{"id":8960,"date":"2009-11-20T14:22:33","date_gmt":"2009-11-20T18:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodworkersguide.com\/?p=2174"},"modified":"2009-11-20T14:22:33","modified_gmt":"2009-11-20T18:22:33","slug":"nwg-marketing-and-pricing-our-wares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ravenview.com\/nwg-marketing-and-pricing-our-wares\/","title":{"rendered":"NWG – Marketing And Pricing Our Wares"},"content":{"rendered":"
The focus of this month’s meeting of the Nova Woodturners Guild was a journey into the mysterious world of pricing and marketing of craft items. The guest speakers were members Don Moore and Stephen Zwerling who both gave us lots of important and thought provoking ideas for selling our woodturned products. <\/p>\n
The meeting opened with an acknowledgement and a big round of applause for Rona, ‘The Canadian How-To People’ for opening their doors to us and allowing us to hold our future meetings here. This was followed by a short business session that included a club financial report and club website<\/a> update.<\/p>\n From there, Don Moore took the floor and gave us a great review of the marketing options available to us. He interspersed his presentation with hints, tips and information gained through his own experience as a professional seller of art and craft.<\/p>\n Don spoke about many of the different avenues to sell our wares including craft shows, galleries, auctions, agents, collectors and cooperatives. Another very viable option that he mentioned was networking through associations. With each of these options he included an overview of the things to look for. For example, when checking out a craft show look at the floor layout, the displays, your competition, talk to the vendors and even the customers. Then ask yourself, “Is the floor layout conducive to maximum sales?”, “Are the displays of the quality and\/or type that you are seeking?”, “Is there a lot of competition?”, Is there no competition?”, “Are the vendors happy with the results?”, “Are the customers enjoying the shopping experience?” “Do you want your products displayed here?”<\/p>\n Don also touched on the need for professionalism in your presentation and display. This included the requisite for quality business cards and brochures as they represent you and your work.<\/p>\n He concluded his presentation with a short question and answer period, fielding several questions from the members on the subject of marketing.<\/p>\n This was a great overview of this important side of ‘the business’. You may have a great product but if no one knows about it you will receive minimal sales. The responsibility is yours to get out there and tell everyone! <\/p>\n
\nThese are just examples of what one should ask themselves when deciding on a venue with the point being, and he repeated this often, “Do your homework!” In addition to this cardinal rule was another, “During a show always maintain the price, never lower it!” <\/p>\n