Marketing

I've been having so much fun creating and am backed up on my ideas for posts but I wanted to write about the thing that has kept me occupied for over a week.
In order to assess the ability to sell from my home, I decided to have what I ended up calling a 'marketing party'. Who knows if I thought this up or was inspired by something I saw on the web but I can't point to a particular source.
Here's how it worked ...
I turned my library into a 'showroom' where I displayed several of the items I've made.
I made 'stations', one for each type of item. I wrote a short description of the source/inspiration for the item and asked 3 questions at each station. There were about 8 stations.
I then asked some friends over to go through the stations and provide their feedback on little forms I made up(example below).

For their 'trouble' they got a free pair of earrings. I also provided 'light fare' which consisted of some apps, quiche, salad and wine and cookies and dried fruit for dessert.
It worked pretty well! I didn't make any sales, but that wasn't the main point. They all loved the items and I'm hopeful they'll be back to make purchases in the future.

I also described a 'custom' service: I could make a switch plate to match a shower curtain(for instance) or make up a style of earrings with different metal or beads.
The trick will be timing. I need to be available when they are in need. I'd love to be known as the 'go to' lady when a decorating or jewelry 'emergency' occurs.

I learned SO much from the first small party with three friends from work.
First there were either too many stations, too many items at each station or both.
It took them WAY longer to go through the room than I thought it would. This means they were really engaging and putting some thought into their responses.... so I think that is some measure of success. However, if there had been 10 people there, it would have taken AGES as I think only about 3 people can be in the room at once.

Also, it might have been better to have some food first and then send them in.With only 3 of them they could take a break but another challenge will be organizing a larger group.

Another thing I learned was that I can host a party, prepare the food, and prepare the displays, without feeling like it was WAY too much work. It was a lot of work but it was doable.
I think I'd change the menu next time. Something less greasy, maybe finger sandwiches... and I made 3 kinds of hot savory apps which were cold by the time anyone ate any. My husband and I ended up eating them... not so good for the diet!
I want to figure out something more healthy to offer.

Here are some of the 'posters'  from the display:

 The three questions fall into these basic categories:

• Style
• Display
• Price

 I told the participants they didn't have to go to all stations. I also said they didn't have to answer the questions exactly if they had something else to say.
What I wish I had done was make sure they did the 'final stop' station. None of them got that far.

The feedback I received was good but I didn't really learn anything earth shattering I didn't already know about my products. One of the main benefits was their reaction to my pricing. I also learned a lot about hosting this type of event! Even without the 'final stop' feedback.

Here's the starting point:

 Here's the feedback form:

I've got some more people to ask to go through the stations.
I want to get some of my artist friends to come and see what is going on, also some teenagers and college students. I have a cousin who works in marketing and want to ask her how I've done.

Eventually I envision the 'showroom' would be a room for selling things and the 'marketing' display might move up to the studio. The marketing party would only happen occasionally. A 'sale' day could be an open house for one day every few months.... maybe more often if there is more demand. I'll post updates when I have digested the results after a few more showings.

Stay tuned for more posts:
- the new 4-sided display project that is under way but on hold for the marketing party and Christmas.
- tote bag using 'tube' method (like pillowcases)
- more ideas all the time!