The Power of Positive Appearances

I write today to focus on the importance of appearing successful. Shoppers and buyers want their interactions with craftspeople to be fun and efficient. They are drawn to people whose appearance suggests a certain level of success. It's our job to provide this. There are many components to appearing successful. Among them, the way we dress when we're out selling our work. Invest in an outfit or two to wear in public, keep the studio clothes in the studio. Be certain you have displayed your work thoughtfully with the appropriate props, ie food/flowers. The way we behave in public is also an element. It's important that we appear proud of our work and our focus be on selling it. Each person gets a greeting and we're not doing anything that distracts our attention from then and our work. Our efforts to appear successful will be rewarded with increased sales.

Getting The Price Right

Be certain, people will continue to shop. It's important that they choose to buy your work. But it's more important that they pay the right price for your goods. Are you sure you're getting the price right?? How do you know that your wholesale prices will cover your expenses. Are you tracking your overhead costs and your marketing costs?? Do you use a Costs Worksheet as you develop new product and do you have a Pricing Sheet that helps you pull together all the information needed to price product correctly. If not I suggest you take a look at The Pricing Game in my book and at the forms to be used for determining the correct price.

Getting to Tomorrow

I am filled with thoughts about how we in the crafts world can plan for our success in the next decade. The times are uncertain, but one that that is for sure, our field is driven by survivors. The scale of our businesses allows us to adjust to changing times far better than the larger manufacturers who need months or years to change their products and marketing. I will begin to post some of my product development and marketing ideas here and invite you to do the same.