(no subject)

[valkryor]

Feeling better this morning, although I'm still quite bitter and disappointed.

Yesterday was a wash in terms of wanting to get things done, so I'm taking another day off. After working nearly straight for 6 weeks, I doubt 2 days off in a row is going to hurt anything.

Comments

[persephoneplace.livejournal.com]

My experience from watching Les sell bodhrans at celtic festivals is that people rarely buy the first time they see you - particularly if the items are above a certain fairly low price. Keep going, keep working - it will be fine over time. You are here for the long haul.

[carolep.livejournal.com]

I didn't get a chance to comment on the last post but here you go:

I never expected you to sell anything. (Of course, I never said that because you wouldn't have gone.) You usually have to attend the same event/convention/etc. THREE TIMES so that people get to know you. Pagan Pride is an excellent event to go to as the booths are not expensive at all. (In comparison to say, Ren Faires, etc.)

Your booth looked good but I would suggest a 1/2 dummy to model the shirts. They would be far more impressive with the puffy sleeves showing. I would also recommend your booth helpers wear your product, you too. Showing off what you make! Woot! (then when people say "ooooh, where did you get that awesome shirt?" you hand them a card.)

Start studying the SCA event calendar. (start at www.sca.org) and call the event planners and ask if they allow vending. Quite frequently vending is free with admission.

Get your etsy store up. You won't sell anything, but you'll get seen. And it's relatively cheap advertising. (At 10 cents per item listed, good for 3 months!)

Also: check for upcoming pirate events. Yarr!

PS: don't expect to turn a serious profit for 2 years. After 2 years, you should have more work than you can keep up with, and you'll love it.

[carolep.livejournal.com]

PPS: look into accepting plastic. Those that did so sold much more, as people going to events like this carry X dollars in cash in their pockets and are not likely to go to the bank machine to get more. Also, keep all the receipts (if you haven't done this already) including the event site receipt, gas receipts and mileage to get there. Even if you don't turn a profit this year, you still ran a business and you can use those tax credits against what you earned at Execulink. Means you'll get your money back at the end of the year. Anything extra you can give to your hubby.

[boozymatic.livejournal.com]

Wise words. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[quingawaga.livejournal.com]

Yeah I wish I could take credit cards in time for the Art Walks. I don't want to set it up just for that, though, 'cause it's expensive (at least, the ones I've looked into are expensive...if you have recommendations for cheaper solutions that don't involve transmitting CC numbers over the cell phone, I'm all ears) and I'm not really planning to do events in the near future. If I start actually doing more shows, though, I am totally going for it.

[carolep.livejournal.com]

try contacting a company called tangerine concepts...http://www.tangarineconcepts.com/. When I was selling Fantasia, this is the company I went with. Their fees are very reasonable and I believe they can set you up with Visa/MC accounts as well. BTW, 90% of your sales will be via Visa. They carry portable units that work on cell tech.

[quingawaga.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind me asking, which program/product did you have with them, and how much was it? Email me if you don't want to post it here. :)

[carolep.livejournal.com]

at the time, the portable technology wasn't available yet. I had one of their standard all-in-one units. rental was $30/month, 7 cents a transaction plus 15 cents to close transactions at the end of the night. I didn't have visa/mastercard because that was Fantasia's problem. If you contact them I'm sure they'll have all the info you need. You just need a bank account the money can go into. When I was with them it didn't even have to be a "business" account, it worked with my PC financial account.

[theycallmebeth.livejournal.com]

Don't underestimate the power of word of mouth. Your name is out there, things are just getting started and it takes time to build up your reputation and get yourself known. You have gorgeous stuff and there are people out there that would love to buy it. The connections will come in time because you're a hard-working, intelligent, resourceful person (in addition to being talented!).

The weather changed things for you, but there are lots of other ways to get the word out. You'll do great, just keep going at it. :) And yeah, days off are good!

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

BTDT with the poor-selling shows. I second the recommendation to get credit-card capability ASAP, especially if your merchandise costs more than about $20 per item. Also, look at the other booths around you for display and setup ideas; a professional-looking presentation goes a long way toward encouraging buyer confidence.

Feel free to ask me questions via e-mail (the LJ address works). We're a little damp down here at the moment, but I'll do my best to respond in a timely fashion.

[valkryor.livejournal.com]

I just didn't have the extra cash to set it up, and I might not have the cash to do so anytime soon. I do take Paypal, so that's something, at least, which also works well with Etsy (I'm still working on getting everything setup and organized on that side).

[valkryor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for getting back to me, too. I do appreciate it. :)

I'll likely email questions and stuff later on. Gives me a chance to do some site overhauling and Etsy stuff and you a chance to dry out. :D