Fri, May 2, 08 at 11:13 AM
Author:Donna Tibbs
Subject:SALES
Good morning all..I'd just like to say that this truly is one of the most uplifting and helpful forums I've been on..thank you Jack..and thank you to everyone that has made it as such..
I have a question I would like to ask..I'm sure we are all aware of our economy being in a bit of a slump right now..my sales have been way down..have any of you been enduring the thing?..and how would you suggest the best way to market right now would be?..I have to continue creating dolls..its in my soul..but just a bit unsure right now..thanks so much...donna
Fri, May 2, 08 at 12:22 PM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: SALES
Hi Donna, I am so glad you asked this question! My sales are also way down. As far as marketing, this year I am sending some of my dolls to Expo in Washington. I am not able to go myself but had the opportunity to share booth space with some ladies in Ooak Guild and they are showing for me and the others who cant attend. I am very lucky to get in on this and am grateful to the ones who are doing the show.
I have also submitted some photos of my work to doll magazines that do gallery pages. That is a good way of getting some attention.
If anyone has anymore ideas for marketing , I hope they will share them with us.
Chris
Sun, May 4, 08 at 9:07 PM
Author:Jack Johnston
Subject:Re: SALES in a slow market...
Thanks for your questions... it is a slow market for everyone, not just dolls. During slow markets there are several things you can do, all of them start with being pro-active. By that I mean: attend the shows and sell from the time you walk in until the time you leave, don't even have a chair in your booth (resting is not an option). Advertise in magazines with larger groups so you can share the cost of the ads, (the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild is doing one right now). If you are a member of the Guild you can put your doll in their two page ad going in Doll Crafter for $125. You should take advantage of free Gallery space on scores of websites, they are generally free and they will give you all of your own sales. I do that will www.artdolls.com as long as you are sculpting with ProSculpt and your dolls are professional quality. Ebay is one of the best methods for selling dolls at a very reasonable price. With an EBAY offering you can reach millions of collectors for very few dollars. Using our national magazines is a targeted market (that is wonderful), but you only reach a few thousand collectors. There are a few places you do not want to market; Do not purchase newspaper ads, do not advertise alone in magazines, do not use electronic media. The do not use sources are far too expensive. The cheapest and most effecting ways to sell in a slow market are; County fairs, local doll shows, put your work in you local museums, get your newspaper to write a story on you, send photos of your work and story to the newspaper, television and regional magazines. Be pro-active in everything you do. Write letters and e-mails to contact, send out post cards, make phone calls to possible collectors. Some of these ideas may sound overly simplistic to you, but they will help in this kind of market. It is simple to sell in a bull market, but a lot of work in a bear one. Just work harder and keep selling, the market will come back and when it does you will be on top. If you have specific questions you may ask them on this forum, I will do my best to answer your questions. Good luck, Jack