Finding customers

[Pandagirl]

Besides the traditional places like craft fairs, gift shops, your website, or Etsy, has anyone thought about other places to find customers for your handmade items?  

[MTRuth]

People that sell a specific genre like pet related items could try dog shows, vet's offices or humane society. If you create horse related items, there are horse shows to consider. If you make felted scarves and hats, you could try a ski resort shop. Just thinking about where your ideal customer is and where they go, what they like to do should give ideas about where to try unconventional places to sell your work.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Word of mouth can be effective if you can get your products out to the right people! I made some beautiful silk scarves last year using vintage Japanese silk kimono panels, and a friend of mine admired it, so I custom made one for her, and then for her friend who admired her scarf. My sister then asked for a scarf, and then her friend wanted one. In a very short time, I had made and sold half a dozen scarves! Although I no longer make the silk scarves--felting is now my priority--never underestimate the power of word of mouth.

[zed]

I imagine workplaces would be good for some people.
I've often wondered about home craft 'parties' (like Tupperware parties) where friends, friends of freinds etc could buy gifts, order custom items etc.

I suppose any social situation could be an opportunity.

[Pandagirl]

Apr 20, 2014 2:27:46 GMT MTRuth said:

People that sell a specific genre like pet related items could try dog shows, vet's offices or humane society. If you create horse related items, there are horse shows to consider. If you make felted scarves and hats, you could try a ski resort shop. Just thinking about where your ideal customer is and where they go, what they like to do should give ideas about where to try unconventional places to sell your work.

All of the ideas are great.  As Ruth points out there are plenty of alternative places when you start thinking in terms of specific items. Particularly, if you make a lot of one thing.  For examples, eye glass cases   -- you could approach local eye doctors or if you're making backpacks, a bicycle shop or school organization, vessels or pods -- a florist shop or street vendor, book covers -- bookstores, libraries, etc.

Another key word is "ideal" customer.  We want to target the types of customers we ideally want to sell to which is why it's important  to think outside the typical outlets.

Thanks Ruth.

Yes Zed, workplaces are also good and as Cathy pointed out word of mouth is very effective.  I had not thought of craft parties.  Great idea, especially if you have friends who could also provide contacts and a different variety of products.

What other products do you sell that you could find new outlets for?

[jufergu]

I have friends who have given me items of jewelry free and asked me if I will just wear it to my clubs. When people ask me where I got it, I give them their number.

[Pandagirl]

That's a great marketing strategy! Thanks for sharing it.

[lyn]

Magazines are powerful selling tools. It's not too difficult to get your stuff featured because editors are always searching for new content.
For instance, if you make scarves then offer one to a fashion magazine for a photoshoot or perhaps suggest an article about your business showing your designs that you have on offer.

[Pandagirl]

Another great idea Lyn as long as you can set yourself apart from others doing the same thing or have a regional connection. The same applies to newspapers. When I worked for a newspaper, I did a lot of feature stories on local artists, musicians, actors, etc.