are all great ways to get the word out about your online shop, but networking shouldn’t be your only venue for marketing your Etsy shop. Introducing a new and constant stream of people to your business is a challenge, and you need to start looking beyond the online world in order to achieve the success you desire. A great way to do this is to start exploring traditional networking venues.
I know, I know. A Chamber of Commerce or LeTip meeting sounds scary and a little too mainstream for your artsy self, but, by following these five steps the process a will be a little easier. I’ve even included some creative tips so that you don’t feel like you are losing your creative edge as you explore this marketing arena.
Step One: Shop your venues
Most networking organizations will allow you to attend a few meetings before you become a member. When I started my business, I spent the first year going to about four networking events a month. It was time consuming, but I was able to figure out which organizations would pay off the most. I now only attend two meetings a month and belong to one organization, yet I am getting more business than ever because the events I go to are filled with my target market. I strongly believe that effective networking is as much about quality as quantity. Make sure the room is filled with potential clients and watch your networking time pay-off! Many of these events are scheduled in the early morning or at lunch time, so even if you have a day job, you can probably work an event or two into your schedule.
Here are some tips for finding networking events that are a good match for your creative business:
- What local city is known for harboring artists? Make sure you attend the Chamber events there.
- Google “art clubs” or “craft clubs” and then the name of your city or county and see what comes up and when they meet.
- Tip Clubs can even be helpful: they are filled with independent business people who come into contact with tons of individuals.
- Attend events put on by your local galleries.
- Network at local craft fairs and shows.
Step Two: Be An Active Member
Once you decide on an organization or two, make sure you become an active member. Volunteer for committees or help at events. The PR you will get from spending some volunteer hours will be well worth the time. Members will think of you first when someone is looking for your products.
Creative Tip: Volunteer your creative abilities to help out the organization. Maybe you can design an invite for an event, or make the centerpieces for a lunch. This will give members an idea of what your artwork looks like and how talented you are!
Step Three: Meeting People
Go into every networking meeting with a goal of how many new people you are going to meet. I’ve found that making a game of it has helped to take the pressure off. Instead of going in thinking, “I have to find customers or my business is going to fail," I go in thinking, “I’m going to meet three people today.” That’s it: no pressure.
Sometimes the three people I meet end up being potential clients, sometimes they become friends, and sometimes they are just someone to practice my introduction on. Just relax and have fun. Remember that everyone else in the room is as nervous as you are. If you are really scared, look for someone in the corner who looks even more nervous than you. The look of relief on their face when you approach them is rewarding and will help you overcome your anxiety.
Remember that you are there to make contact. You should not immediately launch into a pitch of your business. You will attract a lot more business by listening rather than talking. Ask questions! Why is the person there? What is their business? What are their hobbies and interests? Get the focus off of yourself and onto them. When choosing a seat, don’t sit on the end. Make sure you have people on each side of you and in front of you. This gives you plenty of opportunities to meet more people.
Creative Tip: Make sure your business cards are creative. They can be the best ice breaker! But remember: sometimes it is better to receive than give. The number of business cards you collect can be more important than the number of cards you hand out. This gives you the ability to develop the relationship and keeps you from sitting by the phone, wishing that someone would you.
Step Four: Follow-up
Do not bound out of the meeting with a fistful of business cards and then let them sit in your studio and rot. Within 24 hours of the meeting, send an email out to every person you met and thank them for spending time with you.
If they requested information from you, make sure you send out what you promised. (I always write these requests on the back of their business card so that I remember what was promised to whom.) Even if you don’t think you will ever do business with the contact, make sure you send a note to them thanking them for their time. It may remind them that their sister’s best friend’s cousin needs a handmade gift. If I see an article that might interest my new contact, I’ll send that off to them. Remember how you asked them about their interest and hobbies? Use it now!
IMPORTANT: Do not use your fistful of business cards to spam people! One follow-up email is enough unless they continue a correspondence with you.
Creative Tip: Make postcards out of a picture of your best original artwork and mail them out to your new contacts.
Step Five: Keep in Touch
Once you have received responses back from your new friends and contacts, make sure you stay in touch. Once I have developed a relationship, I try to touch base with everyone at least once a month. A quick email asking what they are up to works great. With their permission, I add my new friends to my newsletter list. If you don’t do newsletters, send out postcards or some other correspondence, on a regular basis, to keep your business fresh in their mind.
Networking with people face to face is much scarier than networking online, but if you use these tips, I’m sure you will be surprised by how much you can grow your sales locally. Who knows, you may even meet a gallery or boutique owner! Follow these steps and you will look like a pro every time.
Further Resources:
Laura Bray writes a free, monthly ezine called The Well-Fed Artist, filled with marketing tips for artists and crafters. Visit www.katydid-designs.com to sign-up.
| Tags | business, craft fairs, craft shows, HOW-TO, katydiddy, networking, offline networking, promoting, real life, Seller Handbook, selling |
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141 comments Login to add your own!
alkemystic88
Great article I am going to google those words now.
I wonder if you all look at some of our shops and use this as criteria to lauch all of these how to sites because of poor presentation. Either way it is helpful and it has taken my art and business to a new level. Thanks for the tips I can't wait to see whats next, this is information that you give is worth $$$$$ and it helps us make $$$$$
forsythecompanystore
I really enjoyed the article and will get out there and network! I find working art fairs helps my business grow.
AlluringDigital
I'm terrified of meeting people face to face. You make it sound so easy and logical. I'm very grateful for this article. Looking forward to giving it a shot.
JoyfulHeartDesign
Great suggestions, Laura. And I love the Creative Tips. Sometimes people think that they should only network either online only of offline only, but you truly get the best of both world when you do both. Women's Business organizations are another great place to network. I have joined my local Women Entrepreneurs organization. All the women are so friendly. It has been a great place for me to "practice" my networking skills so that I am more confident in other settings as well.
dismantled
I'd also recommend checking to see if there's a Craft Mafia in your area:
http://craftmafia.com/main.html
These are great networking groups specific to indie craft entrepreneurs. The girls behind the original Craft Mafia, the Austin Craft Mafia, are big names in the world of craft: Jenny Hart, Vickie Howell, Jennifer Perkins... It's a really great national network to be a part of.
aplanetnamedjanet
Thank you. This is good information. Stuff I have known to do, but have not sat down and put it all together effectively.
GracefulBabies
great article. i was just wondering where I could find organizations? I live in a very rural area and honestly there isnt a lot in mine or neighboring towns. Any suggestions?
cicadastudio
Very helpful! I know people who network as you've suggested and they are very happy with the results. This takes a little of the mystery out of it for me!
fenrislorsrai
Some local groups will give you access to their mailing list, which may be well worth the membership fee.
However, if you join an organization and it isn't working out, that doesn't mean you have to stay part of it. I was only part of local chamber of commerce for a year (to use the mailing list). After a year of reminding them I was supposed to be on the membership list, they still didn't have me on there! And the current one included DEAD PEOPLE!
I declined to stay another year. Wasn't worth the time or money.
tonyaomps
Thanks for the information! I can't wait to get out there and start marketing!
bluestarbutterflies
Well, I hate doing this stuff! LOL. Maybe I'll be ready for this when my kids are in school... Thank you for the great article. It's very helpful, even if I don't want to do it. : )
pickleberries
Thank you for taking the time to get this together. It was interesting and informative!
jeanpatchbymk
Just what I've been looking for. Because my google adwords was not working for me. Thanks for the great tips.
CrowbirdieBeads
Meeting people is scary, but once you get past the initial "hello" it gets a lot easier. I'm terribly shy in person but every time I've said hello to someone it has worked out pleasantly. Well...except for that guy at the state fair...but he was an exception! :D
Great info - I'm checking out the networking sites now.
jdunford
You give such incentive to phase out my procrastination habit! Also, I love your artworks. Thanks for your time and intelligence. jdunford
AmyKopp
thank you for the article! Now, it's time to put it into practice. Wish me luck! :0}
aunaturelle
Great information, now I`ve got to get out there and use it.
cushylife
Thanks for the info! I am terriblly shy to meet people, but I will give it a shot anyway!
PDXfabricdeli
I have never thought about networking in that way. Thanks for the great tip and I'll give it a try.
KLUpholstery
Perfect ideas for networking away from the computer. Very informative. Thanks!
foxymonster
This article is awesome. It gives me some great ideas and some needed courage :P
Thank you!!
surfnturfkids
I guess you have to start somewhere! Thanks for breaking it down and sharing what you have learned.
shirtgarters
Great helpful hints. I enjoy getting out to meet people, but never really pick the right places for the right people for my product, but this gives me better ideas. Thank you so much for the insight.
Patrick
bellasparty
I admit that networking with people face to face is hard for me, but I’ll try to follow these great tips. Thanks so much!
MurdieK
Thank you for the helpful suggestions. I'm kind of new to all this. I work full time and work on my craft somewhat in the evenings and weekends. I do one large craft show in October each year. I really need to make time to work on getting my name and my craft out there more. Thanks for the help!
AshleyHerod
I really appreciate this article because it reminds me that I can use everything I learned in school. Especially because I have a PR and Communications degree. Thank you; I found this very helpfull.
beadcomber
Thanks for taking the time to share your tips and for writing it all down for us. Good advice.
crochetgal
How did we network before the internet? We used the exactly the tools that KatyDiddy describes!
Maybe its time to get back to basics for all of us?
Thanks for a very well written article.
MyCreativeThreads
Great tips, very helpful and easy steps to follow. Now I just need to get out there and do it. Thank you for sharing!
moderngirlsfabrics
Great advice! Thank you for nudging me to think outside my laptop!
ArtSense
Thanks for the tips...It's sometimes hard to keep the business side going while you're spending your time being creative!
Intentions
Wonderful article. I love the practical tips and methods to overcome obstacles. I already found an art club since reading the first point! Thanks!
adventuresinclay
Really useful article, thanks for the detailed approach to meeting up with groups! I'm participating in a new event/art fair next week and hope to use some of your pointers.
etuckerart
great ideas!! thank you so much. and i'm going to forward this on to a friend of mine who i think will also really appreciate this.
MadonnaYDesigns
Fabulous tips - since I'm new to etsy and to Phoenix, AZ these will certainly help get me started.
inkandenvelopes
THANK YOU!! I love the creative side of things but am still working on loving the sales side! This tip-filled article is a great help!
ROCKANDROLLCOASTERS
Great ideas. I love Craft shows and we do a lot of them. The trick is finding the ones that are right for you.
sbmilestones
sigh- just what i needed to hear right now,
frustration is on the horizon from doing it all
holed up here by myself- nice to "think outside the
screen" for a bit! many thanks
amotherscrochet
Thank you for your time and ideas- they will come in handy in the future.
PeggyPatchwork
Great ideas and information, a little bit of knowledge goes a longway!
Simag
. ¸¸.• ♥Excellent advice!♥ ¸¸.
THANK Y O U for sharing your knowledge with us.
samsstuff
Thank you for all the terrific tips & an article filled with very useful information!
CharkStudio
Thanks for the tips. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in making our crafts we forget the marketing side. I recently did a craft show and did not sell much, but got more commission work from passing out my business cards. Getting your name out there always reaps rewards down the line, even if it's not instantaneous!
DanceInMyGarden
You just gotta keep getting out there! Love the idea of getting out of my comfort zone!
MeghanT
I enjoyed this article. I was wondering how to start networking so this gave me some handy tips!
OlliePop
great encouragement....I'm really excited to see all the different avenues I can explore to promote my work. thanks for this great tip!
artigianajewellery
Thanks for the article, it was really useful with practical tips that make sense. It all seems less daunting now!
dickandfranny
Thank you for the article, these sound like really good tips. I can really see that they would make a difference but I would worry about coming across as pushy if I emailed and sent postcards to people I'd met for 5 minutes. Does it mean I'm not business minded if I worry about seeming to spam people by contacting them even once? I feel shy enough about giving out business cards, without the extra push of a follow up email or postcard, is it because I'm not meeting the right people?
REbaggingIT
I enjoyed reading your article. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. I will be using them.
ChampagneandBaubles
Thanks for the great tips! It'll be interesting to apply your ideas & see what happens. Thanks again.
DoodlebugAccessories
Enjoyed reading thanks. I also went to vistaprint.com and for only shipping cost (take the 21 day delivery)about $5 you will actually get it in about 7-10 days. I got a small car door magnet FREE, FREE T-shirt. I'm just starting so we'll see if it works.
marykerran
Thanks so much for the tips. I have worked art shows for 9 years and I am ready to get off the road and stay at home. This is all a new experience for me. Thanks so much.
BeadedIndulgences
Thank you for this informational article. I appreciate it very much...I signed up for your newsletter as well. I would love to do the retreat you are having...but just can't commit to it just yet!!
Christine
glassshack
Great ideas! So happy to come across your article which gives me new incentive!!
Thank you,
Haley
SallysBowtique
Thank you for the tips. I am going to attend my first networking luncheon on Tuesday. Your ideas are timely.
Thanks
Tina
Sally's Mom
MagMoment
Great ideas and specific suggestions! If you are in the South you might want to look at http://events2000.com/index.php for craft fairs near you as Laura suggests.
JLynnPro
Thanks so much! This is a fantastic article. I've been thinking about joining a couple of local Chambers, but I don't know that I'm ready yet, financially. I will definitely keep it in mind.
As for networking, that's largely what I use shows for. I've met a lot of great artisans that way, and I've learned a lot.
I never turn down an opportunity to talk about my business or hand out my business card. Just Saturday, I gave it to one of the vet techs at my vet's office, in fact. The key is to let THEM open the door, though. Very important.
Great stuff! Thanks!
anointedquilts
Thanks for the excellent advice. I'm a new seller and I appreciate all the information!
Supper help! Thanks
nannaslittlegirls1
I really needed all the info that you took the time to post. Thank you. I'm a very quiet person, but I'm going to give it an honest try.
Thanks again for the information.
DimensionalVision
This was very helpful to me thank you for the good information you give me to use.
God bless you and yours and may your life and business prosper and have good success.
Thank you again!
OpusMuse
Thank you so much for the helpful tips! I'm actually attending an art gallery show tonight. Maybe I can put some of them to practice. :)
PattysCeramics
Thank you so much. This is just what I needed, I am ready to take them on. and make new friends.
Again Thank You so much!
cacaca
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........|..............haha........|||"|""\___
........|__________________|||_|___|)<
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http://rds.yahoo.com/**http%3a//www.g...
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........|..............haha........|||"|""\___
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........|..............haha........|||"|""\___
........|__________________|||_|___|)<
........!(@)'(@)""""**!(@)(@)****!(@)
I think you may try this
http://rds.yahoo.com/**http%3a//www.g...
wholesale jersey,shoes,jean,cap,handbag,sunglass,short,wallet,watches,belts and so on All products sold at the website with good quality,free shipping,the price is very cheap. which can accept paypal. I have bought products from them
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redjk
Good article and tips,especially for someone who just start a business!
Krystyle
Excellent article! Great advice, especially for those of us new to Etsy :)
HeatherJaneDesign
Very motivating article! Great ideas and tips. I can follow these steps!
MetalBenderjewls
This is wonderful advice, in a world that is becoming more and more about online everything, stores even have there marquees with there web address, it is nice to know that I can still go out and network with live people and do business, make friends and contacts. Thank you, New to Etsy- Metalbenderjewls
fistacuffsdotnet
thank you very much for this useful information. i will try to get up the nerve to use it.
CreateInPaper
I appreciate the stong points made in this article. You have given me some food for thought.
As a supplier for paper crafts, I am still trying to determine how best to network to increase the sales of my products through networking.
lealerjcreates
I am definitely going to use some of these tips. Thanks and keep them coming.
vintagegirldezigns
Thanks for your valuable advice ~ marketing is so important, and something I really need to work on:)
PippiHepburn
Really helpful article. I just decided to sell at fairs and now will also find places to reach my target market every week. I also joined the newsletter. I am pumped!




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